Portugal with Michael Portillo Episode Rating Graph

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.

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.

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!