Name: Portugal with Michael Portillo
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2025-03-01
Rating: 7
Cast: Michael Portillo

Porto

Mar 1, 2025

Michael explores highlights and hidden secrets of the country, starting out in the cosmopolitan second city of Porto, whose chic shopping boulevards and tourist hotspots hides a proud industrial past making it the 'Manchester of Portugal'. In Braga, he finds the awe-inspiring Bom Jesus shrine, built into the side of a mountain, visits one of Portugal's biggest festivals, the Feiras Novas, where a million revellers enjoy three days of singing and dancing, and discovers a network of busy canals in Aveiro, reminiscent of Venice.

43m

Braga and Ponte De Lima

Mar 8, 2025

Michael explores Braga and Ponte de Lima, enjoying folk music at the Feiras Novas festival. He then climbs the Bom Jesus shrine, cooks with chef Renato, and ends up with belly dancers!

43m

The Algarve

Mar 15, 2025

Michael explores the Algarve beyond its beaches, uncovering history, visiting Silves's castle and Faro's bone chapel, meeting a fisherman who risks his life for barnacles, and enjoying fresh oysters in Olhao.

43m

Madeira

Mar 22, 2025

Michael Portillo's journey through Portugal continues on the stunning island of Madeira, a subtropical paradise 500 miles off the Algarve coast as he explores its extreme landscapes, historic levadas, and unique toboggan rides. He enjoys a traditional espetada BBQ, discovers the island's water mill, learns about Madeira's British connections and wine history, and explores a local market in Funchal where he samples exotic fruits.

43m

Aveiro and Coimbra

Mar 29, 2025

Michael Portillo's journey continues in two cities. He begins in Aveiro, a city of canals and brightly decorated boats, renowned as the Portuguese Venice. He enjoys the local food and discovers a historic connection between the city's patron saint, Princess Joanna, and England's King Richard III. He then drive to one of the country's most important cities, Coimbra. Portugal's first capital in 1139, it was once the centre of a mighty Roman province.

43m

Sintra

Apr 5, 2025

Michael Portillo embarks on an exploration of the authentic Portugal, starting in Sintra, a town once cherished by the Portuguese monarchy. His adventure kicks off aboard a swift tuk-tuk, navigating the town’s steep and twisting roads, leading him to the remarkable 19th-century Pena Palace, a symbol of Portugal's Romantic era. Along the way, he hunts for Sintra's famous pastries, follows the route of King Manuel II to Ericeira, and visits the grand yet seldom-used Mafra Palace. Michael concludes his journey by participating in a cacao ceremony at a wellness retreat and foraging for wild food along Portugal’s rugged Atlantic coastline, close to its westernmost point.

43m