Fortunately, there are many more places to visit in Portugal than the major cities – Porto and Lisbon – and definitely much more than the overcrowded Algarve.
Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit in Portugal
Many places still are off the beaten tourist track and remain as authentic as they've ever been. Well, at least for now!
7 Places to Visit in Portugal
1 – Nazaré
Nazaré is the most traditional fishing village in Portugal. Located at approximately in the mid-point of its Atlantic coast, it conveys historic and colorful traditions (including women with 7 skirts).
If you are into surf, the wild Atlantic waves and the huge community of surf camps should make a perfect fit. Seafood and fish are to die for.
Surfing in Nazare
Nazaré is also (surprisingly!) a good spot for party. My best New Years' Eve ever was right on its main beach. When the clock stroke midnight, a huge fireworks show combined with electronic music lightened the entire beach and marked the start of a memorable party throughout the night.
Traveling to Portugal? Check out how to explore Lisbon under 5 Euro
Selected Tours in Portugal
Get your Guide – is a great company for day tours and discounts
Azores Day Tour – A full day tour highlighting the Azores top sights. Plus off the beaten path locations and hidden gems.
Private Tour from Lisbon to West Coast – Discover the most remote regions of Portugal on this private day tour and sample the cuisine of the Alentejo region.
Fátima, Óbidos and the Atlantic Coast Day Tour from Lisbon – Get off the beaten path when you visit Portugal on this day tour from Lisbon. Discover village of Óbidos, and see the important religious pilgrimage site of Fátima on this maximum 8 passenger tour with private guide
Golden Coast Cruise – See the spectacular Algarve coast on this four hour cruise.
2 – São Miguel island
São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores archipelago, in the mid-North Atlantic ocean. This group of volcanic islands is a true gem for nature lovers, with lots of opportunities to its explore lakes, cliffs and hot springs.
In São Miguel in particular, the spectacular sceneries of Lagoa do Fogo and Sete Cidades are not to be missed. Check out a detailed guide of what to see and do in São Miguel island.
The best thing is that flight tickets were prohibitive until very recently (2015), which means the masses are still yet to discover this natural paradise. The best time to dash to Azores is now.
Sao Miguel Island
3 – Comporta
Just one hour away from Lisbon, this off-the-radar village is well-known by locals as a top-notch beach destination. There is an unique vibe of unpretentiousness combined with hip elegance in Comporta. José Mourinho and Monaco's Royal Family, who are rumoured to own several properties in here, will surely agree.
The 13km-long strip of golden sand situated at the heel of Tróia‘s peninsula is backed by dense forest and rice fields. It's a lovely setting that adds more to the feeling of holiday getaway.
This zen state won't likely last much longer. Make sure you visit Comporta while the two five-star hotels and the golf courses are yet to be built.
Beaches of Comporta
Dream Horseback Riding Tour – Take a ride on the sand and go into the surf while enjoying the beauty of the Setúbal Península. Transfers from Lisbon or Setúbal.
4 – Gerês National Park
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is located in the extreme north-east of the country and displays an area of 70,000 metric acres of wild vegetation, scenic waterfalls and rapidly flowing small rivers.
It's the ideal place to try some outdoor adventures like zip-lining, rafting, canyoning, rock-climbing or simply go for a walk on nature.
Visit Peneda Geres National Park
5 – Óbidos
Óbidos is living heritage. This old village is a maze of cobbled-stone medieval streets, quaint handicrafts shops and bakeries that create othing but a lovely setting.
Walking the surrounding walls gives a completely different perspective on the city (on one side) and to the hills (in the other). and cover with beautiful handicrafts shops around the narrow streets.
While Óbidos can still considered off the beaten track destination, it can get busy during the July and August months. Try to go on the low season or early in the morning to have the whole walls for yourself. Ah! And don't forget to try the local speciality, ginja: ginger in edible chocolate cups.
Visit Portual's Obidos
Discover Obidos on your own with Obidos Interactive Guide by Get Your Guide
6 – Southwest Alentejo
This little-known region actually holds Europe's largest coastal natural park and my favourite place in Portugal to spend my summer holidays.
Alentejo's coastline has endless wild Atlantic beaches alternating with quaint fishing villages and rocky cliffs. Some places are not to be missed:
- Odeceixe: its wide awe-inspiring beach is a reason to visit by itself
- Porto Covo: lovely small village with great food, just 5-min away from idilic beaches with turquoise waters
- Arrifana: looks more like a cove/bay due to the tall cliffs backing up the strip of golden sand
If you ask me, this is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe and makes the perfect itinerary for a road trip in Portugal.
Alentejo, Portugal
7 -Berlenga
This is as much as off the beaten track you can go in Portugal and you won't be disappointed. 10km offshore – or an 30 min-long bumpy boat ride – from the Peniche region, lie the Berlengas islands.
The largest one (Berlenga) has an area of only two and a half square kilometers, but what it lacks in size, it compensates for in wild beauty.
The whole island is a nature reserve and home to many protected species of plants and birds. You can expect several bays with turqoise waters, impressive rough cliffs and remote beaches you'll share exclusively with seagulls.
Around the island there are many ship wrecks, which makes diving or even snorkeling an interesting option.
Be sure to visit Berlenga
Portuguese people are very keen on their own traditions and nothing would make their heart more broken than seeing it all washed way by the tourism of masses.
It's refreshing to know that despite this apparent inevitable friendly invasion of tourists in Portugal, there are still many authentic places where you can experience the true portuguese essence.
Anyway, just in case, I strongly suggest you to explore the off the beaten track Portugal sooner than later!
Selected Tours of Berlenga
Berlengas Atlantic Frontier – Catch a boat from Peniche to the island of Berlenga Grande for this full day tour. Explore St. John the Baptist Fort, swim off the beach, do some snorkeling, or head out in a kayak
Berlenga Grande Frontier Tour – Enjoy this private full day tour from Peniche fishing village to Berlenga Grande where you will explore the island and have a kayaking or glass bottom boat excursion (your choice) included.
Berlenga Full Day Tour – – This tour leaves from Lisbon where you will bus to Peniche before catching a boat to Berlenga Grande. See the full information at GetYourGuide
Author Bio
Hey there, I'm Bruno and I am a digital geek passionate about travelling. On my travel blog Geeky Explorer I share geeky technology tips and insider travel advice to make everyone feel like a travel smart. My favourite concept is value-for-money and this is what I always seek on my travels. Oh I also love llamas and fries.
Get in touch with me on my website Geeky Explorer or on the social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
ljc says
have YOU tried “ginja”? it is NOT ginger, it is cherry liqueur
Claire says
Great list! We are currently in Alentejo and loving it. So far my favourite beach has been Bordeira but it’s a tough choice… Glad to come across this post as I was on the fence as to whether the drive to Odeceixe was worth it, now I know!
MoroccoMLTours says
Thanks for sharing with us. Images are so damn cool. Keep sharing!!!
Sergio da Silva says
… and if you feel like it, Sergio and I will show you untouched sandy beaches and Portugal’s most beautiful coastline, only 30km from Porto and 30 minutes from Porto Campanha by Urbano train.
Our Golden Waves Surf Lodge welcomes you!
We offer surf lessons, yoga retreats and accommodation.
Boa viagem, Jessy
Jessica says
Fun + Entertainment + Relaxation + Adventurous…. all in one spoon.
It’s truly off the beaten track places to visit in Portugal. This article appeared in front of my eyes at perfect time as am planning to travel to Portugal with my family. It’s totally an action-packed package. So these places definitely added to my bucket-list.
Thanks for the lovely post and pics.
M Taha Khan says
Lovely article!
Oliver says
I’ve been to Portugal last spring and I absolutely loved it! I can’t wait to go back next year!
rui says
These are most definitely not Off The Beaten Path places.
Herman K says
Hey guys, thanks a lot!
This is something I was looking for. I’m planning a long weekend gateway in Portugal, so your list will only make my life easier and my stay enjoyable! Big Up!
MCPinTO says
Great ideas. Happy to say I’ve been to three of them, more than once: Nazaré was my childhood beach and a must-visit every time we return; Óbidos is a bit touristy but I love the history and the setting; and Peneda-Gerês is a place to discover over and over. The others, I’ll put on my growing list of “New places to visit in Portugal”. Thanks.
Dave and Deb says
I can’t wait to visit all these places in Portugal!
Joe says
Hmm..Interesting list however I’m not sure I would consider some of these “Off the Beaten Track”, Obidos in particular. There are plenty of off the beaten track locations in the interior of Portugal as well as the very North Eastern part of the country, Brangança, Miranda do Douro come to mind. As small as Portugal is I think it has a wealth of places to see and experience.
Dave and Deb says
Thanks for sharing Joe. I’ll definitely check out your recommendations too!
Cristina says
Lovely picks! It’s just a shame that the Algarve gets such a bad rep for being ‘over-crowded’. If you drive just a few kilometres from the coastline, or towards the west coast, there are some gorgeous gems that are definitely ‘off the beaten track’. Odeceixe, for example, is (just about) in the Algarve 😉
Carri says
Spent 2 weeks in Portugal last summer & fell in LOVE! Happy to have hit some of these spots too.
Looking forward to going back with Drishti Yoga this July!
Cornelia says
I was in Portugal 3 times! Every time i am falling inlove in Portugal more and more!
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Great recommendations for places to visit in Portugal. They provide a good mix of places to relax and be active.
Rashaad says
Several years ago, I visited Portugal and made a day trip to a city named Espinho. I don’t know if it would be considered off-the-beaten path but it’s not a famous locale. Anyway, I went there because I wanted some beach time in Portugal and it looks like a fun place.
Jess says
Great list! I love Portugal but I must admit I’ve not been to the off the beaten track destinations you’ve suggested… Now I have a few hot tips for where to take my travels next time!
Antonio says
Great places for visit! I really like Sao Miguel Island! But he lacked an article about wine
Dean says
I’ve never heard of any of these places. Sounds right up my alley. I’d love to visit.
Autumn W says
This post was amazing! I fell in love with my hike around Sao Miguel Island!
toubkal says
Thank you for sharing these great places to visit in Portugal! keep up the great work!
Vee N Ric says
Hi Dave and Deb.
How are you?
Love your blog,
So many KOOL pix on it.
We are a married couple from Mumbai, India
We started blogging this year
In the first week of January.
How do you write about
So many different places?
Do you travel to all of them?
Hope to see you at our blog.
Best wishes and regards.
Ell Bee says
I absolutely loved my hike around Sao Miguel Island, you should definitely get it on your bucket list!
Sedona Hikes says
Oh wow! Great places! Would especially love to hike Sao Miguel Island!
Tom says
I just visited Portugal last Fall and now totally regret not researching more before my trip – I guess I have to come back now!
Marius says
Great article
Bruno B @ Geeky Explorer says
Obrigado Rui!
Despite such a small country, it’s hard to choose only 7 places! 🙂
Rui Gomes says
I’m Portuguese and i totally agree with your advices for what to visit at Portugal…and i suggest Madeira Island as well
Keep up the good work:)