Most hotels have a private swimming pool and serve international cuisine as well as some typically Portuguese dishes. During the low season, hotels normally grant substantial reductions. The pousadas are a network of inns operated by the Government, and housed in historic buildings, castles, palaces and convents, or sometimes built especially for the purpose. They have often been geographically sited in regions not on the usual tourist itinerary to give people the opportunity to visit the whole country. The architecture and design of the pousadas has been carefully studied in order to give visitors a better knowledge of the cultural traditions of the various regions of the country, with particular attention paid to handicrafts, cooking and wines.
Rooms are available in private houses and on farms all over Portugal.
Some of the old manor houses are now open to visitors and provide good opportunities for tourists to make contact with Portuguese customs and people. For further information, contact ICEP or local travel agents. Tour operators can arrange a wide variety of villas for self-catering parties. Youth hostels are located to give young people the opportunity of visiting towns, countryside, mountains and coastal areas. Tourists from 14-40 years of age can obtain accommodation and meals.