For such a small country, Portugal offers visitors immense variety. From verdant islands and beautiful beaches to charming hilltop villages and flamboyant castles – here are 17 places in Portugal that you do not want to miss...
Lisbon
As befits one of the world’s oldest cities, Lisbon oozes history and tradition. Ancient buildings dot its diverse neighbourhoods, while museums brim with fascinating treasures. But this is also one of Europe’s coolest cities. Spend time hanging out at the street cafés and join revellers on nights out in the Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré districts and you’ll discover a vibrancy that’s hard to match.
Palácio Nacional da Pena
The colourful domes and turrets of this delightfully eccentric palace dominate the forested hills of Sintra. Exhibiting an eclectic mix of Moorish, Manueline and Gothic styles, the palace also exudes the fanciful spirit of Bavaria’s fairytale castles. It’s just as exuberant inside, with kitsch decor and over-the-top furnishings.
Praia da Ursa
Not marked on maps and requiring a steep walk on narrow paths, Ursa is a secluded and unspoilt beach in the Sintra region just north of Cabo Da Roca. Surrounded by towering cliffs, it is a beautiful little hideaway. However, it has no amenities and – as there are no lifeguards here and the waves can be powerful – anything beyond a short dip close to the shore is not advisable.
Carrasqueira
Carrasqueira in Alcácer do Sal is an old fishing community where you can still see traditional reed houses. Popular with photographers, the zigzagging pier was built in the 50s and 60s and is one of Europe’s last surviving of its kind. Carrasqueira also sits alongside the Reserva Natural do Estuário do Tejo, an idyllic area known for its flamingoes and other bird life.
Évora
Rising dramatically out of the Alentenjo plain, the enchanting city of Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to Stone Age relics, a well-preserved Roman temple, and more than 20 churches and monasteries. The church of St Francis is well known for its gruesome Capela dos Osso, created from the bones of 5,000 monks.
Óbidos
Isabel of Aragon was so enchanted by the hill town of Óbidos that it was given to her as a wedding present on her marriage to King Dinis in 1282. The mediaeval castle dominates the town and a walk along its battlements affords stirring views over the cobbled streets and whitewashed houses with their brightly painted trim.
Berlenga Grande Island
The rocky island of Berlenga Grande is home to a nature reserve and the 17th-century pentagonal Forte de Sao Joao Baptista. Small boats can be hired from the jetty to explore the marine grottoes around the island. Furado Grande is the most spectacular of these: a 70-m (230-ft) tunnel, opening into the Cova do Sonho (Dream Cove), framed by imposing red granite cliffs.
Serra da Estrela
With its long-distance paths and stunning flora, designated nature reserve Serra da Estrela is perfect for walkers and nature enthusiasts. Check out the curious “Old Man’s Head” near Sabugueiro, formed by the erosion of granite, and for unbeatable views, climb Portugal's highest mountain, the Torre.
Sortelha
Passing through the gates of the walled town of Sortelha is like travelling back in time. Cobbled lanes lead you around beautifully preserved stone buildings, all of which are watched over by a gem of a 13th-century castle. The castle’s high keep affords stunning views of Sortelha and its surrounding fields.
Porto
Porto is the country’s second city but it has never sat in Lisbon’s shadow. Its remarkable cityscape has seen many once-crumbling mansions madeover, leaving an alluring mix of faded grandeur and sharp design. A boat cruise up the Douro river affords beautiful views – with stops along the way to sample world-famous Port at the riverside wineries, of course.
Amarante
The pretty riverside town of Amarante is one of the gems of Northern Portugal. Rows of 17th-century mansions with brightly painted wooden balconies line Amarante’s narrow streets, and restaurants seat diners on terraces overhanging the Tâmega river. This waterway is crossed by the striking arched bridge, the Ponte São Gonçalo.
Guimaraes
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Guimaraes is celebrated as the birthplace of the nation. When Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself king of Portugal in 1139, he chose Guimaraes as his capital, and the distinctive outline of its proud castle appears on the Portuguese coat of arms. The narrow streets of the mediaeval quarter are ideal for exploration on foot.
Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês and Arado Falls
Portugal’s only national park covers some 700 sq km (270 sq miles) of wild mountainous and wooded scenery. Remote villages and deep reservoirs are the only reminders of life here. Take a walk through the park to reach the Arado Falls, a series of dramatic waterfalls gushing from the mountain-side – the pools are a perfect place to bathe on a hot day.
Prainha
The Algarve lures sun seekers to its southern shores with the promise of warm, crystalline waters. Between Prai da Rocha’s lively party scene and Praia do Alvor, which is usually packed with summer holidaymakers, you’ll find a secluded hideaway. Prainha, meaning “tiny beach” in Portuguese, is a pretty beach near Alvor. Explore the little grottoes among the rocks here, which are inscribed with love messages.
Santana
Picturesque Santana on the island of Madeira is home to more than 100 thatched triangular houses built from two A-shaped timber frames. Several of these houses, which are unique to Madeira, can be visited and are surprisingly spacious inside. The surrounding hillsides are also dotted with thatched byres.
Ribeiro Frio to Balcões hiking trail
Following levadas (narrow irrigation canals) will take you through some of Madeira’s wild scenery. One of the most beautiful is the winding trail from Ribeiro Frio to Balcões, which gives panoramic views across the valley of the River Ametade to Penha de Águia(Eagle Rock), the sheer-sided hill that projects from Madeira’s northern coast. This is an easy 20 minute hike, suitable for families.
Caldeira das Sete Cidades
One of the defining natural wonders of the Azores, the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades emerges from Sao Miguel’s northwestern shoulder to dominate the island. It hugs two idyllic lakes, one blue, one green, and the justifiably famous views from its rim will leave you speechless.
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