Evora, the capital of the Alentejo region of Portugal, sits on relatively flat ground surrounded by medieval walls that have survived virtually untouched throughout the ages. On a sunny spring Sunday, its blinding-white buildings sparkled in the sunshine. Their pristine whiteness accentuates a contrast with…
Estremoz, also known as The White City, is renowned for its magnificent marble in shades of pink, oatmeal, grey, black, and pure white. Sidewalks, steps, fountains, churches, and public buildings are adorned with marble from nearby quarries. In all of Europe, Estremoz marble is second…
Like most Medieval towns, Monsanto sits on a hilltop, presiding over a landscape of cultivated fields and valleys carpeted in wildflowers, vineyards, and villages. What makes Monsanto unique is that the village is built into massive granite boulders. Blending nature with man-made structures, the boulders…
Marvão perches on a granite crest high above the surrounding valleys. It commands a three-hundred-sixty-degree view that stretches all the way to the Portuguese border and beyond into Spain. The recorded history of Marvão dates back to the late 9th century when the Muwallad chieftain,…
Arraiolos cascades down a hillside dominated by a circular castle. In the spring, the surrounding landscape is a glorious patchwork of lush green grass and bright red wild poppies that turn their little faces toward the sparkling blue skies. The village is famous for its…
Amarante – an hour's drive from Porto – is an often-overlooked Portuguese gem. It rests on the banks of River Tâmega, which flows from Spain into the Douro. Trees caress the river with the tips of their branches, while Ponte de São Gonϛalo, a sturdy…
