Portugal, one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe offers a delightful blend of all. Every corner of the country is quite ravishing. From colorful streets to golden beaches, from picture-perfect lakes to fairytale palaces, Portugal definitely is an irresistible destination for travelers. This compact country is packed with so many incredible attractions that it gets difficult to choose the best. Here’s a list of top places to visit in Poland for quick city getaways or for an extended sun-soaked adventure.
Table of Contents
Remarkable Places To Visit In Portugal
Portugal is a favorite destination among all because it has a blend of rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. Our curated list below has a mix of all.
1. Lisbon – Alpha-Level Global City
The capital of the country, Lisbon, is the ideal starting point. Lisbon is unquestionably one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. You’ll also adore this city because of its bright weather, vibrant buildings, and kind, hospitable citizens. Lisbon boasts one of the most vibrant nightlife in Europe, with charming, quiet alleyways that come alive at night. The city is a great destination to enjoy the best cuisine from across the nation, from Bifana to Bacalhau. The Belem Monks created the beloved Pasteis de Nata hundreds of years ago, and you will fall in love with it.
Top Attractions: Torre de Belém, Alfama, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Chiado, Sintra, Castelo de São Jorge, Praça do Comércio, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
2. Porto – Commercial & Industrial Centre
The birthplace of port wine, Porto is the second-largest city after Lisbon. The town rises along the hills which are situated on the banks of the Douro that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It has a rich history and is a gorgeous place. You will fall in love with the city despite its modest size. From the Six Bridges to the mouthwatering port wine, this place has it all. It is also one of the oldest European centers, hence proclaimed a World Heritage Site. The most exquisite bookstore in the world, Livralia Lello, is located in the heart of the city and will captivate avid readers.
Top Attractions: Porto Cathedral, Torre dos Clérigos, Douro River, Luís I Bridge, Igreja de São Francisco, Cais da Ribeira, Palácio da Bolsa, Estádio do Dragão.
Click Here To Book Your Wines Of Portugal – North To South Tasting
3. Algarve – Dramatic Coastlines
Portugal is a seaside nation with beautiful beaches. The best place to enjoy these beaches are in Algarve. So beautiful that it will captivate and ignite your spirit. It has amazing archways, coves, and caverns, year-round gorgeous weather, and is a surfer’s paradise. This area has so much to offer that you might as well stay here for your entire trip. Hiking in the Algarve is among the greatest. A visit to Ferragudo, a wonderful fishing village that combines traditional elegance with the sea’s freshness, is a great place to start. Bring your camera so you may document the streets with flowers and the whitewashed cottages.
Top Attractions: Falesia Beach, Tavira Island, Old Town Faro, Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo, Praia da Marinha, Praia Dona Ana.
4. Nazare – Surfers Mecca
Nazare is located in Leria’s Oeste province, which is part of Extremadura. The little village is well-known for its enormous tides and what are arguably the world’s greatest waves. Professional surfboarders love to test their skills on the terrifying waves of Nazare, which are the ultimate test for any surfer. Compared to the more well-known cities, this small beach hamlet has fewer sites. However, the landscape, rich cultural legacy, and enormous waves make it one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
Top Attractions: Praia da Nazaré, O Sítio, Miradouro do Suberco, Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, Sun-Dried Fish Museum, Traditional Boat Museum.
5. Braga – Religious Heritage
Braga is the third-largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. Numerous centuries-old churches and cathedrals may be found in the city. Among the city’s numerous religious buildings, the Braga Cathedral never fails to astound. Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Romanesque, and Renaissance architectural features are all combined to create this architectural marvel. This is one of the must visit places in Portugal for people who love to know more about the bygone era.
Top Attractions: Arco da Porta Nova, Braga Cathedral, Jardim de Santa Bárbara, Braga Parque, Monte Picoto, Sanctuary of Sameiro.
6. Coimbra – Cambridge Of Portugal
Coimbra used to serve as the capital of Portugal but today it is known for its vibrant student culture, and the famous University of Coimbra. It still contains a wealth of ancient sites and charming gardens, which is renowned for its historical significance, despite the fact that a lot has happened since then. Without the abundance of activities that make Lisbon and Porto popular tourist destinations, the city offers a relaxed appeal for the leisurely traveler. However, this city on the Mondego River offers the best Portuguese experience. Portugal’s largest botanical garden is located in Coimbra.
Top Attractions: University of Coimbra, Joanina Library, Sé Velha, Portugal dos Pequenitos, Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Fado ao Centro.
7. Sintra – Stunning Historic Town
The amazing cultural setting of Enchanting Sintra, a UNESCO treasure, draws visitors from all over the world. Spending a day or two here to take in the sights is worthwhile. This glitzy town is a great place to spend a day trip and is only 37 minutes from Lisbon. The majority of its historical splendor is still there today for people to see. The Coat of Arms is one of the more expensive areas, and it’s open every day from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. This area has a large number of hiking routes. One of the best places to visit in Portugal that cannot be missed.
Top Attractions: Palácio da Pena, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra National Palace, Castle of the Moors, Monserrate Palace, Initiation Well.
8. Zoomarine Algarve – A Theme Park
Zoomarine Algarve ought to be the first place on your bucket list if you’re doing a family vacation in Portugal. With a wide range of exciting and enjoyable activities for people of all ages, it’s possibly the best theme park in the nation. As the name suggests, “Zoo Marine” has a variety of animals that are found in aquariums and zoos. In this theme park, you may feed the giraffes, engage with the dolphins, and enjoy the several water slides. A mind-blowing 4D cinematic experience is another element of the 30-hectare park.
Top Attractions: Swimming with the Dolphins, Aquarium, Water Rides & Water Attractions, Butterfly Garden, 4D cinema, Dolphin Show.
9. Faro – Hub Of Modern Culture
Every traveler should make time to explore Faro, the capital of Portugal’s stunning Algarve area. Faro, which is on Portugal’s south coast, is well-known for its gorgeous beaches, quaint old town, and important historical sites. Its gorgeous shoreline is ideal for swimming, tanning, and other beach pursuits. Faro’s old town, encircled by a wall and a moat, is its main attraction. It is an excellent location for exploring and learning about the history of the city.
Top Attractions: Old Town Faro, Capela dos Ossos, Municipal Museum of Faro, Ilha do Farol, Igreja de Santa Maria, Fórum Algarve.
10. Evora – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Evora has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986, it has a lot of power for its size. More than 4,000 historical monuments may be found in the museum city, which has a history that stretches back to the Roman Empire. It’s interesting to note that Evora still has the royal status of the 16th century, when the old Portuguese rulers called it home. It’s fun to explore Evora on foot because most of the city’s most popular attractions are close by.
Top Attractions: Capela dos Ossos, Roman Temples, Sé Catedral de Évora, Praça do Giraldo, Centro Histórico.
11. Our Lady Of Fatima – Marian Shrines
Also known as the Sanctuary of Fátima, is a group of Catholic religious buildings situated 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Leiria on the Cova da Iria tableland. Named after a Moorish princess from the 12th century, our lady of Fatima in Portugal has been one of the world’s most revered Marian shrines since 1917, receiving thousands of pilgrims each year. It’s believed that the Lady of Fatima appeared and spoke to the children on the 13th day of each month in 1917. This is one of the best places to visit in Portugal for the religious ones.
Top Attractions: Sanctuary, Chapel of the Apparitions, homes of the shepherds, Gruta da Moeda, Museu de Arte Sacra e Etnologia.
12. Peneda-Geres – National Park
When contemplating a vacation to Portugal, prospective tourists could consider Porto and Lisbon. However, one place that will compete with both cities is the Peneda-Geres National Park. The 72290-hectare picturesque park is located on the border between Spain and Portugal. The park, often referred to as Geres, is unique in the nation. There is a lot of wildlife in the area. Numerous granite communities, such as the historic Castro Laboreiro, which is situated 1000 meters above sea level, can be found in Peneda-Geres. With a variety of hiking paths and campgrounds scattered across the park, hikers will like the undulating foothills.
Top Attractions: Pincaes Cascate, Cascata de Cela Cavalos, Miradouro das Rocas, Stand up Geres.
Final Words
The next time you plan a European vacation, make sure to add Portugal to your itinerary. The many beautiful places to visit in Portugal will definitely make you want to go back for more. If you have already visited Portugal or are planning for one, do let us know your favorite picks from the lot.
FAQs
The temperature in Portugal is around 24 °C in summer and 10 °C in winter. April to May and September to October are generally considered the best time to visit Portugal because the weather in Portugal during this time is very pleasant. Spring is from March-May, summer is from June-August, fall is from September-October and winter is between November-February.
The two most important places to visit in Portugal are Lisbon Porto, Algarve and Sintra. Each of these places offers diverse experiences.
The months between November to March is the cheapest time to visit Portugal since it is the low season. November marks the onset of winter with downpours and storms at any time. Temperature also starts dropping, northern and central regions can get very cold. During the low season, prices on flights, accommodation, and attractions also drop.
A week to 10 days is recommended to experience this beautiful destination. 2 days in Lisbon, 2 days in Porto and 2 days in Algarve will make for a great itinerary.
