📝 About the Author: Matthias
Portugal is one of the most relaxed and best summer destinations in Europe. Here you can camp freely, surf in the Atlantic and experience nature, culture and partying. In this article, I’ll show you 27 Portugal attractions and highlights that you should not miss in my opinion.
Portugal is an extremely popular travel destination, and rightly so. It is a great place to relax and unwind in nature. But even if you are looking for action and parties, you will get your money’s worth here.
The country has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture – due to its exciting history and the influences of various peoples and tribes. There are numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites spread across the country, all worth exploring.
Portugal Activities
There are some great activities throughout Portugal that not only let you discover new places, but also save you money: check them out here:
- From Porto: Douro Valley with boat tour, wine tasting and lunch
- Lisbon: Guided day tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais
- Porto: 6-bridge round trip on the Duero
- Albufeira: 2.5-hour trip to Benagil caves and dolphin
- Lisbon: sunset boat trip with DJ and open bar
1. Sintra
Sintra is a charming town located about 25 km west of Lisbon. The landscape you will find in Sintra looks like it was torn out of a page from a Grimm’s fairy tale book: A dense enchanted forest next to an exotic castle garden and a majestic and brightly colored palace. You should definitely explore all this and much more during a day trip in this region.
The historic cultural landscape of Sintra was even declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. More information about Sintra and many tips can be found here:
2. Belém in Lisbon
National dishes are always on the must-do lists of all countries, including Portugal. In the Belém district of Lisbon, you can find the delicious Pastéis de Belém – a tart pastry made from egg dough.
There are special cafés and bakeries all over the district where you can see how the pastéis de Belém are made. Of course, you can also buy and eat them there. In other regions, these tarts are known as pastéis de nata. Pastéis de nata and pastéis de Belém are basically the same thing. The main difference is the place of origin.
The district of Belém also offers many other great attractions, such as the Torre de Belém and the statue Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
Much more about Belém and Lisbon in general can be found here:
3. Nazaré and Peniche on the Atlantic Coast
Anyone who has been to Portugal and not surfed there is beyond help. This country is a true surfers’ paradise. The region around Nazaré and Peniche in particular enjoys a good reputation in the surfing scene. Not only are there huge monster waves and competitions between the best surfers in the world, but there are also many good spots for beginners on the numerous beaches.
4. Porto
Porto is one of Portugal’s most fascinating cities and is located on the banks of the Douro River. It is known as the “secret capital” of the country and especially the old town of Porto, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impresses with its colorful houses and narrow streets.
A highlight is the iconic Ponte Dom Luís I bridge, which connects the city with Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can visit the famous port wine cellars. A “bridge tour” will take you across all six bridges along the Douro and along the banks of the Ribeira:
You can find lots of tips for Porto here:
5. Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia looks like a part of Porto, but it is a separate city directly across from Porto, on the other side of the Douro River. It is the center of port wine production. Here, the wines are stored and aged in large riverside cellars, often housed in historic buildings.
Drinking port wine is a must here, even though the intense, spicy sweet taste is certainly not for everyone. It’s best to take a tour of a port wine house in Vila Nova de Gaia or a guided tour, which often includes quite a few tastings.
6. Sanctuary of Monta Santa Luzia
Although the pilgrimage church on Monte Santa Luzia in Viana do Castello looks quite old, it was only built in 1904. You can reach the mountain by cable car or car. If you have enough time, you can also use the stairs that lead up the mountain.
In addition to this architectural highlight, a breathtaking view of the entire coast awaits you here, as the following video impressively illustrates:
7. Tram 28 in Lisbon
A ride on the 28 tram through the most beautiful districts of the Portuguese capital is one of the highlights of any visit to Lisbon. The route takes you over hills, along steep curves and narrow streets, and past the city’s best attractions.
What makes it special: the tram line is part of the public transport network, which means that it is not only used by tourists but also by locals, making a ride even more authentic.
You can find many more tips for Lisbon here:
8. Terra Nostra Park in Furnas
Terra Nostra Park is an impressive botanical garden in the center of the Azores island of Sao Miguel, in the town of Furnas. The centerpiece of the park is a large thermal pool with naturally brown, 38°C warm sulfur water, where you can also bathe. The park was founded in 1780 and offers a fascinating variety of exotic plants from all over the world.
Want to learn more about the largest island in the Azores? Then take a look here:
You can find much more information about Furnas here:
9. Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal
Mighty castles, imposing palaces, medieval squares and narrow stone streets await you in the small town of Guimarães. The center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guimarães was once the country’s first capital under King Alfonso I and is therefore considered the birthplace of the nation of Portugal.
10. Cromlech of Almendres near Evora
The Cromlech of Almendres, at first glance a seemingly random alignment of stones, is the largest collection of menhirs (= upright, long stones) on the Iberian Peninsula. It is located near Evora.
These mystical witnesses of a bygone era, near the city of Évora, are 4,000 to 5,000 years old and their significance has not yet been fully explained.
11. Jesus Bom de Monte in Braga
The Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte is a pilgrimage church located 5 km north-east of the city of Braga on a mountain. It is one of the most famous attractions in all of Portugal. In particular, the nested staircase, studded with numerous statues and fountains, adorns many postcards. From the mountain, you also have the best view of the whole city.
12. The azulejos and architecture from different eras
Portugal has a long and varied history. At various times, it was occupied by Celts, Romans, Moors and Christians. Each of these left their mark, especially in the form of buildings.
In addition, there is also a style that only occurs in Portugal: Manueline architecture, named after King Manuel I, who ruled during this peak period.
I was particularly impressed by the azulejos. These artistic, typically Portuguese mosaics, composed of mostly blue painted tiles, can be found everywhere in almost every city on street corners, houses or churches. They can be admired by everyone for free and are, so to speak, something like the street art of the Middle Ages.
13. Capela dos Ossos: Chapel full of skulls
A particularly morbid attraction awaits you in the city of Faro. Here you will find a chapel whose walls are decorated with the bones and skulls of over 1000 monks – the Capela dos Ossos.
Find out what the chapel is like in this article:
14. Cabo da Roca: Westernmost Point of Europe
If you want to brag about having been to the westernmost point of the European mainland, you should visit the rocky cliffs of Cabo da Roca near Sintra, west of Lisbon. The only people cooler than that would be those who have been to the westernmost point of all of Europe. But that’s somewhere on Iceland.
15. University of Coimbra
The University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal and also one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded in 1290 by King Dinis, initially in Lisbon, and then moved several times until it settled in Coimbra in 1537.
When you visit the university campus, you will surely notice the students’ traditional black robes (Traje Académico or Capa e Batina), which are somewhat reminiscent of the monks’ robes from Harry Potter. They were originally introduced to promote social equality among students, regardless of background or status.
16. Sagres
The south-western tip of Portugal was one of the most beautiful places I visited during my trip through Portugal.
From the Fortaleza de Sagres fortress, you have an incredible view of the rugged, rocky coast, whipped by wind and waves. Even the sea spray rises up here and blows in your face. Simply fantastic this view. By the way, the surrounding beaches are also great for lying around and surfing.
17. Jardins do Palácio de Cristal in Porto
The botanical gardens at the former Crystal Palace are among Porto’s most beautiful green spaces. Here you can sit on the stairs in the evening and enjoy the sunset with a magnificent view over the Douro.
18. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in Lisbon
If you only visit one museum in Lisbon, it should be the Jeronymite Monastery in the Belém district. It is the final resting place of Vasco da Gama and many Portuguese kings. The Manueline architecture is unique.
19. Faro and its storks
Faro, the largest city in the Algarve, has a strikingly large number of storks. These long-legged creatures nest everywhere: in chimneys, on roofs, in church towers and even on antennas. So, just take a walk through Faro and look out for them while you are visiting the city.
20. Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave is one of the most fantastic natural sights I have ever seen. In general, the coast along the Algarve in Portugal, with its imposing cliffs, is a real gem. But this cave is the icing on the cake.
You can only reach the inside of the cave by water. Stand-up paddleboards can be rented on the beach for €30 for 45 minutes. This will take you about 5 minutes to reach the cave.
There are also boat and kayak tours with guides. Some kayaks are only rented out during the summer months. Here are some tours:
- Benagil: Kayak tour to the caves of Benagil
- From Albufeira: Benagil Cave & Dolphin Watching Speedboat Tour
- From Portimão: Cave boat trip with the pirate ship
Despite the fact that the cave is visited by many tourists every day, it is still a great highlight. If you are afraid of water, you can also view the cave from above on the cliffs.
21. Convent of Santa Maria da Arrábida
The monastery school of Santa Maria da Arrábida is hidden away in the beautiful Parque Natural da Arrábida, a little south of Lisbon. The nature park alone, with its many white beaches, largely untouched nature and magical views along the mountains, is worth a visit.
But the most beautiful view is from the convent school, which was built in the 16th century. Its chapels are hidden in the mountain forests. You can only visit the inside of the convent on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays by prior arrangement (here). Admission costs €5 per person.
22. Praia da Batata in Lagos
The beach Praia da Batata is not one of the typical sandy beaches that you would otherwise find in Lagos. To get there, you first have to walk down a flight of steps down the cliffs and then through some rock caves to reach the bridge that leads from the mainland to a small island. This alone creates a special atmosphere.
23. Mystical Fairy Forest in Fanal
This attraction is not on the Portuguese mainland, but on the Atlantic island of Madeira. Madeira is famous for its 20-million-year-old laurel forests. The evergreen Laurissilva forest covers about 20% of the island and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Europe, forests of this size only exist here.
You will find a particularly beautiful section in the north-west of the island in the mountains of the Paul da Serra plateau. Here grow gnarled trees with ramified crowns, noticeably shaped by the wind. Especially when it is foggy, this plain has a truly mystical atmosphere.
If you want to learn more about Madeira, then take a look here:
24. 516 Arouca: Europe’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge
Not far from Porto, a little further inland in the Arouca Geopark, you can cross the Paiva River on a 516-meter-long suspension bridge
The “516 Arouca” bridge hangs 175 meters above the gorge and is definitely not for you if you are afraid of heights. But if you are into adrenaline, then you shouldn’t miss out on this fairly new Portuguese attraction.
25. Montanha do Pico: the highest mountain in Portugal
At 2351 meters, Montanha do Pico (also called Ponta do Pico or Serra do Pico) is the highest mountain in Portugal and also a stratovolcano. However, it is not located on the mainland, but on the island of Pico, which is part of the Azores.
Hiking up here is an absolute highlight. At the top of the mountain is a volcanic crater and the view over the island’s highlands and the neighboring islands of Faial and Sao Jorge is simply phenomenal.
Read on to find out how to reach the island and the volcano.
You can find many more tips for a vacation in the Azores here:
26. Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro: a green wall of waterfalls
The island of Flores is one of the greenest islands in the Azores and has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the archipelago. In a magical place, you will find countless waterfalls cascading down a high cliff. The view of Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro from Lagoa dos Patos, which you have to walk about 20 minutes through the jungle to reach, is otherworldly.
Here you will find lots of tips for the Azores island of Flores:
27. Volcanic crater of Corvo
Corvo is the smallest inhabited island in the Azores, but it has one of the largest volcanic craters. You could almost think that the whole island consists exclusively of the crater, with its 3.5 km circumference and its 300 meter high walls.
Monte Gordo – the crater of Corvo – is not only the main attraction of the island, but also one of the absolute highlights of the Azores and Portugal.
Here you will find information on how to get to Corvo and enjoy the crater.
What were your highlights in Portugal? Let us know in the comments!
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