Portuguese villages you really have to visit!

It is not news that Portugal is rich in history, culture and breathtaking views. If you are visiting Portugal and are in doubt about what to do, we have some suggestions for villages that you will not want to miss!

Óbidos

The first and perhaps the most famous is the town of Óbidos, which belongs to the district of Leiria and was considered in 2007 as the second of the seven most important monuments of portuguese heritage. Óbidos is one of the best preserved villages in the country and within the walls that protected the village you can find a castle that you can visit and countless streets and whitewashed houses that make up the medieval experience, making it even more special. In addition, in Óbidos you will find lots of lovely gardens and cafes/restaurants to enjoy the town to the fullest without having to leave.

Monsaraz

In Alentejo you will find the medieval village of Monsaraz. Considered by many an “open-air” museum, it is surrounded by walls that guard the town and village and has four doors through which you can access the town and begin your visit. Once inside, you will find the castle of Monsaraz, built by D. Dinis in the 14th century and considered a National Monument. In the castle of Monsaraz you will find a viewpoint over the Alqueva Dam, the largest artificial lake in Europe and one of the greatest portuguese works of the century. If you are already curious, we also take the opportunity to tell you that in Monsaraz you will find the best traditional Alentejo dishes.

Sintra

One of the most appreciated villages in Portugal is a small paradise full of mystery, history, gardens full of color and you will realize that Sintra has a microclimate, which means that it can be raining in Lisbon and sunny in Sintra or vice versa. back Sintra was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under the Cultural Landscape category in 1995.

If you go to the town of Sintra, you should also visit the Pena National Palace, which is at the top of the Serra de Sintra, and the Castelo dos Mouros, which is also located in the village of Sintra and has a privileged view over the Atlantic Coast.

Mértola

Located on the banks of the Guadiana River and the border with Spain, Mértola is a town in the district of Beja, which was built in the medieval period and benefits from a privileged and strategic position that made it an important trading post. Mértola was a river port that allowed trade with the main ports of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and it is still possible to see some of these Roman remains in the village today. Mértola Castle was built on top of the ancient Roman and Muslim fortifications, and is a place you really should visit.

Marvão

A village in the district of Portalegre, Marvão is located a few kilometers from Spain and is located at the highest point of Serra do Sapoio, at an altitude of 860 meters. Given its location, the castle of Marvão served as a point of defense for the kingdom and the internal disputes of the portuguese government. In Marvão you will find narrow streets, a pillory and a lot of history, delight yourself with the corners of this portuguese village.

Cascais

Known as the Portuguese Riviera, the town of Cascais is located 40 minutes from Lisbon and is one of the most complete destinations, as it allows you to rest or if you prefer, you have the possibility of practicing various sports. It is one of the most important references in the area of ​​tourism and, in 2014, it was considered the Best Sustainable Destination in the World and, in 2019, the Best Municipality in the Area of ​​Tourism. In the village of Cascais you can find excellent cuisine, beautiful beaches, the arina and houses from the end of the 19th century.

These are just some of the portuguese villages you should know, from north to south of the country there are many that could complete this list. We hope we have helped and that you enjoy getting to know Portugal as much as we do.