The most authentic places in Portugal
Welcome to the authentic heart of travels branded by the Miniwanderlust Team, where we want to tell you what we loved the most during our time in Ericeira: Authentic places in Portugal.
Despite the recent tourism boom, this country still preserves many authentic places where time seems to stand still, and daily life is permeated by a tranquil rustic beauty.
In this article, we’ll delve into the most authentic places in Portugal, true hidden gems that enchant visitors with their timeless charm and intact authenticity. From small villages perched on hills to fascinating coastal communities, each village tells a unique story of tradition, culture, and Portuguese hospitality..
This is our way of traveling, and it’s also what we aim to promote the most: in our opinion, children should be able to visit authentic places and truly get to know the countries they travel to, without the glossy filters dictated by tourist activities.
Authentic places in Portugal sono veri gioielli da scoprire, paesi lontani dalle folle dei luoghi turistici più affollati. Qui, tra stradine lastricate e case di pietra dall’architettura tradizionale, troverai un’authenticity that transports you back in time. These enchanted places are a refuge for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and immerse themselves in the simple beauty of the Portuguese countryside.
During our journey through the most authentic villages in Portugal, we’ve explored local traditions, tasted regional culinary delights, and gotten lost amidst breathtaking landscapes and fascinating historical monuments. Each village has its own unique character and distinctive attractions, ranging from medieval churches to traditional festivals, from craft markets to scenic walks.
Whether you’re a history and culture enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking an authentic experience away from the most beaten tourist paths, this article on the most authentic villages in Portugal offers something special for everyone.
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure through places steeped in history, charm, and authenticity, where every corner hides a treasure to discover.
Authentic places in Portugal with kids
It’s worth mentioning that many villages are not easily accessible by public transport, and to truly experience Portugal authentically and more comfortably when traveling with children, having your own or rented car is a real must!
Monsanto, the most Portuguese village
Monsanto is by far one of the most authentic villages in Portugal, so much so that it received the award for the “Most Portuguese Village in Portugal” in 1938.
The village was built around large boulders covering the hill and with a castle on top. Thus, fun structures are created where they tried to make them work.
If you happen to travel to this part of Portugal in early May, then you might be lucky. This is the time when the Festival of the Holy Cross takes place, in memory of the long history of battles and sieges of the city. During the festivities, women carrying ‘marafonas’, or rag dolls, climb the hill while clay pots filled to the brim with flowers are thrown down from the top of the walls of the Monsanto castle.
Planning a trip to Monsanto
LOCATION: Monsanto, one of the best villages in Portugal, is located near the border with Spain, approximately in the middle-eastern part.
DISTANCE : from Lisbon to Monsanto is about 3 hours by car.
Obidos one of the most authentic place in Portugal
Obidos is one of the most famous villages in Portugal, as it is not far from Lisbon. It is a town, but the fortified center is like a village. This very picturesque town has a small center full of white houses, a cobbled street, and surrounded by a wall. At the top is, as always, a castle overlooking the village.
The best part that will obviously thrill all the KIDS is that you can walk on the wall throughout the town to enjoy an extraordinary view!
Planning a trip to Obidos
LOCATION: Obidos is located north of Lisbon – it takes 1 hour by car to reach it.
DISTANCE : from Lisbon to Obidos is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car.
Mertola, one of the lesser-known villages in Portugal
Mertola is rarely mentioned in lists of places to visit, yet it is one of the most authentic places in Portugal, a must visit with children.
Nestled between the Guadiana River and one of its arms, this Portuguese village is stunning with its white houses against the dry landscape.
Climbing to the top of the castle, you can enjoy a splendid view of the region.
Planning a trip to Mertola
LOCATION: nel Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana, vicino al confine con la Spagna, appena a nord della regione dell’Algarve.
DISTANCE: from Lisbon to Mertola = 2 hours and 45 minutes by car.
Monsaraz
Although built with a structure similar to that of other villages in Portugal, with white houses, a castle, and everything on top of a hill, Monsaraz has a very different atmosphere. It’s hard to explain, but painters know something about it.
A fortified village surrounded by ancient castle walls, overlooking the surrounding landscape, the historic Monsaraz offers an incredible view of the surrounding countryside. Just below, you’ll encounter the Algueva River separating the Spanish district of Beja from Portugal.
As you pass through the city gates and cobblestone streets, you’ll immediately be struck by the picturesque whitewashed buildings, the main street lined with artisan shops and boutiques selling a range of local crafts, art, and ceramics for which the area is known.
Continue wandering the city streets, passing by the beautiful 16th-century Igreja Matriz church, and have lunch overlooking the surrounding countryside, or admire the sunset from the top of the castle walls, watching over the countryside of Alentejo and Spain.
Planning a trip to Monsaraz
LOCATION: at the border with Spain, east of Lisbon and Evora.
DISTANCE from Lisbon to Monsaraz = 2 hours and 20 minutes by car.
Marvao
Marvao is another of the most famous villages and most authentic places in Portugal, probably why the New York Times included it in the 1000 places to see before you die.
The castle may not be the most interesting in Portugal, but the village certainly has a lot of charm, and the view from up there is wonderful. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Serra de Estrela.
Planning a trip to Marvao
LOCATION: Marvao is located on the border with Spain, in the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, northeast of Lisbon.
DISTANCE : from Lisbon to Marvao = 3 hours by car.
Other suggestions for the most authentic places in Portugal
Portugal is not just Lisbon, the Algarve, and Nazarè. If you want to know the true Portuguese history, without tourist contamination, move away from these places, get in your car, and allow yourself to get lost on the less beaten paths of Portugal.
We are fortunate to have time to travel slowly, and this has allowed us to discover real hidden gems.
Keep reading to discover our favorites, and especially those of the kids.
Almeida, the star-shaped village
Around 1640, when Portugal regained independence from Spain, the country’s borders were in a constant state of alert. Almeida, Elvas, and Valença do Minho became important defense bastions against the risk of Spanish invasion.
The compact and small star-shaped fortress of Almeida, completed in 1641 on the site of a previous medieval fortress and only 15 km from Spain, is the least famous but certainly the most beautiful of the three fortresses.
In 1927, when its strategic military role ceased, Almeida fell into oblivion. Currently, the ancient fortified village – declared a national monument and recently restored for tourist purposes – is a place of great charm, yet still relatively unknown to mass tourism.
Belmonte
The streets of this ancient village lead to the top of a hill, where the granite mass of the ancient castle stands. A document dated 1258 describes the construction: a tall watchtower, walls, and bastions, as well as the residence of the lords.
Next to the castle, there is a small Romanesque-Gothic church dedicated to S. Tiago. Inside, a Pieta carved in granite and moving in its rugged beauty, harmoniously integrates into the simple architecture of the temple. An annex to the church houses the Cabral family pantheon, although the ashes of Pedro Álvares Cabral are kept in the Igreja da Graça in Santarém.
Belmonte had an important Jewish community, which greatly enlarged in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs of Spain issued the edict of expulsion of the Jews, followed by a similar act by the king of Portugal in 1496. During that period, many Jews from Spain settled in locations near the border, such as Belmonte. The houses were, as was mandatory at the time, outside the castle walls, in the Bairro de Marrocos, where you can still observe, engraved in stone next to the entrance doors, the symbols of the professions practiced by members of the community, such as the scissors that identified the tailor.
Belmonte preserves its medieval atmosphere in an exemplary way, just as the Jews secretly passed down prayers, customs, and traditions to the present day, in more tolerant times, which allowed for the opening of a new synagogue, Bet Eliahu, for worship.
Braga
Just under an hour north of Porto lies the exquisite city of Braga, one of the most significant religious cities in all of Portugal. Known for its astonishing array of churches, parishes, cathedrals, and convents, it is said that Braga has over 30 sites of religious heritage.
Two of the most important ones are the Sé de Braga (Braga Cathedral) located in the heart of the old town and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, a famous pilgrimage site known for its impressive baroque-style staircase towering 116 meters high.
Even if churches and other religious monuments are not your thing, Braga still offers a splendid historic center worth exploring. Sitting in the central Praça da Republica, admiring the fountain and the ancient Manueline-style architecture of the surrounding buildings, you will undoubtedly fall in love with Braga.
Guimaraes, the birthplace of Portugal
Last but certainly not least on this list of true hidden gems of Portugal is the place where it all began, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited in Portugal. Considered the birthplace of Portugal and the home of the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques, it is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city of Guimarães.
Visit the Ducal Palace, Guimarães Castle, or simply stroll through the medieval historic center and admire this perfectly preserved and charming city. Given the colorful history of the city dating back centuries, its cultural and historical significance as well as its overall beauty, it’s no wonder that so many visitors instantly fall in love with this medieval gem in northern Portugal.
Why visiting the most authentic places in Portugal with kids
By now, those who follow us on social media know that we don’t like to travel just to check a country off the list of places visited! We like to experience a place 100%.
Our travels are always timeless because we want to savor the true essence of the countries where we find ourselves.
We also followed this path with Portugal: visiting the most authentic places in Portugal was a great rediscovery of this country. There are many famous attractions in Portugal, but it is only in these most authentic places that you can feel the true Portuguese history.
It’s like visiting two completely different countries; the rural areas of Portugal have nothing to do with the much-famed Algarve or trendy Lisbon, it’s a world apart where you can truly learn about the country’s history.
Visitare i luoghi più autentici del Portogallo ci ha fatto notevolmente ricredere su questa terra, ma soprattutto su questo popolo, che a primo avviso non ci era piaciuto tanto.
You won’t find the true Portuguese in Lisbon,, much less on the beaches of Ericeira; to know the true history of Portugal, you have to venture into less-traveled streets where you can meet golden-hearted people who have nothing to do with the cold real estate owners of the most famous cities in Portugal.
It is thanks to the most authentic places in Portugal that we arrived in real villages, where we were able to truly learn about the history of this country and its traditions.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, I’ll leave you the links to all the other articles on the blog:
Digitally Yours
☀️ Sara ☀️
