Are you planning a trip to Portugal but don’t know what to see and do? With so many choices it may be difficult to decide where to go. You can visit sandy beaches or go on coastal walks. Maybe you’d prefer to visit some of the many historic centres or go for port tasting in the hills. To help plan the best vacation for you, we’ve developed a list of what we think are the best places to visit in Portugal.
We’ve listed these in our order of preference, but if you have other interests, you may have a different order.
1. Douro Valley
When visiting Portugal’s Douro Valley, you are rewarded with spectacular views of rolling hills blanketed in grape vines and olive orchards. Steep terraces planted with vines climb up and down the hills for a very picturesque landscape. Add the slow-moving blue river below, and the setting is like a picture postcard.
To read more about Douro Valley read out post a Driving Tour through Portugal’s Douro Valley.
2. Porto & Vila Nova de Gaia
Set on the tall banks of the Douro River, Porto has a fantastic location. Buildings painted in a variety of colours climb the steep slopes above the river, making good use of the landscape. On the other side of the river is the equally charming Vila Nova de Gaia. Its historic lodges are perfect for an authentic port tasting tour.
For more information on both of these cities, visit our posts See The Sites In Picturesque Porto and Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia.
3. Óbidos
The adorable town of Óbidos is a place you won’t want to miss on your next trip to Portugal. The entire historic town, including its castle, is enclosed inside a tall, medieval wall giving it an enchanting setting. You will love wandering along the cobbled streets in the fortified town of Óbidos.
To read more about this charming town, read our post A Day In The Fortified Town Of Óbidos.
4. Fishermen’s Trail
Hiking Fishermen’s Trail (Rota Vicentina), allows you to walk above sheer cliffs offering amazing views of rugged sea stacks and picture-perfect beaches. Because of its spectacular scenery, it is often called one of the best coastal walks in the world. After exploring this famous hiking trail we’ll agree, the views are hard to beat.
Because there are so many spectacular views on this trail we presented it in two posts. Click on the links for Fishermen’s Trail’s Northern Section and Southern Section.
5. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
This popular hike takes you to some of Portugal’s most dramatic and picturesque coastal scenes. The hiking trail travels between countless weather-worn coves with golden cliffs that protect pristine, sandy beaches. From the first lookout to the last, you will be stunned by the spectacular views when you hike Portugal’s Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
To find out more about this wonderful hike visit our post Hiking The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
6. Tavira
Around every corner in the pretty historic city of Tavira, there is a lovely surprise waiting to be found. It may be a perfect heritage home with a fabulous chimney or a beautifully decorated church. You may find a pretty scene by the river or flamingos in the colourful salt pans. Built on the hilly banks of the Gilão River, discovering Tavira’s scenic beauty should be at the top of your Portuguese to-do list.
To find our more about this pretty city, read our post Discover Tavira’s Scenic Beauty.
7. Lagos
With a stunning coastline, gorgeous sandy beaches and a lovely historic centre, it’s no wonder that Lagos is a popular tourist spot in the Algarve. Whether you want to lie on the beach, hike along the rugged coast, or wander through its historic centre, there is a lot to discover in Lagos.
Click on the link to find out what you can see and do in our post Discover Lagos, Portugal.
8. Portugal’s Eastern Fortified Cities – Monsanto, Marvão, Elvas, Évora & Mértola
All along the Portuguese-Spanish border, tall castles cling to the steep hills, mountains and crags. Medieval towns trickle down the slopes below. As we drove thorough this area we wanted to visit each and every castle, but we soon realized that there were far too many. It would take a lifetime to visit each castle in this area. There is so much to see and do in this region that we spread it over three posts.
For more information about these fascinating cities and town, click on the link to the following posts: The Fortified Towns of Monsanto & Marvão; A Journey Through Elvas & Évora’s Rich Heritage, Discover The Medieval Castles of Beja, Mértola & Alcoutim.
9. Braga
The long staircase decorated with fountains, statues and crosses is one of the most recognizable sites in Braga, and maybe all of Portugal. Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary has been a draw for pilgrims and tourists for years. Finally, seeing it in person, we understood its allure. In addition to Bom Jesus, there’s much more to see in this fascinating city, making it worth more than a day-trip.
You can read more about Braga in our post Bom Jesus & Other Sites In Braga, Portugal.
10. Lisbon, Belém & Sintra
The capital city of Lisbon has been a draw for visitors for years. With so many beautiful and historically important sites to see, it’s no wonder it is now a tourist hot spot. Nearby are two other popular cities with their own unique histories and architecture. You can easily visit Belém and Sintra on day trips from Lisbon.
For more information on these cities, click on the links to our posts Visit Historic Lisbon, A Day in Belém, The Palaces of Sintra.
11. Guimarães
Between the terraces of the pretty Douro Valley and the popular city of Porto stands Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal. Learn the country’s history as you explore the medieval castle walls and wander between the narrow streets of its Old Town.
To read more about Guimarães read our post Explore Portugal’s First Capital – Guimarães.
12. Silves
Built of red sandstone, Silves Castle sits like a beacon above the city. Since it was the Moors’ capital of Algarve for half a century, Silves once had an elite stature. This extensive history can still be found in its castle and on its streets, making Silves a fascinating place to visit.
Click on the link to read more about the former capital Silves and the current capital, Faro. Visit Silves & Faro – Algarve’s Capital Cities.
While these are our top 12 places to visit, there is still a lot more to see in this wonderful country. Consider visiting the Historic University City of Coimbra. If you like hiking, you may want to explore the trails in Peneda-Gerês National Park, or Serra da Estrela Natural Park.
Where ever you decide to go, you will love your time in Portugal.
To read more of our adventures in Portugal, click here.
Coming Next – Explore Seville’s Architectural Wonders
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