Porto has enough to keep you busy for several days, but it’s also one of the easiest cities in Portugal to use as a base. Within an hour or two you can be tasting wine in the Douro Valley, wandering medieval streets in Guimarães, swimming at Atlantic beaches or hikingRead More →
Lamego is one of the most interesting towns in Portugal’s Douro Valley, known for its monumental baroque staircase, historic centre, sparkling wine and cultural attractions. I often recommend it to people who want a break from vineyard visits and river cruises without losing the character and atmosphere of the Douro.Read More →
Elvas is one of Portugal’s most underrated historic towns. Close to the Spanish border in eastern Alentejo, this UNESCO World Heritage city is best known for its vast star-shaped fortifications, military history and impressive aqueduct. But what surprised me most when I revisited Elvas recently was how enjoyable it isRead More →
Having walked both of the main Portuguese Camino routes between Porto and Santiago de Compostela, as well as the Variante Espiritual, the Litoral Way and the Santiago – Finisterre – Múxia Camino, I’ve helped thousands of other walkers plan their own Camino Português. If you’re thinking about walking the PortugueseRead More →
Sagres sits at the far western edge of the Algarve and feels quite different from the region’s busier resort towns. It’s windswept, low-key and surrounded by dramatic cliffs, wild beaches and open countryside. The town itself is small, so this isn’t the place for lots of sightseeing in the traditionalRead More →
Thanks to its inland location, Loulé has remained unscathed from the blight of holiday resorts that mar some of the coastal areas in the Algarve. What you’ll find here is a quiet, attractive town with a strong local community and plenty of culture and creativity. Here are some of the things to doRead More →
Portugal offers many spectacular hiking trails, with routes for all levels and a huge variety of landscapes. I’ve had the pleasure of walking in every region of mainland Portugal as well as many of the islands of Madeira and the Azores. Here are some of my favourite hiking trails inRead More →
This small city in northern Portugal is famous for the legend that lies behind the painted souvenir rooster of Barcelos. Judging by the number of giant cockerels dotted around the historical centre, this is still its main claim to fame but there are more things to do in Barcelos thanRead More →
Why should you visit Viseu in central Portugal? Well, perhaps because it’s such a lovely place that it’s repeatedly been voted ‘Best city in Portugal to live in’. 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 →
