Best Portuguese paragliding destinations: Where to paraglide in Portugal

Want to know the best Portuguese paragliding destinations? Then check out this guide of where to paraglide in Portugal.

There are few better feelings than soaring over the South Downs or the Lake District in the UK. But with our weather being rather unpredictable, the chances to paraglide in the UK can be limited.

Where to paraglide in Portugal

Which is why choosing to paraglide in Portugal, where the weather is more reliable, is proving a popular choice. It is not just holiday makers that can benefit from the Portuguese climate but those that like to soar.

Heading over for some winter sun and fancy a Portuguese paragliding experience? Want to spend your summer holiday soaring high over the Algarve? Or would like to do a paragliding course?

There are plenty of options for everyone from beginner to expert if you want to paraglide in Portugal. You’ll find some of Europe’s best paragliding in this part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Best Portuguese paragliding destinations

Here’s a run down of some of the top paragliding spots in Portugal. 

Montalegre

This is the site of the 2000, 2012 and 2015 Paragliding World Cup! So you’d expect this to be a pretty special flying site – and it doesn’t disappoint.

Situated north of Porto near the border with Spain. There is some great flying to be experienced here. There are launches in all directions, so the sky really is the limit.

Setúbal

Setúbal is found just south of Lisbon across the mouth of the Tagus. From there extends a beautiful Atlantic coastline down towards the Algarve. Here you’ll find some of the best Portuguese paragliding destinations.

There are about twenty or so top launch sites along this stretch, all providing some stunning views of the rugged coast and cliffs. Take off from the hills and sore over golden beaches and beautiful blue waters. If you want to paraglide in Portugal then Setúbal should be high on your list.

The Azores

Ok, technically cheating because the Azores are a small volcanic island group about a thousand miles west of Lisbon. However, it is still technically Portugal so we’re going to count it as one of the best Portuguese paragliding destinations.

This mid-Atlantic, historic stopping off point, consists of an archipelago of nine volcanic islands. As you might expect, this creates some pretty spectacular flying conditions with unbeatable views. The pleasant climate means that you can paraglide here all year long.

The Algarve

Many associate the Algarve with hardcore tourism. But get away from the resorts and you’ll find a stunningly beautiful region with some excellent thermic lift in the hills.

Or would you rather look down on your fellow tourists (both literally and metaphorically)? You can fly over some of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches, including Falésia, Albufeira and Porto de Mós.

Linhares

Positioned on top of a smooth mountain ridge about an hour’s drive inland from Porto. Linhares offers incredibly reliable flying conditions and some of the best paragliding in Portugal.

The evening thermals during the summer can take you up to 1,000m above takeoff. There are multiple launch and landing sites to choose from and a record of six hours flying time! If you are asking where to paraglide in Portugal then Linhares is a top spot to visit.

Madeira

Just like the Azores Madeira is a volcanic Portuguese island found in the Atlantic. There are excellent conditions with many launches suited to everyone from beginners to experienced paragliders.

You can soar high above beauty spots and viewpoints like the Porto da Cruz and Prazeres. Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands on the planet – so why not enjoy it from the air! There are many other great adventures in Madeira.

Other paragliding in Portugal

There are plenty of other sites to visit during Portugal paragliding holidays. Launch sites are numerous in both the Leiria and Coimbra districts in the more mountainous areas of Central Portugal. And up and down the west coast there are places to fly.

All in all, Portugal is recommended as one of the world’s best paragliding destinations.

We hope you found this article about paragliding in Portugal useful. Be sure to check out our Portugal adventure holiday discounts as you could save a fortune on your next trip.