Monsaraz is a fortified medieval village in Portugal’s Alentejo region, known for its whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and panoramic views over the Alqueva Lake. I spent a weekend exploring its castle, walking the narrow lanes inside the ancient walls, and visiting local shops and viewpoints around the hilltop. It’s a compact destination, easy to see […]
castles of portugal
Near Lisbon: Castelo de Almoural
I’ve been having a great time writing these post about what to do near Lisbon. It’s really amazing how many beautiful and historic places are just a short trip from the Portuguese capital. Most of these gems lack the crowds of the more popular sites, which is also nice! One of the most magical places […]
Near Lisbon: Santiago do Cacém – Miróbriga Roman Ruins
Since buying our car in April 2025, we’ve been usingf the weekends to explore more areas near Lisbon. My map is full of pins for places I want to visit, and last weekend we checked out one of them: Santiago de Cacém and the Miróbriga Roman Ruins! Santiago de Cacém and the Miróbriga Roman Ruins […]

