Kampaoh Âncora

Beaches, beaches, beaches… Vila Praia de Âncora (five minutes’ drive) is a popular one – and with good reason, as it’s got splendid soft golden sands and some sizeable waves for the surfers. If you’re not a surfer but would like to become one, have a chat with the team at the surf school on the beach, who can sort lessons and kit hire. Further along the coast there are more beaches to check out in places like Afife (five minutes) and Moledo (10 minutes), as well as down in Viana do Castelo (20 minutes). If you head down there you should also spend some time following one of the themed trails to see some of its best architecture (Renaissance, Art Deco or tiles are among the themes), visit the Museu do Traje and seek out some local seafood. Turning inland, local hiking trails might take you to places like Pereiro Waterfall and Sawmill or Cascata do Pincho (both 20 minutes) or for more waterside strolls in the Lagoa da Esturranha hiking area (10 minutes).