PORTUGAL

Sitting right at the South Western tip of Europe, Portugal mixes a Mediterranean vibe with an Atlantic outlook. There are some unbelievable trail running routes on Portugal’s rugged coast, dotted with white-sand beaches. Further inland, there are massive sprawls of national parks, such as Peneda-Gerês and Serra da Estrela.

If city sightrunning is your thing, you’ve got an endless list of unique, historical spots to explore. Lose yourself in the sights and sounds of the Alfama neighbourhood in Lisbon, with azulejo tiles and Fado music in the air. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Porto, Coimbra and Aveiro all offer their own architecture and culture to explore on a run.

Both in the city centres and just outside, you can find a wide array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the historic centre of Porto to the stunning Quinta da Regaleira, Castelo dos Mouros and the National Palace of Pena with its surrounding national park, you can take in truly breathtaking sights while running in Portugal.

After burning some calories on your run, you’ve got to refuel. Portuguese cuisine is one of the most underrated in the world, with wonderful seafood dishes. Dominating the menu, bacalhau (cod) is cooked in an endless amount of ways, but there are all kinds of culinary inventions for all tastes. To finish, a post-dinner glass of port is difficult to beat.

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, lace up and go running in Portugal.