Now that you’re settling in, and you’re managing the routine aspects of life, it’s time to enjoy yourself – after all, you’ve probably earned it by now, and people are doing it all around you. Now, I don’t know what kind of social life you may have been used to in the UK, or what hobbies you may have pursued in your free time, but it is probably fair to say that some of your leisure pursuits may take on a new angle in Portugal.There may not be access to the sorts of activities you have previously enjoyed, or you may not be able to buy some of the items connected with your pastimes. But that is not to say that you can’t have fun – it may just require a bit of rethinking.

Of course, in the Algarve, there is a ready-made network of ex-patriot activities too, so you’ll have to decide which way to take your pursuit of pleasure. What follows is an overview of the sorts of activities you might consider – location will render some of them easier to follow than others. The Directory on page 244 lists some details of places to contact for further information.

Leisure Facilities

Whilst Portugal does not have the same network of leisure and sports centres, as in the UK, often run by Town Councils, the Portuguese do enjoy sports, mostly outdoors, and many connected with water – and with a coastline of 800km, that is not really surprising.

There are many Municipal swimming baths around the country, some indoors, but many outside. My husband and I went to a pool up in the higher Douro town of Moncorvo, on a hot and dusty August afternoon, and found practically all of the inhabitants of the town there too – the ideal way to keep cool, and with a pool set high on a hill with wild countryside around, it was truly a fantastic setting for a dip – and extremely cheap too. We paid about 80 pence each. You are usually requested to wear a bathing cap (touca), and if you don’t have one, you will be asked to buy one there, for about £1.

In the Algarve, and some areas around Lisbon in particular, there are now a number of gyms, many private (and in the south usually belonging to the larger hotels). On holiday you can normally have access to the facilities at your hotel or complex, and as a resident you can become a member just as you might in the UK.

The Portuguese love the beach as much as the next person, and when they are on holiday, or have free time with their families, that is where they will often head. In the Algarve, you are spoiled for sandy stretches, with amazing rocky cliffs and outcrops. The water is generally quite clean and safe, although it is not always that warm – it is still predominantly Atlantic. The Atlantic coastline itself, from north to south, is one wondrous beach after another, from the silvery delights of places like Vila Praia d’Âncora, right down through Lisbon’s Costa da Caparica, and the wild coasts of the lower Alentejo through to Sagres in the south. Crashing waves, coldish water, even in summer, but certainly, the place to be, with beach tents, picnics and games.

Other popular pursuits include:

• Surfing/windsurfing (surf/wind-surf)
• Very popular with youngsters, and Portugal is highly ranked in international competitions. Good places for the surf include the beaches along from Lisbon – Guincho and Praia das Maçãs.
• Sailing (vela)
• Numerous marinas and clubs, mostly the domain of foreign visitors. Vilamoura in the Algarve is the best-known, top-class marina.
• Diving (mergulho)
• Some diving offered, mostly in the Algarve.
• Cycling (ciclismo)
• Although the Portuguese themselves rarely cycle, they do enjoy it as a sport. There are annual Tours of Portugal, mountain races, BMX competitions, and the Volta ao Algarve (Tour of the Algarve). Bikes can be hired in some resorts in the Algarve, but you need to be cautious on the roads.
• Horse riding (hipismo)
• see: www.equus.algarve.com Although growing in popularity, still the domain of the more affluent. Some trekking and a growing number of riding centres in the Algarve, Lisbon. No horse races for betting on.
• Hunting and fishing (caça/pesca)
• Shooting in rural areas very popular/fishing very common – both sea and fresh-water. Licences are cheap. Fishing trips are plentiful in the Algarve, setting out from many resorts. You can also go on trips to spot dolphins, or just to have a great visit to some of the rocky crags.
• Football (futebol/a bola)
• The nation’s favourite spectator sport, and one played by most youngsters on any bit of ground they can find. TV games are avidly followed in bars and cafes, or on transistor radios as men (still by far the predominant fans) stroll along in parks or promenades. The most well-known teams are Benfica and Sporting (both Lisbon), and Porto FC. 2004 saw Portugal host the Euro competition, and in preparation, five new stadia were built and five renovated around the country (and how long did it take for a new Wembley. . .?).
• Tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball, roller skating, hockey (ténis, basquetebol, voleibol, andebol, patinagem em linha, hóquei)
• Best facilities for tennis in the Algarve, at some of the private fitness clubs or exclusive resorts; other sports are on a smaller scale, but available in some areas.
• Bull fighting (corrida de touros/tourada)
• Not as fanatical as their Spanish counterparts, but still fairly popular. Fighting on horseback, plus other displays. Large ring in Lagos.