Top 10 Best Places to Visit In Portugal - Portugal Travel Guide

Considering how small it is, Portugal has a lot of punch. This small nation offers a variety of attractions for visitors, including vibrant beach resorts, remote towns and villages, and breathtaking national parks.

Portugal has a special appeal because of its location in this part of Western Europe that receives plenty of sunshine; it is part of Iberia, has a border with Spain, and has a fantastic Atlantic Ocean coastline.

With gorgeous sandy beaches and top-notch golf courses, its southern regions continue to be well-liked vacation spots. The interior of the nation, however, is full of striking contrasts, including undulating plains, wide rivers, deep, verdant valleys, and distant mountain ranges.

Portugal's history is defined by an incredible array of monuments and ancient structures, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The open, amiable, and hospitable people of the nation contribute to the personality of the place. You will be mesmerized by the country's color, flavor, and warmth if you spend some time traveling there. Here are the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Portugal. 

Number 10 - Nazare

The small town of Nazare is situated in a picturesque area, surrounded by rocky coastal cliffs and gorgeous beaches, in the historic Estremadura Province. It is renowned for the enormous waves that batter its Atlantic coastline and is one of Portugal's most well-liked seaside towns.

The town's shores have long-drawn surfers because of the fierce waves that the underwater Nazare Canyon throws up. While surfing record-breaking waves is a well-liked pastime, many visitors just like to unwind on the beach's golden sands or take in the expansive coastal views.

The town of Nazare is home to several quaint cobbled streets and is packed with wonderful seafood restaurants, little stores, and tranquil pensions. Visitors can also check out a few chapels, churches, and museums in addition to the gorgeous funicular that transports them to the neighboring hilltop. Nazare is crowded in the summer, but it's also a popular destination for both New Year's Eve and Carnaval celebrations.

Number 9 - Mertola

There are plenty of hilltop communities in the Alentejo, but few are as charming as Mértola. In addition, the location of this whitewashed speck of a village across the River Guadiana is extremely lovely. But what really distinguishes this place is that it has been declared a Vila Museu, or a museum site.

The Phoenicians, who built a thriving river port that was later used by the Romans and the Moors, are credited with founding Mértola. This varied and vibrant history serves as the inspiration for the collection of superb mini-museums scattered throughout the old town, each one focusing on a different era.

The iconic 13th-century castle, which is positioned on the hilltop in a prime location, helps to show the Arab's residence.

There is an excavation site on the castle grounds where you may see signs of Moorish, Roman, and Christian occupation. Unsurprisingly, the church in Mértola, which is located right outside the castle walls, was once a mosque.

 

Number 8 - Braga

One of Portugal's most opulent cities is Braga. The place, which is in the north of the nation, has a long history of serving as a significant trade and religious hub. The historic district of Braga is a world of elegant residences, magnificent cathedrals, and striking palaces, mostly from the 18th century. The austere granite veneer that permeates much of the architecture is contrasted with a variety of spruce parks and gardens.

The Sé, a cathedral in Braga that dates back to the 11th century, is a well-known tourist destination and represents the fact that the city is still the ecclesiastical capital of Portugal. A great area to loiter is in the city's main square, possibly in one of the cafés located beneath the arcades. The last trace of Braga's old defenses is the nearby Torre de Mensagem, which dates to the 14th century.

The stunning religious sanctuary, Bom Jesus do Monte, which is 1.5 kilometers to the east of the city, is a worthwhile trip. Bring a picnic, and be prepared for crowded weekends.

Number 7 - Parque  Natural Da

Serra Da Estrela 

The Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal, is appropriately referred to as the "star mountains." The range, or more specifically the plateau, rises to a height of 1,993 meters above sea level at its highest point and is a striking natural feature of central Portugal. In the winter, when opportunistic skiers take advantage of what is likely the shortest ski season in Europe, it is frequently covered in snow.

Otherwise, the granite escarpments and glacier-carved valleys are typical hiking territory, and the area is covered in a system of marked long-distance trails and tracks. In the communities like Linhares and Valezim, trekkers may experience the region's traditional charm while also admiring some extremely gorgeous countryside.

Portugal's only sheepdog breed, the Serra da Estrela, lives in the mountains. One of these strong yet well-behaved dogs will almost certainly be walked by a proud local. Serra cheese, probably Portugal's best cheese, is another specialty of the region. It is incredibly thick and creamy. Shops that serve numerous nearby villages should have it on sale.

Number 6 - Elvas

One of the greatest preserved examples of military architecture in Europe may be found in the thick, star-shaped walls that make up the fortifications that surround Elvas. In fact, this frontier hamlet is so noteworthy for its mid-17th-century defenses that UNESCO has designated Elvas a World Heritage Site. Elvas is located on a hilltop in the Alentejo, 15 kilometers from the border with Spain.

It takes a while to get there from the west (and may be best coupled with a trip to the nearby Spanish city of Badajoz), but once there, travelers are rewarded by an impressive network of walls, moats, and ramparts in the pattern of stars. There are some worthwhile tourist attractions located within this impenetrable ring, including the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Consolaço, whose unassuming exterior conceals a genuinely brilliant interior.

The Aqueduto da Amoreira, the town's remarkable 16th-century aqueduct, and two smaller outlying forts are all visible from a castle perched on the north wall.

 

Number 5 - Parque Natural Da Ria

Formosa

The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is one of the Algarve's natural wonders, and it contributes to the region's justifiable fame for its unspoiled coastline. This 60-kilometer stretch of marshland, saltpans, shallow water lagoons, and sand dune islands that stretches from Quinta do Lago east past Faro all the way to Cacela Velha is this protected marine habitat.

The park, which is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, is crisscrossed by a number of nature trails that put you close to some of the species that are typical of this part of Portugal. Birdwatchers can observe uncommon species like the purple gallinule from observation hides constructed on the lakes, while flocks of larger flamingos can be seen on the mudflats. On shore, keep an eye out for thriving goosefoot, the delicate sea daffodil, and, if you're lucky, the Mediterranean chameleon.

The well-known San Lorenzo golf course, which attracts a variety of birdlife, is passed by one of the hikes. Near Olho, the park's administrative center is where visitors can pick up maps and brochures with information.

Number 4 - Tavira

Tavira, which is listed in numerous guidebooks as the Algarve's most alluring town, does indeed check off all the scenic prerequisites. A Roman footbridge connects one side of this charmingly laid-back town to the other while the Rio Gilo smiles through it.

You should take a stroll along the waterfront before or after exploring the remainder of Tavira's historic sites. Beautiful views of the ancient town and the neighboring coast may be seen from the castle walls. You can also tour the magnificent cathedral, Igreja de Santa do Castelo, which houses the graves of chivalrous knights.

The town is also home to the intriguing Nucleo Islamico museum. Highlights include a remarkable figurative vase from the 11th century. 

A tempting choice is to visit the offshore Ilha de Tavira, a huge beach that even in peak season has plenty of space to spare. This is especially alluring during the hot summer months. From a jetty in Quatro Guas, a passenger ferry takes visitors there.

Number 3 - Evora

One of Portugal's most alluring cities is Évora, which is located deep within the Alentejo. Évora needs a thorough and leisurely examination because of the incredible collection of well-preserved monuments it is known for.

The impressive Templo Romano, built around the second century, the gloomy but captivating Sé (cathedral), built in the 12th century, and the Igreja de So Francisco, with its ominous Capela dos Ossos, completed in the mid-1550s, are just a few of the historical landmarks contained within its medieval walls.

Évora has earned the coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site designation thanks to the historical significance of the city and the pristine state of its architectural marvels. But you'll also fall in love with the city's charming market-town atmosphere and down-to-earth character. It's fun to roam and shop in its Moorish alleys, peruse interesting museums, and have lunch in charming squares where you're treated more like a guest than a visitor.

Number 2 - Porto

Oporto (or "Porto"), Portugal's second city, provides tourists with a radically different experience from that of the capital due to its sturdy granite architecture and business atmosphere.

Porto, which is located at the mouth of the River Douro and is graced with a waterfront known as the Ribeira that has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is home to some of the best examples of Baroque churches and Neoclassical structures in the nation. The intimidating Sé, the city's cathedral, and the needle-like Torre dos Clérigos are particularly noteworthy.

Ponte Dom Luis I, a famous double-decked iron bridge that spans the Douro and links the city to Vila Nova de Gaia, is another well-known building. A slow stroll along the Ribeira gives you a real sense of the past and allows you to breathe in the salty air of the location.

The Douro Valley, a green region of terraced hillsides populated with hamlets and villages, may be reached through a beautiful route along the river. Joining one of the many cruises that travel the meandering waterway is a common way to experience the area.

 

Number 1 - Lisbon

Portugal's capital, Lisbon, is one of the most appealing cities in all of Europe. This thriving Atlantic port is located on the banks of the River Tagus and is spread out over a number of hills, which emphasize its prime waterfront location. Exploring the city's historic district is a voyage into its intriguing past, which is illustrated by well-known tourist destinations like the impressive Castelo de So Jorge and Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood.

A network of top-notch museums broadens the range of available cultural experiences. You might be in awe of the modernity of Parque das Naçes to the east, away from the city center, and its popular attractions like the magnificent Oceanário.

In Belém, to the west, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the eccentric Torre de Belém—reflect Portugal's glorious Age of Discovery.

In between, you can wander through attractive squares surrounded by trees, stroll along wide esplanades along the river, or take in breath-taking views from one of the many miradouros, or viewpoints, scattered around the city.