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On the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, a small country is located, which today has become one of the most visited in Europe. This is Portugal – a country of numerous fairs, festivals, sacredly preserving the centuries-old traditions and culture of its people. Here in the countryside you can still see women carrying shopping baskets on their heads, here is still the best coffee in Europe, and it is served exclusively in cups. Traditional crafts continue to thrive here – fishing, textile production and winemaking. Don't know what to see in Portugal? Especially for you, we have compiled a list of popular places in this country, which included the most interesting sights of Portugal.
It is in Portugal that you can feel more than ever far from home – at the very end of the world, because the country is located on the westernmost cape of Europe, and then – only the ocean, beyond which there are only unexplored lands.
What to see in Portugal first
Traveling around the country is incredibly interesting, no matter in which region you decide to spend your vacation or weekend. Guides in Portugal will be happy to keep you company, who are distinguished not only by impeccable knowledge of history and traditions, but also by a sincere desire to show tourists the beauty of their homeland.
1. Obidos Castle (Obidos)
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Obidos Castle – “city of Queens”
A true favorite among the medieval castles of Portugal can be considered the castle of Obidos, located on a hill, offering a wonderful view of the surroundings of the city of the same name: vineyards, windmills, bright terracotta roofs of the surrounding houses.
The castle itself attracts many tourists with its battlements, preserved from the Middle Ages to the present day in surprisingly good condition. In the form in which we see the castle now, it was built in the 13th century, and before that, in the era of the Roman Empire, there were public baths and a square, which played the role of the center of the political life of the settlement. After the fall of the Roman Empire, with the coming to power of the Visigoths, a fortress was built on this site, around which a settlement was formed – the future city of Obidos. In the 8th century, the fortress passed into the possession of Muslims, and only in the 13th century the Portuguese king Afonso recaptured this building.
Later, for several centuries, the fortress was a favorite venue for royal festivities and celebrations.
< p>Today, this landmark of Portugal has retained its appearance, which is why it attracts many tourists – you can walk around the castle grounds, study its architecture – arched passages, medieval bas-reliefs, as well as view magnificent views of the surroundings from a height.
2. Tower Torri de Belen (Lisbon)
Torri de Belen Tower on the Tagus River
The times of great geographical discoveries brought a lot of memorable events and historical monuments to world history, and thanks to this, modern tourists will definitely find something to see in Portugal. So, for example, the Portuguese capital of Lisbon is fraught with a unique monument of Portuguese architecture – the Torri de Belen tower, which has become the most important landmark of Portugal. Initially, this building was erected in honor of the world-famous expedition of Vasco da Gama, who opened the trade route to India. The tower played the role of a beacon showing the way for long-distance sailors. Its construction lasted 6 years, from 1515 to 1521, during the reign of King Manuel I. It was from these shores that brave and adventurous sailors set off in search of new trade routes.
During the wars with Napoleon, the building fell into a dilapidated state, but was completely reconstructed in 1845. For some time, the walls of the tower even housed a prison and an armory.
Today, the tower has become an object of cultural and historical heritage and has been included in the UNESCO list since 1983.
The Torri de Belen tower was built in the late Gothic Manueline style. Openwork balconies, Arabic-style turrets, battlements, knightly coats of arms and images of ropes – many such decorations can be seen in this structure, and excellent views open from its top.
Official website: http://www.torrebelem.gov.pt/en/
3. Pena Palace (Sintra)
Colorful Pena Palace
Sintra is a suburb of the Portuguese capital, the most important in terms of attractions in Portugal. Not far from Sintra, in the mountains, there is an unusual castle-palace of Pena. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that initially an empty monastery was taken as its basis, which was erected here back in the distant 12th century in honor of the Mother of God. Over time, the temple fell into disrepair
The inconspicuous and abandoned chapel, lost in the mountains, was remembered only in the 16th century, when King Manuel I, being very religious, turned his gaze to this temple and to the rather vast empty lands around him. From that moment, the reconstruction of the sanctuary began – it was rebuilt from stone and stood for about 2 more centuries, until a powerful earthquake known throughout Europe happened, which turned the monastery into ruins.
And only in 1838, King Fernando II buys the land along with the ruins of the temple and the picturesque surrounding areas on the mountain. He orders to rebuild a palace on these lands, which later became the summer residence of the royal family. Romantic Fernando made a significant contribution to the design of the castle and its surrounding areas. As a result, a beautiful and majestic building has grown on these lands with an exotic exterior, representing a mixture of several styles, bright facades and an amazing park, with its winding paths, cozy gazebos and rich colors of outlandish plants.
Official site : https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/
4. Oceanarium (Lisbon)
Lisbon Oceanarium in the Parque des Nations
The seaside country of Portugal has been closely connected with the sea throughout its history, so if you are interested in the sights of Portugal associated with the sea, you have something to visit in Portugal. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world. Every year, more than a million visitors come to observe the life of marine inhabitants through the panoramic glass.
The advantage of the Lisbon Oceanarium is that it was created not only for the entertainment of the general public, but also for general educational purposes. For example, in the building of the Oceanarium there are departments of marine biology and oceanography, where many scientific lessons are held that will be of interest to both adults and children.
The architectural feature of the Oceanarium in Lisbon is that it was built right on the water – on the banks of the Tagus River, and is connected to the land by a 2-level ramp. The aquarium was opened for visitors in 1998, and in 2011 another building for temporary exhibitions was opened.
The huge aquarium features about 500 species of fish, marine mammals, invertebrates and plants. In total, the oceanarium includes 4 zones, each of which corresponds to different parts of the planet:
- North Atlantic Ocean; Antarctic; Pacific Ocean; Indian Ocean; And going down to the floor below, you can see the central aquarium – a huge reservoir with water and numerous marine life, symbolizing the world's oceans.
Official site: https://www.oceanario.pt/en
Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Portugal!
5. Alto Douro (Douro Valley)
Terraced vineyards in the Alto Douro Valley
Those wishing to go back several centuries ago have something to see in Portugal: this is the Alto Douro Valley, a popular wine-growing area in the upper Douro River, near the city of Porto. In a region known for its quality wine production, no modern technology or cutting-edge technology is used. Here, manual labor still flourishes as a way to reproduce all winemaking processes.
The Alto Douro region has long been known for producing wine of exceptional taste and quality for over 2,000 years. Local climatic conditions have such weather features that allow you to collect generous harvests of grapes of various varieties. The area is distinguished by a rather steep soil relief, from different sides it is protected from winds and moisture by the mountains of Montemuro and Maran, which creates a dry and hot climate here, which is most favorable for the ripening of grapes and for obtaining fragrant fortified wines. The wine produced here takes first place in international competitions, and this once again confirms the quality of local products.
Traveling through the wine attractions of Portugal, in one of the local farms you can hold a tasting of drinks, buy delicious wine or port wine. If you wish, you can take part in the harvest and the subsequent wine festival, feel the taste of life in this beautiful and fertile land.
6. Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobaça (Alcobaça)
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Facade of a medieval monastery in Alcobaça
The courtyard of the monastery
The city of Alcobaça is known for its important landmark of Portugal – the abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, founded in the 12th century. Today it is not only the most important historical monument, but also the largest church in Portugal.
The abbey building consists of 5 cloisters, a library, 7 bedrooms and an impressive kitchen. The decoration of the facade of the temple is a mixture of several styles for the reason that the building was completed in different eras. So, for example, the door and the main round window of the monastery, decorated in the Gothic style, are parts of the original church, while the baroque bell towers and statues of saints were erected only in the 17-18 centuries.
In general, the monastery is a monumental architectural structure 220 meters long, consisting of 3 parts – the Church itself, as well as the North and South wings.
The construction of the monastery began in 1178, lasted almost a century and was completed only in 1252. Today, this landmark of Portugal is of high historical importance for the country and is a well-preserved example of Cistercian architecture. The special importance of this shrine in the history of Portugal lies in the fact that kings Afonso II, Afonso III, Pedro I, as well as other members of royal families were buried here in the 13-14th centuries. In 1989, the monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Official website: http://www.mosteiroalcobaca
7. Peneda-Gerês National Park (Northwest Portugal)
The Lima River in the Peneda-Gerês National Park
As for the natural beauties of Portugal, we can say that there is a place for expanse and contemplation: amazing mountain landscapes, numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, lush greenery of mountain meadows – in a word, you will find something to see in Portugal. Despite the natural diversity, there is only one reserve on the territory of Portugal – the Peneda-Gerês National Park. This protected area is located between the Peneda and Gerês mountain ranges.
Peneda Geres is a mountain reserve with rich flora, waterfalls, rivers, fast streams and villages built of gray granite.
As for the animal world, in the park you can find roe deer, Iberian wolf, undersized horses, brown bears, mountain goats, barrosa bulls. Luxurious vegetation is represented by varieties of oaks, birches, bird cherry, the only holly forest in Portugal grows here. There are also endemic plants, including some species of ferns and lilies.
The territory of the park is partially populated – for example, in the southwest there is a small town of Canisada. A dam was erected near this city, blocking the river and forming a picturesque reservoir. Many hiking trails pass through the territory of the reserve, in some places even the ancient Roman road leading to the north has been preserved, and along its sides you can find the ruins of centuries-old structures.
8. Evora Museum City (Province of Alto Alentejo, 130 km from Lisbon)
Se Cathedral in Évora
One of the most beautiful Portuguese cities, which in fact is itself a landmark of Portugal, is located closer to the east of the country, in the province of Alto Alentejo. This is the city-museum of Evora, framed by wonderful olive groves, vineyards, flowering meadows that turn the town into a real garden. The city itself includes a lot of historical sights – ancient buildings, temples, palaces, cathedrals, reflecting the rich history of the city.
The history of Evora began about two millennia ago, and for many centuries was formed under the influence of the culture of the Romans and Moors, which is why the city of Evora is considered the spiritual center of the country. The historical part of the city is surrounded by fortress walls, and inside the labyrinths of its narrow old streets, old restored buildings are intertwined with the sunny squares of the Renaissance, viewing platforms, Gothic churches, cathedrals and palaces in the Manueline style. In general, buildings from different eras here are an unusually colorful mixture of architectural styles from different eras.
It is difficult to find such an accumulation of historical and architectural monuments concentrated in such a small area anywhere else. Numerous monuments of antiquity, as well as fine cheeses and wines, attract guests from all over the world to Évora. In 1986, the city-museum of Evora was recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world culture.
9. Guimarães Castle (Guimarães)
Guimarães Ancient Castle
The Portuguese city of Guimaraes is the cultural and historical center of the country, and its main symbol is the medieval castle of Guimarães, which has become a historical landmark of Portugal. Today, the castle has been restored and has practically not retained its original appearance, and the fortress on the site of the castle, Monte Largo hill, was first built back in the 7th century. The castle acquired its modern look much later – in the 12th century.
Until the end of the 9th century, this territory was dominated by the Arabs and was called Vimaranesh. Later, when the Portuguese conquered these lands, Count Diogo Fernandez became the owner of the fortress. In those days, a monastery was founded at the foot of the hill, a single donjon was erected and surrounded by a protective wall, and a small settlement arose around the monastery. The fortress gradually strengthened, grew and expanded.
Many years later, the castle passed into the possession of the King of Leon and Castile – Alfonso VI Henry of Burgundy, who founded his residence here. Later, the first king, Afonso Henriques I, who was born and raised within these walls, completely rebuilt Guimarães. In the 14th century, the entire settlement was surrounded by a defensive wall, 8 gates and 8 towers 28 meters high each were erected.
Over time, the fortress lost its military significance, many fortifications were dismantled. And only in the 30s of the 20th century was the castle completely restored. Today, the castle has the shape of a heraldic shield, out of 28 towers only 4 have survived, each of which is accessed by stone stairs. A suspension bridge connects the central gate and the western wall. Visitors can see all the premises of the fortress and climb its walls, from where beautiful views of the city of Guimarães open.
Official website: http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/
10. Cascais resort city (Lisbon region, Estoril coast)
A colorful corner of the Cascais resort
Not far from the Portuguese capital, off the coast of Estoril, there is a small beach resort town of Cascais. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Cascais was the summer residence of the royal family, thanks to which this town became a tourism pioneer in Portugal. Today it is one of the most prestigious Portuguese resorts that have preserved the unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The lands where today's urban life in Cascais rages were settled by the first inhabitants in the 12th century. The resulting settlement, due to its favorable geographical position on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, near the capital, quickly grew and began to flourish, and these lands subsequently became the subject of battles between different nations more than once. Today, this historic center is literally filled with architectural treasures.
Therefore, if you plan a trip to the town of Cascais, you will certainly find something to visit in Portugal – there are a lot of attractions of your choice here:
- thus, one of the outstanding historical monuments was the Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimarães, which has a colossal collection of books, of which there are more than 25 thousand; Museo do Mar – a museum that exhibits objects reflecting the history of Cascais and local fishing; Boca de Inferno cliff – in translation, its name means “Devil's Mouth”, which very well reflects the impression that being here makes: during a storm, the waves beat against the rocky coast with such force that a very impressive noise is created, reminiscent of the roar of a wild beast; Palmela Park is a popular venue for city open-air concerts; Guinche is a beach that attracts windsurfers with its high waves.
Things to do in Portugal: what else to visit while in Portugal
The final touch of a trip to the edge of Europe will be excursions in Portugal to places from our additional list of interesting places in this amazing state. You can go sightseeing by rented car, public transport or as part of an excursion group.
11. Praia da Marina Beach (Algarve region)
Praia da Marina Beach Landscape
The Algarve region, protected from the north by mountains, has a different culture, climate and scenery from the rest of Portugal. The amazing beauty of the coast and the mild climate make the Algarve one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Portugal. One of the attractions of Portugal is located here, in the Algarve region. This is Praia da Marina beach – a small and secluded piece of the coast, which is located away from the main infrastructure of the resort, so here you can fully enjoy the peace and tranquility, as well as rocky landscapes and a clean pebble beach.
The beach is distinguished not only by its exquisite beauty, but also by the steepness of the coastline, therefore, to get to the water, you have to go down a long and steep staircase, but it's worth it. Below you will see the coast from a new angle – many islands-rocks, which have bizarre shapes due to prolonged exposure to water and wind, in an ensemble with the sea create an amazingly beautiful landscape.
On the beach you can not only swim or soak up the sun — outdoor enthusiasts can explore the local bays, caves and grottoes.
Despite the wild landscapes, the beach itself is landscaped – there is parking, a restaurant, rental of swimming equipment, lifeguards work. There is also the opportunity to snorkel and explore the rich underwater world – it may not be as rich as in the Red Sea, but all kinds of shrimp, colorful fish and starfish are present here in abundance.
12. Quinta yes Regaleira (Sintra)
Palace of Quinta da Regaleira with a picturesque park
The secrets of the past, which some amazing places on earth keep in themselves, have always excited the minds of scientists and ordinary people who happened to be there. Fans of historical secrets and mysteries will find something to see in Portugal – one of the most mysterious places in the country is located in the city of Sintra, 30 kilometers from Lisbon. This is Quinta da Regaleira. Every meter of land here is full of puzzles, over which many scientists from all over the world have been struggling for many centuries.
The cultural landscape on which the park is located has a rich history, calculated for thousands of years. There are archaeological sites leading to the Early Neolithic (5th millennium BC) up to the Iron Age (2nd century BC)
In 1147, the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, built a solid palace here, which became the royal residence. For many centuries, the palace changed its owners, each of whom contributed to the improvement of the castle. In 1904, the palace was bought by Antonio Monteiro – a wealthy entomologist invested a lot of money in the restoration of the architectural monument.
Today, the estate, in addition to the palace, consists of a chapel with numerous frescoes, stained glass windows, stucco, and also includes mysterious landscapes. This area has grottoes, wells and a mysterious system of underground tunnels connected by two spiral wells. A pair of such wells, called “initiation wells”, have become one of the most interesting and mysterious features of the park. These unusual “inverted towers” were intended to hold a secret ceremony of initiation.
The estate of Quinta da Regaleira keeps the memory of the rich history of this land, opens a window into the past for visitors, opening the veil of historical mystery.
< p> Official website: http://www.regaleira.pt/en
13. Sanctuary of Bon Jesus do Monti (Braga)
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Staircase Via Sacra – “Holy Road” – to the church of Bon Jesus do Monti
Fans of religious shrines will find something to visit in Portugal – not far from the city of Braga, located in the north of the country, there is the church of Bon Jesus do Monti, which means “Church of St. Jesus on the mountain.” The sanctuary, erected on a hill 564 meters high, has become one of the most visited places of pilgrimage. This is a whole complex, consisting directly of the church 116 meters high, the Via Sacra stairs of 581 steps in the Baroque style, as well as an extensive park.
The history of the shrine began in the 14th century, when a cross was erected on the mentioned hill. About 50 years later, the chapel of the Holy Cross was erected here, and soon after, numerous pilgrims from Braga and other nearby regions began to come to the shrine.
In the 15-16 centuries, 2 more chapels were built on the mountain, and in the 17 century, the brotherhood of Bon Jesus do Monti was founded. Soon, as a result of pilgrimage, a steep path appeared on the slopes of the hill, along which more and more miniature chapels created in the form of grottoes appeared.
In the 18th century, the main construction began, the construction of the chapels was completed and a grandiose staircase of 581 steps was built , at the end of which rises the main church.
In the 19th century, an excellent green park with many paths, gardens and ponds was laid out in the vicinity of the shrine. And in 1882, the first funicular in Portugal was built here – a lift that connected the complex of the sanctuary and Braga. Today it is the world's oldest counterweight lift.
14. Aveiro City (Aveiro District)
Traditional moliceiro boats on the canal in Aveiro
To draw up a tourist route through the westernmost European country, it is worth considering the most interesting sights of Portugal in advance. The presentation will not be complete without the glorious town of Aveiro, the “little Venice”, famous for its water channels, Art Nouveau architecture and bright narrow boats “Maliceiros”. Due to its very venerable age, this town has preserved a lot of historical sights – for example, the Museum of Modern Art of the beginning of the last century with an Art Nouveau facade, one of the most famous porcelain factories in the world, the Cathedral, combining Mannerism, Modernism and Baroque styles, the Maritime Museum, which tells about the history of navigation and fishing in Aveiro. In between excursions, you can relax in one of the many restaurants or go to the beaches of Costa Nova.
15. Cristo Rei (Almada)
View of the statue of Jesus Christ in the Portuguese city of Almada
Not far from the town of Almada, which is part of the Lisbon region, a stone statue of Christ the Savior looks at Lisbon and its environs from a hundred-meter height. This monument is of the most important historical significance for the inhabitants of Portugal, since it was erected in honor of the people's prayers heard by God, designed to protect the population of the country during the bloody events of the Second World War. The construction of the monument began in 1949 and was carried out with public donations, and in May 1959 it was opened. The monument is set on a hill – 113 meters above the level of the Tagus River, consists of a 75-meter pedestal and a 28-meter statue mounted on it. At the foot of the monument is a chapel, as well as an elevator that takes visitors to the observation deck. Cristo Rei, which in Portuguese sounds like “Christ the King”, is considered a miniature copy of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
16. Puppet Museum (Lisbon)
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The only largest collection of toys in all of Portugal dedicated to the history of puppets and puppet theaters is located in Lisbon. The number of exhibition samples is over four thousand exhibits from more than 30 countries of the world. Since 2008, the museum has exhibited the famous collection of African and Asian puppets and masks by collector Francisco Capelo, numbering about 500 items. The Puppet Museum often hosts puppet shows and workshops where you can make your own puppet. For those who travel with children, the museum has a playroom where kids can play with dolls and become participants in the performance.
Official website: https://www.museu p>
17. Vasco da Gama Bridge (Tejo River)
Vasco da Gama cable-stayed bridge over the Tagus River in Lisbon Marco Verch Professional Photographer and
When planning a route in Portugal, it is impossible to ignore another impressive building – the longest European bridge. Vasco da Gama crosses the Tagus northeast of Lisbon, and its length is more than 17 kilometers. Previously, a bridge had already been built across the Tagus, but with the increase in the number of vehicles, the load began to increase, and a decision arose to build a more powerful and larger crossing. Despite the scale of the design of Vasco da Gama, it took construction specialists only 3 years from 1995 to 1998 to bring the idea to life, of which only one and a half were required directly for the construction, while the remaining one and a half went into careful preparation for construction and detailed engineering calculations. Such a responsible approach made it possible to provide the cable-stayed bridge with unusual qualities – resistance to winds up to 250 km/h and to earthquakes 4.5 times more powerful than the famous Lisbon earthquake of the 18th century.
18. Jeronimos Monastery ( district of Lisbon)
The 16th century Jeronimos monastery in the suburbs of Belém
Capital Portugal deserves special tourist attention. The sights of Lisbon, despite the turning point in history associated with the largest earthquake, to this day are fraught with historical echoes of past centuries. The most valuable cultural treasures of the country have been collected by the National Museum of Ancient Art, and the priceless symbols of the spiritual heritage are kept by the Jeronimos Monastery, a 16th-century monastery, the national symbol of the state. A grandiose late Gothic monument of Portuguese architecture is located in the western part of the city. The facade is characterized by the use of marine motifs and complex sculptural elements. Since the construction of the monastery was associated with the era of travel and glorious geographical discoveries, Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese navigator, whose tomb can still be visited today, rests within the walls.
19. Don Luis Bridge (Douro River)
Ponti de Don Luis double-level metal arch bridge across the Douro River in Portugal
When choosing what to see in the north of Portugal, it is worth paying special attention to its northern capital – the city of Porto. In this atmospheric and authentic city, along with its colorful quarters, pompous squares, modernist buildings, one of the symbols of Porto, the Don Luis railway, pedestrian and road bridge, built at the end of the 19th century, enjoys popularity and invariable recognition. A powerful, at the same time elegant and openwork metal structure has a length of 385 meters and connects Porto with the town of Villa Nova di Gaia. The bridge has two levels – cars drive on the first level, and the subway on the second, while there are pedestrian zones at both levels. Here you can not only take a walk, crossing from one bank of the Douro River to another, but also admire beautiful views of the river and its surroundings from a height.
20. Madeira Island (Atlantic Ocean)
The picturesque island of Madeira is a great place to relax
A thousand kilometers southwest of continental Portugal is a beautiful and flourishing island of volcanic origin. Its lands, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, are the top of an underwater volcano, a piece of land with an area of only 740 square meters. km, striking a riot of greenery and flowers. Luxurious green landscapes of the island are largely the merit of a favorable climate, due to the warm wind of the Gulf Stream. Year-round comfortable weather without sweltering heat, an abundance of clear days make this island an ideal place for natural recreation. Perhaps the best way to explore the island is to arrange a hiking tour, especially since there are a lot of walking routes, during which you can see mysterious caves, wild waterfalls, virgin forests, visit fishing villages and small villages with snow-white houses.
21. Monte Tropical Garden (Funchal)
Landscape of Monte tropical garden in Madeira island
Perhaps one of the most favorite tourist destinations on the Portuguese island of Madeira is the tropical garden located on Mount Monte in the city of Funchal. Looking for what to see in Portugal in the spring, you should choose this place. In the last month of spring, the lush greenery of the park reveals itself in all its glory, delighting with the juiciness of fresh spring colors. The park has several diverse areas created at different times – for example, the Chinese-style Oriental Garden with pavilions stylized as pagodas, the Central Lake with swans, ducks and herons living in it, a corner of Portuguese azulejo ceramics, a cafe and an observation deck. And all this splendor is crowned by the snow-white Monte Palace, erected in the 18th century by the English consul. Today, within the walls of the palace there is a museum, where collections of sculptures and collections of minerals brought from all over the world are exhibited.
Official website: https://montepalace
22. Cape Roca (Sintra)
Lighthouse at Cape Roca – the westernmost point of the Eurasian continent
Last-minute tours to Cape Roca, one of the mysterious and mysterious places, the westernmost tip of the European continent, are in constant demand. To visit this land means literally to see the end of the world, where stunning panoramas of the bottomless and boundless Atlantic Ocean open up from a 150-meter high cliff. It was from these shores that numerous expeditions once set off – brave sailors rushed towards the sea element, making expeditions to China, Africa and the New World. Among the notable places of the cape are an old lighthouse of the 18th century, a number of observation platforms along the coast, a sparsely populated and almost wild Praia da Adraga beach, where you can relax from the sightseeing fuss. The coast of the cape is transformed during sunset, when you can watch how the sun slowly “plunges” into the endless ocean waters.
23. Vilamoura (Algarve)
View of luxury tourist resort in Algarve
Going to the south of Portugal, it is worth visiting Vilamoura – a relatively young city, and at the same time a developed tourist center, one of the largest European luxury resorts. It is located right on the ocean coast, and therefore there are excellent conditions for a comfortable beach holiday – there are four large equipped beaches where you can do various water sports, relax on the white sand and just admire the picturesque landscapes. There are also many top-class hotels, SPA centers, restaurants, beauty salons, casinos, golf clubs, as well as Europe's largest yacht club. Shoppers can take a stroll through small shops where you can buy maritime-themed souvenirs, beautifully painted traditional tiles, handmade jewelry and many other memorabilia.
24. Lello Shop (Porto)
Amazing interior of Lello & Irmão in the Port of Zacarias Abad Torres
Tourists in Porto certainly choose this famous place – Lello and Sons Bookstore. People come here not only to buy one of the book works, but also just to admire the magnificent architectural creation. The store was founded in 1894 by the Lello brothers, who ordered engineer Francisco Javier Estevez to build a new building for the future library. The result of this work can be admired to this day: the skillful wood carving, the curved staircase, the stained-glass mosaic on the ceiling glass and the magnificent Art Deco facade are impressive.
Official website: https://www.livrarialello
25. Azores (Atlantic Ocean)
The unique natural landscape of the Azores
Having traveled 1.5 thousand kilometers across the ocean from mainland Portugal, you can visit a picturesque corner of subtropical nature, cut off from the world – the Azores. In total, the archipelago includes 9 islands, occupying a total area of about 2300 square meters. km. The largest of them is the island of San Miguel, where the capital of this autonomous region, Ponta Delgada, is located. Also, this island is known for the highest point in Portugal – it is an active volcano pico with a height of more than 2300 meters. Holidays in the Azores are an occasion to escape from noisy trips to busy Portuguese cities and merge with pristine nature. Among the entertainment on the island, one can distinguish such as sea fishing and whale watching on rented yachts, walking tourism to an extinct volcano, swimming in pools with thermal springs, visiting unusually beautiful lakes, waterfalls and natural parks.