Most people have heard of the Portuguese tourist hotspots of Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira, the most popular holiday destinations in Portugal, all of which attract enormous crowds in summer. But where do you go when the madding crowds drive you nuts and you’d much rather chill out somewhere mellow, somewhere that isn’t jammed with grackles? Here are four fabulous off-the-beaten-track villages to visit for an alternative, much more peaceful view of this magical country.
Ferragudo – Small, very pretty and relatively quiet
Ferragudo is known and loved for being the prettiest village on the Algarve, quite an accolade when every village in the area is a stunner in one way or another. This is a gloriously traditional fishing village with roads lined by lovely whitewashed cottages. The hillside streets are steep and dramatic, and the views of the river are spectacular.
After dark the squares and terraces light up and fill with revellers, locals and a few visitors, all of whom enjoy the buzzy vibe. It has more than its fair share of really good eateries as well as a collection of awe-inspiring cliff-top forts to explore in the surrounding area. Being at the mouth of a river there’s a walk to the nearest beaches but it’s worth the effort.
- A small, traditional-feeling village
- Beautiful, colourful houses and cobbled streets
- A pretty church, renovated in 1520 but much older, flattened by the mighty 1755 earthquake, then rebuilt in its current Baroque form
- A flea market on the second Sunday of the month
- Spectacular views from the church grounds out to sea, across the estuary, and to Portimao
- The Festival of Nossa Senhora da Conceição on 15th August
- Lovely beaches: Praia da Angrinha, Praia Grande, Praia do Pintadinho and Praia dos Caneiros
- Close enough to Portimão for a day trip by ferry, bus or coach
- Has its own train station, which drops you off a mile from the village centre
- A charming harbour with colourful bobbing boats
- Excellent fish restaurants
- A hidden fortress, Castelo de São João do Arade, dating to the 1600s, privately owned but photographable
- The scenic Ponta do Altar Lighthouse and headland
- If you have little ones with you or fancy a watery adventure Aqualand Algarve waterpark is just 20 minutes away by car and Slide and Splash is nearer still at only 10 minutes away
Miramar – Of the beaten track but close enough to Porto for rock ‘n roll
Miramar is another really pretty little coastal village, this time found between the interesting towns of Gulpilhares and Arcozelo. There’s a truly gorgeous beach here, but it never gets as crowded as the beaches on the Algarve even in the height of the holiday season.
You’ll love the magnificent Capela do Senhora Pedra, a 1600s chapel seat against a scenic headland jutting out into the deep blue ocean. Because the village is so close to Porto it’s perfect for a day trip, but if you like you can stay here instead of one of the big resorts. There’s some really nice accommodation.
- A small seaside resort
- Home to the famous 1600s Capela do Senhora Pedra chapel high up on a rocky headland, tiny and intricate with three pretty gilded altars inside
- Close to the towns of Gulpilhares and Arcozelo
- Accessible from Porto by bus or train
- Beach-side cafes and lively bars
- The Clube de Golf de Miramar golf course, one of the oldest in Portugal, created in 1932
- 3 beaches: Praia da Sãozinha, Praia do Senhor da Pedra and Praia de Miramar
Marvao – A magnificent brooding castle with remarkable views
Marvao is loved for its fairytale looks, a tiny town more like a village with its population of around 3000 people. Set high up in the mountains, close to the border with Spain, Marvao is a Medieval village whose castle is widely praised as one of Europe’s most beautiful, a visual treat in itself and a delight to photograph.
The sweet whitewashed houses and enormous views make this place a big favourite on the road trip circuit, but it’s still nowhere near as crowded as the coastal towns you’ll have heard of, the ones where most people go. Active types love the place for its mountain hikes, horseback riding and mountain biking, a place where life slows right down and you can truly relax. The scenery is literally breathtaking.
- An ancient landscape first settled by the Romans, then the Moors
- One of the best-looking medieval towns in Portugal
- Whitewashed stone cottages with lovely tiled roofs
- Flowers everywhere
- Some nice, quiet local restaurants
- The dramatic, brooding Marvão castle on its rocky crown with beautiful gardens, magnificent views
- Fascinating exhibits in the little Marvao museum, inside the church of Santa Maria
- Surrounded by scenic plains and lakes
- Views of the Serra de São Mamede mountains
- Look out for the quirky decorated letterboxes – way cool!
- Gorgeous local ceramics and more sold in a few small gift shops
- Long and often challenging hiking trails
- A wonderful little river beach in the village at the bottom of the hill, Portagem, another wee gen to explore
- Outside town, the Ammaia Roman ruin in the Natural Park of Serra de São Mamede in São Salvador de Aramenha
Viseu – Harder to get to but worth every second of the trip
We’re finishing off with an exceptional stunner of a place, way off the beaten path with no train station, really only accessible by car. Incredible views, exciting cultural attractions and no crowds make it very appealing, a great way to get to grips with the real Portugal.
This medieval walled city is home to a vast, impressive cathedral, more of Portugal’s fabulous cobbled streets and alleys, and some immense plazas, big open squares where you can sit, drink, eat and watch the world go by. Because it’s in one of the country’s main wine-producing areas, the wines here are superb. Don’t miss out on the rich, flavoursome reds! Art lovers appreciate the many unique Renaissance treasures on display in the brilliant Museu Grão Vasco.
- A stunning old hilltop town with a lovely ancient cathedral dating back to the 1100s, incredibly opulent inside with a vast golden altar
- A laid back feel
- Steeped in ancient history
- Pretty cobbled streets and huge open plazas, the ultimate in romance
- Packed with architectural treasures
- Home to local Dao wine from the nearby Dao region
- Known for wonderful food
- Visit lush Fontelo Park, dating back to 1149, with its swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches, gym and jogging circuit, a lovely place to wander, relax and watch the locals going about their business
- Renaissance art gems in the Grao Vasco Museum
- take a ride on a funicular, pay a visit to Almeida Moreira Museum
- Close to the mountainous Beira Alta and Beira Baicha regions
So there you have it – four highly unusual off-piste places to discover without the usual tourist frenzy, places where life takes a much more leisurely pace. Happy holidays!
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