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.
Breaking up the string of beaches along the coast, Marina de Cascais features a high-end shopping and dining complex, alongside its many moored sailboats. Here, you’ll find boutiques, beauty studios, and a range of restaurants, many of which boast generous outdoor seating areas, so you can enjoy your meal with sea views.
While a modern roof covers the hall at Cascais’ Mercado da Vila, decades of tradition can be found among its ever changing vendors and kiosks. Rows of stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables are flanked by butchers, fishmongers, and plenty of local produce, while cafés and eateries line a large outdoor dining area.
Begin your Madeira excursions at the Madeira Story Centre, a modern multimedia museum that tells the archipelago’s story, from its volcanic origins 14,000 years ago to the present day. Open since 2005, the museum’s family-friendly exhibitions are complemented by a large gift shop, a terrace restaurant, and a rooftop viewing deck.
Perched on the dramatic western shore of Faial, the Capelinhos volcano last erupted between 1957 and 1958, marking the most recent volcanic eruption in the Azores. Today, the volcano is one of the island’s top natural attractions, thanks to its striking volcanic landscape of black sand beaches and rugged cliffs, plus the lighthouse that overlooks the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
The 19th-century palace that houses this museum is the same color as the custard inside a Portuguese egg tart or pastel de nata. Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães is a cultural highlight in Cascais. The museum exhibits art, artifacts dating to the prehistoric period, rare Indo-Portuguese furniture, and rooms that appear as if royal visitors have just left.
Just minutes from the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, Slide & Splash provides even more fun ways to cool off and unwind while vacationing on Portugal’s south coast. This popular water park near Portimão has something for all ages, offering big-thrill water slides, dozens of attractions, and private cabanas for when you want a break from the Algarve’s rugged coastal beaches and wily surf.
Nestled on a sun-soaked stretch between Albufeira and Armação de Pêra, Praia do Castelo encapsulates the best of the Algarve’s rugged coastline. Flanked by ochre cliffs topped with lush greenery and whitewashed villas, this Blue Flag beach is a wonderful place to swim and snorkel once the summer sun has warmed the refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Through a rich collection of photography, artifacts, and other artisan objects, the Museu Regional do Algarve paints a picture of life in the Algarve before it became a popular holiday destination. Before then, it was a rural region that relied on fishing and agriculture. This cultural spot pays homage to the Algarvian way of life in the first half of the 20th century.
Constructed for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition, the Belém Lighthouse (Farol de Belém) is a remnant of one of the main exhibition buildings. Designed as a folly rather than a functional lighthouse, it’s now closed to visitors, but its location along Belem’s riverfront promenade makes it a worthy photo stop—the distinctive spiral design on the red-and-white brick makes a photogenic contrast to the blue water of the Tagus River.
Blending neo-Gothic and Romantic styles, the gorgeously grand Palacio Seixas is an architectural symbol of Cascais, a sophisticated seaside resort just outside Lisbon. Built in the late 19th century, the palace is notable for its carved stone facade and wooden interiors, surrounded by a lush garden filled with statues of mythological figures.
Famous for its elaborate, gilded interiors and dazzling golden altar, the Church of St. Michael (Igreja de São Miguel) is one of the most impressive churches in Lisbon’s Alfama district. Dating back to the 12th century, it was completely rebuilt in the early 18th century and houses a series of paintings by Portuguese artist Bento Coelho da Silveira.
A wine estate backed by the rolling foothills of Serra de Montejunto, Quinta do Gradil is one of the oldest estates in the Lisbon region, with a history dating back to the 15th century. The estate comprises an 18th-century palace surrounded by bountiful orchards, forests, and vineyards growing peaches, pears, and 12 varieties of grapes. You can explore on a wine-tasting tour or even go bird-watching in the surrounding nature.
Dating back to the first and second centuries AD, when the Roman Empire occupied the Algarve, these sun-parched ruins include the remains of a villa, a bath complex, a necropolis, and granaries. Exhibitions at the site also include excavated finds from the Visigoths and Moors, both of whom occupied the site after the Romans.
Occupying a prime perch on Funchal Bay, Santa Catarina Park (Parque de Santa Catarina) is one of Madeira’s most popular outdoor spaces. At 387,500 square feet (36,000-square meters), it’s home to lush trees and flowerbeds, sculptures commemorating Prince Henry the Navigator and Christopher Columbus, and the Chapel of Santa Catarina.
Though compact, Cascais’ Museu do Mar (Museum of the Sea) hosts a rich collection of exhibits exploring Portugal’s maritime history. Surrounded by manicured gardens in the affluent coastal resort near Lisbon, this museum displays everything from boat models and marine fossils to artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks.
Though the name Praia da Coelha translates from Portuguese as “Beach of the Rabbit”, you won’t find any of the fluffy creatures here. What you will find is a secluded bay far from the crowds of Albufeira’s more urban beaches; Praia da Coelha is at the end of a short walking trail shrouded in olive and carob trees, so it’s somewhat of a secret spot.
Fringed by palm trees and spiky aloe vera plants, Praia de Santa Eulália is one of Albufeira's chicest stretches of sand. Sheltered by the Algarve’s trademark ochre cliffs, this Blue Flag beach is a calm place to swim and snorkel in translucent turquoise waters. It’s backed by a 5-star hotel with a spa if you’re after a taste of luxury.
Quiet, shaded trails lead through the grounds of Marechal Carmona Park in the south of Cascais. The park is bordered by grand old buildings, including the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, but at its heart lies sheltered areas with picnic tables, sculptures, and open lawns. Chickens, ducks, and peacocks wander about the park—as do tourists seeking views of Santa Marta Beach.
Near to the luxurious resort of Vilamoura in eastern Albufeira, Praia da Rocha Baixinha is a long stretch of the Algarve’s trademark golden sand. Stretching for 0.6 miles (1 kilometer), the Blue Flag beach is backed by cliffs that transform into sand dunes the further along you go. The terracotta-colored rocks contrast beautifully against the turquoise of the Atlantic Ocean.
Connected to Praia da Conceicao on the scenic and sun-soaked coast of Cascais, Praia da Duquesa boasts a prime location near the center of the resort. Year-round calm waters mean the beach is ideal for families and swimmers, while golden sands that offer parasol and sunbed rentals are perfect for relaxing.
At the western end of Praia do Peneco is Gruta do Xorino, a small cave with a big history. The cave is said to have been used as a hiding place by the Moors during the Christian conquest of Albufeira in the 13th century. While there’s no signage at the cave, it’s an interesting addition to a visit to Albufeira’s most popular beach.
When Columbus set sail for the New World in 1492, he did so on the Niña, the Pinta, and his flagship vessel, the Santa Maria. While the original Santa Maria did not survive the voyage, this recreation has been a highlight of Funchal and the Madeira region since its debut in 1998, and welcomes visitors aboard for sailing trips.
Dating back to the early 19th century, Arco da Vila is a grandiose gateway in the Algarvian town of Faro. With its coffee-and-cream-colored facade and bell tower, it’s a stunning example of Italian neoclassical architecture. You can still see vestiges of the original Moorish entranceway, built hundreds of years ago in the 8th century.
Formed by volcanoes and now home to endemic flora and fauna, Morro de Castelo Branco is a natural reserve on the lush Azorean island of Faial. It takes its name (meaning “White Castle”) from the dome-shaped structure that rises from the Atlantic Ocean, a hot spot for hikers and bird-watchers.
The Medeiros e Almeida Museum (Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida) is a 19th-century mansion filled with fine and decorative arts. The 25-room home includes over 2,000 pieces dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries collected by businessman Antonio de Medeiros e Almeida. This house-museum is a must-visit Lisbon landmark for art and design enthusiasts, and guided tours are offered by appointment in several languages.
Located in the heart of Funchal’s Old Town, Armazém do Mercado is a commercial hub that combines traditional and contemporary Portuguese culture. Home to everything from art galleries and museums to boutiques and restaurants, the market provides an alternative to standard malls and souvenir shops.
The heart of Caiscais, 5th of October Square (Praça 5 de Outubro) is a gathering place for locals and visitors. Named for the Portuguese revolution of October 5, 1910, which marked the transition from monarchy to republic, the square’s setting in the center of the coastal resort town reflects the historical importance of the turning point in Portuguese history.
Visit this family-friendly Quarteira water park to zoom down slides and experience thrill rides and water-based attractions. Float down a lazy river or soak in a steaming Jacuzzi, or—if you’re feeling brave—plummet down the park’s 105-foot (32-meter) high free-fall slide. Parrot, bird of prey, and reptile shows round out the park’s entertainment options.
Portugal’s cultural and commercial ties to Asia date back to the Age of Exploration, and the Museum of the Orient (Museu do Oriente) aims to strengthen artistic bonds between the two regions. Part of Portugal’s Orient Foundation, the Lisbon museum showcases Portuguese influence in Asian art and culture, with a vast collection of art, textiles, furnishings, and ceremonial masks from Turkey to Japan.
