6 best food markets in Portugal
My favourite way to get to know a place is through its food, and there’s no better place to start than at the source – the local fresh produce markets. Every town and city in Portugal is home to permanent market halls filled with fruit and veg vendors, fish wives, butchers, cheesemongers and spice stalls. […]
My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2023
I have a confession to make: I have more fun than I have the energy (or time) to write about on this blog. It’s why last year I had a blast wrapping up my favourite trips across Portugal with a short summary – so I thought I’d do the same this year. From the far […]
Devil on the loose: 8 traditional pagan carnivals to attend in Portugal
Updated Feb 6, 2026 The strong sound of jangling cowbells on a crisp winter evening is forever etched in my memory. Now just hearing the distinct clanging raises my heartbeat, taking me back to a few dark and wild nights in the remote north-west of Portugal, when I was traipsing about Podence trying to avoid […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Porto
Most people visiting Portugal for the first time are keen to visit Lisbon and Porto, the biggest and second-biggest cities. But driving three hours directly from one to another skips out on coastal gems, medieval walled villages, wine regions, castles, and plenty of culture. Yes, Lisbon and Porto are two distinct cities with unique architecture, […]
Made in Portugal: 32 Best Portuguese Menswear Brands
There’s no better country to look to for high-quality, sustainable menswear than Portugal. This small nation is well known for its production of high-quality jersey fabrics, textile innovation, and luxury shoemaking – all key factors for great men’s clothing and basics. If you’re after a simple black tee you can reach for again and again, […]
22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
When diplomacy was more swords than handshakes, castles were critical for Portugal’s defence, especially against attacks from neighbouring Spain and the Moors. When the Zamora Treaty was signed in 1143, D. Afonso Henriques became the first King of Portugal, and Alphonse the VII of León and Castile, recognised this small nation as an independent kingdom. […]
Cork masks, a burning effigy and plenty of wine: the traditional Schist Villages carnival
The sound of a gaita (bagpipe), drums, accordions and chatter emanates from the centre of Aigra Nova, a tiny one-resident schist village near Coimbra, in central Portugal. It’s 8.30am on a sunny winter Sunday and the usually quiet streets are a hive of activity. A stream of villagers starts rolling down a steep cobbled street […]
Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
Updated Apr 27, 2025 There’s nothing more comforting than knowing you can get a snack at any hour. From hot sandwiches like bifanas and pregos, to petiscos (tapas) of snails and prawns and an overwhelming range of eggy treats, Lisbon is not short of snacks. Hell, there’s even an entire 5pm meal, dedicated to hoeing […]
Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
One thing I love about dining in Portugal is how each city, town and village offers something new. Same ingredients, a whole new world of food. I recently visited Viana do Castelo for the annual Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia festival, but I have to say I was as excited about the hearty Minho food […]
15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is a place closely intertwined with the sea. Fishing boats destined for the cod-rich waters near Greenland once left the port of this small city in the northwest of Portugal, and their legacy has left its mark on the people, culture and cuisine. Feel the warmth of the locals who call this […]
Itinerary: My ideal 7-day Algarve road trip
Golden shores with gently lapping waves. The smell of grilled sardines and sunscreen. Trees heavy with figs, lemons and olives. White-washed villages watching slow days pass by. I love the Algarve, especially in the summer, and it’s not hard to see why Portugal’s southern coast is a favourite destination for beach holidays. I visit the […]
Controversy & a court case: Aveiro Train Station’s tiles
One of my favourite things about Portugal’s many tiled train stations is that they double as a tourism brochure. If you arrive in Aveiro by train, take the time to lap the original Aveiro Train Station building where 50 blue, yellow and white tiled panels detail the history of the city, its culture, people and […]