Hidden beneath the familiar tourist attractions that clog-up Portugal’s best locations are some of the most unique and pretty towns you will ever have the grace to explore. These towns echo the feelings of simplicity: a simple life and simple peace. Let’s discover Monsanto, Sortelha and other magical Portuguese towns to visit.
Monsanto
Welcome to the historic village of Monsanto. This town is known as a fruit, olive and cheese paradise. In 1938, Monsanto was elected as ‘the most Portuguese village in Portugal’. Houses peek out from under massive boulders, grapes sprout from rock formations and cobblestone walks keep oncoming vegetation at bay. On top of that, there are so many cafes, restaurants and a long, uphill walk to an ancient castle. All this walking stirs up a seizable appetite, so be sure to pop into Taverna Lusitana for lunch with a view.
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Nordeste
Nordeste in São Miguel Island is magical to explore. The whitewashed town stands out in its peace, architecture and location. Set on a perch overlooking the ocean in the distance, Norddeste is a wellness destination in itself. All you should be doing here is walking around, interacting with locals, and trying local cuisine.
Bougainvillas creep up eclectic light poles as sea breezes float through the narrow alleys between quaint cottages. One of the key attractions in Nordeste is the Ponte dos Sete Arcos bridge. It was built in the late 1800s and paved the way to enter the small village. Then there’s the Church of São Jorge to marvel at in the town centre, with its strong architectural features and black and white facade.
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Sortelha
Various shapes of granite formations encapsulate the village of Sortelha. The town offers visitors a show of spectacular views, not only that of the landscape but also the unchanged Renaissance architecture. In fact, the town has remained unchanged for centuries. With the 13th-century castle still beaming over residences, it’s hard to see how you could not have this town on your bucket list! The entrance to the village is through a Gothic gateway, so be ready to be swept away by the charm of this village’s mediaeval atmosphere.
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Amarante
Somewhere in Northern Portugal lies a little town called Amarante. This spec of fairytale dust can stop time, halt all stressors and transport you into a state of sheer wonder. Amarante is located close to Dodo Valley, and because of this, the town is often overshadowed by it. However, this also means that the town doesn’t suffer from tourist constipation. If peace and beauty are what you most desire, then this is just the town to paint red!
Amarante is known for its impressive amalgamation of Renaissance, Medieval and Romanesque architectural styles. What’s even better is that the town hosts an annual festival dedicated to the Christian Saint São Gonçalo. This festival takes place on the first weekend in June. Furthermore, Amarante is set against the backdrop of the Serra do Marão mountain range. Just go, it’s worth it, and if you aren’t convinced, be sure to read about panoramic palace hopping in Portugal.
Marvão
Welcome to Marvão, a town that remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. This town sits at the highest point of Serra de São Mamede and has local fame for being the ‘invincible’ town. It is also the locality of Portugal, where one can truly appreciate the vastness of the Alentejo Region. Interestingly, the entirety of Marvao is surrounded by walls. Due to the steep granite slopes, it’s easy to see why the town remained unconquerable for so many centuries. The town borders Spain, and if you climb to the top of the Marvão Castle, you can see the glistening of Spain in the distance.
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Évora
In the Alentejo region in Portugal lies the super underrated town of Évora. Located one and a half hours away from Lisbon, you could easily make this town a day-trip option. However, I highly recommend you take a few days, maybe a week, or if you can a month to explore Evora. There are so many spots that make you feel like you’re in Rome, possibly because the Romans inhabited Évora for a period. You could find a palace, lush gardens, and a variety of churches that dot the town’s landscape. However, one church that stands out above all others is Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)!
To peruse this UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s best to do so on foot. Ultimately, Évora is the location to experience authentic Portuguese cuisine.
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Let’s Hit the Town!
Portugal is dotted by towns of immaculate, yet still delicate beauty! All of them have something unique to offer you. In its simplicity, you could experience wellness without being too strenuous about it. All you need is to a want to get to know the town and ta-da, you are on a wellness journey. My advice is to put on some great walking sneakers, grab a bottle of water, and hit the town! This is the only way to uncover the secrets of Monsanto, Sortelha and other magical Portuguese towns.
