18 Best Places to Visit in Portugal

Getting Around Portugal

Trains and Buses

Portugal’s cities are quite well connected by good train and bus services, so it is a very easy country to get around. Rede Express is the main coach service and a great way to travel around the country.

Trains are a great way to see Portugal and connect all of the major cities and most regions.

However, many of Portugal’s most beautiful and off the beaten track destinations can be difficult to reach by public transport.

Driving in Portugal is easy. The entire country is well connected by a good highway system, and even the secondary roads are usually in good condition so driving is relatively stress-free.

Some of the smaller country roads can be very narrow and may not be as well maintained, but driving is never challenging.  

Day Tours (Base Yourself in the Cities and Take Day Tours)

If you don’t want to hire a car, Portugal is a small country, so many of the best places to visit can be done by day tours from the major cities. Tours don’t have to be expensive either and some tick off multiple highlights in one day trip. We will recommend tours we think are good value and make the most of your time.

The Best Cities to Visit in Portugal

Lisbon 

Lisbon is a great starting point because, as the capital city of Portugal, it is one of the most important cities. It is also where many people will arrive in the country. One of the most beautiful cities in Portugal with so many attractions, we recommend allowing plenty of time to explore Lisbon.

It was not that long ago Lisbon was often overlooked as a destination. Today, Lisbon has become one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe. Along with a staggering number of attractions, a vibrant nightlife and an exciting restaurant and arts scene, Lisbon boasts some of the best weather year-round than any other city in Europe.

While it is possible to enjoy a rewarding one day itinerary, there is so much to do in Lisbon, we recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Lisbon.

Visit the magnificent monuments and museums in Belém and the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery, home to the most guarded Pastel de Nata recipe (Portuguese custard tart) in the world. Lose yourself in the historic centre of Alfama, the heart and soul of Lisbon and the birthplace of Fado music. Bar hop in Barrio Alto or hang with the cool cats in Príncipe Real, where you’ll find hip bars, high end artisan shopping and great dining experiences.

Despite Lisbon’s newfound popularity, it is still a budget-friendly city to visit with a surprising number of free things to do in Lisbon that don’t leave you feeling like you missed out.  

Porto

Porto, (Actually O Porto) is the second-largest city in Portugal and is renowned as the city where port wine originated. Built on hills along the Douro River, Porto rises from the banks of the iconic river as one of the prettiest cities in Portugal. Not as big as Lisbon, but by no means less attractive; there is so much to do in Porto.

From the Clerigos Tower, an ancient octagonal tower, to the famous Livraria Lello bookshop, Porto has loads of attractions and, much like Lisbon, is quite a budget-friendly city.

Plan to spend at least two days in Porto, but you can easily fill many more exploring the city and surrounding areas. 

With a big city vibe but the ease of a large town, Coimbra is a joy to explore. Visit the University and Coimbra’s greatest claim to fame – Biblioteca Joanina. The stunning Baroque style library has made it on the most beautiful libraries in the world list more than once. 

Set on the Mondego River, Coimbra is a charming city and a treasure trove of historic sites, parks and gardens. You’ll also find a vibrant cultural scene and many interesting academic festivals throughout the year, including the Tin Can Parade and the eight-day Burning of the Ribbons party. 

Two of the cities most prominent attractions are the Braga Cathedral, the oldest in Portugal. Aside from the incredible gothic interior, the cathedral houses a few intriguing surprises, including the mummified corpse of Archbishop Dom Lourenco Vicente, who died in 1398.

Also, don’t miss the Bom Jesus do Monte Basilica on the outskirts of the city. The sanctuary is an important Christian pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. The site’s most notable feature is the monumental, Baroque stairway that zig zags through different segments, with a fountain at each representing the five senses. With close to 580 steps, the staircase climbs 116 meters (381 feet). If you don’t think you can manage the climb, you can take the funicular tram to the top.

Évora

Évora, the capital of Portugal’s Alentejo region, is renowned for cork plantations, magnificent produce and world-renowned wine. Évora’s most famous attractions within the walled city, aside from the prominent cathedral, are the beautifully preserved Roman Temple and the eerie Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones).

However, set behind the picturesque caramel cliffs, you will find a lively tourist town and a charming old town that, much like Faro, has, for the most part, withstood the tide of tourism.

Explore the narrow maze of streets with typical cobbled calçadas, the mosaic cobblestone footpaths unique to Portugal. Typical 18th-century Portuguese houses, Baroque churches and the medieval Lagos Castle rub shoulders with cafe’s, restaurants and bars which keep the old town alive.

Faro’s old town, partially surrounded by the 16th-century Roman walls, is loaded with fantastic historical sites. The 13th-century cathedral boasts a magnificent baroque interior with an impressive display of traditional Azulejos tiles. Climb to the top of the tower for sweeping views over the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.

Visit the Igreja do Carmo, where much like in Évora, you will find a Capela dos Ossos, a chapel lined with over 1200 skeletons, the bones of the Carmelite monks exhumed to make room in the local cemetery.

Elegant streets lined with cafe’s, restaurants and boutiques weave away from the river bank overseen by the Moorish castle ruins on the hill, and the 13th century Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo church. The church houses intricate Azulejo panels and the tombs of seven knights who fell to the Moors during the conquering of Tavira.

From the castle walls, you have views over the riverside town and the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Take the small ferry from the centre of town to the Isla de Tavira, where you will find stretches of pristine beaches. 

The Most Beautiful Places in Portugal

Not all of Portugal’s beautiful destinations are city-centric. Some of the most beautiful places in Portugal include many magnificent stretches of the natural landscape, country regions and striking hilltop villages that spill from ancient castles.

Sintra

Sintra, famous for its incredible must-see castles, many compare to fantastical locations from movies – The Palácio Nacional de Sintra, a beautifully preserved medieval royal palace favoured by Portuguese nobility. Palácio Nacional da Pena – Pena Palace, the whimsical postcard-worthy castle painted in vibrant colours, rises out from lush green forests. And not to be missed, the 10th century Castle of the Moors which offers impressive views from its lofty perch over Sintra.

One of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, Sintra, is not just about fairytale castles. The region is blessed with some of the most magnificent coastlines, including Europe’s most western point, historic parks and gardens, quaint towns and stunning natural areas. While you can see Sintra’s highlights on a day trip from Lisbon, it’s well worth the time if you have a few days. See our complete guide for a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon if you only have one day.

Check Rates for the Wine Barrel rooms at The Wine House Hotel – Quinta da Pacheca

A popular day trip from Porto, you can explore the Douro region by car or, if you prefer not to tackle the steep and winding roads, take the Linha do Douro train, one of the prettiest train journeys in Europe, travelling from Porto.

Óbidos

The approach to Óbidos from the highway will leave you spellbound; the walled city is the stuff of fairytales. A magnificent medieval castle (now a luxury hotel) wraps its walls around a cheery display of red roofs and whitewashed houses framed with colourful flowers. Head through the main gates into the ancient streets to find a vibrant (little) city that is so much more than a tourist attraction.

Óbidos dates back to the 700s to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Moors. But it was around the 13th century, the tradition of Kings gifting the city of Óbidos to his future queen began. And what a gift Óbidos is.

Now dubbed the literary town of Portugal, Óbidos has a fabulous array of unique book shops, including The Literary Man Hotel, with the most extensive hotel collection of books in the world – over 65,000 secondhand and rare vintage books all for sale or just a read.

Stay at the gorgeous historic hotel, book a dinner in the 16th-century convent library, or pop in for a drink and a good book in front of the massive fireplace.

See rates and availability for the Literary Man Hotel here or book a dinner reservation.

Only 45 minutes from Lisbon, Óbidos is also famous for its annual calendar of events, including its Christmas Market, Medieval Fair and yearly Chocolate Festival.

When you have had enough of the historic and scenic city set along the narrow waterways, head to the beach for another colourful display at Costa Nova. Surfers favour the sandy dunes and rugged coast, but Costa Nova is also a feast for the eyes. Brightly painted fishing shacks built to store equipment and nets have transformed into holiday homes over the years, all in keeping with a long-standing tradition of painting vibrant candy stripes on the exterior. 

Madeira 

Another of Portugal’s autonomous islands, the four island archipelago of Madeira, sits in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and Morocco. The archipelago is famous for its natural landscapes, namesake wine, year-round temperate climate, and fascinating traditions. Madeira has won the Best Island Destination in the world six years in a row and Best Island Destination in Europe seven times in eight years. It’s the perfect summer getaway and one of Europe’s best winter sun destinations.

Famous for its majestic views over the Lima river, Viana do Castelo is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal.

A popular stop along the Caminho Português (Portugues Way), the city’s geographical location on the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of the Lima account for the city’s beauty and history. Viana do Castelo was an important city during the Portuguese Age of Discoveries and has a deeply traditional connection to the sea through cod fishing. 

In addition to being known for traditional filigree goldwork, maritime and shipbuilding traditions, Viana is considered a “Mecca of Architecture”. Rich with palaces, churches, monasteries, and monumental fountains. The tourism office provides self-guided walking routes inspired by Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco, or tile architecture. 

However, the cities crowning glory is the Basilica of Santa Luzia, which sits high on the hill over the city. One of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, the Basilica, was modelled on the Sacre Coeur in Paris. 

Head to Viana do Castelo in late August for one of the most colourful festivals in Portugal – the Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia. In a three-day festival, the figure of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, the patron saint of fishermen, is paraded through the streets in a loud and lively procession to bless the sea.