The Alentejo (& Nth Algarve) remains relatively undeveloped, where vast, empty acres scattered with olive and cork trees overlook hidden sandy coves with a perfect peak beneath unfaltering blue skies. It's possible to spend days drifting down the dusty lanes, camping out on the beaches and getting to ride an extraordinary variety of waves. The northern half is an unexciting sandy strip of shoredump but after industrial Sines the coves, bays and reefs start and though the swells have lost some size compared to the north of Portugal they have an order that's often missing up there.

A year round destination, but at its best from autumn through to spring.