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 →
I still hate packing. Even after years of travelling in Portugal and living here, it’s one of the parts of trip planning I overthink the most. The good news is that once you understand what Portugal is really like – the cobbled streets, the changing weather, the mix of cityRead More →
Figueira da Foz is one of those coastal cities that works well if you give it a bit of time, rather than rushing through. Mike and I have been visiting Figueira da Foz regularly for years, especially for the ice cream, and over the past few years have spent severalRead More →
Setúbal works well as a base if you want a mix of coastline, food and easy access to Arrabida Natural Park. It’s also close enough to Lisbon to fit into a wider itinerary without adding much travel time. Where you stay makes a difference here. Some areas are more convenientRead More →
Most people visit the quaint medieval village of Óbidos as a day trip, but staying overnight gives you a completely different experience. Once the crowds leave, the cobbled streets are quieter and it’s much easier to enjoy the atmosphere. If you’re deciding whether it’s worth staying, and where to baseRead More →
Aveiro is often visited as a day trip, but staying overnight gives you a very different experience. Once the day-trippers leave, the city feels much calmer and easier to enjoy. If you’re deciding whether to stay, or where to base yourself if you do, this should help. Whenever Mike andRead More →
Albufeira is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Algarve, thanks to its expansive golden sands and central location. It’s also one of the easiest places to get wrong. The difference between a relaxed beach stay and a noisy, frustrating one often comes down to where you baseRead More →
Faro is often treated as a quick stop, either at the start or end of a trip, but it’s actually worth a night or two, or longer if you use it as a base for exploring the Algarve region. I’ve stayed in Faro multiple times and have seen how muchRead More →
