Alentejo

Praia da Franquia is one of Vila Nova de Milfontes main beaches. Tucked away from the coast on the northern bank of the River Mira, this is probably the most sheltered beach in the area. This makes it a great family beach, as do all the facilities such as a lifeguard service and beach cafe / bar etc. Praia da Franquia also benefits from being located close to the town.

Given its sheltered aspect water sports such as windsurfing and canoeing are particularly popular here. 

The Praia do Malhão is wide open sandy beach just over 5km to the north of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Set within the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park development here is prohibited so this is as wild and unspoiled beach as you will find on this coast.

Praia Grande (big beach) is the main beach of the little Alentejo resort of Porto Covo. In keeping with such a pretty village the beach is equally charming with a wide stretch of golden sand backed by high cliffs.

Here at Praia Grande the Atlantic Ocean appears particularly blue and clear. It also picks up all of the swells meaning the waves here are often good for surfing. To keep things safe there is a seasonal lifeguard service to watch over the bathing area.

Set amidst the arid plains that form the border between Portugal and Spain is the uniquely well-preserved historic frontier town of Elvas. A mere 12km (7 miles) from the Spanish border and just across the river Guadiana from the city of Badajoz Elvas was once of great strategic importance. 

The small town of Vila Nova de Milfontes is the most popular resort on the Alentejo coast. Positioned on the sheltered waters of the Rio Mira estuary the town is only a stone's throw from the Atlantic coast and any number of outstanding beaches.

The sleepy seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar is set within the Costa Vicentina and Sudoeste Alentejano Nature Park towards the southern end of the Alentejo coast. A huddle of whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs overlook this fantastic beach from the cliff top. 

The beach here was once known as Praia do Brejão, after the nearby village. However this changed after Portugal's most famous fado singer, Amália Rodrigues, stayed at a villa overlooking the beach.

Little has changed since those days and the beach is very much unspoilt. Praia da Amália is not what you would describe as a family beach; it is difficult to find and involves a fair hike to get down to. It is also one of those beaches that virtually disappears at high tide, although, as you can see, there is a wonderful stretch of sand when the tide is out.

Across the river from Lisbon and again across the water from Setubal lies the Tróia Peninsula, a 20 km long spit of sand that stands between the Sado estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Comporta is located at the southern end of this spit with little but sand dunes and pine forest beyond.

One of the tiny cobbled streets which wind around the old part of the Alentejo town of Moura.

Praça do Giraldo is Evora's main square and one of Portugal's most charming Praças. The patterned cobbled square is surrounded by some of Evora's finest buildings with some great examples of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. In this view you can see the ornate Henriquina fountain. The fountain is reputedly located at the source of the Água de Prata Aqueduct (Aqueduct of Silver Water) and dates back to the 16th century. Praça do Giraldo is the heart of Evora life and its cafes and bars are popular with locals and tourists alike.