A quiet border town in the heart of the Alentejo, Campo Maior reveals its history slowly. At the centre of it all stands Campo Maior Castle, a weathered fortress shaped by centuries of conflict, resilience, and everyday life. This travel story explores the castle, the town beneath it, and why this overlooked corner of Portugal rewards those who travel without rushing.
Castelo de Vide is a whitewashed hill town in Alentejo where flowers spill over stone steps, water flows through ancient fountains, and layers of Jewish history linger quietly in narrow streets. A place for slow travel, reflection, and noticing what still endures
Berlengas Island, a rugged Atlantic outpost off Peniche, blends history, adventure, and raw beauty. Once a haunt of pirates and monks, today it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where travelers come to hike, kayak, dive, and explore Portugal’s wilder side.
Perched above Elvas on Portugal’s frontier, La Lippe is a masterpiece of 18th-century military design—star-shaped bastions, layered defenses, and vast views toward Spain. We walked the walls, traced the geometry, and folded the fort into a day of UNESCO-listed Elvas: aqueducts, taverns, and sunset over the Alentejo.
Rising above the bay of Cascais, the Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães feels part castle, part dream. Built at the turn of the 20th century and filled with rare art, manuscripts, and ocean light, it offers an intimate glimpse into Portugal’s aristocratic past and enduring coastal beauty.
