The small but charming town of Tomar in Central Portugal was one of the first day trips I made when I first moved here many moons ago and I’ve enjoyed every subsequent visit. Fast forward 13 years or so and there are more things to do in Tomar than everRead More →
Leiria is another of those cities that I put off visiting for a long time for no good reason. I’d heard nothing that made me want to go out of my way to visit Leiria so when I finally got around to it, I was pleasantly surprised. This small cityRead More →
There are several cute towns and villages in Central Portugal that have become known for something very specific, like their medieval style streets, an important monument or an old castle. Caldas da Rainha, however, has flourished mostly because of its history as a spa town and its hyperrealistic ceramics, whetherRead More →
The quiet village of Penha Garcia straddles a rocky cliff which commands sweeping views over the neighboring plains in the southeast part of Central Portugal. The surrounding rock formations are one of the geological highlights within the NaturTejo Geopark, notably the trilobite fossils that are scattered within them. Given itsRead More →
Why should you visit Viseu in central Portugal? Well, perhaps because it’s such a lovely place that it’s been voted ‘Best city in Portugal to live in’. Twice. I won’t be moving up there any time soon but I am pleased to have got to know it a little better.Read More →
I’ve invited Portugal golfing expert, Andy Waple, to give us his tips on the best places to play golf in the Silver Coast of Portugal. Here’s what he has to say on the matter: What’s so special about the Silver Coast of Portugal? A relatively new course on the blockRead More →
Every four years, the pretty town of Tomar in Central Portugal hosts a unique festival. Festa dos Tabuleiros means Tray Festival but it’s what’s on top of the trays that matters. Local women support the weight of several feet of bread and flowers on their heads as they parade throughRead More →
Imagine a cluster of rust-coloured stone cottages nestled in the hills, seemingly untouched by modern life. Surrounded by forests, mountain streams and river beaches, the schist villages of Central Portugal are idyllic and special. As you walk from village to village on this self-guided or guided walking holiday, you’ll experienceRead More →
Exactly how far north or inland the Silver Coast, or Costa da Prata, of Portugal extends is debatable so for the purposes of this article, I’ll concentrate on the things to see and do around Caldas da Rainha, Òbidos, Alcobaça and Nazaré. As a beautiful, green, agriculturally rich area ofRead More →