Portugal attractions

The three rocky Desertas Islands are often the first glimpse travelers get of Madeira, before landing at Funchal’s airport. Protected from development, they are a haven for local bird species.

Portuguese equestrian art—a type of choreographed horseback riding performed by local Lusitano horses and period-costumed riders—dates back to the 18th-century court of King John V. The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre) preserves the tradition today with regular shows, and you can watch the rehearsals most mornings at the school’s riding ring in Belém.

Famous for its landscaped gardens and exquisite traditional Portuguese tiles known as azulejos, the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, or Palace Fronteira, is one of the country’s best-preserved estates. Still privately owned, the 17th-century mansion has been passed down through generations of Portuguese aristocrats. It sits on the edge of the vast Monsanto Forest Park north of Belem, putting it off the beaten path for most visits to Lisbon.

A strikingly modern winery in the heart of the Algarve wine region, Quinta do Canhoto is a chic destination for wine tasting within easy reach of Albufeira. It specializes in Esquerdino red, white, and rosé wines made using grape varieties including antão vaz, arinto, touriga nacional, syrah, Alicante bouschet, and cabernet sauvignon.

St. Anthony, also known as Anthony of Padua or the patron saint of lost things, didn’t actually hail from Padua in Italy—in fact, he was born some 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) away in Lisbon. The Church of St. Anthony, an 18th-century baroque landmark that’s now a National Monument, denotes his birthplace and remains a popular place of worship.

Overlooking the Douro River and with views out to the Porto cityscape, the Jardim do Morro offers visitors a series of viewpoints and benches to sit for a moment and take in Porto’s scenery. This green park isn’t particularly large, but thanks to its prime location in Vila Nova de Gaia, it remains one of Porto’s most popular sunset spots.

With a gleaming white lighthouse looking over a small cluster of homes and long stretches of beaches, Ilha do Farol is a scenic island town in the Algarve’s Ria Formosa Natural Park. The pedestrian streets and sand tracks that connect the village with Culatra Island’s beaches make it easy to slow down here into the island’s relaxed pace.

While the wine cellars of Porto tend to get all of the attention when it comes to Portugal's wine scene, the Algarve boasts several award-winning vineyards. One of the best is Adega do Cantor in Guia, where rolling terraces of vines overlook the Atlantic Ocean. The vineyard combines traditional techniques with modern innovation to create unique varieties.

Centrally located in Lisbon’s Chiado district, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (also known as the Chiado Museum or MNAC) is home to a vast collection of almost 5,000 pieces of Portuguese modern art. Spanning from the late 19th century to today, its galleries showcase Portuguese romantic, naturalist, modern, and contemporary works, with highlights such as pieces by Almada Negreiros, and Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso.

Lisbon has no shortage of stunning viewpoints—it is, after all, known as the City of Seven Hills. From various spots around the city, you can enjoy vistas across the roofs of colorful buildings and the Tagus River (Rio Tejo), while on a clear day, you may see all the way to Almada. Miradouro das Portas do Sol—translated as the Gates of the Sun viewpoint—offers one of Lisbon’s most famous views.

The story of how photography and the processes behind it have evolved is told through the exhibits at the Portuguese Centre of Photography (Centro Português de Fotografia). This free museum in central Porto holds the National Photography Collection and a vast treasure trove of over 2,000 cameras from across history to illustrate the art form’s development over the years.

Exotic birds and a menagerie of animals fill the grounds and habits of Badoca Safari Park, south of Lisbon. A range of wildlife native to Africa, including giraffes, zebra, and buffalo, freely roam the park’s habitat, walking around safari vehicles with visitors inside. Elsewhere, bird sanctuaries and a petting zoo sit alongside habitats for creatures like primates, lemurs, and meerkats to have their own space.

A sandy cove lapped by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Praia dos Olhos de Água is the focal point of the quaint resort town of the same name. It's backed by the Algarve’s signature blend of whitewashed villas and butter-colored cliffs and offers respite from the busy main beach of Albufeira. Plus, low tide reveals natural springs in the sand.

A wall-to-wall golden interior awaits inside the Church of Santa Clara in Porto. The sumptuous decor of this 15th-century church features delicate carved woodwork decorated in generous amounts of gold leaf under an equally elaborate and luxurious vaulted ceiling. All of this is hidden behind a deceptively reserved exterior, embodying the life lesson of not judging a book by its cover.

Once a quiet fishing village, Quarteira has grown into a summer vacation hot spot. Its clean beachfront, tasty seafood restaurants, and family-friendly water park—as well as its proximity to golf courses, Ria Formosa Natural Park (Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and Faro’s atmospheric old town—attract visitors from Portugal and beyond.

Tucked away in the lush hills east of Funchal, you’ll find the Palheiro Gardens (Quinta do Palheiro) and their myriad flowers and plants, ranging from camellias and centennial trees to a rainbow-colored rose garden. There are also lakes dotted with water lilies, a sunken garden, and a teahouse overlooking vivid New Zealand metrosideros and Brazilian araucarias.

Astronomy enthusiasts visiting Lisbon are drawn to the Navy Planetarium, where you can travel through time and space with a show at the dome theater. Popular with families, this planetarium also offers live demonstrations of celestial navigation techniques, interactive exhibits, and educational programs on a range of topics. With plenty of entertainment to offer, the Navy Planetarium is a fascinating experience for all ages.

The unassuming facade of the Church of St. Dominic (Igreja de São Domingos) doesn't do justice to the stunning interior when you step inside the doors of this church, which dates back to the 1200s. An orangey-peach ceiling draws the eye to the altar and alcoves surrounding it, and you may notice that the columns that line the building appear to be scorched—the baroque church survived a massive earthquake in 1755 and then a fire in 1959.

The Ah Amália - Living Experience tells the story of fado singer Amália Rodrigues, who is the best-selling Portuguese artist of all time. Immersive exhibits take you through her personal and professional journey, from watching holograms of her performances to seeing her life story told through virtual reality.

Best known for its sandstone-colored rock formations jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Praia de São Rafael delivers Algarve coastal beauty in droves. It's backed by terracotta-colored cliffs and lapped by the refreshing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It's also far enough from Albufeira center to be less crowded than the main beaches, even in peak summer.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Convent of the Capuchos is set deep in the forests of Serra de Sintra National Park. It’s known for being the former home of a small group of Franciscan monks who lived in tiny quarters until the site was abandoned in 1834. Since then, it’s been carefully restored so that visitors can explore the interiors and learn about monastic life.

Set inside an old sardine canning factory, the Museu de Portimao traces the city’s history from its prehistoric origins to the canning and fishing industries in the 20th century. Art installations occupy the building’s old cistern, while archaeological exhibits explain the city’s ancient history, and disused factory machinery shows how the cannery once worked.

Conveniently located beside Albufeira’s whitewashed Old Town, Praia dos Pescadores is an easily accessible beach with a wealth of facilities. Whether you want to enjoy the thrills of Jet Ski rides and banana boats, or simply soak up the sun on golden sands surrounded by picturesque cliffs, you’ll find everything you need at Albufeira’s premier beach.

Walk down Rua das Flores, a pedestrianized street in the center of Porto, and you’ll find an array of cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, and boutiques to browse. Street performers can often be seen putting on a show, while the sloping lane is lined with buildings adorned with panels of the city's famous azulejo tiles.

Perched over the ocean in the charming Portuguese town of Cascais, Casa da Guia is a magnet for travelers of all tastes. Housed in a 19th-century mansion and surrounded by lush gardens, it’s home to a diverse collection of shops and an art gallery. Outside, restaurants and cafés offer outdoor dining with stunning views of the sea.

Two rust-colored pyramids may mark the location of the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, but they don’t reveal much from the outside. Inside, you’ll see a collection of works by acclaimed painter Dame Paula Rego, spanning hundreds of her prints, drawings, and paintings—which often examine the issue of women’s rights—and some works by her husband, Victor Willing.

A quiet alternative to busy coastal resorts, Almancil is by all appearances a typical Portuguese market town, though its proximity to two of the Algarve’s most exclusive resorts—Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo—give it an upscale edge. Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels, and championship golf courses can all be found nearby.

Get a glimpse of where Lisbon locals shop and dine at Campo de Ourique Market. This food market, which dates back to 1934, is a local hot spot for fresh fish, vegetables, meat, fruit, and tempting pastries. Beyond shopping, visitors can enjoy wine and cocktail stands and cozy places to sit and eat, making this market a favorite for locals and tourists alike.

Semi-connected to the equally lovely Praia da Duquesa, Praia da Conceicao is a stretch of golden sand lapped by the Atlantic Ocean in Cascais. Within easy reach of Lisbon, this beach is a well-equipped place to spend the day soaking up the sunshine, swimming, and enjoying activities such as paddleboarding.

One of Funchal’s prettiest streets, Santa Maria Street (Rua de Santa Maria) is a quaint and cobbled road in the heart of Madeira’s capital. Its star attraction is its painted doors, which depict everything from natural landscapes to mythical creatures. It’s also full of cafés and restaurants serving hot drinks and local specialties.