Inspiration

The Most Beautiful Small Towns in Portugal

From coastal Carvalhal to 13th-century Marvão.

May 31, 2022

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There's more to Portugal than Lisbon and Porto—or the golden coast of the Algarve and the hippy beach clubs in Comporta. Beyond the big names, there are charming villages and beautiful towns to seek out, known for pristine beaches, mesmerizing views, and centuries-old castles. Here are our 10 favorite small towns across the country to explore.

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Carvalhal
This little village sits among the pine forests, rice fields, and dunes near Comporta with a wonderful white-sand beach that is the perfect for horseback riding at sunset. Rent a horse from nearby Cavalos na Areia and pick your way over the dunes to the foam-flecked turquoise waters. Alternatively, try the Comporta Beach Club on Praia de Carvalhal and lunch on freshly-caught oysters with your feet in the sand before winding back through the village past storks nesting on telegraph poles and houses in the characteristic thatch and reed vernacular architecture.
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Lindoso
Lindoso in the Peneda do Gerês National Park, one of Portugal’s greatest natural attractions, is known for its collection of over 50 espigueiros or little granaries. They look like miniature tombs with crosses on the top and are made from granite, raised on columns and slatted for ventilation. (The design keeps grain and maize at the right humidity.) The village lies in the shadow of a medieval castle that played a part in the Portuguese Restoration War, due to its position on the Spanish border. Surrounded by wild, dramatic scenery and forest-clad peaks, the park is home to wolves and golden eagles.

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Marvão
By the time you arrive at the 13th-century walls of Marvão, Alentejo’s most beautiful hamlet, you will already have fallen for its charms. It sits at 2,828 feet above sea level on a majestic escarpment facing the Spanish border, its walls and buttresses indistinguishable from the granite of the mountain it resides on—and completely enclose the tiny white-washed houses, cobbled streets, and 15th-century churches that make up Marvão. Stop for a few days at the charming little Pousada, or historic inn, along the main street and soak up the views from its terrace.
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Cacela Velha
This tiny village sits on a hill at the eastern end of the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, protected by the ruins of an 18th-century fortress. White-washed houses are trimmed with blue (a tradition intended to ward off the devil) and topped by intricately designed chimney pots characteristic of the Algarve—just one of the signs of the long Moorish occupation here. The 16th-century village church was rebuilt after Portugal’s devastating earthquake of 1755, complete with a Renaissance-style portico. Beneath it are golden sands, home to warm lagoons at low tide and probably the best off-the-beaten-path beach in the Algarve.

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Belmonte
The home of Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral, Belmonte, along the Iberian Peninsula, is also known for its strong Jewish connections, having retained its Jewish heritage and culture—often in secret—from the 16th century until the present day; step into the Belmonte Jewish Museum to learn more. Also worth visiting is the town's 13th-century castle and the little church of São Tiago with its pleasing Romanesque simplicity. Look out for the beautiful pietà, carved in granite.
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Amarante
Amarante is one of the hidden gems of northern Portugal, where rows of 17th-century mansions with brightly painted wooden balconies line narrow streets. Next to the 16th-century church of St. Goncalo—a saint who holds a particular place in the heart of the locals for his matchmaking skills—is the Museum of Amadeo de Sousa-Cardoso. One of Portugal’s leading 20th-century artists, Sousa-Cardoso was a native of Amarante, and there is a collection of his Cubist works here. Try the northern Portuguese specialities of duck rice or grilled goat at one of the restaurants that hang over the Tâmega River.

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Monsanto
Moorish occupied Monsanto was conquered by the first Portuguese King, D. Afonso Henriques. He gave it to the Knights Templar, who rebuilt the ancient Roman castle, now in ruins. Little houses are squeezed between vast boulders of granite; gardens seem to sprout from the rock. Cars cannot venture into the village centre, either. Wander up to the castle ruins for the best views and then settle in for lunch at Petiscos and Granitos restaurant—order the typical broad bean and coriander soup.
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Sortelha

Home to a 13th-century castle, Sortelha offers mesmerizing views thanks to the bizarre looking granite formations that surround the village; one is called The Old Woman’s Head due to its likeness. Another is called The Eternal Kiss. Surrounded by its defensive wall, the houses have changed little since Renaissance days, providing a time travel feel and a perfect platform for their annual medieval fair.

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Alte
Alte is a dreamy mix of white-washed houses, cobbled streets, and scarlet bougainvillaea. In the heat of summer, refresh with a dip in the Fonte Grande, one of the village's natural springs. Picnic on the town's grassy banks or try one of the many cafés, where locals go for snails and a Sagres beer. Alternatively, buy some carob brownies and head for the shade of the small village museum.
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Talesnal
The 27 schist (shale) villages that have been beautifully preserved in the centre of Portugal are scattered across the countryside, with the most crucial cluster in the Lousã Mountains. Historically important, they have been linked by walking trails and deliver a taste of the region's cuisine and crafts. Talesnal is considered the prettiest example, with much loved Ti Lena restaurant at its heart. Try the goat, baked with chestnuts from the surrounding mountains, or stop at one of the village shops for a talasnico, a pastry made with local honey, chestnuts, and almonds.