Between Lisbon and Porto, there is a part of Portugal that genuinely surprised me: the Center of Portugal. I was lucky enough to experience it recently on a hosted fam trip with the Center of Portugal Tourism Board.

This is a region that feels very real. It is rooted in hospitality, tradition, local food and wine, and a genuine pride in place.

Our first stop was the Atlantic coast at Santa Cruz, about an hour from Lisbon, and our introduction to the region could not have been better: Noah Surf House. Perched above the beach, it has a cool, laid‑back surf vibe with an eco‑conscious twist: think reclaimed materials, huge sea views, outdoor firepits and a very social, barefoot atmosphere. We had lunch there and a full hotel tour, and I can instantly see the appeal for younger, surf‑loving clients, groups of friends and active families. The food was fresh, relaxed and generous, and you really feel connected to the ocean, even if you never touch a surfboard.

From there, we moved just up the road to Areias do Seixo, which offers a very different take on Santa Cruz. It is one of those properties where your shoulders drop the minute you arrive. Log fires, driftwood, big picture windows, vegetable gardens and dunes all set the tone. Each room is individually designed with lots of natural materials and quirky touches, and there is a real focus on nature, sustainability and seasonal food.

We were meant to have a surf lesson here, but the Atlantic weather had other plans. Instead, we leaned into the slower pace: time to enjoy the hotel, walk along the cliffs, and watch the waves from a cosy corner rather than from a board. It was a good reminder that this coastline suits spa days, long walks and quiet time just as much as it does hardcore surfing.

Leaving Santa Cruz behind, we headed north to Nazaré. Even if you are not a surfer, you have probably seen photos of the record‑breaking waves here. On a private boat trip with Nazaré Water Fun, you really feel the power of the ocean and the drama of the famous canyon. The town still feels like a proper fishing community, just with a layer of international surf culture on top.

We even bumped into local legend, big‑wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner down at the harbour. He was very friendly, chatted with us and happily posed for a photo. It brought home how unique Nazaré is: a small, working town where global surf legends are just part of daily life. We rounded things off with lunch at Pangeia, where fresh fish, ocean views and easy going service summed up the town perfectly.

From the coast, we drove inland into the Dão wine region and the aristocratic village of Santar. The landscape shifts to rolling vineyards, granite manor houses and hidden gardens, with mountain views in the distance. Our base was Valverde Santar Hotel &Spa, a beautifully restored 17th‑century manor with only 21 rooms and suites. It feels like staying in an elegant country house, with a big focus on calm, wellbeing and good food. Ideal for clients who like intimate, characterful hotels.

Wine is at the heart of this area. At Quinta da Taboadella we visited a modern, sustainability‑driven winery surrounded by 41 hectares of vines, with an impressive barrel room and a raised walkway above the barrels. They focus on local grape varieties and dry‑farmed vineyards, and you really sense how they are trying to express this particular corner of Dão. Casa Villae 1255 on the estate is a lovely option for larger families or small groups wanting their own private “wine house” in the middle of the vineyards.

Back in Santar, a guided visit of Santar Garden Village really brought the village’s story to life. The project links the private gardens and vineyards of several historic houses, so you walk through a chain of connected spaces instead of visiting a single property. It is a beautiful way to experience the landscape and understand how wine, history and nature are all intertwined here.

Food was a highlight throughout. As well as relaxed, homely cooking at places like De Raiz near Viseu, one of our standout evenings was at Michelin‑starred Mesa de Lemos, just outside Santar. Chef Diogo Rocha works with local and often almost‑forgotten ingredients, creating thoughtful tasting menus paired with wines from Quinta de Lemos. It felt refined but still very rooted in the region.

We also spent time in Viseu, the main city of the Dão region. It has a very liveable, human scale: granite streets, pretty squares, tiled buildings and leafy parks. Our walking tour took in the cathedral and Cathedral Square, the Grão Vasco National Museum and the Misericórdia Church, and gave us a real sense of Viseu’s history and gentle pace.

Our final stop was Aveiro, known as the Portuguese Venice thanks to its canals, colourful moliceiro boats and art nouveau buildings. It is flat, bright and easy to explore on foot or by bike, with plenty of cafés and, of course, the local ovos moles sweets that you absolutely have to try.

Overall, this fam trip showed me just how much variety there is in the Center of Portugal: surf‑cool spots like Noah Surf House, boho‑luxury at Areias do Seixo, chance encounters with big‑wave heroes in Nazaré, wine estates and garden villages, Michelin‑starred dining, charming cities and romantic lagoon scenery. For Irish clients who want something authentic, warm and quietly luxurious, it is a part of Portugal that really deserves to be on the radar.