regions of Portugal: southern Portugal

The Serra de São Mamede rises abruptly out of the vast, monotonous Alentejo plain. The region has opened its arms to visitors and the centres of Marvão, Portalegre and Castelo de Vide boast excellent tourist and walking facilities. You could easily spend a whole holiday exploring the maze of paths that link the region's beautiful whitewashed villages together.

Just an hour from Lisbon, the vibrant gardens and extravagant palaces around Sintra attract coachloads of tourists each summer. But the real delight of this region is following stone pathways that have linked the people to the land for hundreds of years, and only a short distance from tour bus hell you can go a whole afternoon without seeing a soul.

the lush vegetation of Sintra offers pleasant strolls just a short train journey from Lisbon. The path sign is typical of the region's azulejo (tile) art

The enchanting Serra da Arrábida lies on the Setúbal Peninsula, a short ferry hope from Lisbon. Here, you can stroll beside Renaissance mansions, finishing up at a wine tasting in the lovely village of Azeitão. Or begin your walk at a former monastery perched above the Atlantic ocean, and end up gorging on fantastic fish stew at a seaside restaurant.