What to see in Portugal
Portugal is so alluring! This country is for those who love to surf but don't want to fly 30 hours to the ocean, for those who like everything unusual. What it's like there, where to go, and where the best surf spots are — read about it in our article.
Lisbon
The number one place on your visiting list is the capital of Portugal. When you're flying in, be sure to look out the window — planes fly so low that you can get great shots of the city from above. The 25 de Abril Bridge is almost indistinguishable from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Palaces and Castles
Love castles and palaces? Then grab your tickets to Lisbon! Be sure to check out the grandeur and slight eccentricity of the Pena National Palace, St. George's Castle, as well as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. Walk around, climb the towers, and simply stand with your head tilted back, looking up. Take time to stroll among the neatly trimmed bushes of Queluz Palace.
Tram 28
What to do if you have very little time in Portugal? Of course, take a ride on the famous yellow tram, route 28. Feel free to hop on: the tram passes by the main attractions. It's no wonder its route is considered a tourist one.
Oceanarium
If you still don't know what to see in Portugal, mark the oceanarium as a must-visit place. It's an unusual structure, especially from the outside. There you will find the unique ocean sunfish. Due to strict requirements for its keeping, such a fish is not found in every oceanarium.
Coach Museum
If you love unusual museums, visit the National Coach Museum. Here they are for every taste, weight, size, and degree of adornment. You'll immediately want to go back in time to ride in one of them in a beautiful dress with a dashing cavalier by your side. You'll learn that a coach is not just a four-wheeled cabin pulled by horses, but much more. The museum features coaches from all eras and from all over Europe.
Azulejo Museum
And here's another unique museum — the National Azulejo Museum. Azulejo is a glazed tile made of clay. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that, apart from Portugal and Spain, it is not produced anywhere else, so you can only see this beauty here.
São Pedro de Alcântara
Another beautiful spot is the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint. It's not just a clearing with a beautiful view of Lisbon, but a real small, landscaped park with a couple of cafes and a view you'll never forget.
Quinta da Regaleira
For those who want to feel like they're in a fairy tale, we recommend visiting the Quinta da Regaleira palace and park complex. A Gothic castle, a mysterious garden nearby, and a well in the courtyard. What's not magical about it? You can make a wish and take photos in a beautiful dress.
Cabo da Roca
Don't forget about the ocean! If you're tired of walking on hot asphalt, it's time to head to Cabo da Roca. Incredible cliffs, a picturesque lighthouse, and the ocean. If you want to go down to the water, please be careful: it's a very steep slope with many rocks. But the beauty is incredible!
Porto
A must-see on a Portuguese tour. The city is slightly smaller than the capital, but no less colorful. The cable car alone, which we wrote about in a previous article, is worth it! Besides that, there's the cool Livraria Lello bookstore. But it might be a bit crowded due to Harry Potter fans. When you enter the store, you'll understand why.
São Bento Station
If you were impressed by the azulejos in the capital, then take a close look at São Bento Station from the inside — entire walls are covered with these tiles. All of them are hand-painted, and the station is considered the most beautiful in the world.
Ribeira District
Another colorful spot is the Ribeira district. These are colorful houses adorned with azulejo tiles, and artisan shops. The architecture looks bright and unique. Nearby is the embankment, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the city.
Palace of the Stock Exchange
You'll surely want atmospheric photos — for that, head to the Palace of the Stock Exchange. It was built to showcase all the grandeur and wealth of Porto. As you can imagine, there's an untold amount of gold there.
Church of São Francisco
If for some reason you can't take photos inside the palace, and you're already dressed up, head to the Church of São Francisco. Its Gothic style is reflected not only inside but also outside. Upon entering, you'll immediately feel the atmosphere of a vintage 'Dracula' film.
Óbidos Castle
In the town of Óbidos, a genuine castle, also called Óbidos, has been preserved since the 13th century. Not Hogwarts, of course, but real: crenellated walls, arched vaults, and towers.
The castle is located on a hilltop, offering a stunning view of the town with its vineyards and windmills. Sounds like a fairy tale, we know. Tourists are allowed to enter the castle grounds and take a couple of photos.
By the way, the town of Óbidos is considered the chocolate capital of Portugal; a chocolate festival is even held here. The festival usually takes place from March to May each year. For example, in 2024, the festival will be held from April to May. We definitely recommend it to all sweet lovers!
Pena Palace
In the town of Sintra, you can find a super cool location — Pena Palace. The raspberry-yellow structure looks as if it was taken from a Wes Anderson film and is one of Portugal's main attractions.
Several kings rebuilt it to their liking, but King Ferdinand II made the greatest contribution in the 19th century. He introduced several different styles into its decor, which made the palace so special.
For a day trip, this is the perfect solution: around the palace is a huge park with exotic plants and gazebos for relaxation. Grab a bottle of Portuguese wine*, a couple of takeout dishes, and you'll be happy.
* However, remember that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health.
Alto Douro Valley
Speaking of wine, one cannot fail to mention Alto Douro. The valley of vineyards is located by the Douro River, between two mountains — Montemuro and Marão. The journey from Porto will only take a couple of hours.
International wine competitions are traditionally won by samples from this valley: the grapes here are especially delicious. There are no technological innovations here — wine is produced manually according to ancient traditional recipes. Tourists are even allowed to participate in the harvest — a great opportunity to feel like a true Portuguese.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
What else to see and where to go in Portugal? The Peneda-Gerês nature reserve, stretching for many, many kilometers between the Peneda and Gerês mountain ranges. Here you'll find everything for nature lovers: waterfalls, lakes, rivers, holly forests, and endless meadows.
There are several hiking trails for tourists so you don't get lost. In the southwest of the park is the town of Caniçada. A dam has been built near it, blocking the river's flow. This reservoir is worth a separate visit — for the most beautiful photos.
Museum City of Évora
Just an hour and a half from Lisbon, and you're in an open-air museum — the city of Évora. A rare concentration of everything Portugal is famous for: historical monuments, architecture, and nature.
Gothic churches, the Renaissance Giraldo central square, vineyards and olive groves, palaces and cathedrals in Manueline style. One day is enough for the whole city, and the impressions will last for years. By the way, don't forget to try the local wine and cheese here — besides its architecture, the city is also famous for its cuisine.
Resort Town of Cascais
Not far from Lisbon, there's another must-visit spot — the town of Cascais. For a long time, it was the summer residence of kings, and essentially, Portuguese tourism began here.
Castles right on the seashore, palm trees, and azure water — all this is Cascais. You'll have to choose what to see here first:
- Museu do Mar, revealing the secrets of the sea and its inhabitants;
- Boca do Inferno cliff (or 'Hell's Mouth'). Sharp rocks and the breathtaking roar of waves await you on this cliff;
- Palmela Park — a beautiful and quiet place, a kind of oasis for weary travelers;
- Condes de Castro Guimarães Palace, housing a collection of over 25,000 books, as well as paintings and other interior items;
- Guincho Beach — an ideal place for surfers, rightly bearing the title of Portugal's windiest beach.
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte
Not far from the city of Braga, in the north of the country, is the Church of Bom Jesus do Monte, which translates to 'Church of Good Jesus of the Mount'. The staircase to the main temple is built in Baroque style and consists of 581 steps.
Around this holy place, a stunning park with ponds and walking paths was built in the 19th century. Besides walking, you can also go up by funicular. It was also built in the 19th century, and it is now the last counterbalanced funicular in the world.
Tips for Tourists:
- the best time to visit the country is from May to October;
- Portuguese people are friendly, but in tourist areas, it's best to keep your wallets and smartphones close to your body;
- Portugal is a country with a mountainous landscape, so it's a good idea to bring super comfortable, breathable shoes;
- it's best to get around large cities on foot/by tram/by cheap taxi;
- but between cities, you can safely travel by car: free roads and great views are a bonus;
- for popular tourist spots, it's better to buy tickets online in advance and go early to avoid queues;
- you should stock up on cash beforehand: cards are not accepted everywhere (Mir cards don't work at all);
- be sure to try local cheeses, wine, sardines, coffee.
We wish you a warm journey!
