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A little backwater famed for its natural springs, but also home to a fine 14th-century castle and a fortified church. Peacocks roam round the pilgrim church of Nossa Senhora de Aires, 20 minutes’ walk east of the town centre.

This beautiful and diverse nature reserve is home to a stunning variety of wildlife: Bonelli’s eagle, Egyptian vulture, genet and the Iberian midwife toad are some of the residents.

The Cromlech of Almendres stone circles are considered the most important megalith group in the Iberian peninsula. Nearby is the Neolithic Dolmen of Zambujeiro.

An attractive seaside resort hugging the River Mira near a vast swathe of golden sand. Popular in summer, with superb surf.

The superb Museu do Guy Fino (named in honour of the founder of Portalegre’s last remaining tapestry factory) showcases some of the finest examples of tapestry in Europe.

Dramatic views reward those who make it to Évoramonte’s castle walls which are embellished with curious stone “ropes”. Dom Miguel ceded the throne in Évoramonte on 26 May 1834.

The foundations of the castle at Arraiolos date back to Celtic times, while in Pavia, 18 km (11 miles) to the north, a tiny chapel has been built into a dolmen – architecturally unique in Portugal.

Neat rows of whitewashed houses with yellow trim characterize this town, once the headquarters of the 14th-century Order of Hospitallers. Exhibits in the Museu Municipal explain more about Crato’s illustrious past.

Dozens of hole-in-the-wallolarias (pottery workshops) line the narrow streets of Redondo, which makes it a worthy stop-off to pick up a slew of ceramic souvenirs.

An annual rock festival has put this coastal smudge of a village resort on the map, but its secluded beach and other-world charm has always attracted the more independent of travellers.