Sometimes you want a bit of traditional charm on your holiday. And if you’re someone who always opts to go for an all-inclusive trip with a more than questionable breakfast buffet, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. Although an all-inclusive holiday is not inherently bad, we believe you can do better.
Some villages in Portugal are frozen in time. They have that authentic Portuguese on every corner. They’re charming; they’re almost rustic with a splash of modernity, and they’re a world away from the buzzing all-inclusive resorts of areas like Albufeira. Read on for four of our favourites.
Comporta
A stay in Comporta will leave you stuck in time. The name has a meaning: ‘a gate that holds the water back’ (rough translation), which is a fitting name for a village that has multiple canals running through it. Alongside these canals, you have a mix of whitewashed walls and traditional Mediterranean buildings, with locals quietly going about their day without the rush of tourism swarming the area.
The village is also home to Portugal’s largest stretch of beautifully green rice paddy fields that meander down to the coast. The farmers tending to the fields and the surrounding areas have done so for generations.
We’d also recommend exploring the locations around the village, The Herdade da Comporta. A breathtaking swoop of coastline between the Sado Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Home to seven hamlets, you can visit Pego, Carvalhal, Brejos, Torre, Possanco, and Carrasqueira.
Monsanto
Some consider Monsanto to be the most picturesque village in Portugal, but that’s a debate for another article. We can say it’s definitely in the top 5.
Located near the Spanish border, Monsanto hasn’t changed much over the centuries. Old stone houses still dominate the architecture in the area that is built into the Estrela Mountains. Poetically known as the island in the sky, sitting at an altitude of 758 metres, the views will take your breath away.
The granite-paved street and almost hobbit-style houses have encapsulated the essence of traditional Portugal, almost ancient Portugal. If it wasn’t for a few modern cars on the street, you really would feel as though you’d stepped back in time.
Óbidos
Óbidos is a love letter to Portugal’s mediaeval past. Step through the towering stone gates and you’ll feel it.
Wander down cobbled streets, past rows of whitewashed houses with bright yellow and blue accents that pop under the Portuguese sun. Bougainvillaea spills down the walls: the village just can’t help being beautiful.
The castle at the centre of it all isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a functioning pousada. You can sleep in a literal mediaeval fortress if you plan far in advance.
Stumble into tiny bookshops, hidden wine bars, and local shops selling ‘ginjinha’ served in edible chocolate cups. It’s cute without being kitsch and touristy without feeling tacky.
There’s more to Portugal than resort packages and buffet lines. These villages don’t have to compete with the big cities. They’ve got charm in every corner, tradition in every stone, and a way of life that makes you want to stay just a bit longer.