Lisbon’s Design Museum (MUDE) and Lisbon Museum – Pimenta Palace are among the 34 nominees for the European Museum of the Year Award, which the organisers will host on Saturday
The post Two Lisbon museums vying for European Museum of the Year award appeared first on Portugal Resident.
EasyJet has launched its big summer 2026 sale, and the team at Metro Travel is here to help you get the most bang for your buck.
From sun-soaked beaches to ancient Old Towns, there are destinations to suit every kind of traveller.
And, for a limited time, you can lock in your next holiday by paying a £60 deposit.
Check out our editors’ picks of the best and most underrated places on the list.
For a city break with a difference, Metro’s Travel Editor Alice Murphy recommends heading to Belfast.
An industrial port with a troubled past, Northern Ireland’s capital has pulled off a remarkable transformation into a creative party town.
Inspired to explore the wonders of New South Wales for yourself? We’re giving you the chance to win two return Business Class flights with Singapore Airlines to Sydney.
The winner can choose to fly from London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Manchester, to a choice of two Sydney airports: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport or the airline’s newest gateway, Western Sydney International Airport.
Then strike out to explore the riches of this iconic Australian state, from the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains to the wines of the Hunter Valley, breathtaking beaches to sultry rainforest.
Enter by June 15, 2026, and you could be travelling in style to New South Wales with Singapore Airlines.
For your chance to win two Business Class flights with Singapore Airlines, visit Metro.co.uk/Singapore-Airlines
Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland) residents aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 09:00 on 26/05/2026 and closes at 23:59 on 15/06/2026. Entrant must enter by visiting metro.co.uk/singapore-airlines. One prize of two Singapore Airlines Business Class return tickets is available. One entry per person. Full T&Cs apply.
‘There’s nowhere better for a night out on the island of Ireland, if you ask me,’ says Alice. ‘It’s been wonderful to watch the creative scene here rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of the Troubles.’
Alice says a day is best spent learning the history of Ireland’s north on a black cab tour (‘the guides are always great craic’), followed by dinner at the Muddler’s Club or the Lantern, and a pint at Madden’s, the best spot for a proper seisiún (traditional Irish music session). You might even run into the lads from Kneecap, they’re regulars.
Convinced? Metro found a flight from London Stansted to Belfast on Wednesday, July 1, for £29.99.
@explorewithcriostoir 5 unmissable spots for when you come to visit Belfast! 1.Palm House, Botanic 2.City Hall and Linen Quarter 3. Cathedral Quarter 4. Queens Quarter 5. Union Street Art #simplyireland #ireland #discoverireland #irish #visitireland #loveireland #wildatlanticway #irelandtravel #tourismireland #dublin #exploreireland #nature #photography #discoverdublin #lovindublin #travelphotography #irelandphotography #landscape #bestirelandpics #wanderireland #visitdublin #irishpassion #irlanda #travelireland #exploreireland #belfast #northernireland
♬ sonido original – clau
If you’re still looking for a sunny escape, for Alice, it’s all about Sardinia.
Though it often plays second fiddle to glitzier Sicily, she says this Italian island is home to the most beautiful beaches in Italy.
To get the best of Sardinia, Alice advises flying into Olbia, renting a car and taking to the road to explore the extraordinary beauty of the Costa Smerelda (Emerald Coast).
‘Every beach is more beautiful than the last: think lunar white sands and dazzling turquoise water,’ she says.
Alice’s advice is to skirt the main cities, as the most breathtaking bits of Sardinia are found in the villages that hug the coast: ‘The showstopper for me was Cala Goloritzè and Cala Luna (a quick Insta or Google search will tell you why).’
Metro found a week’s holiday at the four-star Mangia’s Sardinia Resort for £785, down from £1,055 per person, if you travel on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Alice’s third and final choice is Corsica, where you can fly to from as little as £72 one-way.
She says she was pleasantly surprised to see the French-governed island on the EasyJet roundup.
‘Getting to Corsica, which is often referred to as ‘France’s best kept secret’, is usually wildly expensive. So if I were you, I’d seize the moment. I can’t recall seeing one-way trips for such a low price before,’ says Alice.
@nospaceinmypassport Save this list if you are planning to travel to Corsica this summer! 💙 #corsica #thingstodoincorsica #Corsica #VisitCorsica #CorsicaTravel #EuropeDestinations #HiddenGems #IslandLife #BeachVibes #TravelGuide #Wanderlust #BucketList #FrenchIslands #SummerInEurope #RoadTripEurope #TravelReels #Mediterranean Corsica travel Corsica guide Things to do in Corsica Corsica must-see Hidden gems Corsica Corsica beaches Corsica road trip Bonifacio Corsica Calvi Corsica Ajaccio Corsica Porto-Vecchio Corsica mountains Corsica hiking Piana Calanques Corsica food Corsica summer Corsica travel tips
♬ original sound – ALTÉGO
Moving west, Amanda Cable, Metro’s Deputy Features Editor, loves Spanish city Valencia for a city break.
She says: ‘Refresh with a dive into the sea, before a delicious tapas lunch and a stroll around the Old Town to find some lovely bargains.’
If you’re looking for a city filled with character, bars and food, nestled on the coastline, Amanda says Valencia is as good as Barcelona, without the crowds.
‘We checked into the Novotel Valencia, which has a rooftop pool for luxury at a wallet-friendly price.’
On Tuesday, September 1, Metro found a flight from London Gatwick for £67.99.
If you’re looking for somewhere to while away the days with a good book, Amanda suggests Lake Maggiore in Italy.
While Lake Como takes all the glory, she says its lesser-known sibling feels like you’re stepping back in time.
‘The pretty town of Stresa is a fantastic foodie base, while water taxis whisk you to the stunning islands.’ Amanda’s favourite was Isola dei Pescatori (Island of the Fishermen).
If you feel like exploring further, you can even take a train across the mountains into Switzerland and catch a local ferry back. We’ve got a handy guide to Ascona, an under-the-radar Swiss border town.
Back at base, if your hotel has a swimming pool, make sure to take a dip against the backdrop of towering peaks.
Unlike the other package holidays, Lake Maggiore is a little on the pricey end. But, if you have the funds, it’s a must-visit.
Metro found a five-night stay at the five-star Castello Dal Pozzo for £1,110 per person. The flight leaves from Manchester Airport on Monday, June 1, 2026.
@leeshbrock Postcards from Lake Maggiore, Italy🌿🌊🤍 This beautiful lake shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting this region of Italy! Only a short distance from busy Lake Como, Lake Maggiore has a beautiful tranquility that you haveee to experience (we were so pleasantly surprised!). We bought a day pass for the ferry and hopped to the little islands (Isola Madre and Isola Bella) to explore the lovely gardens and ofc grab a hugo spritz with a view. You only need a few days here, but it’s enough to completely slow down and soak it all in🫶🏼 📌save this post #italytravel #visititaly #lakemaggiore #lakemaggioreitaly #isolabella #italia #italy_vacations #lakecomo #laggomaggiore #maggiore #italytrip #exploreitaly #italyhiddengems #passionpassport #bucketlisttravel #uktravelblogger #travellingthroughtheworld #italyiloveyou #italylovers #italyguide #italytok #italytiktok #italy🇮🇹
♬ original sound – Dance in the rain – ROSE 🌹
Kristina Beanland, Metro’s Lifestyle Editor, has a soft spot for Portugal’s Algarve, having spent summers there as a child. While it’s far from a ‘hidden gem’, there are a few spots that haven’t been spoiled yet.
‘Head to the fishing town of Ferragudo, with its quaint harbour and cobbled streets, or hop on a river cruise to Silves, which once served as the capital of the Algarve,’ she says.
Kristina says you should visit the Monchique mountains and the famous spa village of Caldas, known for its thermal waters.
If this sounds like a bit of you, the four-star Hotel PortoBay Falesia has a week-long holiday available from Bristol Airport on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, for £885 per person.
More of a city breaker? Kristina says you can’t go wrong with a trip to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. However, it can be expensive to get there – and with Eurostar yet to release tickets for summer 2026, it makes sense to snap up an Easyjet bargain now.
‘If it’s culture you’re after, there are museums a-plenty from the Rijksmuseum to the, erm, Sex Museum,’ says Kristina.
Peckish for lunch? Grab a sandwich at Zero Zero or indulge in three courses at the impossibly cool CornerStore.
‘And of course, there’s always plenty of places to grab a ‘coffee.’
Fly to the Dutch capital on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from London Southend for £41.99.
The 2026 summer sale launched at 9am this morning.
You can now book cheap flights between June 15, 2026, and September 13, 2026. Other destinations on the list include hotspots like Amsterdam and Ibiza.
For package holidays, the dates extend a little further until October 31, 2026. Destinations include European favourites like Greece, Turkey, and Spain, where holidaymakers can guarantee a good old dose of vitamin D (and sea).
If you can’t afford to pay for your holiday in full straight away, there’s an option to pay in fee-free instalments up to 28 days before departure.
The initial £60 per person deposit locks in the price.
When browsing for holidays, also look out for other discounts in the package prices. Some include child-free places, where one child can fly and stay for free when travelling with two paying adults.
Still not booked your 2025 summer holiday?
There’s still time to get a good deal this year, too. EasyJet offers promo codes on beach and city holidays. For the former, you can get £100 off when you spend £800–£1,999 using the code SUMMER. If you spend over £2,000, you’ll receive a £200 discount with the same code.
For city breaks, the code CITY20 gives you £20 off per person.
EasyJet uses dynamic pricing, which means prices fluctuate based on demand.
For example, booking a holiday during peak times (or to a popular destination) might incur higher charges than somewhere off the beaten path.
Other things to look out for are booking fees. If you’re travelling with your family and want to sit together, the most obvious extra cost is seat selection. Additionally, if you don’t factor in checked baggage fees from the start, you may end up paying more if you add them later.
Finally, if you need to change your flight or booking, charges will be incurred.
Before confirming your booking, double-check your dates. Should you need to cancel completely, cancellation policies vary depending on the holiday you book.
The best beach in the world has been crowned by Tripadvisor – and it’s under three hours away from London.
Praia da Falésia in the Algarve, Portugal has finished in first place at the Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, ahead of stunning locations in the Caribbean, Australia and the Seychelles.
In fact the top three are all in Europe, with Spiaggia dei Conigli in Sicily and La Concha Beach in Spain taking second and third respectively. The highest Caribbean entry was Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos which came in at number five.
Though the UK failed to make the top 10 overall, we did win an award for having the most sustainable beach in the world. Sandbanks Beach in Poole, Dorset, got a special mention from the judges for its commitments to sustainability, including eco-friendly transport options, waste disposal and water quality.
The popular travel guidance platform analysed ‘tens of millions’ of reviews submitted by travellers over the past 12 months, looking particularly at the quality and quantity of ratings for beach experiences.
Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher
Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.
Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.
Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.
Portugal’s Praia da Falésia is known for its dramatic red, sandy cliffs and golden sand. Reviewers who have been lucky enough to visit loved walking along the soft, powdery sand while admiring the views of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are thousands of gushing reviews for the beach. A Tripadvisor user known as Waddler said of the location: ‘It reminded me of some remote beaches I’d been to in Western Australia, but here it has resorts around so is much more easily accessed.’
Another visitor, @grillo84BS, wrote about the walk they enjoyed from the beach Praia Maria Luisa towards Vilamoura, with Praia da Falésia being located in between both. ‘The colours of the cliffs are spectacular and you almost don’t realise how many kilometres you have travelled,’ they said about the award winning beach. ‘Highly recommended for those who love these scenarios.’
Meanwhile, @GlobetrottingViking said: ‘The red-coloured cliffs were magnificent and it was amusing to see the playful birds, like Ruddy Turnstones, Yellow-legged Gulls and a solitary Kestrel along the beach.’
Although the beach is often showered with praise, one criticism from reviewers is that it isn’t the most accessible place for those with mobility issues. Tripadvisor user @Steve_of_N21 commented: ‘Both the entry points at the Albufeira Surf Adventure and the Algarve Gardens Sports Resort involve steps, especially at the surf adventure where the wooden staircase down to the beach is an impressive piece of mechanical engineering.
‘Also Praia da Falésia is not blessed with facilities, with the Strandbar Alfamar at the Garden Sports entrance being about it.’
The nearest airport to Praia da Falésia is Faro, which is a 40-minute drive away by car. Comboios De Portugal runs a train service from Estação Ferroviária de Lisboa Oriente (a major public transport stop) between Albufeira and Ferreiras five times a day. Tickets are typically priced between £14-£20 and the journey takes two hours and 36 minutes according to Rome2Rio.
You can currently book a plane ticket from London Luton Airport to Faro for £58 with Ryanair.
Other airlines that fly direct to Faro include Jet2, easyJet and British Airways, with flights priced between £108-£151. The non-stop flights usually last for around two hours and 50-55 minutes.
The Algarve is a top choice among travellers seeking warmth and sun even during the winter months. The Olhos de Agua region, where you’ll find Praia da Falésia has a Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and relatively short winters.
For the most heat, the best time to visit is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July, which has an average high of 30°C and an average low of 22°c°.
February is the coldest month of the year, but you would still be able to wear a t-shirt outdoors. During the second month of the year, the average high is 16°C and an average low of 10°C.
The beach is also listed number one for things to do in the Olhos de Agua region on Tripadvisor, however that doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip sunbathing (even though that does sound ideal).
For a shopping spree, visit Albufeira’s old town – Avenida Dr Francisco Sa Carneiro – for souvenirs and clothes. You can also find an open-air mall with the easy to remember name Algarve Shopping, where you can buy anything from pottery to a new outfit, as well as local bars and restaurants, like Planet Fusion, The Three Harps and Symbiosis.
For tapas and booze, you can head to Fabio’s RoadStop, Platinum and Metrópole.
But let’s face it, the beach is an attraction itself and visitors can actually walk or hike from Praia Maria Luisa towards Vilamoura and pass through Praia da Falésia.
The west side of the award-winning beach is where you’ll find the high red cliffs. This part is also referred to as Açoteias and a highly rated hotel in this era is the Epic Sana Algarve Beach Hotel.
The east side of Praia da Falésia, towards Vilamoura, is referred to as Alfamar because of the nearby Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort. The lower parts of the cliffs can be found here, along with shallow waters where activities like paragliding, diving and surfing take place.
The best beach in the world has been crowned by Tripadvisor and it’s under three hours away from London.
Praia da Falésia in the Algarve, Portugal has finished in first place at the Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, ahead of stunning locations in the Caribbean, Australia and the Seychelles.
In fact the top three are all in Europe, with Spiaggia dei Conigli in Sicily and La Concha Beach in Spain taking second and third respectively. The highest Caribbean entry is Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos.
Though the UK failed to make the top 10 overall, we did win an award for having the most sustainable beach in the world. Sandbanks Beach in Poole, Dorset, got a special mention from the judges for its commitments to sustainability, including sustainable transport options, waste disposal and water quality.
The popular travel guidance platform analysed ‘tens of millions’ of reviews submitted by travellers over the past 12 months, looking particularly at the quality and quantity of ratings for beach experiences.
Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher
Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.
Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.
Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.
Portugal’s Praia da Falésia is known for its dramatic red, sandy cliffs and golden sand. Reviewers who have been lucky enough to visit loved walking along the soft, powdery sand while admiring the views of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are thousands of gushing reviews for the beach. A Tripadvisor user known only as Waddler called the location: ‘It reminded me of some remote beaches I’d been to in Western Australia, but here it has resorts around so is much more easily accessed.’
Another visitor, known as @grillo84BS on the site, wrote about the walk they enjoyed from the beach Praia Maria Luisa towards Vilamoura, with Praia da Falésia being located in between both. ‘The colours of the cliffs are spectacular and you almost don’t realise how many kilometres you have travelled,’ they shared about the award winning beach. ‘Highly recommended for those who love these scenarios.’
And a Tripadvisor account holder called @GlobetrottingViking said they visited the beach in mid-November when it wasn’t very busy. ‘The red-coloured cliffs were magnificent and it was amusing to see the playful birds, like Ruddy Turnstones, Yellow-legged Gulls and a solitary Kestrel along the beach.’
Although the beach is often showered with praise, one criticism from reviewers is that it isn’t the most accessible place for those with mobility issues. Tripadvisor reviewer @Steve_of_N21 shared: ‘Both the entry points at the Albufeira Surf Adventure and the Algarve Gardens Sports Resort involve steps, especially at the surf adventure where the wooden staircase down to the beach is an impressive piece of mechanical engineering.
‘Also Praia da Falésia is not blessed with facilities, with the Strandbar Alfamar at the Garden Sports entrance being about it.’
The nearest airport is Faro, which is a 40-minute drive away by car. Comboios De Portugal runs a train service from Estação Ferroviária de Lisboa Oriente (a major public transport stop) between Albufeira and Ferreiras five times a day. Tickets are typically priced between £14-£20 and the journey takes two hours and 36 minutes according to Rome2Rio.
You can currently book a plane ticket from London Luton Airport to Faro for £58 with Ryanair.
Other airlines that fly direct to Faro include Jet2, easyJet and British Airways, with flights priced between £108-£151. The non-stop flights usually last for around two hours and 50-55 minutes.
The Algarve is a top choice among travellers seeking warmth and sun even during the winter months. The Olhos de Agua region, where you’ll find Praia da Falésia has a Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and relatively short winters.
For the most heat, the best time to visit is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July, which has an average high of 30°C and an average low of 22°c°.
February is the coldest month of the year, but you would still be able to wear a t-shirt outdoors. During the second month of the year, the average high is 16°C and an average low of 10°C.
The beach is also listed number one for things to do in the Olhos de Agua region on Tripadvisor, however that doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip sunbathing (even though that does sound ideal).
For a shopping spree, visit Albufeira’s old town – Avenida Dr Francisco Sa Carneiro – for souvenirs and clothes. You can also find an open-air mall with the easy to remember name Algarve Shopping, where you can buy anything from pottery to a new outfit, as well as local bars and restaurants, like Planet Fusion, The Three Harps and Symbiosis.
For tapas and booze, you can head to Fabio’s RoadStop, Platinum and Metrópole.
But let’s face it, the beach is an attraction itself and visitors can actually walk or hike from Praia Maria Luisa towards Vilamoura and pass through Praia da Falésia.
The west side of the award-winning beach is where you’ll find the high red cliffs. This part is also referred to as Açoteias and a highly rated hotel in this era is the Epic Sana Algarve Beach Hotel.
The east side of Praia da Falésia, towards Vilamoura, is referred to as Alfamar because of the nearby Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort. The lower parts of the cliffs can be found here, along with shallow waters where activities like paragliding, diving and surfing take place.
Login
