When you’re in the remote Atlantic Ocean on the same latitude as North Africa there are things that you wouldn’t expect to find in a European region. On the Madeira Archipelago that might be subtropical laurel forest tended by an eternal spring-like climate and soils that allow almost any flora to thrive. The island of …
On the high banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra is a city with the oldest university in the country. The prestige of this school will hit you when you step onto the Paço das Escolas courtyard. In this rich ensemble of buildings is one of the finest libraries you’ll ever set foot in. The university …
Vizela is a spa town in Portugal’s Norte region, in a landscape of tall, coniferous hills capped with granite outcrops. The Romans were the first to take advantage of Vizela’s mineral-rich hot springs, but today the town has a Belle Époque air about its spa and the graceful park around it. Around this time the …
In the summer of 1917 the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three young shepherds in what is now the town of Fátima in Portugal’s Centro Region. The place where they saw her has become an immense sanctuary and one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage sites. There are two basilicas, a square where …
A coastal town on Provence’s Côte Bleue, Martigues became a hang-out for artists in the 19th century. They were seduced by its clear light and canals, and Martigues was soon dubbed the Venice of Provence. You can decide for yourself if that’s a fair description, but you’ll definitely fall for the little channels, houses and …
On the road between Setúbal and Évora, Vendas Novas is an understated Alentejano town embedded in farmland. Most Portuguese people know Vendas Novas for its sandwiches, “bifanas”, which are a pork steak in a bun, flavoured with garlic and spices. Drivers will even make a detour just to pick one up! The town was born …
The town of Cartaxo is in a sea of vineyards on the fertile right bank of the River Tagus. Wine is integral to Cartaxo’s story: Every autumn the town even elects a King and Queen of the Vineyards for the coming year. There are also lots of little things to see and do in the …
Not for from the Spanish border, Moura is a medieval town with rich Moorish heritage. Take the Mouraria neighbourhood , which looks much as it did 700 years ago when it was an enclave for a minority Muslim population. Moura is still defended by a castle, and on the ramparts there’s a park with endless …
A perfect day out from coastal Algarve, Silves is an adorable medieval town among citrus groves and vineyards. The town had its heyday in Moorish times when it was the capital of the Algarve. The castle at the top of the hill is a monument to Islamic rule until the 13th century. Great works of …
In easy reach of Porto, Espinho is a holiday resort with ample sandy beaches, rolling surf and a helping of seafood restaurants. What more could you ask for? A few things have put this former fishing village on the map: Competitors from around the world descend on Espinho in June for the high swells and …