🏝️ Why Berlengas Islands Should Be Your Next Overnight Escape in Portugal

Happy Sunday, amigos!

If you’re new to the newsletter, welcome! Today’s issue is a little different. It’s our first monthly Hustle Lite edition, where we hit pause on the taxes and bureaucracy and dive into the fun stuff: travel tips, local experiences, and back-to-basics how-tos.

Next month’s Lite edition will feature our very first Expat Hustle interview with one of our readers and her local hustle. If you’d like to share your story or have your business or side-gig featured, just hit reply. I’d love to chat.

Quick heads-up: These newsletters are often so jam-packed that your email provider might cut them off. If that happens, click the button below to read the full version online. You won’t want to miss any of the juicy details.

Here’s what we’re diving into today:

📍 Some seriously cool events you don’t want to miss (hello, paper flower festival!)

🏝️ Local travel tip: can you really spend the night on the Berlengas Islands?

📞 Back to basics: how to get a teleconsultation through the national healthcare line

Let’s dive in, shall we?

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🌿 Berlengas Islands: Portugal’s Wild, Tiny Paradise. Nestled just 10 km off the coast of Peniche, the Berlenga Islands are a rugged Portuguese gem. Part UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, part adventure playground.🏝️

Want to learn more about the Berlengas Island? Read the full article by Marga from Discover Portugal below. ⬇

Viagem Medieval (30 July-10 August, Santa Maria de Feira, Aveiro District): Get ready for Europe’s largest medieval festival. The town and castle of Santa Maria da Feira come alive with knights, parades, dramatic reenactments, and feasts worthy of royalty. With hundreds of costumed performers, bustling markets, and nonstop action, it’s an epic adventure for all ages packed with history, flavour, and fun!

Silves Medieval Fair (8-16 August): this fair will transform the historic town of Silves into a vibrant celebration of Moorish and Christian traditions. Expect torch-lit streets, costumed processions, live reenactments, and immersive encounters with jugglers, veiled dancers, snake charmers, and artisans at work in Berber-style camps.

Aljubarrota Medieval (14-17 August, Aljubarrota): the village of Aljubarrota near Alcobaça will come alive with one of Portugal’s most patriotic medieval festivals, commemorating the legendary 1385 battle that secured the nation’s independence. Expect a sprawling medieval fair filled with costumed performers, Arab tents, fortune tellers, live theater, and traditional crafts. There’ll be tournaments, jugglers, music, and hands-on games for all ages. The highlight is a full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Aljubarrota on August 14, drawing thousands. With an expanded food court and more vendors in 2025, this free event promises an unforgettable dive into Portuguese history and medieval spectacle.

Portuguese Wine Festival and National Rocha Pear Fair (13-18 August): a major annual event held in Bombarral. This year, the festival hosts a double celebration: the 40th Portuguese Wine Festival and 30th Rocha Pear Fair, bringing together 90+ exhibitors from the Lisbon and Setúbal regions. This free event highlights two local treasures (renowned regional wines and the IGP-certified Pera Rocha pear) through tastings, cooking demos, and chef-led pairings in the “Gourmet Space.” Expect a vibrant marketplace, evening concerts, and a festive atmosphere in the scenic Mata Municipal do Bombarral. It’s the perfect mix of culture, food, and community and a must for wine lovers and curious foodies alike.

Portimão Food Trucks Market (28-31 August): For four evenings, the Portimão waterfront will become a lively outdoor food court with creative food trucks, regional producers, music, and social spaces. The event highlights eco-friendly practices and inventive, waste-conscious cuisine, with organizers seeking innovative food trucks that reflect both street food trends and the Algarve’s local flavors. Festivities run from 6 pm to 1 am each night.

Madeira Wine Festival (August 24 - September 14): Madeira will be celebrating its grape harvest with one of the island’s most iconic events, blending centuries-old wine traditions with modern flair. In Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, visitors can watch locals in traditional dress harvest and stomp grapes in lively reenactments. In Funchal, the Madeira Wine Lounge at Praça do Povo offers tastings, DJ sets, and oceanfront sunsets, while Avenida Arriaga buzzes with folklore shows, art, and wine exhibitions. Highlights include the Harvest Parade, vineyard concerts, and culinary showcases that reveal the richness of Madeira’s wine culture. It’s more than a wine festival—it’s a joyful celebration of local heritage, flavor, and music.

Redondo Ruas Floridas (2-10 August, Redondo): Alentejo’s Paper Flower Festival. From August 2–10, 2025, the town of Redondo bursts into color as locals unveil intricate, hand-made paper flower displays in the iconic Ruas Floridas festival, held only once every two years. Each street picks a secret theme, revealed on opening day, transforming the town into a living gallery of creativity, culture, and community spirit. The tradition dates back to 1838 and is one of Alentejo’s most beloved summer celebrations. Expect a festive, walkable experience filled with vibrant art, heritage, and small-town magic—all free to enjoy.

Today's local travel tip is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. She recently shared her experience of staying overnight on the Berlingas, and I was surprised to learn that this was even a possibility! Naturally, I had to ask her to share the experience with you. And she delivered. You’ll find her short article just below, but if you’re thinking of planning your own trip, you must check out her full blog post on the Berlingas. It’s packed with gorgeous photos, insider tips, and everything you need to know: from ferry bookings to where to eat and what to pack. Honestly, she’s done all the homework so you don’t have to.

Well, you can in Portugal! Discover the Ilhas Berlengas, a stunning archipelago off the coast of Peniche! This remote island group is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, and the boat ride takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes. The Ilhas Berlengas contain three islands: Estelas, Farilhões-Forcados, and Berlenga Grande—the last one being the only island open to visitors.

Only a certain number of people are allowed to visit this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve per day, making advance booking essential. This protection helps preserve the islands as a unique habitat for seabirds, endemic lizards, and rare beetles—creating an untouched natural sanctuary just off Portugal's coast.

Are you visiting in spring? Berlenga Grande transforms into a carpet of wildflowers! The island features several well-signposted hiking trails, though with the circular route being only 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) long, getting lost is impossible. Good hiking shoes will definitely come in handy for the rocky terrain.

When you arrive at the small harbor, consider taking a guided boat tour along the dramatic cliffs. You'll learn about the unique marine ecosystem and sail past the famous Elephant's Rock formation. Alternatively, rent a kayak to explore the crystal-clear waters at your own pace. Don't miss the island's key landmarks: the historic Farol da Berlenga lighthouse and the impressive Fort of São João Baptista das Berlengas.

In summer, you can spend the night in a hostel located inside the 17th-century fort. Talk about a unique accommodation experience! The fort features a shared kitchen and a charming courtyard where you can enjoy meals while soaking in the historic atmosphere. The fort is also open to the public, so be sure to take a look inside. Note: There are no food shops or supermarkets on the island, so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks.

There's also a Bed&Breakfast with a small restaurant near the harbor that offers five basic rooms for rent during the summer months. Don't expect luxury amenities, but rather a wild adventure in nature! Rooms can be reserved on booking.com and start at around €150 per night, and while basic, breakfast is included. Dinner is available at an additional cost. You'll share the island overnight with just a handful of local fishermen and thousands of birds!

The Ilhas Berlengas offer something truly special: a chance to disconnect completely while sleeping under the stars on an uninhabited island. Whether you're drawn by the unique wildlife, the historic fort, or simply the bragging rights of spending a night where few dare to venture, this Portuguese hidden gem delivers an unforgettable experience.

Start planning your Berlengas adventure today.

🏝

With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021. With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.

A few months ago, I involuntarily tested Portugal's private healthcare system when I needed a prescription. This time, under nearly identical conditions (another UTI), I decided to test the national healthcare line instead.

True to form, I waited five days, believing that drowning myself in water would cure my UTI. When that predictably failed, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to try SNS24, Portugal's national healthcare line. Plus, it makes great newsletter content. 😉

Here's exactly how to use SNS24 for non-urgent medical issues, what to expect, and what you need ready before you start.

Ready? Let's break this down easy peasy. 🩺

Download and register first. Get the SNS24 app and register using your healthcare (utente) number and Portuguese mobile number. No utente number yet? Read this article on how to get yours.

Have basic Portuguese ready. Even though English support exists, you'll likely need this phrase: "Desculpe, não falo português, fala inglês, por favor?"

Call 808 24 24 24 from the Portuguese mobile number registered to your app. Listen for the English option and select it (though someone may still answer in Portuguese).

They’ll ask:

If you qualify for teleconsultation, they'll promise a callback within 30 minutes to schedule your appointment.

When they call back, they'll ask:

⚠ Language warning: All SMS messages are in Portuguese. Have Google Translate ready or find someone to help translate.

The doctor can see you via video to assess symptoms. My consultation lasted just over 5 minutes. The prescription appeared in my SNS24 app 15 minutes later under "Prescriptions."

Take your digital prescription to any pharmacy. I paid €9.41 for antibiotics and pain medication (the state covered the rest).

💶 Total cost for the consultation: €0.00

⌚ Total time from call to prescription: About 2 hours

⚠ Biggest challenge: Language barrier in the SMS messages & questionnaire

The system works efficiently once you know the steps. Just don't wait five days with a UTI like I did. If you’re set up correctly, and your case is straightforward, it’s efficient, free, and honestly... impressive.

Now that we’ve tested the SNS24 line for both a life-threatening emergency (remember my husband’s neurosurgery situation?) and a not-so-urgent case of antibiotics, I can genuinely say I’m impressed. The service was helpful, professional, and quick. And the fact that it didn’t cost a cent is just incredible.

🩺

What’s your experience with the national healthcare system? I’d love to know. Just hit reply and share your story: the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Feeling confident enough to handle your consultation in Portuguese?
This helpful video from Portuguese Lab is perfect for intermediate learners. Susana walks you through essential vocabulary and phrases to help you feel more prepared and more in control during your next medical appointment.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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