Recovering from the long weekend? There’s another one coming up! 🇵🇹 Here are some "real Portugal" short trips to enjoy next week's holiday

Hi everyone!

If you recently moved here, you’re probably realizing that December in Portugal is generous with holidays. We just finished the Dec 1st long weekend, but if you spent it on the couch or simply stayed in the Lisbon/Porto bubble, you have a second chance coming up immediately with the Immaculate Conception holiday (Dec 8th) next week.

We often realize how many of us get stuck in the main cities and miss the actual culture of the country.

If you want to use this upcoming weekend to actually explore, here are a few spots that are perfect for a 2-3 day winter trip, based on their recommendations:

Discover Central Portugal, kind of like an older Portugal
If you want that Game of Thrones / medieval vibe, head to Monsanto or Sortelha.

• Monsanto is wild, the houses are built literally under and inside giant granite boulders. It’s known as the "most Portuguese village in Portugal."
• Sortelha is a fully walled medieval village that feels like a movie set. It's quiet, atmospheric, and perfect for a cozy winter weekend.

Mountain Christmas-y vibe
Check out Piodão in Serra do Açor.

Since we are getting close to Christmas, this is perfect. It’s known as the "crib village" because the way the dark schist houses (with blue doors!) are arranged on the terraces looks like a nativity scene at night. The drive there is curvy, but the isolation is the point.

Wine, dine and views
If you want to head south but want culture instead of empty beaches, go to Monsaraz or Marvão.

• Monsaraz is a walled village overlooking the massive Alqueva lake. Great wine, incredible sunsets, and dark skies for stargazing.
• Marvão is super high up (fortified village) right on the Spanish border. The views stretch for miles.

Nothern escape
If you are up north, Amarante is a great easy win. It’s romantic, sits right on the river, and you can eat the famous local conventual sweets.

If you want something more rugged, head to Lindoso in Gerês to see the castle and the fields of espigueiros (stone granaries).

Algarve beyond the beaches

If you are already in the south or want better weather but hate the resort towns, head to Alte.

It’s often listed as the most typical village in the Algarve. Instead of golf courses, you get white-washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and the famous Fontes (natural springs). It’s a totally different pace from the coast and perfect for a lazy Sunday lunch.

(Southern) Atlantic coast

The beaches aren't just for August.

• Zambujeira do Mar (Alentejo): In winter, the Atlantic is wild. Go here for the dramatic cliffs and seafood, without the campervan traffic jams of summer.
• Praia do Magoito (Sintra): If you are near Lisbon and don't want to drive far but need an escape, skip the palaces. Magoito has massive fossil dunes and epic views. It feels remote even though it's close to the city.

Hikes and lush nature

• Fragas de São Simão: This is near the Schist Villages. There is a wooden walkway that connects the village to the river beach. It’s a great hike that isn't too strenuous, and the scenery (steep crags and laurels) is beautiful in the cooler months.
• Loriga (Serra da Estrela): If you want real mountains. It’s located in a glacial valley. It might be too cold to swim in the pools now, but the visual of the terraced valley is one of the most unique landscapes in Portugal.

Up for a flight? Get to the islands

If you are planning a last-minute flight:

• Sete Cidades (Azores): It’s literally inside a volcanic crater. If you haven't seen the twin lakes (Green and Blue), you’re missing out.
• Santana (Madeira): Famous for the triangular thatched houses (palheiros). It’s touristy, but iconic.

Why do this?
The "expat bubble" is comfortable, but these villages are where the soul of the country is. Plus, in winter, you avoid the massive tourist crowds that hit these places in August.

Has anyone been to Piodão or Monsanto in December? Is it too cold, or just the right amount of cozy?