Portugal is one of our favorite countries in Europe; it’s practically our second home. We’ve been to this country six times so far and we just can’t get enough. Portugal offers countless highlights; it’s diverse, exciting, and varied. Whether it’s vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, high cliffs, charming villages, Portuguese serenity, the food, or the unique flair—Portugal rocks! Absolutely! During our Portugal tours, we’ve experienced and discovered a lot in the country itself. Today we’ll tell you about the top Portugal sights and highlights that you shouldn’t miss.
- Portugal Sights
- 1. Beautiful Porto
- 2. Douro Valley
- 3. Colorful hustle and bustle in Lisbon
- 4. The fairytale city of Sintra
- 5. Student city Coimbra
- 6. Beaches in the Algarve
- 7. Cabo de São Vicente
- 8. Magical Óbidos
- 9. Surfing in Peniche
- 10. Peneda Geres National Park
- 11. The surfing town of Ericeira
- 12. Torre de Belém Lisbon
- 13. Portugal Attractions: Madeira & the Azores
- Rent accommodation in Portugal
- Book a rental car in Portugal
- Travel reading for Portugal
Portugal Sights
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1. Beautiful Porto
We spent the first few days of our first trip together in Porto before driving through the country in our camper. Porto has a lot to offer, is diverse, and is an extremely charming town in the north of Portugal. Don’t miss the old town district of Ribeira. It was even declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Stroll across the Ponte de Dom Luis I and enjoy the beautiful view of the river and the city. You can also enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the tower of the Se do Porto Cathedral. And, of course, you should definitely try a glass of the famous port wine. Learn everything about the sights and highlights in Porto here.
2. Douro Valley
The Douro Valley awaits you with fantastic landscapes and views. The cultural landscape has been declared a World Heritage Site and will enchant you. In the Douro Valley, you can admire vineyards, wine cellars, small towns, and villages. Visit some wineries, stay in a wine-inspired hotel, participate in a grape harvest, take a river cruise to Miranda do Douro, or visit the wine-growing towns of Barcos, Favaios, Salzedas, and many more. The Douro Valley is one of the top attractions in Portugal.
3. Hustle and Bustle in Lisbon
Besides Porto, there are other cool cities in Portugal. Lisbon is located in the south of the country and is definitely one of the coolest cities in Europe. The city is modern, original, urban, hip, and incredibly charismatic. In Lisbon, you can visit various churches, palaces, castles, viewpoints, monuments, and neighborhoods. It’s never boring here. Take tram line 28 through the old town, visit the pretty Alfama district, enjoy the view from one of the “miradouros,” and treat yourself to delicious pastel ne natas. Everything about Lisbon here: The top sights in Lisbon.
4. The fairytale town of Sintra
Not far from Lisbon lies another attraction in Portugal. The small Portuguese town of Sintra awaits you amidst the Serra de Sintra mountains. Extravagant palaces, opulent villas, and numerous ruins from bygone times can be found here. Sintra is a fairytale place that you simply must see.
From Lisbon, you can take the train to Sintra or book a guided tour with transportation*. Visit the Palacio Nacional da Pena*. It is one of the finest palaces in all of Europe and shines in vibrant colors. The historic city center also leaves nothing to be desired and captivates with its own, unmistakable charm.
5. Student City of Coimbra
We continue on to the next sights in Portugal. Now we stop in the university city of Coimbra. It is the former capital of Portugal and is located on the banks of the Mondego River. This is where the oldest university in Portugal and all of Europe is located.
If you want to experience the real and authentic Portugal, then you should stop in Coimbra. The narrow, winding streets in the pretty old town are particularly beautiful. A detour to the Se Velha Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, is also worthwhile. Book your tour of the city here*.
6. Beaches in the Algarve
Portugal has many attractions, one of which is the enchanting Algarve. This is the southernmost part of the country. Breathtaking beaches, grottos, cliffs, and bays await you here. And we’re not exaggerating. For us, the Algarve is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Several hundred kilometers are waiting to be discovered. In addition to the great beaches, there are also charming towns and sweet little villages. You can spend 2-3 weeks in the Algarve alone. Our top highlights in the Algarve can be found here.
7. Cabo de São Vicente
Visit the southwesternmost point of Europe and head to Cabo de São Vicente. Steep cliffs, high waves, and a lighthouse, a popular attraction in the region, await you here. There’s also a snack bar in the parking lot serving “the last sausage before America.” You can often spot surfers on the beaches and in the water, catching a wave or two. Let the fresh sea air rush around your ears and enjoy the views of the Atlantic.
8. Magical Óbidos
This small Portuguese village of Óbidos is certainly one of the top sights in Portugal. We have already been there four times, as we regularly visit it with the Nomad Week participants. Óbidos is surrounded by a city wall and sits on a hill. The views from the wall are outstanding. The narrow, little streets invite you to stroll and wander. In the town center, there is a bakery where you can get incredibly delicious breads and sweet pastries. You definitely shouldn’t miss this.
9. Surfing in Peniche
Looking for consistent waves and good surfing spots? Then head to Peniche. Here you’ll find waves for every level. Peniche is chilled and relaxed. There are numerous cool restaurants and bars in and around the city. Surfers and surf schools are active around the clock on the many beaches. If one beach is too quiet, you’ll find better conditions at the next. We’ve spent a lot of time in Peniche and surfed some great waves. You can rent a surfboard and wetsuit for as little as €15 per day.
10. Peneda Geres National Park
Do you like hiking? Then visit the Peneda Geres National Park, located in the north of the country, on the border with Spain. It’s only a 60-minute drive from Porto. The only national park in Portugal covers more than 70,000 hectares and is also a protected biosphere reserve. Great hiking trails with fantastic viewpoints await you here. In addition to hiking, you can also go on adventurous canyoning tours*, swim in mountain lakes, observe wildlife, or camp in nature. Book your boat trip with wine tasting here*.
11. The surfing town of Ericeira
We love Ericeira! This small town on the Atlantic has everything you need for a surfing holiday. The old town is home to many cool restaurants and cafés, surf shops, and surf schools. It’s also home to some of the best surf spots in the world. And even if you’re not on a board yourself, you can still watch the cool guys and girls surfing here. Be sure to visit Ribeira d’ilhas beach. Even from the wooden steps leading down to the beach, you have a magnificent view of the cliffs, the bay, and the sea. Book your 2-hour surfing course here*.
12. Torre de Belém Lisbon
Let’s go back to Lisbon. Here is another landmark in Portugal. Here at the harbor entrance stands the Belém Tower. The tower was built to welcome incoming ships. It is 35 meters high and was built in 1521, when Portugal was the world’s leading naval power. At that time, the bastion was used to store weapons and food. At the very top, there’s a viewing platform, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Belém, Lisbon, and the Tagus River. You can purchase a ticket here*.
13. Portugal Sights: Madeira & the Azores
Did you know that Portugal also includes the Island of Madeira and the Azores? Madeira is also known as the Flower Island because of its lush and lush vegetation. The island is located 951 kilometers southwest of Lisbon in the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores are a bit further away, approximately 1,369 kilometers from the European mainland. The Azores are ideal for adventurous hikes and whale watching.
Rent accommodations in Portugal
In Portugal, you’ll find numerous accommodations. You can book affordable hostel rooms, comfortable hotel rooms, or a private vacation rental. We usually book through Booking.com or Airbnb.
Book a rental car in Portugal
Portugal is the perfect country for a road trip, whether with a small car, camper, or caravan. We’ve already tested all the different options and love exploring the country flexibly and freely. At billiger-mietwagen.de*, you can book a car for around €215 for 14 days, including all essential services. Make sure you select “no excess” and the fuel policy “full/full.”
Travel Reading for Portugal
Are you still looking for suitable travel reading? How about the comprehensive Dumont travel guide*? Here you’ll learn everything about Portugal on over 430 pages. We love the travel guides from this publisher because they are well structured and whet your appetite for the destination just by reading them.