19 Hidden European Villages Perfect for an Off-Season, Crowd-Free Getaway

16. The Untamed Calm of Piódão, Portugal

Tucked into the remote slopes of Portugal’s Serra do Açor mountains, Piódão is a schist-built village that seems to grow organically from the hillside. Its slate houses, framed by blue shutters, feel like part of the land itself. In colder months, the fog settles in the valleys, and the village turns near-silent—perfect for slow walks, fireside meals, and panoramic solitude. A far cry from Portugal’s sun-drenched coastlines, Piódão rewards those who seek its quiet with stories etched into every stone.