Póvoa de Varzim

Povoa de Varzim has a long seafront promenade that stretches along the beach. In the evening, strolling the promenade with no pack on your back is a small luxury. The Atlantic air is fresh and the sunset over the water sets the tone for the days ahead.

Povoa is a fishing town and the seafood is excellent. The restaurants near the harbour and the old town serve grilled fish, caldeirada (fish stew), and shellfish at reasonable prices. Try the grilled sardines if they are in season, or the arroz de marisco (seafood rice). Pair with a glass of Vinho Verde, the light, slightly sparkling white wine of northern Portugal.

This compact 18th-century fort once protected Póvoa's fishing fleet and merchants from pirates and naval attacks, offering a glimpse into the town's maritime past and coastal defences.