Sérgio Conceição, football coach, shares the feeling of portuguese villages

Portugal has vibrant and trendy cities, but it is built on small villages throughout the territory. Villages with its own traditions, food and festivities. With its own people. Like Sérgio Conceição, a football coach who is from a small village, Ribeira de Frades. He shared the feeling of being born in a village, with its sense of community and tradition. This is an adaptation of what he shared with the national newspaper Expresso, for a special Villages' Guide Edition. My village brought me the happiness of having a childhood in the outdoors, which is a true blessing. I was fortunate to grow up and play on the street, until late night hours. I remember the most important thing, then, was family life. Having grown up in a place where everyone knew each other's names, I remember the feeling of solidarity amongst all villagers.

These are some of the most beautiful villages in Portugal, which you really need to visit and get to know its people.

Sistelo

This village is located at the gates of National Park Peneda-Gerês. Set in the middle of the mountains, Men were obliged to build terraces in order to grow cereal. The beauty and authenticity of Sistelo granted it the classification of National Monument. This is the perfect scenario to explore as a family, walking through its trails and visiting ancient buildings. Don't forget to stop at Café da Ti Amélia, a traditional get-together spot, where you can eat local delicacies.

Photo from Aldeias de Portugal

Vilarinho de Negrões

This village sits between the river banks and the high peak mountain of Larouco. Its dark houses are built with granite stone and make contrast with the green landscape. Discover by foot and with time. To fill your stomach, try the local pastry, filled with veal.

Photo from Wikipedia

Pena

To get to this little and idyllic village is half the adventure! The road is steep and narrow, so much that only one car can pass at a time. However small, there is a lot to explore. From the all-round nature to the little alleys with typical houses made of stone. Don't forget to visit the local gastronomic center, Adega Típica. Here you start with cheeses, ham and chorizos and go on with the famous cozido à portuguesa or feijoada (beans' stew).

Photo from Aldeias do Xisto

Marialva

This is one of the 12 historic villages of Portugal. With remains from the roman empire domain, it has ruins of a medieval castle, chapels and granite houses. There is also an old house turned lodging and a very refreshing pool, for the hottest summer days. Visit Museu do Côa, which was built to preserve rock engravings from the paleolithic period.

Photo from Wikipedia

Almeida

This village is another one of the 12 historic villages of Portugal. It is located at the top of a mountain plateau, which made the muslims invaders call it Al-Mêda (meaning the table). Here, they built a castle, but there isn't much left of it, for it was destroyed on the french invasions. In the 18th century a new fortress was built, with an hexagon shape. It is one of the most beautiful military buildings of the country. Have lunch at Casa D'Irene, a true gastronomic sanctuary, where you can taste regional cuisine.

Photo from Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Costa Nova do Prado

This picturesque village sits right in front of the Atlantic Ocean, with a magnificent beach. Its striped houses were old fishing warehouses, now turned into summer houses used by locals and tourists. Hop on board of a Moliceiro, a traditional boat which was used as a means of transport on the river channels.

Photo from Visit Portugal

DOURO, GRAPE HARVESTING AND HISTORICAL VILLAGES

Hike through Port Wine vineyards and visit Portugal's Historical Villages, with its castles and stone wall houses that have kept the same appearanc for centuries. The hike down of the famous Calçada de Alpajares, also named the Devil's Trail, is a must of the trip. It will take you to Barca de Alva, with breathtaking views of vineyards.

Find out more in our complete program: Douro and historical villages .

We will spend a very special day in Quinta Nova.You can have fun harvesting grapes (September and October tours), try the winecaching game, try one of the hiking trails in the farm or just relax by the pool. Quinta Nova offers you several options of hiking trails with amazing views of the Douro river and valley. In the harvest season (Sep. 15th to Oct. 15th), you will have the chance to harvest grapes with the specialists, try the first wine in the cellars and have a typical vintage lunch. The harvesting experience will finish with some Port and Douro wine tasting.

If you don't feel like harvesting grapes, you can try Winecaching. It's basically like Geocaching linked to wine and involves the discovery of "wine caches" spread throughout the Quinta among the vineyards.

In the next days you will experience a short train ride up to the town of Pocinho on the famous Douro railway road. After a short van transfer, we will begin our walks in area. We will walk through an ancient trail still used by the local people that connects the Historical Villages.

WALKING HISTORICAL VILLAGES OF PORTUGAL

Get to know Portugal in a different way, exploring this charming, friendly country by foot, often walking on 

Roman paths. Do this immersive complete time travel starting in Marvão and touring through unique 12th 

Century Historical Villages, like Monsanto, Sortelha or Idanha-a-Velha, where you can find archaeological remains from the Roman time or Moorish conquered areas.

http://www.travel-tailors.com/detalhado.php?i=160

DAY 1: MARVÃO

Pick-up at the airport and van transfer to Marvão /approx. 2h45).
The medieval mountaintop village of Marvão is one of Portugal´s most spectacular fortified villages. Its greatest attraction is the unspoiled medieval atmosphere in its steep and narrow lanes with immaculately whitewashed houses, leading to a magnificent 13th century castle rising from the rock. Most rewarding of all is climbing onto the walls, battlements and towers for the impressive views, and staying for the stunning sunset and evening peace of the village. 
Afternoon - Marvão Roman path (3 km/ 1.9 mi | 1h30).
This short hiking trail will take us from the roman bridge of Portagem all the way up to the breathtaking village of 

Marvão trough the ancient Roman road. 

Lodging: Albergaria El Rei Dom Manuel.

DAY 2: INTERNATIONAL TEJO RIVER PARK | SALVATERRA DO EXTREMO TRAIL

Castel of Peñafiel

Salvaterra do Extremo is a small village located inside the International Tejo River Park and where the Erges River defines the border between Portugal and Spain.
The walking trail will take us to the border area were we can see the old Castel of Peñafiel on the Spanish side. This castle is on top of cliffs that shelter a large colony of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). Transfer from Salvaterra do Extremo to Monsanto.
Distance: 10,5 km/6,5 mi
Approximate time: 4 hours
Accumulated climbing: 221m/ 725 ft

Lodging: Casa do Chafariz

Monsanto

DAY 3: HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF MONSANTO | HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF IDANHA-A-VELHA TRAIL

Guided visit to Idanha-a-Velha. This picturesque village is also classified as a Historical Village of Portugal and hosts a interesting collection of archaeological remains from a Roman city established in the 1st Century B.C. We will walk to Monsanto, another Historical Village which was once considered the most Portuguese village of Portugal. From the top of its castle you can glimpse all the country surrounding Idanha and the large properties of the area. Free afternoon to visit Monsanto.
Distance: 10 km/6,5 mi
Approximate time: 3 hours
Accumulated climbing: 54 m
Lodging: Casa do Chafariz

DAY 4: SORTELHA AND BELMONTE HISTORICAL VILLAGES TOURS AND MUSEUMS

Sortelha Castle

Free morning in Monsanto or optional Penha Garcia walking trail. Penha Garcia walking trail is a small trail that goes down the Ponsul river valley, known for its water wheel mills and rare fossils. 
Afternoon: Guided visit the Historical Villages of Sortelha and Belmonte. The Historical Village of Sortelha is an extraordinary example of medieval architecture fortified by granite walls and protected by its Castle (National Monument).
Belmonte is the birthplace of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brasil (1500). The town of Belmonte is indeed very much involved in the history of Portuguese Judaism, and it still shelters today the largest Jewish community in the country, whose origins go back to at least the 13th century. We will visit the local museums, observe the diverse existing heritage, and explore the quiet streets of this village.
Distance: 3,2 km/ 2 mi
Approximate time: 1 hours
Accumulated climbing: 140 m/ 460 ft
Lodging: Hotel Turismo de Trancoso

Marialva Castle

DAY 5: MÊDA TO HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF MARIALVA TRAIL

Short transfer from Trancoso to Mêda. We will begin our walk in the village of Mêda. We will walk through an ancient trail still used by the local people that connect this village to Marialva. The Historical Village of Marialva is a medieval walled village that will take you back in time, to when its brave inhabitants fought against the Spanish invaders. Its origins go back to the 6th Century b.c. Guided visit to Marialva. Free afternoon to visit Trancoso.
Distance: 8.4 km/ 5.2 mi
Approximate time: 2h30
Total climbing: 177 m/ 580 ft
Lodging: Hotel Turismo de Trancoso.


DAY 6: HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF CASTELO MENDO TRAIL | ALMEIDA HISTORICAL VILLAGE

Côa River

Transfer from Trancoso to Castelo Mendo. The Historical Village of Castelo Mendo was named after the first commander of the fort, D. Mendo Mendes, appointed by the King D. Dinis in the 14th century. This is a very authentic village, surrounded by a landscape of wide valleys, whose narrow lanes are lined with simple stone houses. It is so peaceful that it is difficult to imagine that in former times the medieval castle and walls were military bastions. The hiking trail will take us to the Côa River valley located at East of Castelo Mendo. The final stop will be the Historical Village of Almeida. Almeida is one of the crown jewels of Portuguese military architecture - the hexagonal shaped walls of Almeida´s fortress were built in the XVII century. Because of its location, very close to the Spanish border (only 7 km), Almeida played a very important role from Medieval ages to the XIX century. The main square in Almeida (XVII/XVIII centuries) is a perfect example of military baroque style.
Distance: 8.4 km/ 5.2 mi
Approximate time: 2h30
Total climbing: 288 m/ 944 ft
Lodging: Residencial Muralha.

DAY 7: HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF CASTELO RODRIGO TOUR | CALÇADA DE ALPAJARES TRAIL

Castelo Rodrigo

A short transfer will take us to the Historical Village of Castelo Rodrigo for a guided visit. This village used to be an important place for pilgrims who were going to Santiago de Compostela.
The Castle, dated from the 13th Century, was the stage for many battles, whether with Spanish troops, whether with the British ones. Outside Castelo Rodrigo we can see the Santa Maria de Aguiar Convent dated from the 12th Century, (founded between 1165 and 1170), probably as a benign monastery. After a guided visit a short transfer will take us to Barca d´Alva which is located
in a natural and protected area, known as International Natural Park of Douro, which is the habitat of several birds of prey. Our hike will be in the famous "Calçada de Alpajares". The path of Alpajares or Devil´s Path (Calçada do Diabo), as known locally, was part of a Roman road that crossed the Douro river and the Mosteiro stream.
Distance: 6.7 km/ 4.2 mi
Approximate time: 2h30
Accumulated climbing: 392 m / 1286 ft
Lodging: Residencial Muralha.

DAY 8: TRANSFER TO LISBOA

Transfer from Almeida to Lisboa (approx. 4h).

Testemunial - "João C., Journey to Portugal, Fev 2010"

"I believe Valença is a destiny that I recommend to everyone on any occasion. Historic site - quiet, good to relax, with beautiful views and close to other sites of interest. The hotel has a good service with a nice atmosphere and space."

Villages Route of Lousã

Visit the mountain villages of Talasnal, Vaqueirinho, and Casal Novo, passing through places of rare beauty, like cascades and sanctuaries... and more!

More information here

Schist, Village to village 7 days

A new walking village to village proposal, a multi-day traverse of the Schist Villages of central Portugal. Surprise yourself discovering these schist paths, fluvial beaches and tiny mountain villages where you can experience some of the local traditional flavours and knowledge, like making woodoven bread or fresh goat cheese. Our lodgings are comfy stone houses renewed.

More information here

Douro and Historical Villages

Hike through Port Wine vineyards and visit Portugal's Historical Villages, with its castles and stone wall houses that have kept the same appearance for centuries. The hike down of the famous Calçada de Alpajares, also 

named the Devil's Trail, is a must of the trip. It will take you to Barca de Alva, with breathtaking views of vineyards.

More information here

Walking Historical Villages of Portugal

Get to know Portugal in a different way, exploring this charming, friendly country by foot, often walking on Roman paths. Do this immersive complete time travel starting in Marvão and touring through unique 12th Century Historical Villages, like Monsanto, Sortelha or Idanha-a-Velha, where you can find archaeological remains from the Roman time or Moorish conquered areas.

More information here