The Best Portugal

18/06/2026

At The Best Portugal, we believe that man does not live by wine and food alone, which is why we’ve expanded our experiences into other areas, always with a focus on fun and education.

Among these experiences is Dark Sky Alqueva, which was honored with the “Luxury Experience – Europe” award at the 2026 REVE Lifestyle Awards—an international distinction that recognizes this Alentejo project as one of Europe’s most unique tourist experiences. The award comes just a few weeks after Dark Sky Alqueva was honored in the “Tourism Experience” category at the 2026 Tourism Leaders Awards, reinforcing the national and international profile of this initiative dedicated to the appreciation and protection of the night sky.

Created in 2007, the project has been working to promote astro-tourism, linking the preservation of the night sky’s quality to the sustainable development of the territories within the Alqueva region.

At The Best Portugal, we support this project because of its focus on ecological sustainability and education, as well as its ability to generate value for local communities and provide the unique experiences in which we wholeheartedly believe.




https://sapo.pt/artigo/dark-sky-alqueva-vence-premio-de-melhor-experiencia-de-luxo-da-europa-nos-reve-lifestyle-awards-2026-6a26d3a1cf250e36949ab872

https://www.nationalgeographic.pt/viagens/dark-sky-alqueva-uma-decada-astroturismo-em-portugal_3023

https://thebestportugal.com/discover-portugal/alentejo/

15/04/2026

80 volunteers restored habitat for the Iberian wolf in a historic village within the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal.

This was the third initiative by Amigos da Montanha, an association based in Barcelos, as part of the European Life Wild Wolf project, carried out in partnership with CIBIO – Center for Research on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources.

The initiative focused on improving habitat quality by planting approximately 300 native trees to expand and diversify the ecosystem and restore a freshwater area for the animals.

The LIFE Wild Wolf project aims to improve the conservation status of the Iberian wolf in Portugal by promoting active habitat management interventions involving local communities in biodiversity protection.

The Best Portugal includes in its itineraries throughout Portugal, farmers practicing circular and sustainable agriculture, and in its tours visits winemakers who use natural, organic, or biodynamic farming methods to protect the soil from environmental erosion and ensure the agricultural sustainability of future generations.

This is, therefore, another initiative that The Best Portugal applauds.



https://thebestportugal.com/discover-portugal/north-and-douro-valley/peneda-geres-national-park-adventure/

https://ominho.pt/80-voluntarios-recuperam-habitat-do-lobo-iberico-em-aldeia-historica-do-parque-nacional-da-peneda-geres/

Pitões das Júnias

15/04/2026

Ovar sponge cake is the best cake in Europe (out of more than 100) according to TasteAtlas

According to legend, the Ovar sponge cake was created in a convent on the outskirts of the city by a nun. Later, she shared the secret of its preparation with a relative who lived in the historic center. Thanks to word of mouth, the recipe became a hit, and in 1781, the cake began to be sold outside the town.

What sets Pão de Ló de Ovar apart from other sponge cakes is its unique texture and flavor profile. Made with the finest ingredients such as eggs, sugar, and flour, this moist and creamy delicacy is a testament to the artistry of Portuguese pastry chefs. Their expertise shines through in the careful balance of ingredients, resulting in a cake that is soft, airy, and simply melts in your mouth.

Congratulations from The Best Portugal to the Ovar bakery. We’ll be there with our customers to leisurely savor this divine delicacy.



https://www.nit.pt/comida/gourmet-e-vinhos/pao-de-lo-de-ovar-e-o-melhor-bolo-da-europa-entre-mais-de-100-segundo-o-tasteatlas

https://www.lisbon.vip/lisbon-essentials/gastronomic-exploration/pao-de-lo-de-ovar

https://thebestportugal.com/discover-portugal/west-coast/cooking-class-and-lisbon-premium-sensorial-experience/

26/03/2026

Curiosidades sobre Lisboa

Sabia que:

Lisboa é mais antiga que Roma. Foi fundada por volta de 1200 a.c. pelos Fenícios e nessa altura, tinha o nome de Allis Ubbo (pequena e agradável baía)?

A Ponte Vasco da Gama, que cruza as duas margens do rio Tejo, é a maior ponte da Europa, com mais de 18 km de extensão?

A Assembleia da República ou Palácio de São Bento funciona no local onde existia o Mosteiro Beneditino de São Bento da Saúde construido no séc. XVI? Só em 1834, após a extinção das Ordens Religiosas em Portugal, o mosteiro foi adaptado para receber as cortes, passando a ser conhecido como Palácio das Cortes.

Venha viver a cidade connosco e descubra as suas histórias por contar...

19/02/2026

The American press surrenders to “a charming corner of Europe” with “stunning beaches.”

A Portuguese village, far from the most predictable tourist routes, has just been featured on an American travel website. In the article, entitled “Avoid the crowds in this remote surfing village in Portugal with stunning beaches,” our country is described as one of Europe's best-kept secrets.

Among cities such as Lisbon and Porto, the article highlights Aljezur for its authenticity and connection to the sea. Described as a secluded village in the southwest of the country, it is presented as an ideal refuge for those looking for quality waves without crowds.

Those who choose this destination will also find three beaches that reinforce its status among surfers and lovers of wild nature: Monte Clérigo Beach, Arrifana Beach, and Odeceixe Beach. All combine dramatic cliffs, wide sandy beaches, and a vigorous Atlantic Ocean in a setting that offers unspoiled landscapes and ideal conditions for surfing.

How to explore all the ingredients of this perfect scenario? Simple: leave it to The Best Portugal experts. We will design a perfect program for you and your family and prove to you that paradise exists.



https://thebestportugal.com/discover-portugal/alentejo/canoeing-and-wines-on-the-north-of-alentejo/
https://www.explore.com/1915048/aljezur-portugal-remote-surf-town-gorgeous-beaches/
https://cm-aljezur.pt/pt/339/praia-de-odeceixe.aspx

18/02/2026

Between the Sado estuary and the estates of Alcácer do Sal lies Santa Susana, small and neatly aligned, almost as if drawn with a ruler. At first glance, the village can be summed up in two colors: the intense white of the whitewashed walls and the blue that outlines doors and windows.

The effect is not merely aesthetic. The uniformity creates a rare sense of continuity—as if all the houses shared the same history and the same rhythm.

Local tradition points to Santa Susana as one of the places where the use of blue in the moldings of Alentejo facades became popular.

More than just decoration, it had a practical function. The pigment mixed into the lime helped to repel insects and, according to popular belief, protected the house from negative influences. The domestic solution became an architectural language.

Come with The Best Portugal and discover Portugal's best-kept secrets.



https://thebestportugal.com/pt-pt/descobrir-portugal/alentejo/uma-pausa-para-reis-e-rainhas/
https://www.vortexmag.net/aldeia-mais-bonita-do-alentejo-santa-susana-provavelmente/

17/02/2026

If you were looking for the perfect excuse to cross the 25 de Abril Bridge, you just got it from the United Nations. Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, a small and picturesque town in the municipality of Setúbal, has been officially named “Best Tourism Village 2025” by UN Tourism (World Tourism Organization).

This distinction is not just a ‘medal’, but official recognition that this village is an example in promoting sustainable tourism in line with the development of the local community, without losing its cultural identity.

Located at the foot of Arrábida, when it comes to Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, rather than explaining or writing beautiful tributes, it is best to taste it for yourself. From regional cheeses to the famous Tortas de Azeitão cakes, not to mention the aromas of the wine cellars, here the gastronomy, wine tourism, and beautiful landscapes and beaches of the Arrábida Natural Park (recognized on September 27, 2025, as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) dominate the attention.

Come with The Best Portugal to discover this paradise located just a few minutes from Lisbon...



https://lisboasecreta.co/vila-nogueira-de-azeitao-best-tourism-village-nacoes-unidas/
https://thebestportugal.com/discover-portugal/blue-coast/blue-coast-wines-and-cheese/

16/02/2026

Why is codfish almost a religion in Portugal? Well, history always comes hand in hand with our culture.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, in the Age of Discovery, Portuguese navigators explored the North Atlantic and reached the rich fishing grounds of Newfoundland (now Canada).

Cod from the North Atlantic was there very abundant and, above all, easy to preserve by salting and drying.

This characteristic was essential in an era without refrigeration, allowing the fish to be transported on long sea voyages.

It was from there that it all started. Thats why is so intersting to know about history.

14/02/2026

Deselegante; doesn't go with the name. But try it in Santarém.

14/02/2026

Deselegante so de nome. Sim, em Santarém, experimentem...