Southern Portugal road trip: Hidden hinterlands and coast

Your bags? Packed! Your level of excitement? Off the charts! As you stand in the airport with your sunglasses on, you can almost already feel the fresh, salty air of the Atlantic.

One minute, you're thinking about your upcoming adventures, and the next, you're sitting behind the wheel of your hire car in Lisbon.  

Your very first adventure on the way to Fátima is a stopover in Óbidos! Let this enchanting little town take you on a journey through time. Stroll through the colourful alleyways of the old town, browse the small shops and get your foodie heart racing with tasty Portuguese cuisine. You can even take a walk above the streets on the mighty, centuries-old city wall! Look down at the countless white houses that lie at your feet and soak in the fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. Snap a few pics to save the memories for later, then head for Fátima, the holiest city in Portugal. What makes it the holiest? The Virgin Mary herself is said to have appeared here many, many years ago!

As you stroll through town, you quickly realise that Fátima is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal. According to legend, on 13 May 1913, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children and ordered them to come here on the 13th of every month from then on. Since then, followers of the Marian cult have been making pilgrimages to Fátima from all over the world. Stroll through the large pilgrimage square and explore the Basilica da Santissima Trindade. Even if you're not that into churches, the modern architecture of the fourth largest Catholic church in the world will leave you inspired. More interested in the wonders of nature than divine miracles? Then head to the nearby Grutas de Mira de Aire, the largest known cave in Portugal. Seize your chance to follow a guide and explore part of the almost seven-mile-long cave system as you marvel at its pointed stalactites and underground lakes (optional, bookable in advance). A little tip for your trip: Portuguese wine is stored in this dripstone cave, and you can even try some during a tasting (optional, can be booked in advance)!

You enjoy your breakfast here and take one last walk along your favourite spots to stretch your legs before getting back into your hire car and continuing your road trip through Portugal.

Where to now? Évora! The capital of the Alentejo region is a true hotspot for history buffs. Even from afar, you can make out the ruins of a Roman temple perched on a hill above the city – a taste of what awaits you in the alleyways of the historic Old Town. After checking in, you immediately make your way to the centre. The arcade-lined Praça do Giraldo square, boasting the Igreja de Santo Antao church, is the heart of the city and the perfect starting point for your discovery tour. Street musicians play the soundtrack to the colourful hustle and bustle as you stroll through the many small alleyways, marvel at the gleaming white facades and browse the souvenir shops.

Before you make your way to your new stay today, it's worth making a detour to Monsaraz. This small village of whitewashed houses within the walls of a medieval castle lies high up on a mountain and looks like it's been frozen in time. Enjoy the tranquillity of this dreamy little place and take in the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside until your thirst for adventure beckons you to more!

Time to hop back behind the wheel! Where to? The Algarve! You can hardly wait to finally lie on the fine sand of the vast beaches that you've been dreaming about for so long. Once you arrive in Monte Gordo, you're drawn to the marshland between Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António, so you make one last stop before revelling in beach bliss. You pull on your trainers and admire the flamingos wading through the watery landscape as you breathe in the fragrant air wafting from the orange and lemon groves. Then it's off to the beach, which is just a stone's throw from where you're staying!