Portugal attractions

Queen Mary I of Portugal built the ornate Basilica da Estrela, a church and convent, in the late 1700s to honor the birth of her son and sole male heir, Prince Jose. Sadly, Prince Jose died two years before the church was completed. The structure now stands as a memorial to the fallen prince—and houses the tomb of the grief-stricken queen.

One of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks is the massive 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), which bears a close resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge. Unlike that US landmark, it boasts the accolade of Europe’s longest suspension bridge. And while you can’t walk over the bridge, driving or riding the train over it is well worth it, or visit the Pilar 7 experience for panoramic views.

Towering above Lisbon is the National Sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei), built to thank God for protecting Portugal during World War II. The 361-foot (110-meter) monument was inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, and looks over the Tagus River (Rio Tejo) and 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril). It’s also home to a chapel and intricately carved sculptures of saints Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John.

For more than 1,000 years, Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) has presided over the town center. Notable for its white facade, conical chimneys, and intricately tiled chapel, this house-museum is one of the best-preserved medieval royal residences in Portugal and serves as a quieter alternative to nearby Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), whose rainbow-colored facade draws huge crowds.

Perched high above Sintra with sweeping views of the Atlantic, the Castle of the Moors dates back to the eighth century, when it was built during the Moorish reign in Portugal. Now partially restored, this atmospheric hilltop fortress is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors come to walk its ancient stone walls, explore crumbling towers, and take in panoramic views of Sintra National Palace and the surrounding forest.

In the culture-rich district of central Portugal lies Fátima, one of the Catholic Church’s most important pilgrimage sites. The now sacred shrine first became known in May 1917, when three shepherd children reported that the Virgin Mary had appeared to them. A marble pillar with a statue of Our Lady marks the exact spot in the Chapel of Apparitions (Capelinha das Aparições), and the complex also consists of two basilicas: Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Basílica da Santíssima Trindade.

Named after the beautiful adjacent train station, Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV) has been the beating heart of Lisbon since the Middle Ages. The lively area is a popular meeting point for Lisboetas and visitors alike, and is packed with bars, restaurants, cafés, shops, and hotels. It’s also characterized by the wavy soapstone pattern of its black-and-white cobblestones and the Column of Pedro IV, known as Portugal’s Soldier King.

In the heart of Lisbon, Chiado is nestled between the lively Bairro Alto district and downtown Baixa District. The neighborhood is worth seeking out, not only to stroll along its luxury shops and art nouveau buildings, but to find some of Lisbon’s best cafés and restaurants. It also boasts cultural landmarks including the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Chiado Museum) and Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.

Watching over the city from its hilltop spot, the imposing fort-like Porto Cathedral (Sé Catedral do Porto) is a reminder of Porto’s diverse history. Featuring Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque architecture, this is Porto’s oldest and largest church, a must-visit for architecture and history aficionados.

Since the 1500s, Bairro Alto has been a central meeting point in Lisbon and home to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and cafés. By day, the area is bustling with locals heading to work and tourists visiting popular attractions, including the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint and the Church of Sao Roque (Igreja de Sao Roque). Come sunset, the party begins with edgy bars, top-notch eateries, and the sounds of Lisbon’s fado music.

Standing atop a hill overlooking Porto, Portugal, are the Igreja dos Clérigos, an 18th-century church and one of the city’s architectural symbols, and the Toree dos Clérigos, its bell tower. Intricately carved baroque shells and garlands on the church reflect Porto’s seaside location, and the bell tower offers panoramic views of the city.

High in the forested hills of Sintra, Monserrate Palace blends Gothic, Moorish, and Indian influences into one striking summer retreat. Once a getaway for the Portuguese court, the palace is known for its fairytale architecture—complete with domes, fountains, a grand library, and intricate stonework. After exploring the interiors, head outside to discover the surrounding botanical gardens, home to exotic plant species from around the world and considered among the most impressive in Europe.

Designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel—the architect responsible for the Eiffel Tower—Ponte de Dom Luis I marked a significant step forward in Porto’s economic growth at the time of its construction; before it existed, the only passages across the river were boats lashed together. Today, visitors can admire the Douro River and the Ribeira District from the pedestrian walkway of Porto’s most symbolic sight.

A surprisingly humble interior hides behind the lacy stonework facade, looming gargoyles, and prickly spires of Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro da Batalha), the UNESCO-recognized resting place of Portuguese royalty. Explore the myriad chapels and cloisters, before watching sunlight pool through the statement stained-glass window.

The Spanish-owned El Corte Inglés is Lisbon’s 1-stop shopping destination and the only department store in Portugal’s capital. The 13-story complex features everything from a sprawling food court to its own movie theater, as well as more than 200 stores selling everything from toys to high-fashion brands such as Gucci, Versace, Dior, and Chanel.

Sometimes translated as Carmo Square, Largo do Carmo is one of the last reminders of the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake, as it hosts the remains of the 14th-century Carmo Convent. Today the Gothic-style ruins hold the Carmo Archaeological Museum. A monumental drinking fountain and jacaranda trees add even more charm to the cobbled square, which you can reach by the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa).

With coves of golden sand and bright blue water hidden among pine-covered hills and vineyards, Arrábida Natural Park (Parque Natural da Arrábida) in Portugal is a hidden gem for nature lovers. The beaches are the main draw, but the park also attracts hikers and photographers, who come to explore the landscape and enjoy the panoramic views.

Ribeira Market (Mercado da Ribeira), now best known as the home of Time Out Market Lisboa, started as a traditional place to buy local produce. Today, while the produce sellers keep their stands going in a separate space, it’s gourmet food that dominates the beautiful 19th-century building, with top Portuguese indie brands serving up pizza, codfish, sardines, sushi, and more.

From Roman ruins to royal palaces and a medieval chapel decorated with skulls and bones, the city of Évora is one of Portugal’s most fascinating destinations. This popular day trip from Lisbon treats you to a picturesque city to explore, a place to trace Portugal’s history throughout the ages. Vineyards dot the landscape surrounding the city, while the nearby Almendres Cromlech is a megalithic site sometimes referred to as the Portuguese Stonehenge.

With its dramatic sea cliffs soaring more than 1,903 feet (580 meters) above Madeira’s south coast, Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe. The clifftop is one of the island’s most-visited attractions, with a glass-floor skywalk lookout point affording spectacular panoramic views.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara in Bairro Alto is one of Lisbon’s best spots to take in panoramic views. Head to this viewpoint at sunset with a picnic of wine and petiscos to gaze upon the Castelo de São Jorge and the city below at this two-tiered garden while relaxing on benches or along the fountain. Admire the azulejo map that depicts the city’s landmarks, the fountain at its center, and statues that line the gardens.

Offering spectacular city vistas, São Vicente de Fora Monastery is one of Lisbon’s most important historical buildings. Although the sumptuous decorations are mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, the original monastery dates to 1147, when Christian forces recaptured Lisbon from its Almoravid Muslim rulers, and you can still visit the 12th-century cistern. Almost every Portuguese king from 1640 to 1910 is buried here.

Pico do Arieiro is a mountain on the island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal. At 5,965 feet (1,818 meters), it’s the island’s third highest peak and one of its most popular tourist attractions, thanks to incredible views from the summit and challenging hiking trails.

Right in the heart of Lisbon, on the fringes of the historic and multicultural Mouraria district, Praça Martim Moniz (Martim Moniz Square) is a popular gathering place for locals. Despite its unprepossessing appearance, it’s the starting point for the popular and iconic Tram 28 route and home to a number of trendy rooftop bars. It’s also surrounded by restaurants with diverse cuisines from different cultures.

Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII) is Lisbon’s largest urban oasis and one of its most scenic spots. Known for its manicured gardens, mosaic-patterned hedges, and lake, it stretches along a hillside and affords stellar views over the city. The view from the hilltop observation deck is emblematic of Lisbon, with the Marquis of Pombal Square set against a backdrop of the historic center and Tagus River.

Standing on the site of a former hospital reduced to rubble by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the bustling Praça da Figueira is surrounded by 18th-century townhouses housing shops, cafés, and hotels. Pigeons perch on the square’s off-center equestrian statue of King Joao I, while Castelo de São Jorge can be seen in the distance, and Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV) is just around the corner.

A popular Baixa meet-up point, particularly for sightseeing tours, this spacious square at the end of Avenida da Liberdade commemorates Portuguese independence. Landmark structures such as the baroque-style Foz Palace, the art deco Teatro Eden, and the former Condes cinema building line the borders of Restauradores Square (Praca dos Restauradores), while a 98-foot (30-meter) tall obelisk—the Monument to the Restorers—stands at its center.

One of Lisbon’s most elegant thoroughfares, Avenida da Liberdade is home to high-end hotels, designer shops, and a wide pedestrian strip with benches and coffee kiosks for taking in the scenery. While the avenue is popular among the luxury crowd, it’s a destination for more than just shopping—it runs between two of the city’s most important squares, with monuments, museums, and mosaic artwork along the way.

Lisbon is dubbed the City of Seven Hills, so it’s no surprise that getting around on foot can be tiresome. In the early 1900s, architects in the hilly capital constructed a beautiful wrought-iron lift to help locals reach the 148-foot-high (45-meter) Bairro Alto district. Designed in the same style as the Eiffel Tower, the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) offers stunning panoramic views of Lisbon’s downtown areas and Saint George Castle.

Portugal’s oldest university, the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) was founded in 1290, and is located in the former capital city. Now a popular tourist destination, the university was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2013, and boasts notable architecture, a botanical garden, a science museum, and more.