A small country is located on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, which today has become one of the most visited in Europe. This is Portugal, a country of numerous fairs and festivals, sacredly preserving the centuries—old traditions and culture of its people. Here in rural areas, you can still see women carrying shopping baskets on their heads, here is still the best coffee in Europe, and it is served exclusively in cups. Traditional crafts such as fishing, textile production and winemaking are still flourishing here. Don’t know what to see in Portugal? Especially for you, we have compiled a list of popular places in this country, which includes the most interesting sights of Portugal.
It is in Portugal that you can feel more far from home than ever — at the very edge of the world, because the country is located on the westernmost cape of Europe, and then there is only the ocean, beyond which there are only unexplored lands.
What to see in Portugal first of all
Traveling around the country is incredibly interesting, regardless of which region you decide to spend your vacation or weekend in. You will be happy to be accompanied by guides in Portugal, who are distinguished not only by their impeccable knowledge of history and traditions, but also by a sincere desire to show tourists the beauty of their Homeland.
1. The castle of Obidush (Obidush)
The castle of Obidush – “city of Queens”
The true favorite among the medieval castles of Portugal can be considered the castle of Obidos, located on a hill, offering a wonderful view of the surroundings of the city of the same name: vineyards, windmills, bright terracotta roofs of the surrounding houses.
The castle itself attracts many tourists with its battlements, preserved from the Middle Ages to the present day in surprisingly good condition. In the form in which we see the castle now, it was built in the 13th century, and before that, in the era of the Roman Empire, there were public baths and a square that played the role of the center of the political life of the settlement. After the fall of the Roman Empire, with the coming to power of the Visigoths, a fortress was built on this site, around which a settlement was formed — the future city of Obidush. In the 8th century, the fortress came into the possession of Muslims, and only in the 13th century the Portuguese king Afonso conquered this structure.
Later, for several centuries, the fortress was a favorite venue for royal celebrations and celebrations.
Today, this Portuguese landmark has retained its appearance, so it attracts many tourists — you can walk around the castle, explore its architecture — arched passages, medieval bas-reliefs, as well as view magnificent views of the surrounding area from a height.
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2. Torri de Belen Tower (Lisbon)
Torri de Belen Tower on the Tagus River
The times of great geographical discoveries brought a lot of memorable events and historical monuments to world history, and thanks to this, modern tourists will definitely find something to see in Portugal. For example, the Portuguese capital Lisbon harbors a unique monument of Portuguese architecture — the Torri de Belen Tower, which has become the most important landmark in Portugal. Initially, this structure was erected in honor of the world-famous Vasco da Gama expedition, which opened a trade route to India. The tower played the role of a lighthouse, showing the way to long-distance sailors. Its construction lasted 6 years, from 1515 to 1521, during the reign of King Manuel I. It was from these shores that brave and adventurous navigators set out in search of new trade routes.
During the wars with Napoleon, the building fell into a dilapidated state, but was completely reconstructed in 1845. For a while, the walls of the tower even housed a prison and an armory.
Today, the tower has become an object of cultural and historical heritage and has been included in the UNESCO list since 1983.
The Torri de Belen Tower was built in the late Gothic Manueline style. Openwork balconies, turrets in the Arabic style, battlements, knight’s coats of arms and images of ropes — many such decorations can be seen in this structure, and from its top there are excellent views.
Official website: http://www.torrebelem.gov.pt/en/
3. Pena Palace (Sintra)
The colorful Pena Palace
Sintra is a suburb of the Portuguese capital, the most important in terms of attractions in Portugal. Not far from Sintra, in the mountains, there is an unusual castle-the Pena Palace. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that initially it was based on an empty monastery, which was built here back in the 12th century in honor of the Mother of God. Over time, the temple fell into disrepair
The inconspicuous and abandoned chapel, lost in the mountains, was remembered only in the 16th century, when King Manuel I, being very religious, turned his eyes to this temple and to the rather vast empty lands around it. From that moment, the reconstruction of the sanctuary began — it was rebuilt from stone and stood for about 2 more centuries, until a powerful earthquake, known throughout Europe, turned the monastery into ruins.
It was only in 1838 that King Fernando II bought the land, along with the ruins of the temple and the picturesque surrounding areas on the mountain. He orders the construction of a palace on these lands, which later became the summer residence of the royal family. The romantic Fernando made a significant contribution to the design ideas of the castle and its adjacent territories. As a result, a beautiful and majestic structure with an exotic exterior representing a mixture of several styles, bright facades and an amazing park with its winding paths, cozy gazebos and juicy colors of strange plants has grown on these lands.
Official website: https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/
4. Oceanarium (Lisbon)
Lisbon Aquarium in the Park of Nations
The coastal country of Portugal has been closely connected with the sea throughout its history, so if you are interested in the sights of Portugal related to the sea, you have something to visit in Portugal. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is home to one of the largest oceanariums in the world. Every year, more than a million visitors come to observe the life of marine inhabitants through the panoramic glass.
The advantage of the Lisbon Aquarium is that it was created not just for the entertainment of the general public, but also for general educational purposes. For example, there are departments of marine biology and oceanography in the Aquarium building, where many scientific lessons are held that will be of interest to both adults and children.
The architectural feature of the Aquarium in Lisbon is that it was built right on the water — on the banks of the Tagus River, and a 2-level ramp connects it to the land. The aquarium was opened to visitors in 1998, and in 2011 another building for temporary exhibitions was opened.
The huge aquarium features about 500 species of fish, marine mammals, invertebrates and plants. In total, the aquarium includes 4 zones, each of which corresponds to different parts of the planet:
- The North Atlantic Ocean; Antarctica; the Pacific Ocean; the Indian Ocean; And going down to the floor below, you can see the central aquarium — a huge reservoir with water and numerous marine life, symbolizing the world ocean.
Official website: https://www.oceanario.pt/en
Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Portugal!
5. Alto Douro (valley of the Douro River)
Terraced vineyards in the Alto Douro Valley
If you want to go back several centuries, there is something to see in Portugal: This is the Alto Douro Valley, a popular wine-growing area in the upper reaches of the Douro River, near the city of Porto. In a region known for producing high-quality wine, no modern technologies and advanced achievements are used. Manual labor continues to flourish here as a way of reproducing all wine-making processes.
The area of Alto Douro has long been known for the fact that wine of exceptional taste and quality has been produced here for 2 thousand years. Local climatic conditions have such weather features that allow you to harvest generous harvests of grapes of various varieties. The area is characterized by a rather steep soil relief, from different sides it is protected from winds and moisture by the Montemuro and Maran mountains, which creates a dry and hot climate here, the most favorable for grape ripening and for obtaining fragrant fortified wines. The wine produced here takes first place in international competitions, and this once again confirms the quality of local products.
Traveling through the wine attractions of Portugal, you can taste drinks at one of the local farms, buy delicious wine or port wine. If desired, you can take part in the harvest and the subsequent wine festival, feel the taste of life on this beautiful and fertile land.
6. Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobasa (Alcobasa)
The facade of the medieval monastery in Alcobas
The courtyard of the monastery
The city of Alcobasa is known for its important Portuguese landmark, the Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobasa, founded in the 12th century. Nowadays it is not only the most important historical monument, but also the largest church in Portugal.
The abbey building consists of 5 monasteries, a library, 7 bedrooms and an impressive kitchen. The decoration of the facade of the temple is a mixture of several styles for the reason that the building was completed in different eras. For example, the door and the main round window of the monastery, decorated in the Gothic style, represent parts of the original church, and the flanking towers-bell towers in the Baroque style and statues of saints were erected only in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In general, the monastery is a monumental architectural structure 220 meters long, consisting of 3 parts — the Church itself, as well as the Northern and Southern wings.
The construction of the monastery began in 1178, lasted for almost a century and was completed only in 1252. Today, this Portuguese landmark is of high historical importance to the country and is a well-preserved example of Cistercian architecture. The special importance of this shrine in the history of Portugal lies in the fact that Kings Afonso II, Afonso III, Pedro I, as well as other members of royal families were buried here in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1989, the monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Official website: http://www.mosteiroalcobaca
7. Peneda Geres National Park (Northwest of Portugal)
Lima River in Peneda Geres National Park
As for the natural beauties of Portugal, we can say that there is a place for expanse and contemplation: amazing mountain landscapes, numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, lush greenery of mountain meadows – in short, you will find something to see in Portugal. Despite the natural diversity, there is only one reserve on the territory of Portugal — the Peneda Geres National Park. This protected area stretches between the Peneda and Zheresh mountain ranges.
Peneda-Jeresh is a mountain reserve with rich flora, waterfalls, rivers, fast streams and villages built of gray granite.
As for the animal world, in the park you can find roe deer, Iberian wolf, short horses, brown bears, mountain goats, Barrosa bulls. The magnificent vegetation is represented by varieties of oaks, birches, cherry trees, the only holly forest in Portugal grows here. There are also endemic plants, including some species of ferns and lilies.
The park’s territories are partially populated — so, in the south-west there is a small town of Kanisada. A dam has been erected near this city, blocking the river and forming a picturesque reservoir. There are many hiking trails through the territories of the reserve, in some places an ancient Roman road leading north has even been preserved, and along its roadsides you can find the ruins of centuries-old structures.
8. Evora Museum City (Alto Alentejo province, 130 km from Lisbon)
The Cathedral of Ce in the city of Evora
One of the most beautiful Portuguese cities, which in fact is itself a Portuguese landmark, is located closer to the east of the country, in the province of Alto Alentejo. This is the museum city of Evora, framed by wonderful olive groves, vineyards, blooming meadows, turning the town into a real garden. The city itself includes a lot of historical attractions — ancient buildings, temples, palaces, cathedrals, reflecting the rich history of the city.
The history of Evora began about two millennia ago, and for many centuries it was shaped by the culture of the Romans and Moors, which is why the city of Evora is considered the spiritual center of the country. The historical part of the city is surrounded by fortress walls, and inside the labyrinths of its narrow ancient streets, ancient restored buildings are intertwined with sunny Renaissance squares, observation decks, Gothic churches, cathedrals and palaces in the Manueline style. In general, the buildings of different eras here represent an unusually motley mix of architectural styles from different eras.
It is difficult to find such a cluster of historical and architectural monuments concentrated in such a small area anywhere else. Numerous ancient monuments, as well as fine cheeses and wines attract guests from all over the world to Evora. In 1986, the city-museum of Evora was recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world culture.
9. Guimaraes Castle (Guimaraes)
The ancient castle of Guimaraes
The Portuguese city of Guimaraes is the cultural and historical center of the country, and its main symbol is the medieval castle of Guimaraes, which has become a historical landmark of Portugal. Today, the castle has been restored and has practically not retained its original appearance, and the fortress on the site of the castle, Monte Largo hill, was first built back in the 7th century. The castle acquired its modern appearance much later — in the 12th century.
Until the end of the 9th century, this territory was under the rule of the Arabs and was called Vimaranesh. Later, when the Portuguese conquered these lands, Count Diogo Fernandes became the owner of the fortress. At that time, a monastery was founded at the foot of the hill, a single dungeon was erected and surrounded by a protective wall, and a small settlement arose around the monastery. The fortress gradually strengthened, grew and expanded.
Many years later, the castle came into the possession of the King of Leon and Castile — Alfonso VI Henry of Burgundy, who founded his residence here. Later, the first king Afonso Henriques I, who was born and raised within these walls, completely rebuilt Guimaraes. In the 14th century, the entire settlement was surrounded by a defensive wall, 8 gates and 8 towers each 28 meters high were erected.
Over time, the fortress lost its military importance, and many fortifications were dismantled.It was only in the 30s of the 20th century that a complete restoration of the castle was carried out. Today, the castle has the shape of a heraldic shield, only 4 of the 28 towers have been preserved, each of which is accessed by stone stairs. A suspension bridge connects the central gate and the western wall. Visitors can explore all the rooms of the fortress and climb its walls, which offer beautiful views of the city of Guimaraes.
Official website: http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/
10. Cascais Resort town (Lisbon region, Estoril coast)
A colorful corner of the Cascais resort
Not far from the Portuguese capital, off the coast of Estoril, there is a small beach resort town of Cascais. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Cascais was the summer residence of the royal family, which made this town a pioneer of tourism in Portugal. Today it is one of the most prestigious Portuguese resorts that have preserved the unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The lands where urban life boils in Cascais today were inhabited by the first inhabitants in the 12th century. The resulting settlement, due to its favorable geographical location on the Atlantic coast, near the capital, quickly grew and began to flourish, and these lands subsequently became the subject of battles between different nations more than once. Today, this historical center is literally filled with architectural treasures.
Therefore, if you plan a trip to the town of Cascais, you will certainly find something to visit in Portugal — there are a lot of attractions of your choice here:
- so, one of the outstanding historical monuments was the Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes, which has a huge collection of books, of which there are more than 25 thousand; the Museo do Mar – a museum that exhibits objects reflecting the history of Cascais and local fishing; the Boca de Inferno cliff – translated its name means “The Devil’s Mouth”, which very well reflects the impression that being here makes: during a storm, waves beat against the rocky coast with such force that a very impressive noise is created, resembling the roar of a wild beast; Palmela Park is a popular venue for urban open—air concerts; Guinche Beach, attracting windsurfers with its high waves.
Sights of Portugal: what else to visit while in Portugal
The finishing touch of a trip to the edge of Europe will be excursions in Portugal to places from our additional list of interesting places of this amazing state. You can go sightseeing by rented car, public transport or as part of an excursion group.
11. Praia da Marina Beach (Algarve region)
The landscape of Praia da Marina beach
The Algarve region, protected from the north by mountains, has a culture, climate and landscapes different from the rest of Portugal. The amazing beauty of the coast and the mild climate make the Algarve one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Portugal. One of the attractions of Portugal is located right here in the Algarve region. This is the beach of Praia da Marina — a small and secluded piece of the coast, which is located away from the main infrastructure of the resort, so here you can fully enjoy the peace and tranquility, as well as rocky landscapes and a clean pebble beach.
The beach is distinguished not only by its exquisite beauty, but also by the steepness of the coastline, so to get to the water, you will have to go down a long and steep staircase, but it’s worth it. Below you will see the coast from a new angle — a lot of rock islands with bizarre shapes due to prolonged exposure to water and wind, in an ensemble with the sea, create an amazing landscape.
Not only can you swim or soak up the sun on the beach, but outdoor enthusiasts can explore local coves, caves and grottoes.
Despite the wild landscapes, the beach itself is landscaped — there is parking, a restaurant, rental of swimming equipment, lifeguards work. There is also an opportunity to swim with a mask and explore the rich underwater world — perhaps it is not as rich as in the Red Sea, but all kinds of shrimps, colorful fish and starfish are present in abundance here.
12. Quinta da Regaleira (Sintra)
Quinta da Regaleira Palace with a picturesque park
The secrets of the past, which contain some amazing places on earth, have always excited the minds of scientists and ordinary people who happened to be there. Lovers of historical mysteries and riddles will find something to see in Portugal — one of the most mysterious places in the country is located in the city of Sintra, 30 kilometers from Lisbon. This is the Quinta da Regaleira Estate park. Every meter of the earth here is full of puzzles, over which many scientific minds from all over the world have been struggling for many centuries.
The cultural landscape on which the park is located has a rich history dating back thousands of years. There are archaeological sites leading to the Early Neolithic era (5th millennium BC), up to the Iron Age (up to the 2nd century BC).
In 1147, the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, built a substantial palace here, which became the royal residence. Over the centuries, the palace has changed its owners, each of whom contributed to the improvement of the castle. In 1904, the palace was bought by Antonio Monteiro — a wealthy entomologist invested a lot of money in the restoration of the architectural monument.
Today, the estate, in addition to the palace, consists of a chapel with numerous frescoes, stained glass windows, stucco, and also includes mysterious landscapes. There are grottoes, wells and a mysterious system of underground tunnels connected by two spiral wells in this area. A pair of such wells, called “initiation wells”, has become one of the most interesting and mysterious features of the park. These unusual “inverted towers” were intended for a secret rite of passage.
The Quinta da Regaleira estate preserves the memory of the rich history of this land, opens a window to the past to visitors, lifting the veil of historical mystery.
Official website: http://www.regaleira.pt/en
13. Sanctuary of Bon Jesus do Monti (Braga)
Via Sacra Staircase – “Holy Road” – to the Church of Bon Jesus do Monti
Fans of religious shrines will find something to visit in Portugal — not far from the city of Braga, located in the north of the country, there is the church of Bon Jesus do Monti, which means “church of St. Jesus on the mountain”. The sanctuary, built on a hill with a height of 564 meters, has become one of the most visited places of pilgrimage. This is a whole complex consisting directly of a 116-meter-high church, Via Sacra stairs of 581 steps in Baroque style, as well as an extensive park.
The history of the shrine began in the 14th century, when a cross was erected on the mentioned hill. About 50 years later, the chapel of the Holy Cross was erected here, and soon after numerous pilgrims from Braga and other nearby regions began to come to the shrine.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, 2 more chapels were built on the mountain, and in the 17th century, the Bon Jesus do Monti brotherhood was founded. Soon, as a result of the pilgrimage, a steep path appeared on the slopes of the hill, along which more and more miniature chapels appeared, created in the form of grottoes.
In the 18th century, the main construction began, the construction of chapels was completed and a grand staircase of 581 steps was built, at the end of which the main church rises.
In the 19th century, an excellent green park with many paths, gardens and ponds was laid out in the vicinity of the shrine. And in 1882, the first funicular lift in Portugal was built here, connecting the sanctuary complex and Braga. Today it is the oldest lift in the world, functioning with the help of counterweights.
14. The city of Aveiro (Aveiro district)
Traditional moliceiro boats on the Aveiro canal
To make a tourist route through the westernmost European country, it is worth considering the most interesting sights of Portugal in advance. The presentation will not be complete without the glorious town of Aveiro, “little Venice”, famous for its water channels, Art Nouveau architecture and bright narrow boats “maliseiros”. Due to its very venerable age, this town has preserved a lot of historical attractions — for example, the Museum of Modern Art of the beginning of the last century with an Art Nouveau facade, one of the world’s most famous porcelain factories, the Cathedral combining Mannerism, modernism and Baroque styles, the Maritime Museum telling about the history of navigation and fishing in Aveiro. In between excursions, you can relax in one of the many restaurants or go to the beaches of Costa Nova.
15. Cristo Rey (Almada)
View of the statue of Jesus Christ in the Portuguese city of Almada
Not far from the town of Almada, which is part of the Lisbon region, a stone statue of Christ the Savior looks down on Lisbon and its surroundings from a hundred meters high. This monument is of the most important historical significance for the inhabitants of Portugal, since it was erected in honor of the God-heard folk prayers designed to protect the population of the country during the bloody events of World War II. The construction of the monument began in 1949 and was carried out with public donations, and in May 1959 its opening took place. The monument is installed on a hill — 113 meters above the level of the Tagus River, consists of a 75-meter pedestal and a 28-meter statue mounted on it. At the foot of the monument there is a chapel, as well as an elevator that takes visitors to the observation deck. Cristo Rey, which means “Christ the King” in Portuguese, is considered a miniature replica of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
16. The Puppet Museum (Lisbon)
Exhibits at the Puppet Museum in Lisbon Paulo Valdivieso
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The only largest toy collection in Portugal dedicated to the history of dolls and puppet theaters is located in Lisbon. The number of exhibition samples is over four thousand exhibits from more than 30 countries around the world. Since 2008, the museum has exhibited the famous collection of African and Asian puppets and masks by the collector Francisco Capelo, numbering about 500 exhibits. The Puppet Museum often hosts puppet shows and master classes where you can make your own doll. For those traveling with children, the museum has a playroom where kids can play with dolls and become participants in the performance.
Official website: https://www.museu
17. Vasco da Gama Bridge (Tagus River)
Vasco da Gama cable-stayed bridge over the Tagus River in Lisbon Marco Verch Professional Photographer and
When planning a route through Portugal, it is impossible to ignore another impressive structure — the longest European bridge. Vasco da Gama crosses the Tagus River northeast of Lisbon, and its length is more than 17 kilometers. Previously, a bridge had already been laid across the Tagus, but with the increase in the number of vehicles, the load began to increase, and it was decided to build a more powerful and large ferry. Despite the scale of Vasco da Gama’s design, it took construction specialists only 3 years from 1995 to 1998 to bring the idea to life, of which only one and a half were required directly for construction, the remaining one and a half were spent on careful preparation for construction and detailed engineering calculations. Such a responsible approach allowed the cable—stayed bridge to provide unusual qualities – resistance to winds of up to 250 km/h and to earthquakes 4.5 times more powerful than the famous Lisbon earthquake of the 18th century.
18. Jeronimos Monastery (Lisbon district)
The monastery of Jeronimus of the XVI century in the suburb of Belen
Portugal deserves special tourist attention. The sights of Lisbon, despite the turning point in history associated with the largest earthquake, still conceal historical echoes of past centuries. The most valuable cultural treasures of the country have been collected by the National Museum of Ancient Art, and the invaluable symbols of spiritual heritage are kept by the Jeronimush Monastery — a monastery of the 16th century, the national symbol of the state. The grandiose late Gothic monument of Portuguese architecture is located in the western part of the city. The facade is characterized by the use of marine motifs and complex sculptural elements. Since the construction of the monastery was associated with the era of travel and glorious geographical discoveries, Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese navigator, whose tomb can still be visited today, rests within the walls.
19. Don Luis Bridge (Douro River)
The two-level metal arch bridge Ponti di Don Luis over the Douro River in Portugal
When choosing what to see in the north of Portugal, it is worth paying special attention to its northern capital, the city of Porto. In this atmospheric and authentic city, along with its colorful neighborhoods, pompous squares, modernist structures, one of the symbols of Porto is popular and invariably recognized — the railway, pedestrian and automobile bridge of Don Luis, built at the end of the 19th century. The powerful, at the same time elegant and delicate metal structure has a length of 385 meters and connects Porto with the town of Villa Nova di Gaia. The bridge has two levels — cars drive on the first, and the subway on the second, while there are pedestrian zones on both levels. Here you can not only walk, crossing from one bank of the Douro River to the other, but also admire from a height the beautiful views of the river and the surrounding area.
20. Madeira Island (Atlantic Ocean)
The picturesque island of Madeira is a great place to relax
A thousand kilometers southwest of continental Portugal is a beautiful and flourishing island of volcanic origin. Its lands, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, represent the top of an underwater volcano, a piece of land with an area of only 740 square kilometers, striking with a riot of greenery and flowers. The magnificent green landscapes of the island are largely due to the favorable climate due to the warm current of the Gulf Stream. Year-round comfortable weather without sweltering heat, an abundance of clear days make this island an ideal place for a natural holiday. Perhaps the best way to explore the island is to arrange a walking tour, especially since there are a lot of walking routes offered here, during which you can see mysterious caves, stormy waterfalls, virgin forests, visit fishing villages and small villages with snow—white houses.
21. Monte Tropical Garden (Funchal)
The landscape of the Monte Tropical Garden on the island of Madeira
Perhaps one of the most favorite tourist spots on the Portuguese island of Madeira is the tropical garden located on Monte Mountain in Funchal. In search of what to see in Portugal in the spring, it is worth choosing this place. In the last month of spring, the lush greenery of the park opens in all its glory, delighting with the juiciness of fresh spring colors. The park has several diverse areas created at different times — for example, a Chinese-style Oriental Garden with pavilions stylized as pagodas, a central lake with swans, ducks and herons living in it, a corner of Portuguese ceramics-azuleju, a cafe and an observation deck. And crowning all this splendor is the snow-white Monte Palace, built in the 18th century by the English consul. Today, a museum is located within the walls of the palace, where collections of sculptures and collections of minerals brought from all over the world are exhibited.
Official website: https://montepalace
22. Cape Roca (Sintra)
Lighthouse at Cape Roka – the westernmost point of the Eurasian continent
Last—minute tours to Cape Roka, one of the mysterious and mysterious places, the westernmost tip of the European continent, are in constant demand. To visit this region means literally to see the edge of the world, where stunning panoramas of the bottomless and boundless Atlantic Ocean open from a 150—meter cliff height. It was from these shores that numerous expeditions were once sent – brave sailors rushed to meet the sea element, making expeditions to China, Africa and the New World. Among the notable places of the cape are the ancient lighthouse of the 18th century, a number of observation decks along the coast, the sparsely populated and almost wild beach of Praia da Adraga, where you can relax from the hustle and bustle of sightseeing. The coast of the cape is transformed during sunset, when you can watch the sun slowly “sink” into the endless ocean waters.
23. Vilamoura (Algarve)
View of the luxury tourist resort in the Algarve
Going to the south of Portugal, it is worth visiting Vilamoura — a relatively young city, and at the same time a developed tourist center, one of the largest European luxury resorts. It is located right on the oceanic coast, and therefore excellent conditions for a comfortable beach holiday are provided here — there are four large equipped beaches where you can do various types of water sports, relax on the snow-white sand and just admire the picturesque landscapes. There are also many top-class hotels, SPA centers, restaurants, beauty salons, casinos, golf clubs, as well as Europe’s largest yacht club. Shoppers can stroll through small shops where you can buy souvenirs with a marine theme, traditional tiles with beautiful paintings, handmade jewelry and many other memorabilia.
24. Lello Store (Porto)
The amazing interior of the Lello & Irmão publishing house bookstore in the Port of Zacarias Abad Torres
Tourists in the Port will certainly choose this famous place – the Lello and Sons Bookstore. People come here not only to buy one of the book works, but also just to admire the magnificent architectural creation. The founders of the store in 1894 were the Lello brothers, who commissioned engineer Francisco Javier Esteves to build a new building for the future library. The result of this work can be admired to this day: the artful wood carvings, the curved staircase, the stained glass mosaic on the ceiling glass and the luxurious facade made in the Art Deco style are impressive.
Official website: https://www.livrarialello
25. Azores Islands (Atlantic Ocean)
The unique natural landscape of the Azores
Having overcome a journey of 1.5 thousand kilometers across the ocean from mainland Portugal, you can visit a picturesque, isolated corner of subtropical nature — the Azores Islands. In total, the archipelago includes 9 islands covering a total area of about 2,300 square kilometers. The largest of them is the island of San Miguel, where the capital of this autonomous region, Ponta Delgada, is located. This island is also known for the highest point in Portugal — it is the active volcano Pico with a height of more than 2,300 meters. A vacation in the Azores is an excuse to escape from noisy trips to busy Portuguese cities and merge with the pristine nature. Among the activities on the island are such as sea fishing and whale watching on rented yachts, hiking to an extinct volcano, swimming in pools with thermal springs, visiting extremely beautiful lakes, waterfalls and natural parks.
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