The tranquil seaside resort of Ofir is located about 22 miles from Porto on Portugal’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). The Costa Verde is located in the northwest of Portugal, where the vineyards that produce famous Portuguese wines, such as Vinho Verde and Rose, the rivers and the beautiful green landscape add to the natural charm of the area. The region not only has great scenery to explore, but also offers a magnificent coastline with wide bays where visitors can relax on their last minute Portugal vacation.
Ofir is one of the best resorts on the Costa Verde, offering good hotels, a beautiful beach and wonderful scenery. The complex is surrounded by pine forests and the beach is bordered by sand dunes. The long and wide sandy beach is washed by the Atlantic and the warm waters are very popular with windsurfers. Other water sports offered in Ofir include snorkeling, surfing, sea kayaking, sailing, and fishing. There are so many secluded bays and coves along the coast that are perfect for relaxing in the sun that you will be spoiled for choice. A boat trip is a great way to see the spectacular coastline of the Costa Verde.
Although Ofir has a few restaurants and bars, there is a wider choice in Fao, which is just a couple of miles inland from the resort. Dating back to Roman times, Fao sits at the mouth of the Cavado River and is a great place for fishing and canoeing. Close to the river bank is the old fishing village of Esposende, where you can take a walk and discover the picturesque squares and historic buildings.
The best way to explore the Costa Verde is by car. The incredible landscape is both tranquil and beautiful, with charming hillside villages, castles and churches just waiting to be explored. Another way to explore the surrounding countryside is to take a guided tour by bike or on horseback. A trip to the Arcuentu volcanic mountain, where wild cats and deer roam, will give you stunning views from its summit and excellent photo opportunities. Take a 30-minute drive from Ofir to Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, for a must-see day trip on your family vacation to Ofir. Famous as the birthplace of Port wine, Porto is a historic city with great sightseeing and shopping opportunities, restaurants, bars, and plenty of nightlife along the city’s waterfront. The gothic church of San Francisco and the Palacio da Bolsa are just two of the historic buildings in Porto that are worth a visit. An opportunity not to be missed is a guided tour of the Port cellars, including wine tasting sessions in the cellars.
Ofir enjoys hot summers but not as hot as the south of Portugal. Temperatures average around 25°C during the summer with low humidity levels making for very pleasant weather conditions. June, July and August have 10 hours of sunshine a day with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean hovering around 9C. Even summer nights enjoy temperatures of 15C, ideal for dining in the restaurants and having a drink or two in the bars. Most of the rain falls during the spring, autumn and winter months, when temperatures hover around 15°C.