The country, located in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, attracts tourists with resorts located there. Fans of sightseeing holidays are attracted by Lisbon, Setubal, Braga, Porto, Coimbra and other cities. About 13 million people go on vacation to this country every year. But many are interested in what must be seen in Portugal?
Holiday season in Portugal
A good time to relax in Portugal is the end of the last month of spring - the middle of the first autumn month. Throughout the year, you can relax in Madeira - the island is in demand mainly among fans of ecological tourism.
Those interested in beach holidays should pay attention to Madeira and the southern resorts of Portugal - there the water warms up to + 23˚C during the season.
Want to save money? Buy tours to Portugal in the low season - in November-April, when prices decrease not only for accommodation, but also for spa procedures.
A February vacation should be devoted to a visit to Obidos (Chocolate Festival), an April vacation to Lisbon (a seafood festival) and Madeira (an exotic flower festival), and a July vacation to spending time in Ageda (Umbrella Sky installation).
Top 15 places of interest in Portugal
Cape Roca
Cape Roca
Cape Roca, where numerous tourists flock for the sake of beautiful panoramic views and amazing sunsets, is 18 km away from Sintra. At the top there are objects - a post office, a lighthouse, a restaurant, a souvenir shop (they sell evidence of a visit to the cape for 11 euros), a stone stele with a sign on which it is written that the cape is the westernmost point of Europe.
From Sintra to Cape Roca you can take bus number 403.
Sintra Moorish Castle
The Moorish castle of Sintra today is represented by well-preserved ruins. The walls of the castle divide it into 2 parts, and the walls at the entrance to the castle are best preserved. Here it is worth paying attention to the loopholes, towers, the Chapel of San Pedro (located next to the entrance; of interest is the arched entrance supported by columns and capitals decorated with fantastic animals) and the original cistern, in which a lot of water could be placed in case of a siege.
Today, on the territory of the Sintra castle there is a cafe, a tourist center, toilets, and walking paths.
Aqueduct Aguash Librish
The Aguas Librish aqueduct is a landmark of Lisbon: it is a string of 35 arches. Of greatest interest is the part of the aqueduct passing through the Alcantara valley (the height of the highest arch is over 60 m).
Groups of tourists are offered to go to the upper part of the aqueduct through the garden on Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm only by prior arrangement (ticket price - 2 euros).
Belém Tower
Belém Tower
The four-story Belém Tower in the Portuguese capital (the mouth of the Tagus River) reflects the Manueline architectural style. Tourists come here to admire the river expanses, to see old cannons in casemates (there are 16 guns in total), windows with loggias (Venetian style), a statue of the Virgin Mary of the Safe Return, sculptures of rhinos, an open terrace, the perimeter of which is decorated with Moorish turrets.
Admission for adults will cost 6 euros, and for children 3 euros. Buses 727 and 714 go to the tower (open every day, except Mondays from 10 am to 17: 00-18: 30).
Statue of christ
Statue of christ
The height of the statue of Christ in the city of Almada is 28 m, and it stands on an 82-meter pedestal. The statue of Christ (access is open from 9 am to 6 pm) is equipped with an observation deck (one of the columns is the location of the elevator, which takes everyone to the platform, from where they can admire the bridge on April 25, the Tagus River and almost the entire Portuguese capital), a library, a cafe and exhibition halls (where visitors are pampered with interesting expositions).
There is a park next to the complex: sculptures on Christian themes are exhibited there.
Evora
Evora is one of the cities in the Alentejo region: it is interesting for tourists thanks to cheeses, fine wines, local sweets, the Temple of Diana (1st century AD), the ancient aqueduct (its length is 18 km), “Painted Houses Street” (the walls of houses are decorated mermaids, trees, animals from India and other images), the monastery of St. Clara (15th century), bullfights, which take place in May-October 3-4 times a year (the venue is the arena next to the city garden), the Gothic cathedral in honor of St. Francisco and the Neolithic buildings in the vicinity of Évora.
There is a train from Lisbon to Evora: for a 1.5-2-hour trip, travelers will be asked to pay a minimum of 12 euros.
Guimaraes castle
Guimaraes Castle
In a medieval castle in the city of Guimaraes (50 km from Porto), several gates, towers (4), a wooden bridge leading to the entrance to the keep are subject to inspection. The castle (open for visits on Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm) is built in the form of a heraldic shield, and stone stairs lead to each of its towers. From the walls of the castle, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views for free.
You can get from Porto to Guimaraes by train, then walk 1.5 km on foot or take a taxi.
Crystal Palace park
The Crystal Palace Park in Porto is designed for walks, photo shoots or weekends in nature. The park has alleys, sculptures, benches, a large pond, cafes, installations (antique and modern styles). Well, children here can spend time on the playgrounds. The park has a Rose Garden, a Garden of Senses, a multimedia library, a romantic museum (its visitors will get into the atmosphere of the times of Karl-Albert: they will be able to examine antique furniture, tapestries, ceramics, paintings, and taste a Portuguese drink at the Port Wine Institute for 1 1st floor of the museum).
The park is open from 8-9 am to 18: 00-21: 00.
Church of São Francisco in Porto
The Church of San Francisco (Gothic + Baroque elements) in Porto (you cannot take photographs here) is famous for wooden carvings of the 17th and 18th centuries, walls, in the decoration of which special panels are used, which are a reflection of the Rococo style. The painting of the dome and wall of the church is represented by drawings depicting flowers, animals and angels. Guests should pay attention to the altar and the iconographic composition “The Jesse Tree” with the Christ's genealogy captured on it.
The Church of São Francisco also has catacombs with the graves of citizens of the 18-19 centuries (the upper tiers are occupied by tombs, and the lower tiers are occupied by skulls and bones; the entrance costs 3.50 euros), and a museum (where you can take pictures of furniture, paintings, sculptures) …
Funchal cathedral
Funchal cathedral
The Gothic cathedral in Funchal, founded in the 15th century, has 3 naves and a bell tower with a spire. The interior decoration is represented by a high cedar ceiling (decorated in the form of carvings) and an altar decorated with images of apostles, prophets and saints dressed in 16th century costumes. And next to the cathedral you can see a monument to Pope John Paul II.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
The Peneda-Gerês National Park (Minho province) is dominated by the Peneda (1,335 m) and Gerês (1508 m) mountain ranges. In the park, you can see the medieval castles in Lindosa and Castro Laboreiro, the monastic ruins (12th century) in Pitoins das Junias, and visit the open air museum in Vilarinho das Furnas.
Birches, strawberry trees, Portuguese laurels and other plants are planted in the Peneda-Gerês park (entrance ticket price is 1.5 euros), and here you can also meet mountain goats, bears and other animals.
Pico Ruivu
Pico Ruivo is an 1862-meter peak in Madeira (50 km away from Funchal) and a point for viewing the surrounding landscapes (ocean + island).
You can get to the top of Pico Ruivo on foot from Ashada do Texeira (the path will lie along a convenient paved path that climbs up and jumps sharply down) or Pico do Arieiro (the brave will pass by the cliffs, but there is no reason to be afraid - in dangerous places railings were installed, and tunnels were dug through some rocks).
Piku Ruivu is clearly not the greenest peak, but you can still find moss and ferns, as well as finches and blackbirds.
Luis I Bridge in Porto
Luis I Bridge in Porto
The two-level bridge of Luis I (its length is 385 m, and its height is 44 m) is thrown across the Douro River (those who wish are offered to go on a river excursion, lasting about 1 hour) in order to connect the Ribeira (Porto area) with Vila Nova de Gaia (there are wine cellars and warehouses in the city). The upper part of the bridge (it adorns the labels of local port wine) is intended for pedestrians and the metropolitan Porto light rail, and the lower part is for motorists and pedestrians (special paths have been laid for them, walking along which they will be able to capture a photo of the Douro River and create panoramic pictures of Porto).
It is worth noting that fragments of an old stone bridge can be seen at the entrance to the Luis I bridge.
Bridal Veil Waterfall
The Bridal Veil Waterfall is located near the city of Porto Manis. Its stream rushes from a sheer cliff from a height of 212 meters straight into the ocean. The rocky coastline will not allow you to get close to the waterfall, but next to it you can walk along a specially paved road, and admire it from the observation platform (do not apply to capture this miraculous miracle in the photo) or from the side of the boat from the ocean side (the boat will slightly deviate from the coast). If you go a little further north from the "Bridal Veil", you can find a souvenir shop selling memorabilia that will remind tourists of this place.
Obidos Castle
Obidos Castle
The castle in the village of Obidos is one of the examples of the Manueline style. It is a quadrangle, and the length of all its sides is 30 m each. Tourists are invited to inspect the battlements, bastions, arched passages decorated with medieval bas-reliefs. Visiting the castle, part of which is occupied by the hotel, will cost nothing for travelers.
In July, a Medieval Fair is held near the Obidos Castle: everyone will be able to acquire authentic souvenirs, food and drinks, visit knightly tournaments, performances of tightrope walkers and jugglers with torches.
