why Portugal?
Why not? It’s a country with a tremendously rich culture. It’s a shame that most people are not aware of its history.
It’s a warm country. The people are welcoming. The food is absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The nightlife (as you would expect from a warm country) is inviting and fun.
During the Summer, BC – and surely AC – (Before and After Covid) there’s always an array of music festivals happening throughout the country. I’m pretty sure that, if you have enough holidays available, you can check into all of them.
Drinking from this Portuguese article, I’ve spruced it up to give you a bit of a taster. I hope you like it, particularly the added sensorial bits links on the maps, as I carefully chose those to give you a closer feeling of what your holiday could be.
So…
ready to book?
North or South, you will find plenty of choices. Check these options for safe and low-cost holidays in Portugal. This list will jump-start your possibilities. I added a video link to all maps, for an extra sensorial experience. You will love them!
1. Dornes
Located in the Santarem District, near the Zezere River, it’s a sin not to visit. A town that has always been surrounded by a very strong religious and mystical character, it sits on a charming peninsula.
A quiet setting for a short-break, I would probably say perfect for a romantic escape ;) Absolute paradise!
Check points:
- Dornes River Beach
- Castelo de Bode Dam
- Dornes Tower
- Dornes Church
I will leave the Rio Restaurant to taunt you…
2. alcoutim
Our so beloved Algarve.
By the border with Spain, the Algarve away from the traffic, from the crowds, with just enough to keep you busy for a long weekend.
Lovely for a good hike or bike ride. And not too far from the sea. The food is gorgeous and you can get to Sanlucar in Spain in minutes (on foot in 22 mins and by ferry in 8).
Check points:
- Alcoutim’s old Castle
- Chapel of Our Lady of Conception
- Montinho das Laranjeiras (Roman Village)
- Alcoutim Fortress
If you’re still in doubt would The Only Cross-Border Zip Line in the World convince you?
3. cacela velha
Another warm water beach in Algarve 😍
Think seafood accompanied by our mini beers (250ml) :P
Our Spanish neighbours visit a lot too. It even had a nomination for one of the best beaches in the world in one of their magazines. Check out here for validation.
Check points:
- Beaches binge (Fabrica and Cacela Velha)
- Ancient Roman Villa
- Almohade Residential (12th, 13th Century)
Do you Golf?
4. ponte da barca
Not too far from Spain (as if we had borders with any other country), but this time on the extreme opposite.
Named “Elaneobriga” by the Romans, later Ponte da Barca to mention the big boat that served as a bridge before the actual bridges was built in the 15th Century.
Here you can bounce between the dreamy river beach, the historical sites, the wine tasting and sports and leisure activities.
Check points:
- Church of Ponte da Barca
- The thirteenth-century Romanesque church
- Lindoso Castle
- Peneda-Gerês National Park (fancy Horse-riding?)
- Vilarinho das Furnas Dam and Museum
The question is “How close to Nature can you get?”
5. peso da régua
Looking for spectacular views? Try São Leonardo at Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.
Aah! The Douro! Birth place of Port wine 🍷
In 1756 was created the world’s first ever demarcated region for wine production: Royal Company of Vine-Growers from the Alto Douro Region.
In the banks of these green slopes the sale and dispatch of many Port wine barrels occurred from the 18th Century, transported in the characteristicly querky Rabelo Boats.
Get a good view of the wine slopes along the river on a perfumed, breezy boat trip over the 6 Douro Bridges. Maybe even during a good wine tasting…
Check points:
- Douro Museum
- Douro Historical Steam Train
- Caldas de Moledo Natural Spa
- Rabelo (and other) Boats trips
What about a posh experience for your bucket list?
6. castelo Rodrigo
Away from the beach crowds, we arrive to the inland mountains, the unknown of the Portuguese country side.
Try the heartwarming wine, homemade bread and the local smoked meats. The flavours will stick with you.
Keeping everything in the middle: travelling further to the midlands to encounter a little medieval village, we come to find Castelo Rodrigo.
With an undeniable historic wealth and with a tracked records of extended terrirory disputes, worth a whole new games of throne saga, Castelo Rodrigo stands as Portuguese territory since 1297, under the Alcanices Treaty with Spain.
Then there are All Terrain Tours, BTT Routes. And don’t you dare missing the pre-historical engraved rocks!
Check points:
- The Castle
- The T Shaped Embrasures (strategic monitoring positions during invasions)
- The Chamber House
- The Charity House
- The Medieval Cistern
- The Church
- The Clock Tower
- The Sun Door
- Cristóvão de Moura Palace
Inside the Fortress, the peace and tranquility of the Almond Tree House. (Well worth skipping 2 or 3 visits to the hairdresser’s for!)
7. comporta
Not all the of the greatest beaches are in Algarve. And tbh we tend not to advertise it too much because by pure selfishness. But there are many more.
My native area 💖
According to NY Times Comporta is one of the unmissable holiday destinations.
Part of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, located on the Troia Peninsula, Comporta’s history is very much related to rice cultivation and fishing.
You can visit it by ferry (by car or on foot) and try all those lovely local restaurants and the lively night life.
Check points:
- The Rice Museum
- Troia Beach
- Carvalhal Beach
- Setubal
- Arrabida Mountain
Did you know dolphins visit the are frequently?
Want to know other beautiful Portuguese beaches that are not in Algarve? Stay tuned.
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