Storytelling tours of Portugal

I was talking to my wife about Portugal and some of the great towns and villages that were well worth a visit. We know everything about Lisbon or Porto but I bet no one hardly ever talks about Almada or Chaves. So, I thought I’d make a list for travellers. 

We travelled Portugal for two years looking for somewhere to live, that’s how we found Tomar.

Lagos
we lived in Priai da Luz for ages and this city was a couple of miles away and went here all the time.  Chilled beaches, dramatic cliffs, and golden caves like Ponta da Piedade. Lagos feels laid-back but was once a bustling Age of Discovery port — Henry the Navigator set up shop here. The old town still feels a bit wild and free, with cobbled streets, colourful tiles, and street performers.

Best for freedom and adventure
Ideal for wandering beaches, cliff walks, kayaking into caves, and a bit of nightlife. It’s got that old “edge of the world” feeling.

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Faro
Way more than an airport town. Faro’s walled old town (Cidade Velha) is atmospheric, with Roman ruins and a Gothic cathedral. The eerie but beautiful Chapel of Bones reminds you how fleeting life is. Plus, it’s the gateway to the dreamy, empty beaches of the Ria Formosa lagoon.

Best for slow travelers and secret finders
Quiet charm behind the tourist gloss. Best if you love exploring hidden alleys, ancient walls, and feeling a bit “in the know.”

Tomar
A real hidden gem. The Convent of Christ is pure Knights Templar drama — cloisters, spiral staircases, secret symbolism. The town below is leafy, slow-paced, and filled with little secrets (like the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, burial place of Templar masters).

Almada
Most people race across the bridge and miss it! But Almada’s got soul. Cristo Rei looms huge, but the real joy is the old fishing village feel of Cacilhas — grab seafood by the river, with insane sunset views across the water to Lisbon.

Ponte de Lima
Portugal’s oldest village and it wears its history like a badge of honor. Stone bridges, lazy river walks, and fields that explode with flowers. Super traditional — you’ll feel a million miles from the modern world.

Viana do Castelo
A proud northern city, famous for filigree gold jewelry and pilgrimages to Santa Luzia Basilica, perched on a hill with a view that’s all rivers and Atlantic sea spray. It feels quietly grand — and the Gil Eannes ship museum is a brilliant oddity.

Chaves
Way up near the Spanish border, Chaves is known for its Roman past — the bridge still stands! — and thermal waters. The town is hearty and unpretentious, with a kind of medieval borderland vibe. And pastéis de Chaves (crispy meat pastries) are insanely good.

Coimbra
The original Portuguese capital and home to the oldest university in the country. There’s something magical about the faded grandeur here — ancient libraries, students in Harry Potter-style robes, and fado sung with raw emotion.

Torres Vedras
Quietly historic, Torres Vedras was key to Portugal’s defense against Napoleon (with its secret Lines of Torres Vedras). Today it’s wine country, and their carnival is legendary — raucous and a bit wild, very proudly local.

Fátima
A spiritual heartland. In 1917, three shepherd children saw the Virgin Mary here, and the Sanctuary of Fátima became one of the world’s biggest pilgrimage sites. It’s haunting — even for non-believers, the sea of candles and prayers hits you deep.

Would you like me to also suggest a few quick personal “vibes” for each — like best for romance, solitude, foodie trips, etc.?
Could be a fun extra twist!