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.
Once home to Portuguese monarchs, Lisbon’s Belém National Palace is now the official residence of the president of Portugal. The blush-pink complex features five buildings and beautiful gardens along the banks of the Tagus River. The palace’s Museum of the Presidency of the Republic (Museu da Presidencia da Republica) is currently closed for renovations, but the Changing of the Guard is still running.
Olhão is a beautiful and very popular seaside tourist town in the Algarve region of Portugal. The biggest fishing port in the area, the town is a summer vacation destination for those looking for great seafood, wide beaches, and sunny weather.
Set on the banks of the River Douro, Ribeira is Porto’s oldest quarter. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the district’s maze of alleyways and pastel-colored houses rises up on a hill above the bay. The Ribeira’s modern waterfront—lined with restaurants, bars, and cafés—is a popular leisure hub and nightlife destination.
Completed in 1963, Arrábida Bridge spans Portugal’s Douro River to connect Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Measuring 890 feet (270 meters), it was the largest concrete-arch bridge at the time of its completion. Today its big draw for tourists is the chance to "climb" the arch by walking up a granite staircase—with a harness.
Forming an integral part of Porto’s historic center, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa) is a marvel of neoclassical architecture. The 19th-century palace has played host to royal guests, and today can be explored only as part of a guided tour.
A site of volcanic activity for more than 100,000 years, the village of Furnas is a thermal hotbed, home to geysers, hot springs, even volcanic steam–powered ovens (called cozidos. Located on the island of São Miguel, Furnas’ springs and mud baths are said to have therapeutic properties, while nearby Furnas Lake offers tranquil views.
Built against a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the charming seaside village of Porto Moniz on the north-west tip of Madeira is known for its natural salt-water swimming pools surrounded by volcanic rock formations. Life here revolves around the outdoors; the village started out as a fishing and farming outpost and you’ll see the tropical fruit plantations along the hillside as you walk around.
Dating back to the 14th century, the Carmo Convent (Carmo Archaeological Museum) withstood many battles yet came crashing down during the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Today, the main altar hosts an archaeological museum beside the old convent ruins, which are arguably even more majestic in their partially destroyed state. Architecture buffs will delight in the Gothic arches and Manueline windows that were added in the 18th century.
Part of Lisbon’s popular Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT), the Electricity Factory is a permanent exhibition that looks at the evolution of energy. Housed in a former coal-burning power plant that dates back to 1908, the museum combines industrial history with contemporary art. Visitors can explore the original machinery once used to power the city alongside stories of the old plant and exhibits on the history and future of energy.
A fishing village south of Lisbon, Sesimbra is famous for its seafood and water sports. A local hot spot for kayaking, dolphin watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving, the village also has a notable 17th-century fort overlooking the sea, and a 12th-century Moorish castle perched atop cliffs looking over Setúbal Bay.
A former fishing village situated on a cove about an hour and a half north of Lisbon, Nazaré is a surfer’s paradise that’s famous for having the biggest waves in the world. But even if you’re not here to soak up the swell, the town’s golden crescent of a beach is backed by a restaurant-fringed promenade and white-washed, red-roofed houses and shops. It’s the epitome of Portuguese seaside splendor.
Amarante is a medieval town in northern Portugal. On the river Tamega, the town is dominated by a 13th-century church and monastery, and is known for being the home of Sao Goncalo, a Benedictine monk and Portugal’s answer to St. Valentine. Visitors explore the historical town center with its stone bridge and enjoy the charming countryside nearby.
As the landing point for the discoverers of Madeira in the 15th century, the town of Machico boasts a rich history. It’s home to Capela dos Milagres—one of the island’s oldest churches, the historic fortresses of São João Baptista and Nossa Senhora do Amparo; and a beach that’s backed by a fountain-flanked promenade.
Located on the north coast of Madeira, Santana is a small town famous for its traditional-style whitewashed A-Frame houses with thatched roofs, painted blue window frames, and red shutters. The town is also home to the Madeira Theme Park, a popular family-friendly attraction.
Portugal's principal royal residence at the fall of the monarchy, the Ajuda National Palace provides a glimpse into the riches of 19th-century royal life. Set on a hillside overlooking the Belém district, the Neoclassical palace is now a museum of decorative arts, and its ornate rooms are filled with original furnishings, fine art, and lashings of gold. It’s also home to the Royal Treasury Museum.
A former royal residence located outside of Lisbon, the National Palace of Queluz lives up to its nickname as the Versailles of Portugal. Its opulent design fuses rococo, baroque, and neoclassical elements, with manicured gardens that complement the elegant architecture. Touring the 18th-century palace gives you an idea of the lavish parties and royal happenings that took place on its grounds, from the chandeliered throne room to the 377-foot (115-meter) tiled canal.
Located at the southernmost tip of Portugal’s Algarve, Ria Formosa Natural Park (Parque Natural da Ria Formosa) is a scenic swirl of freshwater lagoons, sandy islands, and lush salt marshlands. The park hugs the coast between Manta Rota and Vale do Lobo, and is best known for its varied topography and diverse bird life.
Built in the 10th century to defend the city of Guimarães against attacks from the Moors and Normans, Guimarães Castle is a perfectly preserved example of military architecture. The castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features turrets and towers reminiscent of fairy-tale castles.
Nature lovers will find plenty to marvel at in the Azores, but the otherworldly volcanic landscape of São Miguel Island’s Sete Cidades is one of the archipelago’s most magnificent natural wonders. The enormous crater was formed by volcanic collapse and contains two beautiful lakes—one blue and one green—that are surrounded by forested areas and scenic viewpoints. Come here to hike the trails, kayak, and enjoy the incredible photo opportunities.
Behind its comparatively stark Gothic facade, the Church of São Francisco(Igreja de São Francisco) harbors a trove of baroque finery: The interior has marble columns, intricate wooden carvings, and gold-covered walls. Highlights include the magnificent Tree of Jesse altarpiece, a 13th-century statue of Saint Francis, and eerily beautiful catacombs.
Lying at the southern end of Porto’s majestic Avenida dos Aliados is Liberdade Square (Praça da Liberdade), which started its life in the late 18th century when the city began to expand beyond its medieval walls. If you stand in the centre of the square, you’ll get spectacular views of some of Porto’s architectural symbols, which include the Baroque City Hall (Câmara Municipal).
Lisbon has no shortage of hilltop viewpoints, but the views from the Miradouro da Graça are among the most impressive. Situated atop the Santo André hill by the Graça Church, the shaded plaza looks out over the winding streets and sloping rooftops of the Graça and Alfama neighborhoods, the medieval ruins of the Castelo de São Jorge, and the Tagus River with its distinctive 25th of April Bridge.
The Braga Cathedral is not only the oldest surviving church in Portugal but also a significant national monument. Constructed from the 11th through the 13th century, the cathedral inspired the architectural style of other churches and monasteries built around the same period. Modifications over centuries resulted in a blend of styles in the cathedral, including Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque.
Discover the melancholy melodies of Portugal’s answer to blues music at the Fado Museum (Museu do Fado). This Lisbon establishment features recordings, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits that give visitors a well-rounded look at the iconic music style, from its creation in the Alfama district in the 1800s to its evolution throughout the years. Musical audio guides for both adults and children bring the experience to life.
Though austere from the outside, the interior of the Church of São Roque (Igreja de São Roque) is anything but; it’s decorated with gold, marble, carved panels, gemstones, and azulejo tiles that reflect the wealth and power of the Jesuits who built it. A museum attached to the church houses religious art and relics, and was one of the country’s first fine art museums when it opened in 1905.
Experience the raw and mysterious beauty of Cabo Espichel, a rugged southwestern headland in the picturesque Setúbal District. Explore the dramatic, high-rising cliffs that meet the untamed waters of the Atlantic Ocean and immerse yourself in the wind-blown, barren landscape. Surrounded by an isolated and spiritual countryside, Cabo Espichel is a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable adventure.
Located 5,000 feet (1,500 meters above sea level, the Paul da Serra Plateau is the flattest part of Madeira and offers panoramic views of emerald valleys and mountains. On a clear day you can see as far as the North Atlantic Ocean.
To give you a sense of just how far the Vasco da Gama Bridge—Europe’s longest bridge—stretches from Lisbon, it would take almost four hours to walk across it at an average pace. Don’t get any ideas about hiking or cycling it, though: The 10.7-mile (17.2-kilometer) bridge is part of the A12 expressway, which crosses the Tagus Estuary between Lisbon and Setúbal.
Furnas Lake is a special place to visit: created after a volcanic eruption, is has bubbling mud pools, other-wordly hot springs, and underground cooking holes where local chefs gather to dig up their cozido stews. The best way to explore the area's scenery is to take the circular trail around the lake.
