From the Atlantic to Alentejo, Portugal’s Great Outdoors

There are few places in the world dedicated to individual female artists. The Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, designed by the prestigious Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, pays homage to Paula Rego, a major figure in Portuguese painting known for her ‘dreamlike realism' works. Opened in 2009, this museum, dominated by two pyramidal terracotta-colored concrete structures, showcases paintings, engravings, drawings and lithographs by this astonishingly versatile artist, accompanied by works by her husband, the British painter Victor Willing.

A tradition dating back to the 17th century, the making of Estremoz figurines was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2017. These small, hand-painted clay figurines tell a story of the crafts and traditions of the Alentejo region. From saints to humble, rural characters and even famous people, more than a hundred different models are made by local artisans, whose savoir-faire is passed down from one generation to the next. In addition to visiting the artisanal workshops, a museum and a center dedicated to bonecos showcase collections from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Alentejo is something of a paradise for cork oaks. Thanks to soil and a climate that's particularly conducive to its growth, this species has become the very symbol of the region. With a growing area covering 2,700 square miles, Portugal is the world's leading producer of cork. After strolling through one of the countless cork oak forests (known as alcornocales), you'll encounter unique crafts where the bark is transformed into small boxes and other original objects.

This large lagoon winds through pine forests and meadows to Melides Beach, and makes for a unique spot where you can observe nesting and migrating birds over spring and autumn. Listed as a protected area of national interest, the site is home to more than 180 bird species, with great cormorants, grey wagtails, flamingos, black-winged stilts and others attracted to this rare ecosystem, providing a unique ornithological experience.