Given that Guimares was once the capital of Portugal, its old center should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That was in the 12th century, when the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques, declared this northern city to be the nation’s birthplace.
Guimares is a highly evocative place with several important historical monuments, not least the castle, where Afonso is said to have been baptized. The equally significant Paço dos Duques, the royal palace, houses a fascinating museum. Still, the Museu de Alberto Sampaio, located in the Romanesque abbey of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira on Largo da Oliveira, has an equally impressive collection of artifacts.
Guimares’ famous central square, with its elaborately carved granite facades, ornate sculpture, and the Padro do Salado, a 14th-century shrine standing in front of the monastery, looks straight out of the Middle Ages.
One of the best sites to visit to take in Guimaraes’ history and beauty is here. All social meetings and cultural activities occur on the square, which serves as the city’s hub. A day spent lounging about and enjoying a meal or a cup of coffee from one of the neighborhood’s upscale cafes, or eateries is the best way to spend time with loved ones. It should notice because both families and young lovers frequent it.
After reliving all of history, you should walk through the medieval quarter, exploring the maze of narrow cobblestone streets past several beautifully preserved old townhouses.…
Among Europe’s best-preserved examples of military architecture are the fortifications surrounding Elvas, with heavy, star-shaped walls. UNESCO has designated Elvas as a World Heritage Site for its mid-17th-century defenses, located on a hilltop in the Alentejo, 15 kilometers from the border with Spain.
A 16th-century engineering project, Elva’s aqueduct was built in response to the town’s growing population and water need. But the works were finished in 1622, almost a century later.
It’s a long drive east (and should be combined with a visit to the nearby Spanish city of Badajoz), but those who make an effort will be rewarded with a genuinely imposing circuit of walls, deep moats, and star-shaped ramparts. Within this impregnable ring is a maze of steep, cobbled streets and a number of worthwhile visitor attractions, most notably the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolaço, whose unassuming exterior conceals a truly gilded interior.
The other star-shaped fort of Elvas is Santa Luzia Fort. It is situated on the other side of Graça Fort, south of Elvas. Although it is smaller, it was constructed 150 years ago. The site of Elvas’s Garrison Border Town and its fortifications, which consists of the two forts, the walls, the castle, and several lesser forts, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A castle on the north wall provides excellent views of the area and includes two smaller outlying forts as well as the Aqueduto da Amoreira, the town’s impressive 16th-century aqueduct.…
The Serra da Estrela, the tallest mountains on the Portuguese mainland, is appropriately called the “star mountains.” A striking natural feature of central Portugal, the range, or more specifically the plateau, rises to a height of 1,993 meters above sea level. It is frequently snowcapped in winter when opportunistic skiers take advantage of Europe’s shortest ski season.
On the other side, the granite escarpments and valleys formed by glaciers make for excellent hiking terrain thanks to the extensive network of marked long-distance trails and tracks. The walkers can take in some extremely spectacular scenery and the traditional culture of the area, which is exemplified by settlements like Linhares and Valezim, along the journey. In the mountains dwells the Serra da Estrela sheepdog, a breed exclusive to Portugal.
Portugal is renowned for its 300+ days of sunshine every year and its pleasant weather. Portugal is never associated with snowy weather or a ski vacation by tourists (or even locals). But it does snow in Portugal, especially in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, where the Portuguese go skiing. The Serra da Estrela, which is 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide, is the tallest mountain range in all of continental Portugal.
The Serra da Estrela sheepdog, a breed unique to Portugal, lives in the mountains. You’re bound to see proud locals walking one of these powerful but gentle dogs. The region is also famous for the deliciously rich and creamy Serra cheese, which is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest. Look for it in the stores that serve many of the local villages.…
Coimbra’s historic hilltop university is just one reason to visit this revered Portuguese city. However, the abundance of additional visitor attractions, much of which are clustered around the Velha Universidade, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, warrants a full day of sightseeing.
The magnificent Biblioteca Joanina is a Baroque treasure with frescoed ceilings and gilded and marbled timbers, is unquestionably the highlight of a tour of the old university campus. Climb the top of the 18th-century clock tower for a thrilling view of the entire area. The imposing late 12th-century Se Velha should be included in your exploration (old cathedral).
Back in the old town, more historic buildings exist to explore, including two former convents and the Igreja de Santa Cruz, which was consecrated in 1131 and housed the tomb of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques.
Botanical Garden
This magnificent facility, the most extensive botanical garden in Portugal and dates back to 1773, is one of Europe’s most beautiful gardens because of its well-groomed pathways, flowerbeds, plants, and trees that are fun to explore.
Parque Verde do Mondego
The Parque Verde do Mondego is a lovely green area beside the Mondego River and is a great spot to unwind after exploring Coimbra’s stunning views. It is also close to many of the city’s top tourist destinations. Family-friendly, you may ride bikes along the riverbanks or even get in the water in some rented pedal boats. The park is a quiet, isolated area with stunning views of the river and Coimbra.…
The Algarve is well-known for its pristine coastline, and the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is one of its natural wonders. This protected marine habitat is a 60-kilometer stretch of marshland, saltpans, shallow water lagoons, and dune islands that runs east from Quinta do Lago past Faro to Cacela Velha.
An excellent day trip from nearby Faro is to the Ria Formosa Natural Park. The ideal way to visit the park is by boat, whether you take a boat trip or board a ferry to explore on your schedule. It is because of the area’s dispersed islands and underwater topography. There are several possibilities for boat tours in Ria Formosa, including catamaran cruises that visit multiple islands in a single day, traditional painted boat bird-watching cruises, and bike tours along the park’s numerous coastal trails.
The park, a haven for abundant flora and fauna, is crisscrossed by nature trails that bring visitors animals associated region of Portugal. Bird watchers can observe species such as the rare purple gallinule from observation hides built on the lakes, while flocks of greater flamingos can be seen on the mudflats. On land, look for the delicate sea daffodil and flourishing goosefoot, as well as the Mediterranean chameleon if you’re lucky.
Portugal packs a powerful punch for such a small country. From cosmopolitan cities to out-of-the-way towns and villages, to lively beach resorts and spectacular national parks, this small country has something for everyone.
Portugal’s location in this sun-kissed corner of Western Europe lends it a unique appeal, occupying a wedge of Iberia and sharing a border with Spain as well as a fantastic coastline with the Atlantic Ocean.
Its southern reaches continue to be a popular vacation destination, with gloriously sandy beaches and world-class golf courses. Meanwhile, the country’s interior is rich in contrast: rolling plains, broad rivers, deep, verdant valleys, and remote mountain ranges.
An amazing collection of monuments and historic buildings define Portugal’s history, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The country’s personality is supported by its people, who are open, friendly, and hospitable. Spend some time traveling the country, and you’ll be captivated by its color, flavor, and warmth.
Thank you to KreteworX for a great destination idea!
1. Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is one of Europe’s most appealing cities. This vibrant Atlantic port is spread across a series of hills on the banks of the River Tagus, emphasising its spectacular waterfront location. Exploring the city’s historic core is a journey into its fascinating past, exemplified by celebrated visitor attractions like the mighty Castelo de So Jorge and Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood.
The cultural experience is enhanced by a collection of world-class museums. Away from the city centre, to the east, you can marvel at the modernity of Parque das Naçes and its crowd-pulling attractions such as the brilliant Oceanário.
Across the river in Belém, the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the quirky Torre de Belém, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflect Portugal’s golden Age of Discovery.
In between, you can stroll through beautiful tree-lined squares, stroll along broad riverfront esplanades, or take in breathtaking views from the city’s various miradouros, or viewpoints.
2. Sintra
Sintra is one of the jewels in Portugal’s glittering tourist crown. This historic and captivating town, designated by UNESCO for its remarkable cultural landscape, is well worth taking a full day to explore. It’s one of Lisbon’s most popular day trips.
The town is clustered under the lip of the wooded Serra de Sintra hills, dominated by the landmark Palácio Nacional, its signature twin chimneys looming over a pretty square edged with houses painted in a pale pink and ochre palette with splashes of yellow.
The ancient Castelo dos Mouros, seemingly hewn out of the granite escarpment it runs along, looks down on this postcard setting. The enchanting Palácio da Pena, which atop the highest hill, was used as a summer retreat by the Portuguese royal family in the nineteenth century.
Sintra has many hiking trails for the avid walker, but you’ll need strong legs to conquer the challenging hills that surround the town. The serra’s highest points provide breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and distant Cascais.
3. Porto
Oporto (or “Porto”), Portugal’s second city, rewards visitors with a very different experience than the capital, thanks to its robust granite architecture and commercial disposition.
Porto is a destination endowed with Baroque churches and Neoclassical buildings that number some of the best examples of their kind in the country, located at the mouth of the River Douro and blessed with a waterfront – the Ribeira – recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The needle-like Torre dos Clérigos and the imposing Sé, the city’s cathedral, stand out.
Another iconic structure is the spectacular double-decked iron bridge that spans the Douro and connects the city to Vila Nova de Gaia. A leisurely stroll along the Ribeira provides a tangible sense of history, as well as the opportunity to breathe in the briny atmosphere of the place.
The Douro Valley, a verdant landscape of terraced hillsides dotted with hamlets and villages, is accessible via the river. Joining one of the many cruises that ply the meandering waterway is a popular way to see the sights.
4. Évora
Évora, deep in the heart of the Alentejo, is one of Portugal’s most enticing destinations. Évora, known for its amazing collection of well-preserved monuments, deserves careful and leisurely examination.
Its medieval walls enclose centuries of history, as evidenced by the impressive Templo Romano, which dates from around the second century; the brooding but compelling 12th-century Sé (cathedral); and the Igreja de So Francisco, which was completed in the mid-1550s, with its lugubrious Capela dos Ossos.
Évora’s historical significance and the pristine condition of its architectural treasures have earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. But you’ll be captivated by the city’s delightful market-town atmosphere and down-to-earth personality: it’s a pleasure to wander and shop through its Moorish alleys; browse engaging museums; and lunch in attractive squares where you’re treated as a guest rather than a tourist.
5. Óbidos
What does a king give his bride as a wedding gift? It was the achingly beautiful town of bidos for the lucky queens of Portugal, a custom that had been practised for hundreds of years. It’s now open to the public, and it’s well worth the hour’s drive north out of Lisbon to get there.
bidos is an artist’s fantasy. A collection of whitewashed cottages, cafés, and handicraft shops line a series of narrow, cobbled streets that are completely surrounded by sturdy mediaeval walls.
There’s also the Igreja De Santa Maria, which has a beautiful interior decorated with blue and white 17th-century azulejos (tiles).
Rare works of art by the 17th-century painter Josefa de Bidos can be found in a museum on the town’s attractive square.
You can walk along the battlements’ top for beautiful views of the terra-cotta rooftops and the lush plains beyond. The fortifications are part of the iconic castle, whose keep watches over the charming scene below. The castle is now a pousada, or high-end period hotel.
6. Tavira
Tavira is cited in many guidebooks as the most captivating town in the Algarve, and it certainly ticks all the scenic boxes. The Rio Gilo runs through this relaxed town, with a Roman footbridge connecting one side to the other.
The waterfront is a beautiful place to walk before or after exploring the rest of Tavira’s historic treasures. The castle walls offer stunning views of the old town and the nearby coast. You can also visit the Igreja de Santa do Castelo, a magnificent church where warrior knights are interred.
The town also has an interesting museum, the Ncleo Islâmico. A rare 11th-century figurative vase is among the highlights.
An appealing option, especially during the hot summer months, is to visit the offshore Ilha de Tavira, a massive beach with plenty of space even in high season. It is accessible by passenger ferry from a jetty in Quatro Guas.