Small Towns and Hidden Gems: The Best Spots in Portugal according to Locals  

When looking for travel suggestions for a new country, it’s best to get advice from the locals. Locals can give you the lay of the land, tell you about hidden gems, and often take you off the beaten path.  

At Empowered Startups, we have a dedicated team on the ground in Portugal, working to support our HQA® Program and our founders. With their wealth of knowledge about the country, we asked around the office to find out what makes Portugal so special. 

Small Towns with Big Personalities

Portugal’s charm is often portrayed in pictures of Lisbon and the Algarve, but there’s so much more that Portugal has to offer.  

Gerês, a region in northern Portugal, located near the Spanish border, is a mountainous area home to the country’s oldest protected area and only national park: Peneda-Gerês. Rita Simões, a Startup Leader in Portugal, describes it as a park “filled with waterfalls, ancient trails, and breathtaking mountain views. You can hike to places like Cascata do Arado, swim in natural lagoons, or just relax in the thermal waters of Termas do Gerês”.  

Further south in Portugal is the small town of Óbidos, known for its medieval atmosphere, white-washed buildings, and castle, often referred to as the “Town of Queens”. Carlos Cardoso, a Startup Leader in Portugal, notes, “Óbidos is a city built inside an old castle wall, it is beautiful and charming and has yearly events ranging from gaming to literature”. Francesco Berrettini, Director of Partnerships & Projects, especially loves the medieval views you get while you’re there. His tip: visit Óbidos in the spring and attend the Óbidos International Chocolate Festival. He believes it’s one of Portugal’s true hidden gems.   

Big City Dreaming

While Lisbon is the capital city and often gets the most attention, our team almost unanimously agreed that Porto is their favourite city.  

Porto is a coastal city known for its beautiful views, rich history, and port wine production. “Walking in the street is a real dream, and the view from the side of the river is fantastic,” said Francesco, also noting how Porto has the friendliest people in the country. Rita agrees and adds, “It’s a city that blends tradition and creativity in such a unique way, and what truly makes it special to me is the atmosphere: it’s welcoming, authentic, and full of soul”. A few things you can’t miss include visiting the historic center, admiring the Douro River that cuts through the city, taking in the views from Miradouro da Vitória and the Dom Luís I Bridge, enjoying fresh seafood, and having a glass of port wine by the river.  

Carlos also shared his love for Leiria. Leiria is a lesser-known city in central Portugal, filled with parks, museums, markets, and historic sites. Carlos notes, “I have a strong attachment to the city. It is beautiful with one of the most beautiful castles in Portugal, with amazing views over the city and the nearby villages”.   

Hidden Gems 

Beyond the well-known spots in Portugal, our team shared a few personal favourites to add to your Portugal bucket list.  

One of Rita’s favourite spots in all of Portugal is the Docas do Mondego, in Coimbra. “It’s a riverside area that’s perfect for a walk, a coffee, or just sitting by the water watching the reflections of the city,” and it’s also the best spot to catch a sunset.   

Carlos can’t decide between the Lagoa de Albufeira and the Alto do Jaspe for a sunset. Both are lesser-known spots that offer stunning views.  

Francesco recommends the small fishing village of Fuseta and the Moinhos das Mares. The Moinhos das Mares is a beautiful boutique hotel in the village, offering views of the sea right outside your window. This area is a popular summer holiday spot, boasting white sand beaches that offer visitors a more authentic view of the Algarve. 

If You Only Have 24 Hours in Portugal 

If you only have a day to explore Portugal, our team has a few suggestions on how to make the most of it.  

Rita recommends a visit to the Portuguese coastline. “One of my top picks would be the Costa Vicentina, especially Praia da Amália or Praia do Amado. It’s wild, beautiful, and less crowded than the Algarve’s main beaches, and there’s so much to do”.   

Francesco suggested a classic Lisbon itinerary for your 24 hours in the country. With stops in the neighbourhoods of Alfama and Belem, Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Oceanário (Lisbon’s aquarium), and a final stop at the Pastéis de Belém café for one of Portugal’s iconic pastries, the Pastel de Nata. Carlos agrees that the café is a can’t-miss spot. He notes that “this location in particular has a very old (and delicious) recipe”. The pastry itself was created by monks in the 18^th century. 

Why Portugal Inspires Us 

Portugal is a beautiful country with the friendliest people, stunning coastlines, and the best food.  

Paulo Martins, Empowered’s Incubation Manager, summed it up nicely for us when he said, “It’s difficult to pick just one spot when I know so much about Portugal. All the cities and regions are different, the food experiences change across the country, just like the music and landscape. I could give you a top 10 list of every city and region”. You’ll see why Paulo thinks this way once you check out his website and Instagram account. It’s hard to pick a favourite spot when you’ve seen everything Portugal has to offer