Lisbon Noir

The São Domingos Mines in Alentejo, close to Mértola, were abandoned in 1966 after centuries of mining activities.

The area now resembles a post-apocalyptic waste land with its abandoned buildings, lagoons that are full of waste from the mines and as a result have high acidic levels and unusual bright metallic colors and a fascinating barren landscape due to the mining activities, pollution and a general hot climate. It is a beautiful site for those that can appreciate industrial decay.

The town of São Domingos itself has the renovated old mining quarters and an enormous mining pit. More interesting however, is the walk from Santana de Cambas to São Domingos following the old railroad, which is around 15 km round trip, you will very likely be all alone in this barren landscape with these old mining structures along the way and it will be walk you will not easily forget.

Cabo Espichel is only a bus trip away from Lisbon, but it is a beautiful place with breathtaking sea and cliff views, a lighthouse, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel and the opportunity for great walks.

Fish hanging out to dry on the beach in Nazaré, Portugal

Vila Nova de Gaia, across the River Douro from Porto, is famous for the production of Port wines. The traditional port lodges are still located in its center and most of them are open to visitors.  While touring the lodges you can see (and smell) the barrels where the Port is kept, learn more about the making of Port and  taste various different Port wines.

It is best to visit on a weekday and to stay away from the riverside where it is more busy and touristy. In the smaller streets away from the river you will find yourself going back in time and you will find Port lodges such as Offley, that  offer tours and tastings but in a much more quiet, friendly and intimate setting.

Via Algarviana is a 300 km long foot-path in the Algarve in Portugal. It starts in Alcoutim, which is close to the Spanish border, and ends in Cabo de S. Vicente along the Atlantic Ocean, and consists of 14 sections, varying in distance from 14 km to 30 km.

The trail is sign-posted in both directions and can be done in parts during a (short) walking holiday or in its entirety for the truly dedicated, and the nice thing is that it shows a relatively unknown part of the Algarve, away from the busy beaches and tourist areas, leading through small Algarvian villages, past abandoned buildings and through unique  landscapes. It may have some challenges since it is not easy to get to and from certain parts of the trail due to a lack of public transportation, but it is worth the effort.

And if you end up in Salir, do not forget to visit the local pizzeria there, which in itself is almost worth the visit when you are in the area.