Commanding vineyards and golden plains, Estremoz is a historic city within two layers of defensive walls. The upper core was a medieval home to royalty, where the Queen Elizabeth of Aragon passed away in the 14th century. In the lower reaches there’s a newer wall from the 17th century responding to the threat from Spain …
On the coast in Portugal’s Norte Region, Esposende is a resort by the Cávado River Estuary. The coastline is blessed with a chain of Blue Flag beaches, all in the North Coast Natural Park, which rolls out for kilometres north and south of Esposende. You can learn to ride the tube-like Atlantic waves at a …
A transatlantic staging post since the Age of Discovery, Horta is a maritime town on the east coast of Faial in the Azores. The natural harbour has one of the busiest marinas in the world, and every captain to berth here paints a message on the jetty. This has left a big, colourful mosaic beside …
Where the Gardunha mountains descend to the plains of Cova da Beira, Fundão is a loveable rural town in astonishing natural scenery. You’ll divide your time between the town and it’s churches, 17th-century mansions, and the countryside of cherry orchards, cool rivers and chestnut-coated mountainsides . Fundão’s cherries are irresistible and early summer might be …
In Central Portugal’s Dão-Lafões region, Mangualde is a quiet, provincial town not far from the city of Viseu. Investigating the town and its surroundings will lead you to a Megalithic monument, Roman remains, splendid Baroque mansions and hermitages posted high on hilltops. The fertile soils in the Dão River Valley are coated with vineyards, apple …
A town that holds onto its ancestral traditions, Macedo de Cavaleiros is in the historic Transmontano region in northeastern Portugal. Some local rites are so old that they began in pagan times. This goes for the “Caretos”, strange mischievous characters that take to the streets in bright woolly costumes and masks at carnival. If the …
A medieval city on the way to Spain, Serpa is still watched by its castle and walls. Being so close to the border the town has lived through many sieges and sackings, all following the conflict between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Moors in the middle ages. The old walls and castle remain and …
In a picture-book scene of hills with a light mantle of cork oak trees sits Montemor-o-Novo. It’s an unpretentious town In the middle of the Alentejo countryside, and has a few heavyweight sights to circle on your map. Alentejo is strewn with prehistoric monuments, and there are 12 in this municipality alone. One dolmen was …
On the southern hills of the Serra de Candeeiros range, Rio Maior is a town known for a strange natural phenomenon that occurs close by. These are salt flats, much further from the ocean than you’d ever expect to find them, and exploited by locals since the 12th century. The natural park should figure in …
On the coast between Aveiro and Porto, Esmoriz is a resort that is beginning to make a name for itself. Surfers are already coming round, as the town’s main beach has reliable beach breaks good for novices as well as old hands. There are surf camps where you can pass a whole week perfecting you …