These Are the 14 Most Charming Towns in Portugal
These Are the 14 Most Charming Towns in Portugal
Portugal’s big cities are flatly gorgeous, filled with magnificent churches and eye-catching tilework. But there’s nothing like the magic of strolling through a small, charming town. If you’re keen to travel across Portugal in search of white-washed coastal towns or pretty hilltop villages, here are 14 spots we wouldn’t miss.
1. Monsanto, Centro Region
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The rock village of Portugal, located in the center of Portugal, is an unexpected find for tourists. Monsanto is a small medieval village set on a mountain rising up between the border with Spain and Portugal’s highest peak, Serra de Estrela.
Homes there are uniquely built around the region’s gigantic boulders, which drew the attention of location scouts for the new Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon.
2. Óbidos, Lisbon Region
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This super cute medieval town is the perfect day trip from busy Lisbon. Obidos was given by King Dinis to Queen Isabel in 1282 as a wedding gift. Today, wanderers tour cobblestone streets filled with shops and cafes and visit the local castle.
While you explore, take a moment to savor the local liquor called ginjinha. It’s one of Portugal’s most famous libations and is tastiest sipped from a small chocolate cup.
3. Cacela Velha, Algarve
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Head south for this charming fishing village that could cosplay as Greece. If you visit at low tide, you can walk from the hilltop aldeia to the sandy dunes. Once you’ve had enough sun and sea, enjoy one of life’s most memorable meals at Casa da Igreja.
4. Rio de Onor, Trás-os-Montes
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Imagine the sun shining, older women washing clothes while the older men tend the communal fields, and children playing soccer in the streets. That’s Rio de Onor. This charming town is literally split down the center by the border with Spain. On one side lies a typical Tras-os-Montes village consisting of two-story houses blended with dark schist stone with wooden balconies. On the other side sits Rihonor de Castilla, the Spanish side of town.
5. Sintra, Lisbon region
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Giant boulders covered in green moss add a mystical air to this nostalgic hilltop town. It’s filled with grand palaces, and above all lies an ancient castle. From Pena Palace and Monserrate to Quinta da Regaleira and the National Palace, tourists could spend the day immersed in these grand buildings. Sintra’s micro-climate makes the mountain itself an exciting place to explore.
6. Trancoso, Beira Alta
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This walled town is situated more than 3000 feet above sea level and has witnessed many of the battles for Portuguese independence. There was a strong Jewish presence here in the 16th century, and traces of their influence can still be seen. Foodies love the local sweet – sardinha doce. Sweet sardines! Nothing fishy about it.
7. Ericeira, Lisbon Region
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Ericeira is a like a beautiful dream on the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the houses there are white with striking cobalt blue trim, making it so Instgrammable against the bright blue sky. Ericeira is home to Europe’s only World Surf Reserve, so this tiny fishing village has grown in size to become a haven for surf- and yoga-loving expats.
8. Estremoz, Alentejo
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Beginning speakers will love practicing their Portuguese during in Estremoz because the locals there speak more slowly. Estremoz is a vast province known for its agriculture. Black pigs, sheep, and cows graze beneath the never-ending fields of cork and olive trees. Imagine lush quinta homes surrounded by medieval castle walls and creeping grape vines. Truly magnificent.
9. Guimarães, Norte Region
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Welcome to the birthplace of Portugal. Visiting Guimarães is like stepping back in time. The entire historic town is comprised of architecture from the 15th to 19th centuries. You can’t help contemplating what life was like here in the Middle Ages as you stroll through streets lined with large stone pavers beneath jettying buildings.
10. Madalena do Mar, Madeira
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Madeira is a wild and wonderful island to explore, and Madalena do Mar is one of its most charming towns. Tunnels zip in and out of the unruly landscape, and you can walk a trail that takes you between the many banana plantations.
11. Tavira, Algarve
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Named one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve, this gem dates back to the Bronze Age, and it was here that the Phoenicians built one of their first settlements. We recommend wandering over the Roman bridge, touring the castle gardens and Roman ruins, and strolling the pretty city squares before taking a ferry out to Ilha de Tavira, where golden sandy beaches await.
12. Idanha-a-Velha, Beira Baixa
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Once a great city but now just a village, there’s still evidence of grander times in Idanha-a-Velha. Arrive at rush hour to watch local set about their daily lives, pruning roses and enjoying their neighbors.
13. Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve
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Vila Real de Santo António was founded after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake as a getaway from the capital. Take a walking tour or plan your own, beginning in Praça Marquês de Pombal, the heart of the town. This square contains three features commonly found in eighteenth century cities: the church, the Town Hall, and the old guardhouse.
14. Loule, Algarve
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Loule is home to a 13th-century castle and an even more famous market. One of the biggest cities in Algarve, its size exceeds Faro, the regional capital, but the city still exudes small-town charm.
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Zobia Shazi is a freelance writer from Pakistan and travel enthusiast. With a Bachelor's degree in IT and four years of professional writing experience, she's passionate about crafting compelling content for people all over the globe. When she's not busy typing, you can find her reading books in a nice cafe or exploring new places.
