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.
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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.