Särö became a popular spa resort in the 19th century, when beautiful villas and bathing pavilions were built here. Many still remain today, stylishly renovated, with their traditional balconies for drinking punsch. Take a walk through the unique nature reserve and finish off with lunch or dinner at the inn.

Ain Zubaidah stands as a testament to ancient engineering, a water system commissioned over 1,200 years ago by Zubaidah, wife of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid. Moved by the plight of pilgrims, she ordered the creation of a complex network to channel water from the Al-Kar mountains to the holy sites of Makkah. This 35-kilometre feat of engineering combined underground channels, surface aqueducts, and deep reservoirs, some reaching 40 metres underground, to traverse the arid landscape. Though time has left much of the original structure in fragments, sections have been restored, including a major renovation in the 1920s. The system's scale remains awe-inspiring, with its gentle gradients, 132 inspection chambers, and strategic storage tanks. Today, visitors can explore remnants of the conduits in the foothills around Makkah, a tangible link to a visionary project that sustained generations of pilgrims.

One of Porto Santo’s best-known viewpoints, Miradouro da Portela, offers sweeping views to the north and south. From here, you can take in the entire southern half of the island, including the 9 km-long beach, and see how the island’s low peaks give it a surprisingly open, almost barren feel. On a clear day, Madeira even appears in the distance. A short walk will bring you to the island’s three remaining traditional windmills. Painted white and red with sturdy stone bases, they’re no longer in use but are wonderfully preserved and make a great spot for photos, framed by both the ocean and the inland hills. Portela gets especially magical at sunrise or sunset, when the light casts the bay in golden hues. It’s also easy to combine this stop with nearby attractions like Porto dos Frades natural pools or the Terra Chã hike.

Hallandsås, an 80-million-year-old parent rock horst, serves as a striking natural divide between Halland and Skåne. Stretching 40 km long and 5-10 km wide, its highest point, Högalteknall, rises 226 meters above sea level. The ridge's diverse nature, from beech and fir forests to bog and heather moorland, coupled with a wealth of cultural heritage, makes it a captivating destination for hiking and biking.