I’m a Portugal expert and these are the perfect hidden places for families – from secret wild islands to hidden caves
TRAVEL writer and author Edwina Pitcher has revealed her favourite family-friendly adventures in her book, Wild Guide Portugal: Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life.
The guidebook writer, who specialises in outdoor adventures, has shared an exclusive excerpt from her book with The Sun.
First published in 2017, Wild Guide Portugal: Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life contains over 700 hidden and wild places across Portugal.
Kids will love to explore the hidden wild places of Portugal this summer.
Whether it’s jumping into mountain pools in the North of Portugal, discovering magical caves, lost islands or hilltop castles in Central Portugal or sea-caves and white-sand beaches in the South, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to thrill young explorers. So pack a picnic, grab your suncream and dive in!
North Portugal
Nomad Planet, Serra da Peneda-Gerês
Four beautifully hand-painted Mongolian yurts are built on the hillside at Nomad Planet with panoramic views across the Gerês mountains.
In summer, peek out to golden dawn from within their cool shade. In winter, the mountains are snow-capped and the yurt a cosy den.
The central tipi has a kitchen and bathroom and there are cycling and walking trails to explore nearby.
Lagoas do Rio Homem, Serra da Peneda-Gerês
Cascades along the river create deep blue pools with quartzy granite basins.
Set within a glacial valley in the Serra da Peneda-Gerês National Park, wilder teenagers will love to jump with bravado from the boulders into turquoise water.
There are several shallow pools for smaller feet to paddle and dip after a picnic.
It can get a little busy but a short walk upriver leads to wilder, emptier pools.
Park at Portela do Homem entrance to Serra da Peneda-Gerês National Park and walk five minutes downhill to the bridge and the pools are to your left.
Central Portugal
Grutas de Mira de Aire, Leiria
Kids with vivid imaginations will love to explore this hidden world of subterranean caves some 112m deep under the Leiria mountains.
Names such as the Octopus Gallery, Pulpit and Black River and the dramatic way several local shepherds discovered the caves make for excellent storytelling.
Fragas de São Simão, Leiria
A short walk from the pretty mountain village Casal de São Simão, older kids will love to dive under the crystal-clear water in this hidden river.
There are shallows for younger kids too and several picnic tables in the shade of oak trees by the riverbank.
From Aldeia de Ana de Aviz, take the N237 towards Bacelo for 3km. Turn R onto M525, follow signs to Fragas de S. Simião.
Park before the bridge, pass the café and follow up stream.
Forte de São João Baptista, Berlenga
A short boat ride from the Peniche coast just north of Lisbon, are the enigmatic islands of Berlengas.
This is an adventure for those who want to see a really wild island.
Berlenga is a riotous world of pink rock and green grass sloping down to blue sea with hundreds of seagulls wheeling and cawing overhead.
Venture 2km to a mysterious 16th-century fortress, reached by a zig-zagging bridge over rocks or by a short swim.
There are a couple of beautiful small beaches and caves with silvery fishes that can be reached by swimming, paddle-boarding or kayaking. Boats leave three times a day from Peniche harbour.
Praia Grande do Rodízio, Sintra Coast
Set in the side of these cliffs are dinosaur footprints so large it takes a moment to focus.
As curious younger ones press their palms into the rock, it can feel like these wild beasts ran by just yesterday; it was in fact 125 million years ago.
From Rodízio, follow signs to Praia Grande; continue until the end of the road and park. Take the steps down between the cliffs.
Grutas da Quinta do Anjo, Setúbal
Just outside the small town, Quinta do Anjo, are four Neolithic caves hewn into soft rock over 4,500 years ago.
They make magical places to explore and tell ghostly tales.
From Quinta do Anjo, 30km south of Lisbon, follow brown signs for ‘Sepulcros Neolíticos’. Park by the information board and walk down.
Southern Portugal
Burros e Artes, Aljezur
Slow the pace and fall in step with your own peaceful donkey along the southwest stretch of coast.
Sofia leads donkey treks along the coastal paths with picnic stops along the way.
Castelo de Marvão, Northern Alentejo
Kids will love to play in this perfect knight’s castle with rambling battlements, gleaming turrets, ruined stairways leading to sky and echoing chambers below.
There are stunning views across Alentejo and Spain. Park outside the walls of Marvão and wander in, following signs for the castle. Small entrance fee.
Benagil Caves, West Algarve
The more adventurous can take a kayak to explore the Algarve’s salty pantheon of a cave.
Waves lap in to the beach at low tide beneath this sun-filled cavern and blue sky can be glimpsed through its high round window.
From Porches take the M1154 south for 7km and follow signs to Benagil. Park in town and walk down.
Açores Islands
Lagoa do Fogo
This great blue lagoon reflects the sky from its volcanic crater formed in Água de Pau.
Follow steps down through flowering bush to the calm water, perfect for paddles and longer swims out as there is no current.
From Ribeira Grande take the N5-2A to Lagoa do Fogo. Park at the signed viewpoint and walk down.
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Praia do Camilo is one of the popular beaches and lives up to the hype with bright blue water and fewer crowds due to the steep 200 steps to the bottom.
And off the coast are some amazing unknown islands – there is Barretta Island, uninhabited but home to amazing restaurant Estamine, the slightly more built up Isla de Armona.
Make sure to stay at 3HB Faro, the first five-star hotel in the city.
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