Portugal has many charms and is a truly passionate country. From the schist villages to the Estrada Nacional 2, here are eight routes to discover the best of the country.
Literary Lisbon
This route traces the history of Lisbon, from the 19th century to the present, through its writers. if Fernando Pessoa liked the taverns and cafes in Chiado and downtown, ending up in the field of goldsmith, Saramago takes us to the Estrela neighborhood, the Alfama hill, Avenida de Liberdade and the headquarters of the Diário de Noticias, where he was deputy director for 10 months.
Walk between Cacela Velha and the Faro Islands
The Ria Formosa paradise consists of five islands, from east to west: Cabanas, Tavira, Armona, Culatra and Barreta. embraced by a peninsula at each end of Cacela. Ferries and boats connect them to the mainland
Discover the Alentejo singing
The Cante Alentejano is the excuse to explore the most authentic villages in the interior of this Portuguese region. In places like Serpa, Sete, Beja, Castro Verde, men sing about the problems of life in the fields and in the mines. It is an Earth song, deep, without any instrumental accompaniment. Music is the excuse to reach Évora, capital of the Alentejo, with its University, one of the oldest in Europe
The Templar Refuge: Tomar
Tomar has been a Templar from the beginning. The castle, built in 1160 on a hill, was the most modern defense of its time. Then, the only, the singular and magical convent of Christ, the greatest exponent of the Manueline style
Shale villages
In the center of the country, between Castelo Branco and Coimbra, there are 27 shale villages. This is the case of Piodão, considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal. Each Village seeks to discover its uniqueness and the route must be carefully planned to make the most of each one.
Portuguese Coastal Path (Caminhos de Santiago)
The Portuguese Coastal Path (Porto-Valença-Santiago) is the second most popular, after the French (Roncesvalles-Santiago), but it is not the only one that crosses Portugal. Although it is the coastal path, we rarely see the sea, which does not detract from the beauty of the tour, guaranteed by the ancient Roman roads, woods and aqueducts
Walk between Pinhão vineyards to Provesende
Nothing better than enjoying the Douro valley, among vineyards, wine tasting and boat trips on the river. Finally, arrive in Provesende, a noble village in other times, which mixes several architectural styles in a small space.
Cross Portugal by Car along the Route of the National Road 2
If the USA has Route 66, Portugal has National 2, from Chaves to Faro, with 737 kilometers that can be done in one day, but that would be a waste. The goal is not to arrive, it is to enjoy the trip. This road crosses the country’s great rivers – the Douro, then the Dão and the Tagus, and finally reaches the Ria Formosa. In between, restaurants that don’t appear on the internet, ravines, villages and crafts. The EN2 crosses the cities instead of controlling them, so the temptation to stop is permanent. And it pays off.
