Are you thinking about traveling to Europe, but still don’t know which country to visit? How about Portugal? The country is booming in tourism. Gastronomy, history, wines, music and culture have everything to fascinate any traveller. Furthermore, communication is more fluid, since Portuguese is spoken there.
In 2021 alone, the country received more than 29 million of tourists. Everyone is enchanted by the land of Camões. Just for the sake of comparison, the number of inhabitants is 10 million, that is, they received more than twice their population in tourists, travelers and explorers.
Do you want to know 9 destinations in Portugal that you cannot miss? Discover the main wonders of each place by reading this post!
1. Braganza
City in the north of Portugal, with many attractions and monuments to visit. Located in a mountainous region called Trás-os-Montes, full of history, culture and mouth-watering cuisine. See some sights:
- Montesinho Natural Park: full of forests, it is one of the largest protected areas in the country;
- Bragança Castle: built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks, it contains the Church of Santa Maria and the Gothic pillory;
- Sé Cathedral: built in the 16th century and occupied by Jesuit monks, it has been well preserved;
- Abade de Baçal Museum: one of the best in the country, located between Bragança Castle and Sé Cathedral, rich in ceramics, religious art and other artifacts from Roman times;
- Bragança Military Museum: founded in 1929, it has weapons from the 12th century to the First World War;
2. Sintra
Sintra, in fact, is a village located in the district of Lisbon. Despite being relatively small, it has many attractions to visit. Meet some:
- Moorish Castle: the beginning of construction dates back to 300 BC and belonged to the Moors, when they dominated the place, with several viewpoints, towers and walls;
- Pena National Palace: unusual construction from 1836, by Dom Fernando II;
- Quinta da Regaleira: large palace surrounded by a beautiful garden, with the famous Inverted Tower and its legends;
- Sintra National Palace: from 1383, it is located in the middle of the historic center of the city.
3. Braga
To the north of Portugal, we also have Braga. Very relevant city in the cultural, historical and educational scenario of the country. Built over 2000 years ago by the Roman Emperor Augustus. You cannot miss visiting:
- Center of Braga: where Praça da República is located, opened at the end of the Middle Ages, with the Santa Barbara Garden and its 17th-century fountain;
- Monastery of Tibães: originally from the 11th century, occupied in the 12th by the Benedictine congregation, in the 16th century it became the Order’s home for Portugal and Brazil;
- Palácio do Raio: building in the style known as Joanine Baroque, an architectural landmark built between 1754 and 1755.
4. port
Porto is bathed by the Douro River, full of history, architecture, culture and a lot of romanticism. Not to mention the typical dish you can find there: the Francesinha, a sandwich with bread, ham — a kind of ham, sausage and cheese, with a spicy tomato sauce and port wine. Discover its most outstanding points:
- Livraria Lello: one of the best bookstores in the world, with its striking red staircase, served as inspiration for JK Rowling in the creation of Harry Potter;
- Palácio de Cristal: thought along the lines of the Crystal Palace in London, today it attracts tourists to its large romantic gardens, with fountains and sculptures;
- Palácio da Bolsa: it is the commercial symbol of the place, it took more than 70 years to be ready and it houses Viniportugal where wines from different regions of the country are tasted;
- Clérigos Tower: highest attraction and one of the main postcards of the place, it is a UNESCO heritage site.
5. Coimbra
Between 1139 and 1255 it was the state capital, being the first. It is famous for the university that bears the same name as the city and was founded in 1290. In Coimbra, remember to visit:
- University of Coimbra: recognized as an important university, it is located in the upper part and was fortified by the Moors in the past;
- Quinta das Lágrimas: it is owned by a luxury hotel, however, it is possible to visit its gardens and learn about its legends;
- Portugal dos Pequeninos: the place has miniatures of important monuments made with careful perfection;
- Monastery of Santa Cruz: it was part of a very influential religious order, founded in 1131 by the Order of Saint Augustine.
6. Guimaraes
It is a World Heritage Site, considered the “cradle of the Portuguese nation”, surrounded by a medieval atmosphere. Guimarães holds historical and architectural riches that make the visit worthwhile. Know what to visit:
- Guimarães Castle: founded in the 10th century, fortified against Moorish attacks to protect Christians;
- Church of São Miguel: there is a story that in this church the first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques, was baptized. The place still has the baptismal font from that time;
- Rua Santa Maria: from the 12th century, it is worth noting the beautiful architecture that reminds of the past, whether in Casa do Arco or in Casa Gótica dos Valadares de Carvalho.
- Paços dos Duques de Bragança: it houses the official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic, but before that it was a barracks and, currently, it is also a museum.
7. Lisbon
The Portuguese capital, as it should be, keeps historical remnants in its buildings, churches and monuments. It is one of the main destinations in Portugal. Passing through Lisbon, be sure to check out:
- Belém Tower: bathed by the Tagus River, the tower was built over 500 years ago and is one of the main tourist attractions in the country;
- Castelo de São Jorge: located in a high area of Lisbon, it provides a panoramic view;
- Parque das Nações cable car: another good option to see the city from above. From the top it is possible to see the Tagus River, Parque das Nações and the Oceanarium.
- Wineries: there are some wineries in small towns close to the capital, if you like wine, you will enjoy the tour.
8. Setúbal
It is located south of the capital and comprises: Sesimbra, Barreiro, Palmela, Alcácer do Sal and Grândola. There are many natural landscapes in this region, north of the River Sado and close to Serra da Arrábida. Don’t miss out on:
- Arrábida Natural Park: 10,500 hectares of beaches, caves and castles;
- Praia da Figueirinha: with 350 meters and calm sea, it is one of the main tourist attractions in Seúbal, when it comes to the beach;
- Sado Estuary: it is a reserve around the Sado River with a lot of fauna and flowers, where it is possible to find flamingos and dolphins;
- Tróia Peninsula: in the Grândola region, where you can take a boat trip on the River Sado;
- Praia da Galapinhos: chosen as the best beach in Europe by the European Best Destination website, with calm and crystal clear water.
9. Douro River Region
Located in the northernmost region of Portugal, the Douro is a strong river that makes up the landscapes of this region. If you go there, visit:
- Quinta do Panascal: area of wineries owned by Fonseca producers, you can see the grapes being trodden at harvest time;
- International Douro Natural Park: serves as a border between Spain and Portugal, to enjoy the landscapes, visit the park on foot;
- Côa Valley Archaeological Park: over 25,000 years old, it is possible to see rock figures;
- Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary: church located at the top of 686 steps in the city of Lamego.
A country very rich in culture, history, architecture, gastronomy and still has beautiful coastal landscapes. With so much charm and beauty, it is no coincidence that more and more tourists are choosing destinations in Portugal.