Portugal is more than Lisbon and Porto. It is more than Azores and Madeira. All of these cities are, of course, wonderful and worth visiting for many reasons. But, Portugal has something more to offer…

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I went to Fornos de Algodres, a small municipality far from the big cities, and this is why I believe that the most genuine Portuguese culture can be found there.

Fornos de Algodres, or just Fornos, is a historic town in the north of Portugal, with a population of less than 5,000. Architecture, traditions, food, people… everything here is remarkably authentic. Life seems to be incredibly simple compared to the stressful big city life.

Things to do in Fornos de Algodres

• Climb Fraga da Pena, the Portuguese Stonehenge

4000 years ago, this gigantic granite tor was more than a huge rock outcrop. Located at an altitude of about 750 meters, Fraga da Pena was an important symbolic and ritual place.

• Visit the archeological site Anta de Cortiçô

This funerary chamber from the Neolithic period is about 3 meters high. It may look simple, but the roof remains in its original place. To the question “But how did they do this back then?”, the local guide replied: “Well, people were not stupid.” We tend to underestimate people from that era. They were incredibly smart. Just like the theory of the ancient Egyptians, it is believed that people used wet sand to drag the massive stones.

• Visit the Center for Historical and Archaeological Interpretation

This is the place where you will get more information about the history of the region and an occasion to visit the main sites of local archaeology.

• Watch a spectacle in front of the Igreja da Misericórdia

• Discover the cheese production in Maceira

Cheese and wine are Portugal’s national pride. Maceira is a small village in Fornos where the old traditions of producing cheese are still conserved today.

• Experience the São João tradition

The north of Portugal celebrates São João on the night of 23 June, a tradition old for more than 6 centuries. As you can imagine, there are lots of colors, food, and a firework spectacle that reveals the pagan origins of the ritual.

• Enjoy the fresh air and the simple things

Whenever you get the chance, go somewhere far away from the cities. The most authentic and genuine cultural experience is waiting for you there.

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