10 Places to Visit in Portugal, Tourist Places & Top Attractions

01

Madeira

Madeira is a region in Portugal which comprises of four naturally beautiful islands, located off the Northern coast of Africa. It is famous for its unique happy and positive charm, amid a sub-tropical beach climate. It is a place boasting about high cliffs, pebble beaches, green and rugged mountains and volcanoes, amid which you can enjoy amazing locally made wine. This place is nothing but a really tempting destination to stay, with a local market, Wineries, beautiful cathedrals, vibrant beaches and a relaxing atmosphere, Madeira is indeed a destination which will give you a complete detox from all your worries, hectic lifestyle and mood swings. You will enjoy each and every moment spent on these beautiful island and rejuvenate your mind body and soul like nowhere else.

You must have seen people swimming on beaches, jumping into waters from high cliffs, enjoying on cruises and casinos and clicking pictures against the backdrop of beautiful and colorful building. Well, you will be able to do all of this over here and have a trip which is fulfilling in each and every aspect. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your tickets right away so that you take your first step towards the best vacation of your life.

02

Leiria

Leiria is a small city in Portugal that is also considered to be one of its secret treasures that is known for its historical heritage as one of the first cities that was occupied by the Moorish invaders in the 10th century. It is located in the Leiria district, which is in the central region of Portugal, midway between Porto and Lisbon. Being in close proximity with the beach, the city has a wonderful landscape that attracts several families to spend quality time in its beauty. The city boasts a medieval castle which is also a UNESCO heritage site apart from several other churches, museums, as well as sandy beaches.One of the main reasons why tourists throng to Leiria is because of its shopping and dining scene. You can enjoy the best ‘migas’ here which is a delectable local dish made of cornbread and spinach.

Some of the major places you can visit include the Leiria Cathedral which is a national monument, the Leiria Museum which houses ceramics and artifacts from the Iron Age, as well as the Monastery of Batalha. You can go shopping at one of the four main shopping areas, the Rodrigues Lobo Square, Sant’Ana Square, Castle district, and riverside district. As the city lies on the western coast of the country, it experiences a mix of Mediterranean and Atlantic weather. Winters here are mostly cool, humid, and wet while the summers are quite warm, sunny, and dry. Winter temperatures range between 15 °C and 7 °C on average while in the summers temperatures are usually between 27 °C and 15 °C.

03

Porto

Porto is located on the north west of Portugal and is a coastal city. It is popular for its bridges, production of port wine, medieval districts; cobble stone streets, churches, baroque style architecture, culture, discoveries, history, culture, and cuisine. You can take a stroll along side the River Douro also known as the River of the Gold and get a bird’s view of the city in helicopter tours. There are many scenic landscapes for hiking and nature walks. You can also take a cruise on this river and enjoy the scenic view of the city. There are also beaches which face the Atlantic Ocean.

There are trade routes and adventure tours which depict the treasures of this country. Porto is a busy industrial and commercial centre. The climate of this city is semi Mediterranean. Winters are humid and mild hot. Porto has always been a trader’s city. Residents of this city are known as Tripeiros. Portuguese locals lack social graces and more informal in their mannerisms. The communication of the locals is more direct and informal and should not be considered rude. It is their normal way of communication. You can take an international flight to the Aeroporto do Porto airport. Within the city you can travel in car, metro, bus, taxi, boat, helicopter, and the cable railway system. Visit this city for its more than a century old history, take walking tours, and cruise up the River.

04

Sintra

One of the glittering gems in the crown of Portugal’s most beautiful cities, Sintra has also been recognized by UNESCO for its beautiful landscape and history. It is located on the foothills of the Serra de Sintra hills.

The city is extremely beautiful with its houses painted in a palette of light pink and ochre with bright splashes of yellow in between. It seems like a picture straight out of a fairytale book set in the ancient Castelo dos Mouros.

The main town is dominated by sights of the iconic building of the Palácio National with its massive twin chimneys looming over the surrounding lands. The Palácio da Pena is another important monument perched high atop a hill that was used as a summer retreat by the country’s royal family in the 19th century. There are several interesting activities that you can enjoy in Sintra, especially hiking through its natural trails.

You can go up the mountainous roads for a breathtaking view of the region especially across the Atlantic coastline and distant Cascais from amazing vantage points. The summers in SIntra are warm, dry, and mostly clear while the winters are wet, cold, and usually cloudy. The city is quite windy throughout the year with the temperatures varying from 48°F to 79°F. The average temperature seldom goes below 42°F or above 89°F.

05

Braga

One of the grandest cities of Portugal, Braga is located in the north of the country and is one of the most important religious and commercial centers here.

The city exudes spectacular beauty with an old world charm and historic splendor with handsome mansions, breathtaking churches, and magnificent palaces dotting the entire city. Apart from the 18th century architectural beauty the city also has a number of lush green parks and gardens.

One of the main attractions of the city is the 11th century cathedral of Braga, the Se, which bears testimony to the fact that this continues to be the ecclesiastical capital of Portugal. Once you are at the central square of the city, you can experience a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with quaint cafes housed under the arcades. You can also see the remnants of the original fortifications of the city in the adjoining 14th-century Torre de Menagem.

You can also visit the Bom Jesus do Monte, a famous religious sanctuary when you are in Braga and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens surrounding the area. The climate is Braga is quite pleasant throughout the year with the temperatures typically varying from 42°F to 80°F. It hardly ever drops below 34°F or soars above 91°F. The summers here are short, dry, and warm, with the skies remaining mostly clear while the winters wet, cold, and partly cloudy.

06

Cascais

Cascais is one of the most charming and traditional Portuguese fishing towns that has developed into a resort town over the years. It is located along the Lisbon coastline with Sintra lying to its north. Cascais is an attractive, stylish, and sophisticated town that has historically served as a summer retreat of the Portuguese royal family. Today you can witness a beautiful blend of its rich heritage and modern amenities. The city is dotted with quaint cobbled streets, lavish villas, fascinating museums, imposing forts, as well as livery restaurants and bars that keeps the overall atmosphere here buzzing.

One of the main attractions of the city is its beautiful beaches, especially the Portuguese Riviera, Praia da Conceicao, Praia da Duquesa, as well as the more untouched Serra de Sintra coastline that lies towards the north of the city. It is known for its stunning natural beauty as well as its provisions for surfing. Other prominent attractions include the Castro Guimaraes Museum, the Parque Marechal Carmona, the Cabo de Rocha which is the most western point of mainland Europe, the exquisite 19th century villas and mansions.

There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy in this vibrant city such as surfing in the beaches, visiting the palaces, watching the sunset at Cabo da Rocha, going hiking or cycling through the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, and much more.

The weather here during the summer season is warm, dry, and mostly clear while the winters are cool, wet, and partly cloudy. The temperature mostly fluctuates between 51°F and 79°F and does not usually go below 45°F or above 89°F.

07

Aveiro

Popularly known as the ‘Venice of Portugal’, this city is located in the country’s Beira Litoral region which lies by the edges of a criss crossing system of coastal lagoons. This area also features a large number of canals that have become a popular sight here. It is on the coast of Portugal, 55 km south of Porto. Aveiro is an attractive city whose image is predominated by the picturesque gondola-like boats called barcos moliceiros.

These traditional boats were used to harvest seaweed once upon a time but today serve as sightseeing vessels that easily navigate the narrow channels of water. The city is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture that you can see lining the waterside with several shops, galleries, houses, and restaurants. There is also a museum that is dedicated to this 20th-century decorative style called the Museu Arte Nova.

One of the best ways to spend time in this city is by exploring its various museums, especially the Museu de Aveiro which will give you a broader idea about the rich cultural heritage of the place. It is housed in the 5th-century Convento de Jesus and exhibits a fascinating collection of artifacts related to Santa Joana, a daughter of King Afonso V who lived in the convent for several years until her death. You can also visit the Vista Alegre porcelain works that showcases fine craftsmanship and is renowned all across the world. Weather in Aveiro is quite temperate and oceanic where the summers are quite pleasant, warm and sunny while the winters are mild and rainy.

Other Attractions

08

Restauradores Square, Lisbon

Restauradores Square is located in the central region, Baixa in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a famous landmark representing the freedom of the country. There is a Monument to the Restorers, a 30-meter-tall obelisk in the middle of the square, established in 1886. The obelisk has the names and dates of the battles fought in the 17th century as part of the Portuguese Restoration War. Behold the two bronze statues of Independence and Victory on the obelisk in the middle of a patterned pavement.

09

Fatima Sanctuary, Portugal

Fatima Sanctuary, also called Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, is located in the municipality of Fatima, Portugal. The sanctuary is devoted to the Virgin Mary and is one of Europe's most popular pilgrimage sites. The attractions include several Catholic religious structures, out of which the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary comprises the main building. You can also explore the museum, the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Chapel of the Lausperene.