Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Hilltop Homes
Many of Portugal’s villages
are found along the moun­
tainous border with Spain.
Built in high, isolated locations
for protection, the villages
enjoy amazing 360­degree
panoramas over the surroun­
ding countryside. One of the
DISCOVER Portugal Your Way can walk along the crumb ling
most dramatic examples is
Marvão (p302), where you
walls that surround the
village’s pictur esque white­
washed houses. From the
fortifications you will be
granted far­reaching vistas
over olive groves, woods
and plains into Spain.

Marvão’s dramatic
stone fortifications
PORTUGAL FOR
VILLAGE LIFE

A world away from the buzzing cities and bustling beach resorts,
Portugal’s hilltop villages are remote, preserving a slower pace
of life and traditional rural outlook. Make the journey inland for
dramatic locations and stunning views.

Stays Away
Experience local life by
spending the night in a
Portuguese village. Marvão,
Óbidos (p179) and Estremoz
(p306), have pousadas
(www.pousada.pt) – historic
buildings now run as small
hotels –while others, such as
Monsaraz (p308) and Castelo
de Vide (p303), offer small
B&Bs (www.toprural.pt). For a
unique stay, book a room in a
boulder­topped building that
seems straight out of The
Hobbit. Casa do Chafariz in
Monsanto (www.casado
chafariz.com) and Casa da
Lagariça in Sortelha (p215)
are both authentic and
atmospheric examples.

Lunch with a view at
Marvão’s pousada

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