We travel through five Portuguese districts, from north to south, without forgetting the islands, discovering a handful of villages and small towns perfect for a getaway and to delve into the history, tradition and current events of a country that shares the peninsula with us. Because, surely you know everything about the candidates for the next elections in the United States, but do you know the name of the president of Portugal?
River of Honor
As an appetizer for our trip through deep Portugal, Beyond Porto, Lisbon and the Algarvewe passed through Rio de Onor, one of the most curious towns on the Iberian Peninsula: a line separates both sides of the town, both borders, because Rio Onor de Bragança is, on the other side, Rihonor of Castileless than half an hour south of Puebla de Sanabria, in Zamora.
Despite some quips and jokes, the residents of both towns live as if they were one town, except that when you cross the border to one side or the other you have to set your clock: you know, one hour less in Portugal.
Braganza
We continue our route a little further south to visit a town with a royal aroma located south of the Sierra de la Culebra itself: following the N-122 from Zamora, you arrive in just over 70 minutes. Cross the old medieval wall through the Puerta de la Villa, to the east and discover its castleone of the most beautiful in Portugal thanks to its good state of conservation: a two-metre-wide wall and up to fifteen turrets mark the profile of this castle.
To the west of the old citadel the city grew, where we can get closer to know the work of Grace Morais in the contemporary art centre that bears his name, which represents the most modern side of Braganza. And to the north of the town, a walk along the Montesinho Natural Park.
Guard
We go further south to visit the district of Guarda and the town that gives it its name, 40 kilometers from Oñoro fountains in SalamancaGuarda is not only the highest city in the country (1056 meters above sea level) but it also has one of the most popular medieval quarters in Portugal, starting with its Jewish quarter. But the most notable building in Guarda in its majestic cathedral made of granite known as the stone ship, a structure halfway between Gothic and Manueline.
And don’t forget to stop by the Mondego walkways Located in the heart of the Estrela Geopark: 12 km along the Mondego River and its tributaries, including three suspension bridges in addition to the so-called Mountain Villages.
Monsanto
We went down to the district of White Castle to discover one of the most emblematic villages in central Portugal. It is a parish of the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova in full Naturtejo Geoparka historic village located in Cabeço de Monsanto with its more than 750 meters of height.
And no, it is not just another village, you only need to take a look at the photos of it or remember that it was recognised as the most Portuguese village in Portugal in 1938, thanks to its traditional granite houses between huge blocks of stone, some of them covered with moss: an unforgettable spectacle.
Elvas
Always heading south, it is time to discover the fourth of the easternmost districts of Portugal, which in this case borders Extremadura: PortalegreAmong the treasures of this region that, together with the neighbouring Évora and Beja, form the Alentejohighlights Elvas, a town with just over 20,000 inhabitants.
And be careful because Elvas is not just another town in our neighboring country: it guards the largest bastioned fortification in the world which has allowed it to be recognized as a World Heritage Site. What a tandem it forms with the neighbouring Alcazaba of Badajoz!
Sea azenhas
Surely you already miss the sea on this Portuguese trip. Well, we solve it with our last two proposals. First we go to the Beja districtbetween Setúbal and Faro, to discover Azenhas do Mar, one of the Atlantic emblems of our neighbour.
It belongs to the municipality of Sintrawhose capital is fifteen minutes inland, offering a postcard to remember: a hamlet with white walls and red roofs overlooking a cliff that protects a beach.
Porto Santo
And to finish our getaway through Portugal, a visit to the secret island of Madeiraone of the best places in our neighbouring country to disappear for a while. Unlike the natural exuberance of its older sister, Porto Santo is a small, fragile and arid island that stands out for its impressive nine-kilometre beach: you know, turquoise blue waters, calm and relaxing and fine, golden sand that explain Porto Santo’s nickname: the golden island.
Porto Santo may no longer be the lonely corner it was a couple of decades ago, but it still doesn’t have traffic lights: there’s no way to go full throttle here to get through amber-almost-red lights… because there aren’t any. So save your throttle and horn blasts for when you return to the big city after your Portuguese getaway.
