20 best things to do in Portugal

Despite sharing the Iberian Peninsula with one of the most visited countries in the world, Portugal’s lures are not widely known internationally. But if you are looking for major cities full of rich culture, beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing or surfing, picturesque landscapes or high-quality cuisine, you will find it in Portugal.

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Taste Port Wine from Portugal

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Port wine, generally known as Porto, is undoubtedly Portugal’s most famous export. But you haven’t really drunk port until you’ve tried its countless ways in Portugal. Visit Porto and tour the producers’ cellars, where you will learn how the port is made and taste some of the most famous port varieties, or visit the Douro Valley where the grapes are grown. Another great place to sample the port is Lisbon’s Solar da Vinho da Porto tasting room.

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Escucha Some Fado (Portuguese Folk Music)

Fado is the homegrown folk music of Portugal. There are two main types, the sad Lisbon style and the more upbeat Coimbra style, named for the cities in which they developed. Try to see them both! You can reserve your own place in many bars.

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Visit Lisbon, the capital of Portugal

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The capital of Portugal is full of culture and historical sights and has a great nightlife for all tastes. You can hop on the historic 28 tram that takes you to many sites and neighborhoods or wander the medieval streets of Alfama. Admire the views of Lisbon from the São Jorge Castle or from one of the mirodouros (look-out points). Add to that the fact that Lisbon is probably the best value capital of Western Europe, and has a top destination for all budgets.

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See the city of Porto

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Porto is famous for its Port wine, but there is much more to what the city has to offer. The Ribeirinha promenade, a historical area facing the sea: stop at a cafe or wine bar and enjoy the beautiful views along the Villa de Gaia river, where all the port’s wineries are located, and the Dom Luis bridge I.

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Go to the beach

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The Algarve region, in southern Portugal, has an incredible coastline with stunning beaches, beautiful waters, and amazing cliffs with hidden coves. You can find whatever type of beach you are looking for, be it swimming or sunbathing, secluded or full of sun worshipers. The beaches in the most southwestern point, such as Sagres, offer excellent conditions for surfing. Can’t get to the Algarve? Not far from Lisbon is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Praia da Adraga.

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Explore the Douro Valley

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The Douro Valley is where most of the port-producing wineries are located, despite the fact that Porto is where the wine is aged, bottled and stored. This is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Even if you have no interest in the port or its production process, the Douro Valley is worth visiting for its scenery alone. Imagine rolling vineyards, lush boating roads, and open blue skies.

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Visit the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte

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+351 253 676 636

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Bom Jesus do Monte is a religious sanctuary on the outskirts of Braga, about an hour from Porto. Perched on top of a hill is a church and gardens, to which you can take the funicular or climb the incredible zigzag staircase. Take the funicular to the top and down the stairs as each landing has something interesting to see.

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Sintra Tour from Lisbon

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Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, where you can visit three palaces (Regaleira, Pena and Royal Palaces), as well as the Castle of the Moors. Then stroll through the historic center, relax on the promenade or explore its natural parks. If you’re trying to pack a lot of sights, consider booking one of the many organized day trips from Lisbon to Sintra. Trips usually include some time in Sintra, as well as a visit to Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and other points along the beautiful Estoril coast.

09
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Visit the Jeronimos Monastery

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is an incredibly ornate monastery in the Belem district of Lisbon. Built in the 16th century, the extraordinary work of architecture was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s. Today, you can freely explore the monastery, including its altar, cloister, refectory, and more. Entry is 10 euros from March 2019, with discounts for children, students and residents of Portugal.

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Climb to the top of the Torre de Belem

Belém is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon to explore, so why not have a panoramic view of the city as well? You can do it if you are willing to climb to the top of the Torre de Belém (also called Torre de San Vicente). The 16th century fortified tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous landmark within the city. Tickets cost 6 euros, but if you buy a Lisbon card during your exploration of the city, admission is free.

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Learn about aquatic life at the Lisbon Oceanarium

Listed as the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, the Lisbon Oceanarium opened its doors in 1998. The main aquarium contains more than five million liters of water, which combine to display four different marine habitats. In addition to fish, the aquarium is also home to mammals, birds, and amphibians.

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Visit a golden beach

Matosinhos Beach is the largest beach with easy access from Porto, just 15 minutes by metro. Here you can surf, sunbathe or swim. Given the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the water can be quite cold, even during the summer months, but it’s still a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Surf equipment, such as boards and wetsuits, can be rented from vendors on the beach.

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Hike (or canoe) on Furnas lake

If you make it to the Azores, a small chain of islands off the coast of Portugal, you’d be remiss to skip Furnas, adjacent to three spectacular caldera lakes. In addition to the area’s geothermal pools (which are warm year-round), the picturesque lake is ideal for hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities.

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Admire world-class art at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Calouste Gulbenkian founded this incredible museum as part of his last testament. The extensive collection includes everything from European illuminated manuscripts to Greco-Roman art and Hermitage paintings. The museum also houses special exhibits that highlight unique pieces from the Gulbenkian collections.

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See Archaeological Monuments in Évora

Evora, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, is home to the Roman temple of the same name, also called the Temple of Diana. The ruins are in very good shape given their age and show an incredible contrast to the traditional Portuguese architecture of the city. You can also visit the Igreja de São Francisco, home to the Chapel of Bones filled with skeletons.

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Visit a baroque palace from the 18th century

Located a short distance from Lisbon in the city of Mafra, the Mosteiro Palacio Nacional is an impressive baroque monumental monument. Built in the early 18th century, the palace includes more than 1,200 rooms. Many are incredibly opulent, with marble and gold accents.

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Eat a cake in Amarante

Amarante is a picturesque riverside town that has become famous for a very, ahem, unique pastry shop. In this conservative city, you’ll see bowling pins (or cakes) shaped like a distinctive part of the male anatomy. The tradition dates back to pre-pagan fertility rituals, but today it has remained strong.

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Walk through the rock cape

This rugged stretch of Portugal is also the westernmost point in continental Europe. If you are near Sintra or Cascais, you can walk along the windswept cliffs and pay a short visit to the adjacent lighthouse. Visitors to the west coast of the US will be amazed at how similar the landscape is to the California coast.

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Visit the Rio Formosa National Park

Rio Formosa became a national park in 1987. Now, it is a maze of islands, canals, lagoons, swamps, and swamps, loaded with fascinating plants and animals. Don’t skip the Marim Environmental Education Center, which will acquaint you with the park’s many ecosystems along with the creatures that call it home. Beyond that, there are many other hiking trails, beaches, and places to explore.

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Serralves

Serralves is one of the most important cultural institutions in Portugal, consisting of a contemporary art museum, a park, and a villa. Exhibitions change frequently, showcasing works by world-class modern giants and innovative Portuguese artists such as Joan Miró and Robert Mapplethorpe.