Portugal Towns - A-Z of Portugal Cities and Towns

Central on the Algarve coast and only 40 minutes away from the Faro airport, Albufeira has been the most popular holiday destination in the south of Portugal since the 1970s. Originally a fortified Roman town, and for centuries a typical algarvian fishing village awash with simple white houses and the smell of grilled sardines, this picturesque location is now a thriving tourist town offering activity and diversion day and night, and surrounded by a host of beautiful beaches.

Alcácer do Sal is an historical town crowned by castles whose medieval cobbled streets, worn over time, cluster around the banks of the Sado River, in the district of the town of Setúbal. Wrought-iron balconies look out over the river and underneath them dwell a variety of cafés and restaurants. The Sado flows sleepily past, yet the mighty ramparts and towers remind us of times when this, like other hilltop towns in Portugal, played an important part in territorial battles.

Situated around 40km (25 miles) from the coast, on the banks of the river Guadiana is the attractive village of Alcoutim. The village lies more or less on the northern border of the Algarve with the Alentejo, and more importantly the river border with Spain.

Occupying the tallest of Lisbon's hills, the district of Alfama brims with the feel of times gone by and is the truly emblematic part of the city. Largely spared in the earthquake of 1755, it is still a maze of narrow streets and steep steps, dimly lit taverns, flower-laden iron balconies and diminutive squares.

Aljezur is a small market town of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets located thirty kilometers north of Lagos near the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo in south west Portugal.

A fifteen minute drive from the main airport in Faro, the small town of Almancil is perfectly pleasant and typical of the Algarve. The neighbouring village of São Lourenço boasts a church decorated with characteristic blue tiles telling the life story of its patron saint, this example of azulejo work being particularly notable because of its age, it dates back to 1730, and the fact that it is attributed to one of the azulejo masters of the time, Policarpo de Oliveira.

Situated roughly halfway between Portimão and Lagos is the pretty harbour village of Alvor. Given its position on the Algarve the village is remarkably unspoiled with the old village retaining much of its charm. Unlike many of the resorts along this coast it was the great earthquake of 1755 which did the greatest damage to this village and not the developers.

Amar is the Portuguese verb to love, and it is perhaps fitting that it should be the first part of the name of this attractive town. A settlement since the 4th century BC, Amarante is situated in the rich agricultural lands of the Minho region, the northern section of the country which is responsible for the grapes of the vinho verde, the young semi-sparkling ‘green’ wine unique to Portugal. The river Tâmega runs through the town and crossing this waterway is a striking arched bridge, the Ponte São Gonçalo.

The Algarve resort of Armação de Pêra is located around 15km to the west of Albufeira. Set in a wide bay you won't be surprised that Armação de Pêra is something of a beach-lovers paradise. Those holidaying here are well catered for by the resorts many cafes, bars, restaurants, supermarkets and more than a few ice-cream shops.

Aveiro is a medium town of around 55,000 people that grew up around its thriving port. Established in Roman times, Aveiro was initially known as Aviarium, meaning, "a gathering place or preserve of birds". As you would expect of a coastal town with good shelter for boats fishing was an important activity from the beginning. In fact the cod fishing grounds off the coast of Newfoundland were discovered by João Afonso, a son of Aveiro. 

Rising straight out of the Atlantic Ocean around 1,500Km off the coast of mainland portugal is the Azores (Açores) archipelago. Volcanic in origin the chain stretches nearly 600 Km and comprises of nine significant islands and eight smaller islets known locally as formigas (ants!).

Literally translated, Biarro Alto means ‘high district’, it is of no surprise that this traditional area of Lisbon, one of the few unaffected by the earthquake of 1755, is found atop one of its many hills. Originally this was the realm of the comfortably-off and even today you can see noble houses, some with their own chapels, wresting for space with their smaller, more modest neighbours.

Baixa, literally translated as 'low', is situated in the gulf between the two main hills of the city and is the central business and shopping district of the capital. The 1755 earthquake and subsequent rebuilding by the then Prime Minister the Marques de Pombal are responsible for the orderly layout of this area, known formally as the Baixa Pombalina.

Probably the most famous symbol of Portugal, the colourful ceramic cockerel has its origins in the pretty town of Barcelos where, according to local legend, it is reputed to have saved the life of a traveller wrongly accused of theft by crowing his innocence. The full story of the "Barcelos Cock" is told on a 15th century cross found in ruins of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca, destroyed by the 1755 earthquake.

A small town amidst the hills of the Leiria area, Batalha only became a place of any significance upon the building of its magnificent monastery, now honoured with UNESCO World Heritage status. This gigantic pearl of Gothic architecture occupied Portugal's most accomplished tradesmen under Royal command for the best past of two centuries.

Inhabited since the Bronze Age, Beja became capital of the Lower Alentejo region under Roman rule in the 1st century and thence known as Pax Julia, after Julius Caesar. The Visigoths renamed it Paca until the invasion of the Moors in the 8th century where the definitive name Beja was declared. Its evident importance is perhaps owing to its stunning location rising sharply out of the fertile plains of the Baixo Alentejo, its majestic form still crowned with a castle dating back to the 14th century.

Beautiful, culturally resplendent and immensely significant in Portuguese history, Belém is one of the jewels in Lisbon’s crown. In terms of places to visit and sights to see, this elegant area of the city probably holds the record. Situated alongside the River Tagus, at the point where it meets the Atlantic, Belém is the place from which the caravels sailed on their voyage of discovery and in the 16th century life here revolved around the port.

Famous for its historical buildings, monuments, gardens and fountains Braga is a beautiful city in the heart of the green Minho region where religious devotion in the form of many churches and other symbols of faith lies juxtaposed with the typical bustle of a modern city complete with restaurants, bars and a renowned nightlife, owing in some part to the local universities.

The name of the region of which Bragança is the capital belies its nature, being that Tras-os-Montes, quite literally 'behind the mountains', is easily the most remote part of mainland Portugal, if not western Europe. Here, ancient stone houses still cluster in small villages that seem unaffected by the speed and complexities of modern life, rich traditional dishes still fill the bellies of hard-working farmers and the general feel is one of pleasing distance, both physical and other, from the busier, more cosmopolitan parts of the country.

Situated on the coast between Lagos and Sagres is the fishing village of Burgau. Like much of the western Algarve the little fishing village was largely undiscovered by the tourism industry until relatively recently meaning it has largely escaped the unsympathetic development which blights much of the central coast. The village has somewhat spread out from the old centre but the new holiday accommodation is mostly low rise and inoffensive, if a little lacking in charm.

Once a sleepy fishing village, now a popular resort, Cabanas lies on a lagoon a short drive east of Tavira at the gateway to the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. The Avenida Ria Formosa promenade runs along the seafront here and features a number of small shops, cafes and restaurants. On the seaward side of the promenade is an attractive new boardwalk which runs along the entire length of the lagoon.

The origins of the spa town of Caldas da Rainha lie in a journey made by the 15th century Queen Leonor to her father-in-law’s funeral in neighbouring Batalha. Upon coming across peasants apparently bathing in unpleasantly smelling water, the queen enquired as to their motivation and was informed that the waters held curative powers. Leonor, herself rheumatic, put the waters to the test and on feeling relief from her affliction, ordered the construction of a thermal hospital so that others might benefit.

Carvoeiro is an Algarve fishing village turned tourist hot spot located five kilometers south of Lagoa. Built into steep red sea cliffs, the once-attractive village has mushroomed since the 1960s to accommodate (mainly in self-catering apartment blocks) the hordes of tourists who come every Summer to soak up the sun and escape the more hectic pace of towns such as Lagoa, Albufeira and Portimao.

At the end of one of the suburban train lines out of the capital lies Cascais. This once tiny fishing village has grown in the last century to become the elegant beach town that it is today. Visitors are no stranger to Cascais, having attracted various monarchs over the ages, a summer-dwelling artistic community in the thirties and continued to charm people both Portuguese and foreign ever since.

Castelo Branco is the capital of what used to be the province of Beira Baixa. Located just twenty kilometers from the Spanish border, most of the historical character of Castelo Branco has been destroyed by numerous marauding armies.

The small town of Castelo de Vide is one of the gems of the Alto Alentejo region. Here a jumble of red roofed, whitewashed houses clings to the side of the lush slopes of the foothills of the Serra de São Mamede. The old quarter has been described as one of the best preserved medieval towns in Portugal and it sometimes feels like life may not have changed much here since those days. What the town might lack in grand monuments it more than makes up for in ambience and charm.

Set in the rolling green landscape overlooking the broadening of the river Guadiana is the timeworn village of Castro Marim. Not far from the Atlantic Ocean and just across this natural border with Spain Castro Marim has been strategically important throughout history. As far back as Roman times the river here was used to mark the boundary between what was then Lusitania and Baetica, which were to become Spain and Portugal respectively.

In the remote northern region of Trás-os-Montes, Chaves (meaning ‘keys’) is only 10 km away from Spain and lies on the upper stretch of the river Tâmega. It is a spa town steeped in history, the most important example of which is the fantastically maintained Roman Bridge. This feat of engineering was completed at the end of the 1st century and all twelve arches are still visible. Reputedly built by locally sourced slaves, as one of the inscribed stones attests, it allowed people to cross the river all year round, thus joining the two existing parishes.

In terms of historic significance and romantic beauty, Coimbra is second only to Lisbon and Oporto. Its ancient buildings cling to the side of the hill that rises above the curves of the river Mondego, the ornate buildings of the famous University of Coimbra are its crowning glory.

A stone’s throw away from the capital on the southern side of the Tejo River, the Costa da Caparica is basically a long stretch of sandy, clean beaches to suit all types of beachgoer. Stretching right down to the Cabo Espichel, its sandy expanses are lined with acacia and eucalyptus trees and sienna-coloured cliffs however it is the first five miles to the south of the town of Caparica which are the most well-known.

The Serra da Estrela is a wonderland of mountains. Clean air, crystal-clear streams and the ubiquitous sheep make it a magical destination far away from modern life. In the winter, the snowy peaks are a playground for skiers, Penha da Saude being one of the most popular slopes, and in the spring wild flowers grace its lower slopes. In one glacier valley in the South East of the area lies the charismatic town of Covilhã, known affectionately as the Gateway to the Serra da Estrela.

The Douro Valley is home to the River Douro, the third largest river in the Iberian Peninsula, which runs for eight hundred and ninety seven kilometers from the Spanish town of Duruelo de la Sierra to Porto, Portugal's second city. For one hundred and twelve kilometers the river forms part of the border between Spain and Portugal. In the past, impassable canyons formed a barrier against marauding armies. Today this wild and beautiful frontier landscape is protected by the authority of the Douro Internacional Park.

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. 

Ericeira, perched on high cliffs some thirty meters above a string of sandy beaches, has benefited greatly from it's location. A small fishing village whose name derives from sea urchins

Originally a small fishing village boasting little more than a minor canning industry, the beach resort of Espinho now draws crowds to its golden beach and varied attractions, although the odd colourful narrow fishing boat can still be seen on the sands. Just over 10 miles south of Portugal’s second city, the majority of its visitors hail from the interior regions of the north.

The town of Esposende is firmly off the international tourist trail and you will find barely a mention of it in any guide book. Despite this Esposende is well worth a visit if you are passing, which you may well be if you are visiting the medieval town of Barcelos or heading to the coast from Braga.

Situated less than 10 km from Faro and the coast is the charming little town of Estoi. It is well worth a visit if you are staying on the coast although it probably doesn't constitute a day trip in its own right.

Long established as the cosmopolitan holiday destination of the rich and famous on the Portuguese Riviera, Estoril has an elegance more commonly attributed to resorts on the Côte d’Azur. Exiled royalty and deposed despots made this their haven during World War II, alongside spies from both sides. During a stay at the famous Palácio Hotel, Orson Wells apparently expressed amazement at the number of monarchs also in residence.

The semi-arid plains of the eastern Alentejo stretch for miles before the pyramid-like settlement of Estremoz looms into view. To sum this place up in a few words, one would choose historically significant, strategically situated and dramatic. During Portugal’s long struggle to retain its sovereignty in the face of invading Spanish armies, Estremoz always played a vital role.

Even from a distance the majestic importance of Evora is apparent, its cathedral dominating the view of the famous white and yellow city as it stands atop a hill surrounded by the vast expanses of the Alentejan plain in southeast Portugal. With over two thousand years of history and, therefore, a variety of cultural and architectural influences, Evora is a real national treasure and certainly merits its status as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Surrounded by fertile fields of trees bearing fruit, olives and the almonds for which the Algarve is famous, Faro is a large town of over 50,000 inhabitants, the administrative capital of the province, lies at the heart of the Formosa Estuary. Under Moorish rule the port of Faro was of great importance but more recently it is the airport which serves as the entry point for millions of holidaymakers who flock annually to the south of Portugal.

Once a tiny village in the hills of Santarém between Lisbon and Oporto, Fátima is now town of around 10,000 people globally renowned for the religious visions which took place here in 1917 and which have made it an important pilgrimage centre for the Catholic faith. Interestingly, given its now super strong links to the Catholic Church, name Fátima itself originates from a Moorish girl’s name.

The attractive fishing village of Ferragudo has done a good job of avoiding the wholesale development that has affected much of this part of the Algarve. This is even more impressive considering its location at the mouth of the Rio Arade estuary, right across the water from the tourist hotspots of Portimão and Praia da Rocha. It is something of a wonder how the village has retained much of its traditional charm given its sprawling neighbours and prime location.

Its nickname, Rainha das Praias (Queen of Beaches) leaves us in no doubt as to the main attraction at Figueira da Foz. True to form, the summer months see its long stretches of golden sands attract swarms of beach lovers who come to swim, surf or simply soak up the rays of Figueira’s apparently above average amount of sunshine.

The Graça District is one of Lisbon's oldest suburbs, located on top of her highest hill, a few blocks north-east of the Castelo de Sao Jorge and just up the hill from São Vincente de Fora Monastery. The neighbourhood, which centres around the Lago da Graça (the number 28 tram stops here), boasts some of the most spectacular views in Lisbon.

Grândola, in the Setúbal district, is a typical small Alentejan town. Set amidst plains of crops and vast gatherings of cork trees, for which the area is famous, it is hot and dusty in the summer months and yet captures the feeling of a place where people work hard but also take life at a leisurely pace, appreciating their surroundings – often the stereotype of the Alentejan people.

Its proximity to the Spanish border means that this whole area of the Beira region is dotted with fortifications and hilltop villages, and Guarda is no exception. Indeed its very name is an indication of its 'guarding' role. It served its purpose well under the Duke of Wellington against the French in the Peninsular War of the 1800s.

Heralded as the birthplace of Portugal as we know it today, the role of Guimarães in establishing Portugal’s status as an independent country and national identity is significant. Already housing an important monastery, protected from Moorish and Norman attack by a formidable castle and fortifications, in the 12th century Guimaraes also witnessed the birth of Portugal’s first king, Dom Afonso Henriques, who upon taking the throne proclaimed the town his capital.

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Algarve and certainly one of my favourites, Lagos is a bustling town full of activity, nightlife and modern attractions. However, it is also a town full of history and the monuments and architecture which take us back to the many different peoples who have settled here and the many maritime adventure which have started in Lagos' impressive natural harbour.

Nestled among the terraced slopes of the Douro valley port wine-growing region, and overlooked by an ornate shrine, the town of Lamego is elegant and infused with Baroque style.

In the Beiras regions, all roads seem to lead to Leiria from surrounding tourist favourites such as Coimbra, Alcobaça, Fatima and Batalha, with its outstanding monastery. However, beyond being the geographical hub, Leiria has its own charms. Built on the hills and flatlands that flank the River Lis, its old quarter and ancient monuments make it a worthy visit, even if the more modern sections are quite industrial.

Lisbon is one of the most immediately likeable capitals in Europe. Located on the westernmost front of Continental Europe, its mosaic of terracotta roofed buildings cling both majestically and humbly to its seven hills. The Tejo River sweeps past the many character-rich districts which border it, carrying boats big and small and is straddled by two impressive bridges. 

The quaint, traditional market town of Loulé, located about 15 kilometres north of Faro, in the Algarve, was originally founded as a Roman fort, probably in the second century B.C., but began to truly flourish after the Romans had left. By the time of the Moorish invasions in the 8^th Century, Loulé was a vibrant trading centre, and continued to thrive under the Moors.

This small town just north of Coimbra is famous for one thing in particular: water. Agua de Luso is synonymous with good quality mineral water in Portugal, and thousands of bottles of this precious liquid are consumed daily across the nation. It flows freely from fountains and springs in the town and is also renowned for its healing qualities, hence the fact that Luso is one of Portugal’s most important spa towns.

The archipelago of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean 535 miles southwest of Lisbon and 490 miles off the coast of Morocco in Africa. Madeira consists of 3 main islands, of which two are inhabited. These are Madeira Island and Porto Santo with the other island being appropriately named Ilhas Desertas (deserted island).

The population of the islands is around 250,000 with around 4,800 living on Porto Santo and the rest on Madeira Island.

The charming medieval village of Marvão stands out among the other settlements in this area of the Alentejo. It is one of only a handful of remaining towns nestling entirely within its ancient defensive walls. The village is commandingly perched atop a 862 metre (2,800ft) high quartzite looking out over the plains of the Serra de São Mamede and to the Spanish border only a few kilometres away.

The fortified medieval village of Mértola sits on a remote rocky spur at the confluence of the rivers Guadiana and Oeiras in the southern Alentejo. Looking up from the river, Mértola appears as a set of sturdy stone walls containing a jumble of whitewashed, red-roofed houses all of which is crowned by the sturdy stone castle.

Rising up between the Algarve and neighbouring Alentejo region is the Serra de Monchique, a range of rolling mountains clad in heavy forest. Here you will find the highest point on the Algarve; standing at 902m (2,959ft) is the peak of Fóia with its all encompassing views which span the Algarve's south and west coasts all the way to Cabo de São Vicente.

In 1938 Monsanto was voted the 'most Portuguese village in Portugal'. Since then it has been protected by building regulations that ensure the village retains an almost preternatural charm. Granite cottages are squeezed in amongst giant boulders, many of which form part of the houses themselves, as walls or steps, in a picturesque, higgledy-piggledy fashion. The tiny streets, just wide enough for a donkey, are carved out of rock and climb four hundred feet up a very steep hill.

The hilltop village of Monsaraz lives up to its local name of Ninho das Aguias (Eagle's Nest) - perched high above the plains of the Portugal / Spain border the views from here are all encompassing. Although now something of a sleepy backwater this was once a place of great strategic importance, as the fortifications lay testament. To some extent Monsaraz is similar to the region's best known fortified hilltop village, Marvao. However, despite being well worth a visit this little village still remains somewhat off the beaten track.

Moura is a large town in the thinly-populated (and relatively impoverished) Alentejo region. The town is supposedly named after the Moorish Princess Moura Saluquia. Legend has it that Saluquia threw herself from one of the towers of the castle after her lover was killed and she was subsequently tricked by the Portuguese, who dressed up in his clothes, into lowering the drawbridge.

Possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré is unique in many ways. It doesn’t contain the architectural treasures or grandiose monuments prevalent in other Portuguese towns, but it has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit.

Perched on a hill rising out of an agricultural plain, Óbidos is one of Portugal’s picturesque gems. From its lofty centre one gazes upon expanses of vineyards speckled with whirling windmills and terracotta-roofed homesteads. Nearer, narrow cobbled streets, lined typically with whitewashed, bougainvillaea-draped houses, wind up to the walled interior; the name Óbidos stems from the Latin for citadel.

Olhao is a coastal town in the Algarve which grew out of the fishing industry in the seventeenth century. Olhão, located just ten kilometers east of Faro, is still one of the Algarve's main ports. It was here that the first canning factory was established in 1882, sparking a trend that was to spread in both directions along the coast, with canned tuna and sardines quickly becoming the Algarve's main source of income.

Ourém is a town and municipality in central Portugal, near the city of Leiria. Ourem is mostly visited for its ruined castle and palace, which date back to the Moorish occupation that began in the eighth century. Ourem, then called Abdegas, was reclaimed by the Portuguese during the twelfth century Christian Reconquista and given the new name of Portus de Auren. Legend has it that the name Ourem was given to the town by Fatima, a Moorish princess who was kidnapped by a Christian knight.

Another link in the ancient Portuguese defence system, Palmela is a charming small town centred around a fortified castle at an altitude of 1200 metres at the edge of the Arrábida mountain range. Its past strategic importance is evident given that the views from here are astounding, taking in vast expanses of farmland, the Sado estuary to the south and even Lisbon to the north.

In 1998 Lisbon was host to Expo '98, this provided the city with an opportunity to regenerate the riverside area to the east of the city.

The site was previously a neglected industrial area comprising of a petrol refinery and old seaplane terminal amongst other things. This provided architects and designers with a blank canvas to on which to prove to the World that Portugal was ready to enter the 21st century as a modern, forward thinking democracy.

Peniche is a coastal town an hour's drive north of Lisbon. Peniche was an island until the sixteenth century, when silt created a narrow isthmus. It has been a busy fishing port since ancient times and retains a historical harbour and harbour walls. The old, walled part of town (which is in stark contrast to the burgeoning development all around it) is dominated by an impressive sixteenth century Fortaleza.

The picturesque little village of Piodão clings to a steeply terraced mountainside deep within the foothills of the Serra de Açor range in central Portugal. This is a protected landscape of deep river valleys, pine & eucalyptus forests and craggy peaks. It is also one of the remotest areas in Portugal and until the 1970s the only way to reach Piodão was on foot or by horse.

As the River Lima meanders its way through picture-postcard countryside towards the coast at Viana do Castelo it passes through it passes through any number of charming, ancient villages. Of all these it is Ponte de Lima which stands out.

Visiting Portalegre is not so much about visiting one interesting town, but about visiting a whole cluster of northern Alentejan towns, each with their own tale to tell, and with Portalegre at their centre. The region contains a wealth of historical monuments and anecdotes, awe-inspiring views from the fortified hilltop towns and a good smattering of prehistoric treasures to boot. For the energetic or hot, a host of dams (barragem) offer the perfect opportunity for water sports and a cooling swim in the hot summer months of the Portuguese interior.

Located towards the western end of the Algarve, Portimão is one of the largest towns on this coast with a population approaching 40,000. As a tourist destination in its own right the town doesn't really jump out, as with much of south and west Portugal it was extensively damaged in the great earthquake of 1755.

Porto is considered the capital of the north and as the second largest city in Portugal, rightfully so. There are really very few similarities between Porto and Lisbon – they are both near the coast, on the banks of large rivers and have some fairly daunting hills, but that’s really where it ends. The two cities have a totally different feel and different charms.

If the archetypal traditional Portuguese fishing village still exists then maybe Porto Côvo is this. Even the name translates as port of the fishing net. A jumble of whitewashed cottages, cobbled streets and pretty squares perched on the low cliff tops of the Alentejo coast between Sines and Vila Nova de Milfontes.

About halfway between Porto and the northern border with Spain lies the coastal city of Póvoa de Varzim. Virtually unknown outside of Portugal the city has been one of the North's most popular holiday resorts for over three hundred years. But Póvoa de Varzim has a history that goes back way beyond this.

Quarteira was one of the first resorts to be developed along the Algarve coast. Apparently there was once a small fishing village here, but before you start imagining quaint whitewashed fisherman's cottages huddled around a little harbour that Quarteira has long since gone. Today the resort consists of high-rise apartment blocks along the sea front backed by a town that has little in the way of obvious charm.

Porto's riverside quarter, known as the Ribeira, is one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods and certainly one of its highlights. The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and it does not disappoint.

Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo from both up and down-stream landed here before the short journey to the centre of the city. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.

Although Sagres is on the Algarve it doesn't have the same over-developed holiday town feel of some of those towns further east. Situated within a few kilometres of Europe's most south western point, Cape St. Vincent, the town has a rather windswept, remote feel about it.

Overlooking the wending Tagus River from its ridge-top position, Santarem is a town of historical significance, once renowned as the strongest fortress in the kingdom and second only to Lisbon in importance in the country. Its origins can be traced back to the Iron Age, and Julius Caesar used it as an administrative centre for Roman legions.

São Bartolomeu de Messines is a typically Portuguese small town which can feel like a different world from the busy and tourist-filled coastline just 10 kilometres away. Coming here and visiting the surrounding villages feels like coming to the real Algarve as it has been for centuries, with the classic white-painted buildings, the peaceful cafes (which today have English translations on their menus) and the tranquil views of the surrounding hills with their Mediterranean woodlands and scrubs.

São Miguel is the largest and highly populated of the islands with over 50% of the Azores' 250,000 inhabitants living here. As such it is also the transport and communications centre of the Azores with the archipelago's main airport located outside the capital, Ponta Delgada.

Serpa is a sleepy hilltop town in rural Alentejo. Close proximity to the Spanish border gave rise to the construction of thick town walls and a small castle, the remains of which are open to visitors. The castle is of Moorish origin, though it was largely rebuilt in the late thirteenth century by King Dinis.The castle suffered serious damage during the Spanish invasion of 1707. Entrance to the castle is through a dramatic piece of cracked wall. 

This picturesque fishing port lies about 40 km due south of Lisbon and is situated nestled at the foot of the hills of Arrabida and inside a sparkling blue bay, protecting it from cold northerly winds. Since the 1960’s Sesimbra has become increasingly popular with weekenders from Lisbon, looking for an easy escape from the city and a pretty place to eat fantastic fish, stroll on the promenade or relax on the pretty beach with its enticing clean water. 

Setubal and its surrounding area are awash with history dating back to before the Roman period, indeed it is said that the town was founded by a relative of Noah. Its relationship with the sea is also remarkably long-lived with a fish salting industry which started in the 1st century AD and a large, protected harbour - the third largest in the country - from where, in the era of the Discoveries, King Alfonso V set sail in 1458 to conquer Alcacer Ceguera in Morocco.

Silves is an attractive town with a rich history built on the banks of the River Arade. The river was navigable in historical times and represented an important link between the hinterland and the coast. The town, which is built on top of one of the largest underground aquifers in the south of Portugal, the Querenca-Silves aquifer, straddles the river and retains a medina-style gate, the Porta de Loule, and parts of the poured concrete walls that date back to the time of Moorish occupation.

Sines is a long way off the tourist trail and on first impressions it is easy to see why. Sines is an industrial town dominated by its oil refinery with its towers and pipelines, and the deep sea port with its huge container ships and tankers. Suffice to say the water here is fairly polluted and the air not a great deal better.

Besides the port Sines also has a small marina, although yachts can anchor off the beach which is protected by numerous breakwaters.

Considered not only one of the wonders of Portugal but indeed of Europe, Sintra is truly a gem. Once the royal town of the country, it now deservedly holds UNESCO world heritage status and attracts hordes of visitors throughout the year.

Tavira is one of the gems of the eastern Algarve. Straddling the River Gilão and the River Segua, its gentle charm and predominantly low-rise architecture set it aside from other resorts in the region. Sometimes referred to as the Venice of the Algarve, it boasts a seven-arched Roman bridge, some fine Renaissance architecture, numerous churches, tree-lined squares and a certain romantic air.

Terceira

Although a small town, Tomar plays a large role in a very important stage of Portuguese history, with links to the Knights Templar and the Discoveries, and remains an attractive and interesting place to visit.

The small city of Torres Vedras is situated about an hour north of Lisbon and a few kilometres inland. Although not immediately bursting with character there are a few sights worth seeing, many of which are concentrated in the jumble of cobbled streets that run down from the castle. This is also a town with a long and rich history.

Oft described as ‘Entre o mar, o rio e a montanha’ (between the sea, the river and the mountains), the northern town of Viana do Castelo is exactly that. Its location on the Lima estuary, surrounded by verdant hills is probably best appreciated from atop the Monte de Santa Luzia. This contrasting scenery with its fine sandy beaches both coastal and fluvial, and the differing horizons offered by the Atlantic and the hills, is a place which has long been treasured by both local and visitor.

The quintessential Algarve village of Vila Do Bispo with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and peaceful cafes sits almost at the extreme southwest corner of both Portugal and Europe. It is a small village, but caters well for visitors and locals, with two banks, a supermarket, a medical centre and plenty of smaller shops, cafes, and a surprising number of restaurants.

The coastal town of Vila do Conde lies at the mouth of the River Ave around 30 km north of Porto. This is a town with two contrasting characters; there is the modern beach town with its apartment blocks and vilas that merges into neighbouring Póvoa do Varzim, and there is the quiet, old town located on the banks of the river. The former offers a pleasant day out with some great sandy beaches along with wide, pleasant avenues, gardens and cafes.

Situated on the far bank of the Douro from Porto's Ribeira district is Vila Nova de Gaia (or just Gaia). Despite its location Gaia is actually a city in its own right and extends quite some way from the riverside. Although being just at the other end of Porto's famous Dom Luis bridge this is a fairly arbitrary distinction for most visitors.

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.

Vila Real, the capital of the Tras-o-Montes province, is a sleepy university town set in a sea of rural tranquility. The town is located above the confluence of the Rio Cabril and the Rio Corgo. Diogo Cão, who discovered the Congo River in 1482, was born in Vila Real.

The border town of Vila Real de Santo António sits just across the Guadiana river from the Spanish town of Ayamonte. In years gone by this was on the main route from the Algarve to Spain with the only the 20 minute ferry ride shuttling visitors back and forth. This is still the nicest way to travel between the two towns / countries but since the 1990s there has been a four lane suspension bridge a couple of km up the river.

Vilamoura is more of an area than a town in itself and has grown over the past couple of decades to more or less engulf Quarteira to the east. Located virtually in the middle of the Algarve coast, within 15Km of the main airport at Faro, Vilamoura's accessibility has helped it become one of Europe's largest beach resorts. The 20 square Km of purpose built resort are home to practically every form of sport, entertainment and amenity imaginable.

Set on a plateau high in the hills of Beira Alta, the regional capital of Viseu retains a medieval feel to what was once a walled centre and has been an important crossroads since Roman times. In fact, the Romans kept a large garrison of soldiers here, the most important yet to be uncovered by archaeologists in Portugal and the buildings of which apparently covered around 40 square hectares.

Zambujeira do Mar is located in a fairly isolated spot at the southern end of the Alentejo coast. Set in the Costa Vicentina and Sudoeste Alentejano Nature Park this laid back seaside village still retains much of its charm. A huddle of whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs sits on top of the steep cliffs which overlook the beach here.