Situated at the south-westernmost point of Europe, it is no surprise to discover that there is so much to see and do in Portugal. As well as being blessed with an excellent climate year-round, characterised by intense sunshine and low rainfall, the country offers some of the most beautiful and accessible coastline in the world.
Portugal has more than 850 kilometres of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal destination to enjoy the sun and sea. However Portugal is not just about beaches: in this country you will find some of the most beautiful and popular cities in Europe. These include Porto and Lisbon, the country’s two largest cities, as well as charming little towns such as Cascais and Guimaraes.
If you want to enjoy a perfect combination of nature, city and sea, you can’t miss a visit to Portugal, also known as “the garden by the ocean“. To find out more about this stunning country, keep reading our post!
The best places to see in Portugal
Portugal has an infinite number of places to visit, and as travelling is always time-limited, it is important that you make your choice based on your interests. To help you along the way, below is a list of the must-see places in Portugal.
1. Lisbon
Of course, the first place to see in Portugal is, without a doubt, its capital: Lisbon. As the largest city in the country, you’ll find it impossible to get bored with the amount of things to do. Mainly known for being a coastal capital, in Lisbon you will be able to enjoy a great climate throughout your trip.
First of all, we recommend you start your trip with the most iconic place of all: the famous São Jorge Castle. Thanks to being incredibly old, this monument has become a real landmark to see in Lisbon. To get to it, you will have to go uphill, reaching one of the highest points in the city. You will understand how worthwhile it is once you reach the castle and admire the breathtaking views of the whole of Lisbon.
Secondly, you can choose to go back down to the city centre and stroll around the charming Baixa district. Here you’ll find the liveliest area in the whole of Lisbon, mainly due to its wide range of leisure activities. As well as being the ideal place to stop for a bite to eat, your stroll through the neighbourhood will take you past some of the city’s most important historical features.
After lunch, a good option is to visit the Jerónimos Monastery. This impressive monument has been declared a World Heritage Site, which is not surprising considering its spectacular architectural facade. Don’t forget to go inside to see its beautiful ocean-inspired decoration – you’ll definitely be fascinated!
To end the day, we recommend going to the Santa Lucia viewpoint, located in the beautiful Alfama district. From up there you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and get an idea of its style and size from a unique vantage point. You’ll also be grateful to leave this place till the end of day, so that you can enjoy a spectacular sunset.
If you want to find out more about this city, read our post: Things to do and see in Lisbon.
Organize your travel itinerary with Passporter totally free, easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.
2. Évora
Évora is a small city in the heart of the Alentejo region, declared a World Heritage Site mainly for its iconic old town. You can enjoy its acclaimed architecture, its wonderful climate and its the amazing Portuguese ambience, as well as its countless historical monuments.
We recommend starting your trip by visiting, as we mentioned previously, its impressive historic centre. In this area you will find some of the most symbolic buildings of the city, such as the Roman Temple or the imposing Walls of Évora. In addition, you will enjoy its numerous medieval squares where you can stop for a drink and enjoy the good atmosphere of the area.
Next, you can head to the impressive Church of Sao Francisco. Although it is not the most important church in the city, you cannot miss a visit. Characterised by its Gothic-Manueline architecture, you will be fascinated by both its facade and its splendid interior, where the rooms and decorations will leave you wanting to see more.
Finally, we recommend visiting the beautiful Praça do Giraldo, or Giraldo Square, which is the very heart of Évora. In addition to the incredible atmosphere it exudes due to its bars, terraces and restaurants, from here you can reach some of the most emblematic points of the city in just a few minutes.
Read our post on what to see and do in Évora to find out all the details about this must-see city in Portugal!
3. Guimaraes
Guimaraes is a small town in the north of Portugal, mainly characterised by its beautiful medieval style. It is considered to be the birthplace of the country, making it one of the must-see places in Portugal.
The first place must see during your visit is the splendid Guimaraes Castle. Besides having an impressive facade, this castle is located at the end of an extensive garden that is a real visual spectacle: its incredible amount of flowers and colours will make your walk to the castle a very enjoyable one.
Another of the iconic places to see in Guimaraes is its famous Rua de Santa Maria. It is one of the busiest streets in the city, both for locals and travellers. It connects the Largo da Oliveria Square with the Palace of the Dukes, so it can be the perfect walk as you make your way from one landmark to another. Moreover, in this street you will be able to feel the true essence of Portuguese.
Finally, don’t miss the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. You will be fascinated by its beautiful and peculiar architectural style, and you can take a tour of its interior and discover the many different rooms inside. If that wasn’t enough, once you have finished your visit, you can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens that surround it.
Find out all the details about what to see and do in Guimaraes, one of the most beautiful places to see in Portugal!
4. Cascais
Cascais is a small fishing town, and without a doubt one of the most iconic places to see in Portugal. It is located right on the Portuguese coast and only 30 kilometres from Lisbon, so it easy to access.
We recommend starting your trip with a stroll through the beautiful Old Town, probably the busiest place in Cascais and where you can find most of its noteworthy spots. For example, you can discover some of its most beautiful streets, such as Rúa de Misericordia or Rúa de Saudade.
Next, you can go for a pleasant stroll to one of the most beautiful beaches to see in Portugal: Praia da Rainha. Thanks to its small size, it feels quite familiar. It is the ideal place to enjoy a sunny morning by the sea.
Finally, don’t miss a short trip to the impressive cliffs of Boca do Inferno, one of the most famous places to see in Portugal and located just a short distance from Cascais. Enjoy the unique experience while listening to the powerful roar of the sea.
If you want to know all the places to visit in this city, read our post: What to see and do in Cascais.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
The most beautiful villages in Portugal
1. Elvas
Located next to the Spanish border, Elvas is a small town that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. If you’re travelling to Évora, you certainly can’t miss a trip to this beautiful town, where you’ll find the most important fortification to see in Portugal. You can’t miss it!
2. Braga
Braga is a small city just a short distance from Guimaraes, making it the ideal place for a half-day getaway. It is considered the religious centre of Portugal, so along your route you will find a great variety of religious monuments, mostly with Gothic architecture. Moreover, in Braga you can enjoy a sense of pure tranquillity that you will love.
3. Sintra
Sintra is one of the most beautiful natural places to see in Portugal. It is located just 30 kilometres from Lisbon, making it the perfect plan for a getaway outside the city. It is mainly characterised by its authentic atmosphere and medieval buildings. This setting looks like something out of a fairy tale, where nature and buildings blend in perfect harmony, it will become your favourite place in all of Portugal!
4. Azenhas do Mar
Azenhas do Mar is a beautiful town located on the coast, being one of the most beautiful beaches to see in Portugal. It is located in the heart of the Estoril Coast, and is easily accessible being just 30 minutes from Cascais. As well as enjoying an amazing morning on the beach, in the afternoon you can explore the town and discover some of its most iconic features, such as its wine cellars or its little houses by the sea.
How to plan your itinerary of the places to see in Portugal?
Download the Passporter app to plan your itinerary to Portugal in the most convenient and intuitive way. You can draw inspiration from the experiences of other travellers, as well as save websites that can help you. You can also save tickets and easily create routes with the help of Google Maps. Finally, you can choose the means of transport that best suits your needs and, the best part, you can post photos of your trip to Portugal so that other people can visit your traveller profile.
If you want to know more about Passporter, don’t hesitate to read the details in our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Map and itinerary to Portugal
Here we leave you our map with the places we recommend to visit in Portugal so you can organize your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organization. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organized way. You have the option of registering on the website or downloading the app to keep everything centralized and in your pocket.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Portugal
We have prepared a list of Portugal’s most traditional dishes, so you can try them all:
– First up is the Francheshinha, a typical Porto dish consisting of a hearty mixed sandwich with a peculiar combination of ham, chorizo, sausage, cheese and fried egg.
– Secondly, we recommend trying the Bacalhau com Natas. It consists mainly of cod, with a top layer of cream, potatoes and onion. It’s baked in the oven and it’s amazing!
– Thirdly, don’t miss the Bolinhos de Bacalhau, which are traditional cod croquettes. The shredded fish is mixed with flour and aromatic herbs.
– Finally, you can’t leave Portugal without trying its delicious Caldo Verde, a hearty vegetable and meat soup that will instantly boost you.
– Lisbon
– Tavira
– Évora
– Sintra
– Cascais
– Porto
– Guimaraes
– Lagos
Thanks to its great year-round climate, any time of year is an ideal time to travel to Portugal. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend travelling in spring if you want to enjoy the beach, or in autumn if you want to enjoy the cities in peace and quiet.
Portugal is considered a very safe country to travel to, as it has a very low crime rate. The only thing to watch out for is pickpockets, so avoid carrying a lot of cash or valuables.
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