From the beautiful cities of Lisbon and Porto, exclaiming with colorful architecture and
intoxicating activities, to the inland plains and rugged mountains of scenic appeal, to
ancient towns dotted with world-renowned historical sites, through to the inviting southern world-class
beaches — Portugal, one of Europe's most attractive countries, is packed with attractions
so abundant that you might not get to tick half of the destination sites off your heavy
bucket list.
But don't worry.
We've got you covered as we've compiled a list of the best 10 places in Portugal where
you can enjoy the ultimate Portuguese experience.
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In Number 10—The Fortress of Elvras!
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this star-shaped fortress located in Elvras,
promises a fascinating walk within its thick walls.
The fortress was built in the 17th century as a military defense and now serves as one
of the best-preserved military architecture in Europe.
It has such a beautiful scenery from an aerial view and is even more beautiful when you wander
its cobbled streets and make worthy stops at different attractive spots.
Number 9—Coimbra!
Coimbra, Portugal's historic former capital, is a city fixed in the country's center.
Its primary attraction is the University of Coimbra, where the famed baroque library,
Biblioteca Joanna, is located.
The 18th-century clock tower of the university is imprinted with countless feet of visitors
seeking a great view of the city from its top.
In the town of Coimbra, you will find other historical sites, including the Igreja de
Santa Cruz, which contains the tomb of Portugal's first king, Alfonso Henriques.
You can round off your trip with a long, lazy walk along the bank of Coimbra's river.
Number 8—Cascais!
Cascais, a former small fishing area 22 miles away from Lisbon, is a municipality stitched
together by pretty towns, some of which are mainly resorts and marinas—thanks to its
coastline and the crowd-pulling beaches dotted around.
You wouldn't want to miss an escape in the lovely sunshine of these beaches, trust me.
For a start, visit the Praia do Guincho beach, five kilometers away from Cascais town.
Cascais is also home to some notable museums, including the once royal resort of Citadel
Palace.
Each historical museum has its distinct architectural style and impressive interior.
Number 7—Braga!
Located in the north of Portugal, this city keeps some of the country's respectable religious
heritage and famous historical buildings.
The biggest draw to Braga is the catholic shrine of Bom Jesus do Monte — a UNESCO
World Heritage Site — with a monumental baroque stairway of 381 feet.
The Sé de Braga, considered the country's oldest cathedral, is an exquisite blend of
architectural styles dating from the 15th to 17th centuries.
A trip to the cathedral and its clustered chapels will leave you mesmerized.
Other attractions in Braga include the Raio Palace, a historical state home with a blue-tiled
interior and fascinating transition style of baroque.
Take a step back to mix with locals in Praca de Republica, which is lined with restaurants
and cafes and offers a scenic spectacle.
Number 6—Madeira Island
The island of Madeira is the most pristine destination on the list.
And it's a shame that it doesn't pull a massive number of tourists despite its diverse range
of attractions, from lush green territories and forests to idyllic beaches meeting the
Atlantic Ocean, to cute clusters of towns harboring some of the most welcoming locals.
Start your immersive trip in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, which is a hilly town
packed with fine small restaurants, bars, and churches.
If you drive further up the hill of Funchal, Monte Palace Tropical Gardens welcomes you
into a natural blend of sweet-smelling plants and a host of wildlife.
Also, do not fail to appreciate the finely placed sculptures pronouncing the garden's
beauty.
Your trip shouldn't end without you touching the waters of the lava pools of Porto Moniz
or basking in the sun of the immaculate sandy beaches of Porto Santo island.
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Number 5 — Tavira!
Tavira, located in the district of Algarve, is considered the most charming city in the
region.
Algarve is popular for its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which is responsible for the
scenic waterfront of Tavira— connected to two sides by a footbridge.
The footbridge welcomes you to a historical and cultural treasure chest.
You can begin your tour by visiting the ruins of the city's old castle, which you can climb
atop and take in a pretty view of the ocean.
Close to the castle is the Igrejo de Santo do Castelo, a church where Tavira's legendary
knight, Paro Peres Correra, is entombed.
The Tavira Islamic museum, inspired by the Old Moorish influence on the town, houses
some antique items reminiscent of the Moors.
The most outstanding artifact is the Lavira vase, dating from the 11th century.
Number 4—Evora!
Another of Portugal's UNESCO-inscribed Heritage Sites is Evora, which is settled deep in the
Alentejo region.
Evora is a captivating collection of centuries-old monuments, which are some of the best-preserved
structures in the region and the country.
The imposing Roman temple, Templo Romano, sits in the city's center, and just like the
granite-built Se Cathedral, the country's most significant medieval cathedral, it is
also a center of attraction.
So you get why it's a World Heritage Site now, yeah?
The locals of Evora are just as intriguing as the architectural sites, known to be congenial,
whether they are located in the market town, museums, or squares.
Number 3—Sintra!
Sintra is a town surrounded by the hills of the Sintra Mountains, which looks over the
Atlantic Ocean—offering a spectacular view of the coastline.
A bewildering historic town, Sintra is dominated by the impressive National Palace, a Moorish
and maneullin-styled architecture marked by twin chimneys.
Another attractive Moorish heritage is the Castelos dos Mouros, sitting on top of the
Sintra Mountains.
A hike to this site is recommended as it gives you a natural feel of the wooded hills.
Overlooking Sintra is the Pena National Palace atop the highest hill on the mountain.
It used to be a resort of the Portuguese royal family in the 19th century.
It is unique for its Romanesque architecture and offers a panoramic view of Sintra town.
It also has a natural park suitable for sightseeing.
Portugal's second-largest city, Porto, takes spot number 2!
Porto brims with scenic brilliance, a wealth of history, and a bustling metropolitan feel.
Sighting from across the river, you will see the hilly buildings of the waterfront district
of Ribeira, cut through by cobbled streets.
Go deeper into Porto, and you will be enthralled by classical buildings, like the Porto cathedral,
the city's largest monument, and the baroque Clerijo Clerigos church.
Porto is known for its authoritative bridges, one of which is the double-deck Ponte de Dom
Luis I, connecting Porto and the city of Vila Nova de Gaia on both sides over River Douro.
In the Douro river region, you can end a lazy walk along the river banks with a sip of the
best port wine produced there.
Now, what's your guess of the number 1 spot?
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Let's know how much interested you are in Portugal.
Lisbon The number one destination is Lisbon!
An ensemble of culture, history, and urban sophistication.
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is also the busiest metropolitan district in the country.
You won't find more magnificent restaurants, luxurious hotels, and top-rated bars anywhere
else in Portugal.
Lisbon's history is fascinating, and the historic castle of São Jorge, dating from the 11th
century, is a bold exclamation of this.
Winding down from São Jorge is the streets of Alfama, one of Lisbon's oldest areas, packed
with cafes and shops exhibiting traditional crafts.
Lisbon also has its share of Portugal's numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the stunning
Jeronimos monastery, deep in the heart of Santa Maria de Belem, and the 16th-century
Belem tower.
Lisbon is also home to the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, the magnificent Lisbon
Oceanarium.
The scenario offers you a close-up experience with fascinating aquatic creatures, and what's
even more exciting?
You can snorkel in the water.
All these and so many more attractions and vibrant activities make Lisbon the least dull
place in Portugal.
. And that's a wrap on the 10 best places to
visit in Portugal.
We believe you enjoyed the journey and now have a better list of destination sites to
visit in Portugal.
Let us know your favorite places from this list in the comment section.
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