10 Best Places to Visit in Portugal
Being situated on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is one of the most visited nations of Europe due to its exceptional attractions, affordable travel costs, and idyllic climate. When it comes to rule a grand empire from Brazil to Macau in China, it is something you can certainly find in its architecture.
Graceful and drenched in richness, the architecture of Porto and Lisbon definitely reflects the wealth of imperial days of Portugal, especially in their respective Old Towns.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 Places to Visit in Portugal
Aveiro
Aveiro is a rush city often known as “the Venice of Portugal” because of its attractive setup of scenic canals linked by speed boats, beautiful bridges, and dotted with colorful gondolas. It hugs the nation’s Atlantic coast in Central Portugal. It has tasty cuisine, gorgeous beaches, and historic sites and these things make this place a famous tourist place. It has various sightseeing gems comprising the Convento de Jesus, the Sao Goncalinho Chapel, and the Aveiro Cathedral.
Evora
Although Evora is a small city in the Alentejo plains region of southern Portugal, but it has got a big tourist appeal. Evora is known for its well-preserved Old Town which houses more than 4000 historic structures comprising the old Roman temples and walls. The town is Europe’s biggest network of prehistoric megaliths that are also attractive.
Coimbra
Coimbra is a beautiful town located by the Mondego River in Central Portugal. It is a shelter to beautiful gardens, treasure trove of historic sites, a lively culture that is centered around one of Europe’s oldest universities, and the nation’s second style of fado music. Coimbra’s trip is incomplete without a visit to the University of Coimbra.
Porto
Porto is a world popular for its fine port wine and production. It is a bustling city that spreads along the hills neglecting the Douro River in northern Portugal. There is a beautiful pedestrian zone at the heart of Porto. Also, there is an atmospheric place called Ribeira on the river that buzzes in restaurants, cafes, live music, and street vendors.
Sintra
Sintra includes a great set of castles, pretty villas, verdant hills, and palaces like the popular Pena’s Palace which is a fantastical castle reminiscent of Germany’s Neuschwanstein. It is constructed in the mid of 1800s and it serves as a summer withdrawal for the Portuguese royal family. Pena’s Palace is equipped with forested parklands that include plants, flowers, and exotic trees.
Madeira
Madeira is a fertile water hole in the Atlantic Ocean between North Africa and Portugal. It has got a nickname called “Floating Garden of the Atlantic” famous for its wines, lush green landscapes, and flower gardens. Madeira includes various must-visit places such as the Laurissilva Forest and the Orchid Garden that shelters the world’s biggest concentration of laurel.
Obidos
Obidos is situated on top of the hill in the Centro Region of Western Portugal. It is surrounded by an ancient fortified wall. Apart from the wall, the splendid historic center of Obidos and medieval castle form the city’s main attraction and can easily be walked. A labyrinth of cobbled, narrow streets heads visitors along with quaint shops, busy squares, whitewashed houses spruced with colorful flowers, and inviting cafes.
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is situated about 1500 km west of Lisbon and it constitutes 9 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is popular for hot mineral springs, world-class whale watching, and quaint seaside cities however each island has its own exciting identity.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and biggest town winds upward among alluring alleys, seven steep hills, Gothic cathedrals, quaint shops, colorful neighborhoods, and impressive bridges all echoing in traditional fado music. It is the oldest district of the town in Alfama, exceptional for its rustic architecture, a maze of cobblestone streets, and St. George’s Castle. The great way to experience Lisbon is by taking one of the vintage trams like gardens, the well known Tram 28, that winds along historic quarters, and main attractions.
Algarve
Pretty towns, sunny Mediterranean climate, fabulous cuisine, gorgeous beaches, historic sites, and affordable costs are some of the things that form the Algarve one of the ideal destinations to visit in Portugal. It provides a banquet for the eyes from the traditional whitewashed village, tranquil landscapes of olive groves to the wild. Lagos is the best hotspot for nightlife.
