Dreaming of a Portuguese adventure but keen on avoiding tourist hordes? Read on.
Here we unveil eight hidden gems far from the madding crowd that will wow, mesmerise and fascinate.
Courtesy of travel experts from HomeToGo, Cinders Travels and The Family Cruise Companion, these spots are Portugal at its alluring best.
Scroll down and you’ll discover a scintillating volcanic island, a village where houses appear to grow out of boulders and a ‘picture-perfect’ hamlet set on top of startling rugged cliffs.
This portfolio of Portuguese temptations also includes a national park with majestic waterfalls, the land’s oldest town and a riverside settlement that seems almost ‘unreal’.
Which place would you most like to visit?
![PORTO SANTO ISLAND: The experts at holiday platform HomeToGo told MailOnline Travel: 'Porto Santo Island, just off the coast of Madeira, is renowned for its 9km [5.6-mile] stretch of soft, golden, mineral-rich sand and warm turquoise waters. Inland, volcanic peaks create striking scenery around which trails reveal unique rock formations and ancient windmills'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/15/93713097-14140757-image-a-27_1735917690325.jpg)
PORTO SANTO ISLAND: The experts at holiday platform HomeToGo told MailOnline Travel: ‘Porto Santo Island, just off the coast of Madeira, is renowned for its 9km [5.6-mile] stretch of soft, golden, mineral-rich sand and warm turquoise waters. Inland, volcanic peaks create striking scenery around which trails reveal unique rock formations and ancient windmills’
PORTO COVO, SOUTHERN ALENTEJO COAST: HomeToGo says that this is a ‘picture perfect village’, adding: ‘Rugged cliffs give way to quiet, sandy beaches and a welcoming atmosphere. Its streets, lined with whitewashed buildings, lead to scenic coves and stunning paths such as the Fisherman’s Trail’
VILA NOVA DES MILFONTES, ALENTEJO COAST: ‘Vila Nova des Milfontes is an uncrowded gem,’ says HomeToGo, ‘combining river and ocean scenery with uncrowded beaches. The Mira River meets the Atlantic here, offering calm waters ideal for kayaking and swimming’
PENADA-GERES NATIONAL PARK, CLOSE TO THE SPANISH BORDER: ‘The Penada-Geres National Park showcases Portugal’s wild side,’ says HomeToGo, ‘with landscapes marked by granite mountains, rich forests and ancient villages. Adventurers can visit majestic waterfalls and hope to catch sightings of wild Garrano horses’
PONTE DE LIMA, NORTHERN PORTUGAL: Ponte de Lima is a great spot for holidaymakers looking for a historic break. The HomeToGo team reveals: ‘Portugal’s oldest town, Ponte de Lima is a storybook setting characterised by its Roman and medieval bridge, riverside paths and nearby verdant vineyards. Also known for its lively celebrations and festivals, this destination balances historical intrigue with a vibrant local culture’
FOZ D’EGUA, EASTERN PORTUGAL: Foz d’Egua is set amongst ‘lush green surroundings’, explains Cindy Scott, travel expert at Cinders Travels. She continues: ‘It’s a quiet village with river pools that look almost unreal. The water is clear and calm, perfect for swimming or you can just sit by the edge and enjoy the sounds of the flowing streams’
MONSARAZ, EASTERN PORTUGAL: This village ‘feels off the radar’, explains Cindy. She says: ‘It’s a medieval village sitting high on a hill in the Alentejo region, surrounded by wide-open countryside and Alqueva Lake. The castle there takes you right back in time, and the views stretch out forever. Around the lake, there are quiet trails for hiking or biking, and if you’re into kayaking or sailing, the water is perfect’
MONSANTO, EASTERN PORTUGAL: At this mountaintop village residents have built their abodes in and around massive boulders. Elaine Warren, travel expert at The Family Cruise Companion, says: ‘The first time we visited, my kids were completely fascinated by the village’s houses, which seemed to grow out of giant boulders. It’s the kind of place where kids can climb, explore, and let their imaginations run wild while you take in the history behind how people adapted to such a unique environment’