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Interesting People
A wonderful way of discovering the history and culture of a country is to explore it through its people.
Traditional Crafts
Abandoned Places
Every once in a while one stumbles upon an abondened place with an interesting history. It offers a glimpse into how fleeting life can be.
Interesting Places
Some places capture one´s imagination & heart in a way that is difficult to categorise or fully capture with words.
Towns, Cities & Villages
Mainland Portugal is divided into Northern Portugal, Central Portugal, Lisbon, Alentejo, and the Algarve, while Madeira and the Azores make up its island regions. Each of the regions of mainland Portugal has a coastal region, as well as sharing a border with Spain, which means there is an incredible amount of diversity within each region. Some are crowded tourist hotspots, while many others are not.
Central Portugal
Living in Central Portugal, close to the Spanish border give me access to an array of interesting places that are for the better part devoid of tourists, both in Portugal and in Spain. That said, I do also venture on the odd occasion to its gorgeous seaside towns, like Ericeira or Nazaré for the Tow Surfing Challenge in 2021.
Aldeias Históricas de Portugal – Central Portugal
Twelve villages in central Portugal fall officially under this designation, and because they are a bit off the beaten track, they are not crowded, and a delight to visit.
Almeida, Belmonte, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Novo, Castelo Rodrigo, Idanha-a-Velha, Linhares da Beira, Marialva, Monsanto, Piódão, Sortelha, Trancoso
Convents, Monasteries, & Churches
Castles
Portugal abounds with castles. Some could have been lifted from fairy tales, others have been used in fantasy films to create the otherworldly, and then there are those which were essential for security. Vila do Touro Castle not far from the border to Spain is one that was never finished, and although there is almost nothing left, the views over the landscape is incredible.
Culture
In this section various aspects of Portuguese culture is highlighted, including posts focusing on Christmas, and other festive days.
Gardens
Gardens hold a special allure, and can vary greatly from the formal to the informal, as well as the season one visits. The Jardim do Paço Episcopal in Castelo Branco is a wonderful example of Baroque Garden design.
Natural Swimming Pools
Festivals
Special Places to Stay
Street Art
Walking
Walking can consist of gentle ambles through urban areas, strolls through nature, or more vigorous hiking trips of multiple days. They can serve as meditations, acts of endurance, or simply to connect with nature or the people who share these walks. In this section I will highlight posts I wrote ranging from strolls through Lisbon´s Abandoned Streets during the Covid Pandemic to various nature trails, and perhaps one day even The Fisherman´s Trail or the Portuguese Camino.
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