Question: Is New York America? Is London England? Is Lisbon Portugal?
Answer: No, I think that if you want to see a country, get out of the major cities and go and look for it.
I was talking to my wife about Portugal and some of the great cities, 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 you travellers and because it’s the internet, I made it top ten (but in no particular order).
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 we 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. The mariner too is a fabulous place to eat, drink and watch the world go by.
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.
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 travellers 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.” I worked here for a while and wrote an insiders audio guide.
Tomar
A real hidden gem and my home city. I came here for a couple of nights in their free campsite and stayed. 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).
Best for mystery lovers and history nerds
If you want to walk in the footsteps of the Knights Templar, feel the pull of old stone cloisters, and dig into secret codes, Tomar is your dream.
I do a tour in Tomar everyday at 10am join me
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.
Best for laid-back foodies and sunset chasers
No rush here. It’s all about riverside seafood lunches, lazy ferry rides, and watching Lisbon glow across the water.
Ponte de Lima
Portugal’s oldest village and it wears its history like a badge of honour. Stone bridges, lazy river walks, and fields that explode with flowers. Super traditional — you’ll feel a million miles from the modern world.
Best for romantics and daydreamers
Old-world, flower-filled, slow and poetic. Perfect for couples, writers, or anyone needing to breathe and step out of time.
Video here 👇
Viana do Castelo
A proud northern city, famous for filigree gold jewellery 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.
Best for beauty seekers and old soul travellers
Amazing Atlantic views, gorgeous old mansions, rich folklore. Feels like a place for painters, poets, and quiet moments.
Video here 👇
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.
Best for off-the-beaten-path adventurers and hearty eaters
Tough, charming, and a little rough around the edges — but so real. A place for deep winter meals, Roman bridges, and friendly bars.
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.
Best for scholars and romantics
The entire city hums with history and bittersweet student energy. You can feel ancient wisdom mixed with youthful dreams in the air.
Torres Vedras
Quietly historic, Torres Vedras was key to Portugal’s defence 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.
Best for history buffs and wine lovers
If you love Napoleon stories, defensive forts, and sipping local wines surrounded by rolling green hills, this is your spot. We broke down here for 2 weeks and found it a charming city.
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.
Best for spiritual seekers and quiet reflectors
It doesn’t matter if you’re religious — there’s something powerful about thousands of candles flickering at night. A place for inner reflection and feeling small under a big sky.
I met some great people here in Fatima, people searching for answers, or thankful for life. We found it because it gave pilgrims free showers (sorry God).
Portugal’s magic isn’t just in its famous cities, it’s tucked into fishing towns, hilltop villages, river crossings, and ancient strongholds. From the sun-drenched cliffs of Lagos to the spiritual silence of Fátima, from the medieval whispers of Tomar to the proud traditions of Viana do Castelo, each place tells a different part of the country’s story. These ten spots are proof that if you step off the main tourist trail, you’ll find a Portugal that’s richer, deeper, and even more unforgettable.