Évora feels like those university towns that slow down in summer and come alive in September. Except here, students mingle with 2,000 years of Roman history and an intact medieval centre. The capital of Alentejo draws visitors for its Roman temple planted right in the city centre and its chapel lined with human bones. Portuguese visitors come for the regional wines and local cuisine, whilst foreign tourists tick off another UNESCO site from their list. The Fortified Historic Centre Évora’s medieval walls still encircle the old town across 3 kilometres. Unlike other Portuguese fortified cities, there’s no exhausting climb here … Read more

Faro suffers from an image problem. Each year, millions of tourists pass through its airport before heading straight to Albufeira, Vilamoura or Lagos. The administrative capital of the Algarve remains in the blind spot of Portuguese tourism, caught between its role as an airport hub and that of an active university town. It’s a shame and a blessing at the same time. A shame because the city deserves better than its 45-minute taxi transit. A blessing because it spares it from the tourist development that has disfigured much of the coast. The fortified historic centre: 2 hours flat Faro’s old … Read more