If you’re trying to decide whether the Portuguese Coastal Camino from Porto is the right route for you, the first thing to know is that it isn’t always coastal. I’ve walked the Coastal Camino north of Porto, as well as the Central route, Litoral Way and Variante Espiritual, and thisRead 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 →
Madeira has dozens of spectacular walking trails, but not all of them involve mountain scrambling, vertigo-inducing ridges or eight-hour hikes. If you’re looking for easy Madeira walks, these are the ones I’d recommend based on my own experience. They range from a flat 3 km levada walk to a coupleRead More →
Driving to the picturesque village of Piodão is a scenic adventure full of hairpin bends and narrow roads that snake through the mountains. On clear days, the views are spectacular. The terraced fields and stone walls of low-lying arable land contrast with the barren heights of the Serra do Açor. Eventually, you’ll arrive at a picture postcard cluster of tightly packedRead More →
If you’re looking for an inland town to visit in the Algarve, you’ll find several things to do in Monchique that more than justify the journey into the hills. Monchique is a gorgeous little town in the Serra de Monchique mountain range and is surrounded by forested slopes. Although itRead More →
The Seven Hanging Valleys route is perhaps the most famous walking trail in the Algarve, and for good reason. The views of the coastline around Benagil and Carvoeiro are fabulous. Here’s what you need to know about the route before you set off. How long is the Seven Hanging ValleysRead More →
You really don’t have to go far from Lisbon to find stunning landscapes and some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Simply take a day trip south across the River Tagus to the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park and you’ll find white sand and turquoise waters backed by greenery and limestoneRead More →
Whether you’re after a fairy-tale palace, war museums, magnificent views, an old convent or a wander through Portugal’s finest collection of national and imported trees, Bussaco is the place to go. Which explains why this 250-acre forest is such a popular weekend picnic spot and worthy tourist destination. Only 30Read More →
Mainland Portugal’s highest mountain, at 1993 metres altitude, is called the Estrela, which means Star. I’m fortunate that the Serra da Estrela mountain range is only an hour and a half drive from where I live in central Portugal but it’s about 3 hours from Lisbon and 2.5 from Porto.Read More →
