There’s the Portugal everyone knows and loves, and it’s absolute heaven. But there are plenty of lesser-known attractions to add an extra spark of adventure to your holiday.
Here are 12 destinations off the beaten track to tempt you. Because Portugal is around two and a half times smaller than the UK, you’re never very far from these cool places by train, bus, hire car or cab. Base yourself on the coast or in a city and make your way to…
Marvão in The Alentejo
At first sight The Alentejo, the region beyond the river Tagus, looks a bit grim and samey. Just endless dull plantations of cork oaks and olive trees dotted across enormous flat plains covering a third of Portugal. But take a turn to the north east and everything changes thanks to the magnificent Serra de São Mamede mountain range.
Perfect for those whose dream landscapes are all drama, the range is home to some fascinating villages with views that’ll blow your mind. Marvão is one of the most beautiful. An ancient medieval village full of personality, it’s just over 862m above sea level, built high up on a craggy granite outcrop. Marvão castle itself is spectacularly placed for long, long views across the plains and into Spain. A disused railway line offers a leisurely way to experience nature and the landscapes on foot or bicycle.
This region is no stranger to ancient walled villages and Roman spa towns. Take Castelo de Vide with its spotless white homes, narrow lanes, cobblestones, abundant flowers and public fountains where you can sample the cold, refreshing local mineral water. Hire a car to explore the magic at your leisure or book a trip.
Costa Nova near Aveiro
The colours of the vivid houses in Costa Nova are ridiculously pretty set against the blue sky, blue seas and towering cliffs. One of the best hidden gems in Portugal, you can stroll past the houses along the main avenue, Avenida José Estevao, and dream about living here. It’s like another world, and it’s also easy to find – just over the bridge from Aveiro.
Casa do Penedo at Moreira do Rei
Between four huge mossy boulders, each the size of a small house, there’s a tiny two storey stone house, crammed in and higgledy-piggledy. Like something out of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, it’s the ultimate in quaint with a good helping of ‘weird’ thrown in. The Caso do Penedo at Moreira do Rei near Fafe in north Portugal dates back to the hippy mid 1970s and these days it’s a very basic holiday home with no power. Just peace and solitude.
Ponte De Lima at Alto Minho
The Alto Minho region is damp and fertile, a much greener place than the rest of the country. Travel to the far north west corner of Portugal for thermal springs, gentle hills, shady woodland and tinkling streams. A trip here tastes even better with a bottle of local vinho verde to accompany the experience.
There’s a really pretty 13 arch Roman-Medieval bridge at Ponte de Lima. The village lies east of Viana do Castelo, a splendid old market town that’s a lot less touristy than those closer to the Algarve and main tourist hot spots. The location on the banks of the Lima makes it special, as do the medieval centre, grand old houses, twisting streets and open squares. The Atlantic coast with its chilly, invigorating waters is right on the doorstep with unspoilt beaches at Cabedelo and Moledo.
Azenhas do Mar near Lisbon
Less than an hour from the capital, Azenhas do Maris a little fishing village clinging to the cliffs, a fabulous photo opportunity and a chilled place for a wander. The natural seawater swimming pool at the foot of the cliffs is a refreshing treat, the beach is sheltered as well as dramatically beautiful, and there’s great Portuguese food served in the restaurants.
Vila Nova de Milfontes on the Mira river estuary
Find your way to Comporta, carry on past Sines and you’ll come to Vila Nova de Milfontes, an attractive town with a warm, welcoming vibe. Sunny squares and spotless traditional houses, an attractive Old Town, and the estuary of the Mira itself make it a winner, as does the small defensive castle dating back to the 1500s, built to repel pirates. The local Alentejan food is a feast of seafood and succulent meats and the town rarely gets too busy. Perfect for stopping and smelling the coffee.
Quinta da Regaleira at Sintra
Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra is home to the country’s most remarkable castles and palaces, and every single one is a delight to the eye. Pena Palace and The Chalet of the Countess of Edla, Monserrate Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, National Palace of Sintra and The Moorish Castle await you.
Praia da Amália at Odemira
The Atlantic coast has masses of scenic beaches, along with the Rota Vicentin walking trail network. Praia do Almograve is your destination for spectacular sunsets. Brejo Largo and Praia de Nossa Senhora are both unusually quiet compared to the major beaches everyone floods to.
Praia da Amália itself is named for the famous fado singer Amália Rodrigues whose music, like the landscapes here, was full of drama. Make your way to the Cabo Sardão promontory whose cliffs are so big they make you feel very, very small. As does the endless Atlantic ocean that draws your eye constantly to the empty horizon. It’s exhilarating.
Alcoutim on the Algarve
Leave the bustling tourist attractions behind and breathe in the fresh air at lovely village of Alcoutim, which manages to remain charming and unspoiled despite the superb setting on the banks of the Guadiana River bordering Spain. Align your pace with the village, slow down, and let the freedom of being on holiday seep deep into your bones. Ah, perfect!
Berlengas Archipelago at Peniche, Oeste
Peniche itself is a delight, but carry on past it for something even better. The Berlengas Archipelago is a ten minute boat trip from the village and it looks like something from a fairytale. You walk across a dizzyingly slim and high path, on towers built far above the waves, to the huge stone fort and lighthouse on the main island of Berlenga Grande, an extraordinary sight, then onwards to the nature reserve, which is accessible to visitors. If you’d like to sunbathe there’s a tiny beach that’s only accessible by boat.
Armona Island near Olhao
Alcoutim is a sleepy, relaxed place with a fabulous castle and pure white churches. It gets hot, hot, hot in summer, which makes the nearby Pego Fundo river beach a top destination off the beaten track. Swim if you like, or just lounge.
There’s a ferry over to Spain’s Sanlúcar de Guadiana village and the bold and brave can make the return journey on a zip wire across the border. The surrounding villages are all worth an explore and nature fans love it here because of the nearby Vale do Guadiana nature park and Sapal nature reserve.
Sistelo in the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gêres
Last but not least, here’s one more slice of Portuguese wonder for you. Go to the Penada Geres national park, an hour and a half from Porto, and you’ll find Sistelo village high above the valleys. The ultimate in quaint, it nestles amongst hundreds of extraordinary terraces cut into the land to cultivate corn. They also mill their own flour here in water mills along the river far below. Fondly nicknamed The Little Portuguese Tibet, it’s known for its many walkways that make exploring on foot such a pleasure.
Adventurous day trips in Portugal
You can take all this magic in on a road trip to remember in your hire car, or pick and choose the attractions you like the sound of best. Many come with day trips attached to help you wring every drop of enjoyment out of your Portuguese holiday experience.
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