From sun-splashed beaches and picturesque vineyards to cobbled alleyways lined with historic wonders and even a fairy-tale castle, Portugal offers it all and then some. When planning your trip to this southern European nation, it may be difficult to figure out how to best spend your time, but these top things to do in Portugal can give you a great head start.
Wander Through Lisbon's Historic Alfama
What Is It? Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest district, and one of the only areas that survived the 1755 earthquake.
Why Do It? It’s a charming maze of narrow cobblestone streets, leading from the Tejo estuary uphill to the castle. It’s a world away from the touristy side of Portugal, but it’s not perfectly preserved. Tiles are chipped, some of the paintwork is flaking, and there are derelict buildings left to ruin. This is where people live, a place where women sell fresh fish from their doorways, Fado singers find inspirations, sardines are barbecued outside hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and tiny churches and squares abound. Some of Lisbon’s most historically important buildings are contained within this district, like Castelo de S. Jorge, Saint Anthony’s Church and the National Pantheon.
Good to Know: The Castelo de S. Jorge is one of Lisbon’s most popular attractions and the location in which Christian Crusaders defeated the North African Moors in the 12th century. It was abandoned and left to ruin in later years, but eventually restored to its once magnificence during the 1940s.
Visit the Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra
What Is It? Since 1840, Pena Palace has been a highlight in Europe as one of its most fantastic palaces. It’s also one of Portugal’s most majestic castles.
Why Do It? Surrounded by Pena Park, with tree species from every continent, ponds, fountains, and black swans, it’s truly a must-experience. Located in the Sintra Hills, the park and the palace are the result of the creative genius of King Ferdinand II, and considered to be the finest expression of 19th-century romanticism in the country. The palace was built so that it would be visible from any point in the park, standing atop a rocky peak in its eastern area.
Good to Know: The palace itself includes two wings that are ringed by a third architectural structure that’s a fantasized version of a castle, with walls that one can walk around that comprise watchtowers, battlements, an entrance tunnel and a drawbridge.
Explore the Colorful Streets of Porto
What Is It? The winding streets of Porto were made for wandering its collection of picture-perfect historic attractions.
Why Do It? Like Lisbon, the streets are cobblestone and the building facades gleam with colorful tile. But Porto is a lot more intimate, with its beauty concentrated in the historic city center. The churches and public buildings are truly works of art, including the Church of Sao Francisco. It has an elaborate Gothic rose window and a niche with the figure of the saint on the main façade.
Good to Know: The majestic cathedral is also a must-see, the 12th-century fortress-cathedral where Prince Henry the Navigator was baptized, and be sure to take in the majestic Palacio da Bolsa, the city’s former stock exchange.
Cruise the Douro aka the "River of Gold"
What Is It? The Douro River, sometimes referred to as the “River of Gold,” is becoming an increasingly popular destination for a cruise.
Why Do It? Floating across the water, taking in the picturesque sights, including the gorgeous vineyards that spill down the hill, this is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Cruises start in the beautiful city of Porto, known for its graceful bridges, world-famous port wine houses and historic center.
Good to Know: A variety of trips are available, with longer cruises typically including a number of ports of call and the opportunity to taste local wine and learn about wine-making traditions.
Sample Port Wines in Vila Nova de Gaia
What Is It? Just across the river from Porto are the lovely port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Why Do It? This is a real Port Wine town, so for those who enjoy a good Port, it’s also a must-visit. It’s where the lodges of the historic port wine producers are strung out along the waterfront with their aging tanks, caves and tasting rooms. They’re here because back in the early 13th century, King Alfonso gave Vila Nova de Gaia town status before quickly handing it off to the aristocracy as the bishops of Oporto were charging unreasonable shipping charges on the wines.
Good to Know: Everyone seems to have a different favorite lodge, like the House of Croft, founded over 300 years ago, owned and operated by descendants of the two Port wine families, the Fladgates and the Yeatmans. It offers tours and tastings all year long, including delectable chocolate pairings.
Listen to the Sounds of Fado Music
What Is It? Fado is traditional folk music, especially popular in the Lisbon area, and a must to enjoy while you’re here.
Why Do It? The melancholic music includes instruments like mandolins and guitars, with a Fadista that sings poetic lyrics related to the dark elements of love, sadness and death, occasionally with a splash of humor. Its roots go back to the early 1800s, and Fado was even added to UNESCO’S Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011.
Good to Know: You’ll hear two different types, one is found in Lisbon, and the other in Coimbra, with Lisbon’s the more popular style. Many Fadistas perform in restaurants so you can enjoy a good meal and this moving music at the same time. You’ll find some of the best live performances at Alfama’s Clube do Fado, and if you want to learn more about the origins of this music, visit the Fado Museum.
Soak up the Sunshine in the Algarve
What Is It? Visiting one or more of the stunning Algarve beaches, where the long expanses of soft golden sands are overlooked by green pines and ochre cliffs is a not-to-be-missed experience while in Portugal.
Why Do It? Combined with the country’s mild climate, 300 days of sunshine a year, and the clear waters of the sea that are often warm and calm, you might want to spend quite a bit of time here. There are about 125 miles of beaches between the southwest coast near Aljezur and the eastern end close to Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
Good to Know: All offer a unique experience, some idyllic for romantic moments, others perfect for swimming, and still others that are nearly deserted, where nature is unspoiled and preserved in an almost wild state.
Explore Baroque Churches in Braga
What Is It? Braga is sometimes referred to as Portugal’s spiritual heart.
Why Do It? The city is renowned for its exquisite array of Baroque churches, like Igreja de Santa Cruz. Built in the 17th century, it boasts an intricate stone façade and is designed in the Baroque/Mannerism style. The elaborate interiors include intricate gold carvings on the pulpits and the organ, a high nave and gorgeous azulejo panels.
Good to Know: Braga is also famous for its sprawling cathedral which sits in the historic center. The oldest cathedral in the country, building began in the 11th century and was influenced by a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The Roman ruins of Bracara Augusta, a city founded by Emperor Augustus between 300 BC and 400 AD, can still be seen today as well.
Go Surfing
What Is It? Portugal is a surprising travel destination for surfers, with Nazare, Peniche and Ericeira the biggest hotspots.
Why Do It? Surfing has been an important part of daily life in this wave-filled regions, though foreign surfers have been coming to Portugal as far back as the 1960s. Along the coast, one of the most powerful swells occur, with local riders naming this perfect wave, “Supertubos” a fast, barreling tubular wave which translates to “Supertubes.”
Good to Know: If you’re into surfing, don’t miss the opportunity to get out on a board while you’re here – while it’s possible year-round, the best months with bigger swells and greater consistency are in the autumn and winter months, though spring can be good as well.
Follow the Footsteps of Vasco de Gama in Lisbon's Historic District
What Is It? Lisbon’s most historic district, Belem, is especially picturesque and the location of many of the capitals most notable tourist attractions.
Why Do It? Set upon the northern banks of the River Tagus, and from the ancient harbors of Belem, many of the 14th century “voyages of discovery” departed from here, including Vasco da Gama who discovered the sea route to India.
Good to Know: Just a few of the highlights here include great monuments like the Belem Tower, an ornate and distinctively shaped tower that was originally designed in 1514 as a formidable fortress and key to the defense of the estuary mouth; Ajuda Palace, a fine example of the splendor of the 18th century in Portugal, and the Coach Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of royal horse-drawn carriages.
Watch a Sunset from Cape St Vincent
What Is It? Costa Vicentina National Park is the home of the most stunning preserved coastline in Europe.
Why Do It? It stretches for over 60 miles from Porto Covo in the Alentejo to Burgau in the Algarve. The sunsets from the tip of St. Vincent are some of the most famous and glorious in all of Europe. That there is a lighthouse there as well makes it even all the more photogenic. During the summer, the area is normally filled with people, some of whom bring bongos and other percussion instruments to play just as the sun goes down, celebrating another day lived.
Good to Know: The lighthouse dates back to 1846 and was constructed on the old ruins of a Franciscan monastery. This monastery paid homage to Saint Vicente, whose bones were reputedly found in the cliffs and to whom the headland is named after.
Hike Peneda Geres National Park
What Is It? Peneda Geres National Park is a beautiful park located in the extreme north of the country and is rugged, wild and breathtaking.
Why Do It? Criss-crossed by paved granite trails linking villages to their upland summer pastures, the trails now provide fantastic opportunities for hiking and experiencing this less-visited area up close. One could easily spend an entire day walking without meeting another soul, other than the occasional shepherd with his flock. You’ll be able to see the effects of the last glaciation, meet locals in the traditional village and indulge in amazing local cuisine.
Good to Know: You might even spot some wild ponies – the Garrano ponies are among the park’s most famous inhabitants, native to the region since the Celtic era during the first millennium BC. There are dozens of old shepherd trails that provide hiking access, and if you visit in April or May, you’ll be able to see the spring flowers in full bloom.
Admire the Gothic Mosteiro de Santa Maria in Alcobaça
What Is It? The Mosteiro de Santa Maria (monastery of Santa Maria), was founded by the first Portuguese king in 1153.
Why Do It? One of the richest and most prestigious monasteries in medieval Europe, its church was the very first building in Portugal to adopt the Gothic style, and was (and remains) the largest church in the nation. The west façade of the church is the majestic Cistercian Gothic style with later Baroque embellishments. The portal and rose window are part of the original Gothic church, while the statues and two flanking towers were added in the beginning of the 18th century.
Good to Know: The church’s interior is a quintessential example of Cistercian Gothic architecture, while the Gothic royal tombs of star-crossed lovers King Pedro I and Ines de Castro are one of the monastery’s main attractions.
Get Spooked at Capela dos Ossos in Evora
What Is It? One of the best-known monuments in the ancient city of Evora, Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, is a small interior chapel that sits next to the entrance of the Church of St. Francis.
Why Do It? It gets its name because the walls are covered with human skulls and bones. This was the final resting place for hundreds of bodies that were exhumed from the city’s graves, now lining the walls with a multitude of skulls. Franciscan monks created the chapel in the 16th century because, at the time, there were over 40 cemeteries in and around the city taking up valuable land.
Good to Know: Not wanting to condemn the souls of the people buried there, the monks decided to build the Chapel and relocate the bones. Instead of interring them behind closed doors, the monks put them on display, believing it would provide the town with a helpful place to meditate on the transience of material things in the undeniable presence of death. This is made clear by the provoking message that sits above the chapel door: “Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos,” or: “We bones, are here, waiting for yours.”
See the "Mouth of Hell" in Cascais
What Is It? Boca de Inferno, also dramatically known as the ‘Mouth of Hell’, is a cliff chasm formed by years of relentless pounding by the Atlantic on the rock.
Why Do It? Its ominous name was given due to the rock formation resembling a mouth, and the tremendous sound the waves make as they break against it.
Good to Know: The famous caves can be found in the gorgeous coastal city of Cascais, and are well worth a trip out for the spectacular photos, so be sure to bring your camera with you.
Play a Round of Golf
What Is It? Portugal is a golfers’ paradise, with around 80 courses, many offering jaw-dropping scenery, and with the country’s year-round mild climate, it’s no wonder so many come just to play a round, or three.
Why Do It? There are courses framed by lakes and mountains, ocean-facing greens flanked by cliffs and white sand dunes, along with plenty of hospitality and friendly qualified pros. Many were designed by famous architects, including Arnold Palmer, and all blend harmoniously into the landscape.
Good to Know: There are numerous championship golf courses in the Algarve, and around Estoril, though Quinta do Lago is a favorite.
Take an Off-Road Tour of Coa Valley Archaeological Park
What Is It? The Coa Valley Archaeological Park is home to a magnificent collection of rock carvings from the Upper Palaeolithic period and it narrowly escaped destruction during a proposed dam-building project.
Why Do It? Created in 1996 to protect and turn local rock art into a museum, today, the park has a system that promotes the balance between enjoying the space and preserving the engravings that date back thousands of years as well as the landscape that shelters them.
Good to Know: Guided tours via all-terrain vehicles will take you to the four most important areas of the valley, Penascosa, Canada do Inferno, Ribeira de Piscos and Fariseu.
Join a Local Festival
What Is It? Traditional festivals celebrating all sorts of events with music, dancing, drinking and feasting, occur throughout the year.
Why Do It? Braga Romana is one of the most famous festivals in Braga, held annually in early June. It recreates a Roman market in the central area of the city, which also plays host to Roman processions and entertainments in the style of the townspeople’s ancient ancestors.
Good to Know: Lisbon’s St. Anthony Festival is another popular celebration, a time in mid-June when the capital goes crazy for sardines. Alfama’s winding streets and staircases fill with the smell of sardines being grilled outside eateries and houses. On the eve of St. Anthony, June 12, the city turns into one big party with drinking and dancing throughout the streets.
