Portugal is one of the few countries in the world with a long cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Beautiful countryside, medieval castles, vibrant cities and golden beaches make it one of the most visited countries in the world. Though Portugal has a relatively small area, it had changed the fate of many countries. For its colonial nature, it had come close to different countries and got exceptional opportunities to exchange cultural views and become one of the culturally richest countries in the world.
Portugal has a varied geography that also a thrill to discover for the tourists. So in order to select top 10 best places in Portugal, we have to narrow down a lot of lucrative places and we only select those places as the best places to visit in Portugal which has a long historical background and great natural beauty. But we certainly give preference to the amount of influx of tourists because it is the possible best way of judgment.
Contents
Best Places to Visit in Portugal:
Let’s find, What to see in Portugal?
10. Coimbra
Coimbra snatches the position in the list of best places to visit in Portugal from others for its treasure trove of historic sites, exquisite garden, the country’s second style of fado music, and a lively culture that is centered on one of Europe’s oldest universities. Situated by the Mondego River in Central Portugal, it is one of the tourist attractions in Portugal. One of the best things to do in Portugal, especially in Coimbra is to simply get lost in the cities and discover the many historic attractions of the city just by yourself not with the help of a guide or other helps.
It will help you to resonate with the culture of the city. If you make your journey during the academic year, you’ll be thrilled to feel the university’s influence. You will be quite lucky if you come during the Queima das Fitas in early May. It is a weeklong celebration featuring live music every night. It is certainly one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
9. Azores
The Azores is an archipelago, composed of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean is an autonomous region of Portugal. It is one of the best places to visit in Portugal. The Azores is famous for its unique regional identity and cultural traits. The most important religious events commonly referred to as the festivals of the Holy Spirit (or Espírito Santo) held on all islands from May to September.
The pompous feature of the festival is a thing to see. You can visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a beautiful hourglass green and blue body of water. It has many myths and legends. Lagoa do Fogo is also a great tourist attracted lake, known for its dramatic views and white sand beach. It is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
8. Aveiro
Renowned as a “hidden gem” of Portugal, Aveiro will never forget to surprise its tourists with its unique feature. Merging with the unique marine environment, Aveiro‘s urban life gets distinct serenity. It is one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Part of the city is encircled with canals and bridges.
Painted boats floating around the canals is really charming to see and give it a vibe of Venice. But the real charm of Aveiro lies in its fantastic sandy beaches São Jacinto, Barra, and Costa Nova. These beaches are locally known as Silver Coast for its extraordinary beautiful and clean beaches. Aveiro will give you an awesome experience. It is one of the best places in Portugal.
7. Evora
Evora is called museum-city for it’s extraordinarily rich cultural and historical background. The city was established in Roman eras and had reached in its pinnacle in the 15th century when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings. It is one of the best places to visit in Portugal. It is regarded as the most beautifully preserved medieval town in Portugal.
Some of the best tourist attractions in Portugal are here. The city is surrounded by 14th-century walls. Inside the wall, there is a striking display of architectural work. An elaborate medieval cathedral and cloisters, a stunning town square and the cinematic columns of the Templo Romano are some of the best places to visit in Evora.
6. Porto
Although Porto is a busy and industrial area, it is one of the best places to visit in Portugal. You may know Porto for its world famous port wine. The city has a rich cultural and historical background. The name Porto also bears a great significance. Its combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale could be the origin of the name “Portugal“.
It was named the Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency in 2014. It was an outpost of the Roman Empire. The architecture of the city is full of diversity, with medieval as well as modern living side by side. You may visit FC Porto Museum where 120 years of history of the team FC Porto is preserved. There are also some other interesting places to visit in Porto.
5. Madeira
Famously known as “Floating Garden of the Atlantic,” Madeira is a sub-tropical archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira is renowned for its Madeira wine, gastronomy, historical and cultural value and a diverse landscape full of endemic flora and fauna. It is also famous for its annual New Year celebrations which feature the largest fireworks show in the world.
There are a lot of places in Madeira to visit. Among them are the Orchid Garden and the Laurissilva Forest, which harbors the world’s largest concentration of laurel. It is a place not to be missed. There are also many historical buildings, churches, and fortresses. It is really one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
4. Sintra
Western Romantic movements were indebted to Sintra because it was the first center of European Romantic architecture. Very few cities possess the huge amount of cultural blend like Sintra. It is the finest example of using Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance elements. Sintra and its surrounding mountains are declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredibly unique artistic beauty.
The tourists can visit the city from the capital. Some of the important places to visit in Portugal are here like Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace), Moorish Castle, National Palace, Park and Palace of Monserrate and Quinta da Regaleira. The architectural beauty of Pena Palace is something not to miss.
3. Obidos
Obidos is an old fortified city, situated on a hilltop in the Centro Region of western Portugal. From the Roman times, the city has played an important role in the history. The city was further prospered after being chosen by the royal family. The magnificent medieval castle and historic center of the city makes it one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
Its streets, squares, walls and its castle will take you to the medieval period. Óbidos Medieval Market is also one of the best places to visit in Portugal. The citizen of the town recreates the spirit of medieval Europe for two weeks. The Church of Santa Maria is also an important place to visit.
2. Algarve
Algarve is in a word, enchanting. Its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, ornamented bays, and sandy islands make it one of the best places to visit in Portugal. It is located in the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. To get a more natural flavor of it, you may prefer the west coast as it is the least developed part. Algarve has a diverse area. It is a perfect place for the hikers and all the tourists who seek tranquility.
Some of the stuff you can do here are the best things to do in Portugal. Visiting historic villages and castle towns, roaming around flower-covered hillsides and watching birdlife are some of the best things to do in Portugal and maybe a great lifetime experience too. Don’t forget to check out its famous pottery and ceramics. It is indeed one of the best tourist attractions in Portugal.
1. Lisbon
The capital of a country is usually just a stoppage for the tourists but Lisbon is quite an exception for a capital. You don’t have to worry too much about what to see in Portugal as the capital itself offers some of the best places to visit in Portugal.
In recent year, Lisbon has become one of the leading cultural centers of Europe. For its Mediterranean climate, it has the warmest winters among all the metropolis in Europe and become one of the best places in Portugal as an enchanting destination of warm weather. Lisbon is also gifted with white-bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, quaint shops, Gothic cathedrals, impressive bridges, and colorful neighborhoods.
Alfama, the oldest district of the city has a Moorish quarter, well known for its maze of cobblestone streets, rustic architecture and St. George’s Castle. You will get here some of the best things to do in Portugal like riding on well known vintage tram, Tram 28, one of only three traditional tram lines that still operate in Lisbon, visiting local Museums and galleries, and Parks and gardens. It is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.