The warm weather in Portugal makes it an attractive destination for those who love to be outdoors. Its location by the Atlantic Ocean makes it a haven for beach lovers around the world. At the same time, those looking for a more natural landscape will find the Portugal is one of the most biodiverse nations around. Travelers will find that there are many places to see and discover while in Portugal. There are a number of things to do to keep things interesting during your stay in Portugal. This section of our Travel Guide Portugal will prove to be most interesting to travelers looking for information of places to see in Portugal as well as things to do in Portugal.

Things to see in Lisbon

Start at Rossio, or the Praca Dom Pedro IV. Here you’ll find the statue of Dom Pedro IV. You’ll also find the sculpture “Spirit of Independence”, which commemorates the independence of the country from Spanish rule in 1640. Walk along the Avenida da Liberdade and look at the 19th century style boulevards.

Go up the 45-meter high Elevador de Santa Justa. This 1902 elevator will give you a fantastic view of the city. It was created by an apprentice of Gustav Eiffel and was meant to link the downtown to the highest areas of the city. Portugal has its share of grand churches. Pass by the Basilica da Estrela on the western section of Lisbon. This church was commissioned by Queen Mary I as thanksgiving to God for blessing her with a male heir. The walls and floors of the Basilica is laid with yellow, pink and gray marble arranged in intricate geometric patterns and considered one of the most beautiful among the churches in Europe. Five hundred figures made of cork and terra cotta comprise a nativity scene inside the Basilica, created by sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro.

The Castelo de Sao Jorge is a feast for the eyes. Much of this imposing castle atop the highest hill in the center of Lisbon remains intact and still shows the Moorish style of architecture. From the castle you will be able to have a grand view of Lisbon and the Tegus River. Take a walk on Alfama’s Moorish quarter near the castle or if you are more adventurous and daring and do not mind the more ancient and poorer Moor district, walk the tangled alleys of Mouraria. The Igreja de Santo Antonio or St. Anthony’s Church (St. Anthony de Padua) is located in Alfama, erected on the site where the saint was born, following Portuguese tradition. His likeness holding Christ in his arms is found in the altar. St. Anthony is believed to be a matchmaker, patron of lost and found and the protector of young brides.

In the Santa Maria de Belem neighborhood, a must see is the Hieronymites Monastery established by King Dom Manuel I. This monastery dates back to 1502 as a tribute to the Lord for the successful voyage of Vasco de Gama. You can also visit the Belem Tower near the monastery. It is a centuries-old military outpost erected to protect the estuary of Tegus from pirate attacks. Both the monastery and the tower are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The monastery is a very fine example of the Portuguese late Gothic Manueline style architecture, characterized by complex sculptural themes that often include maritime elements interwoven in a richly ornate design.

Things to do in Lisbon

Art lovers will appreciate the collection at the National Museum of Ancient Art, the English translation of Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Inside the palace of Count Alvor, the museum is also known as Green Windows Museum because of its windows made of green glass. It is the best place to trace the history and development of art in Portugal before the 19th century. In the Sao Sebastiao area, there is the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Its extensive private collection encompasses both ancient art as well as some modern masterpieces, such as Persian art, paintings by some of the masters as well as Egyptian sculptures. The Centro Arte Moderna is another museum that art enthusiasts will appreciate. As an added plus, the gardens at Centro are quite impressive. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch a ballet or musical performance at the concert hall.

Travelers will enjoy the Parque das Nacoes or Park of Nations. Created for the 1998 World Expo, travelers can now enjoy many attractions at the park. Those with children will enjoy the Oceanario, the largest in all of Europe. Those who want a bird’s eye view of the city will appreciate the Torre Vasco de Gama. Lisbon zoo is another great attraction for travelers with children.

Take a ride on Tram 28 to get a view of the sea. This vintage tram ride is sure to delight any traveler. Just be careful of pickpockets. If you prefer to explore Lisbon on foot, there are many charming neighborhoods that will give you an insight to its imperial past and rich romantic history. Take a walk around Alfama. After touring St. George’s castle, take a moment to walk around the winding streets and pass by the quaint shops.

Bairro Alto is where the nightlight happens. Music lovers and travelers who want to hear authentic performances of Fado can catch these at the Bairro Alto. Performers can also be seen on Igreja de Sao Roque. Some bars offer free performances.

Foodies will appreciate Lisbon for the fine wine and dining options without draining their budget compared to many other major European cities. You can often get the daily special or prato do dia for about ten euros. Allow a lot of time for lunch and dinner, since these typically last for about two hours.

Some of the best tasting seafood dishes are from Lisbon. Visit any of the restaurants in Bairro Alto. Try ameijoas a bulhao pato or steamed clams, a recipe that became more famous than the original profession of its creator, Bulhao Pato who was a poet. Other dishes to try are creme de mariscos or seafood chowder cooked with tomatoes, bacalhau cozido com grao e batatas, which is dried codfish with chickpeas, potatoes and olive oil. Bacalhau is the national dish, so don’t leave Portugal without trying it at least once. You may come to love it as much as the Portuguese do!

Between tours, grab a snack from any of the pastelarias or pastry shops that line the streets. Pasteis de nata, papo-de-anjo and barriga de freira are just some delicious pastries to try. It is said that some recipes date back to the 18th century when these sweet confections were made by nuns in monasteries. Flan is a popular dessert.

For souvenirs, you may want to pick up a bottle of the world famous Madeira wine or a bottle of excellent port. Handmade goods, such as decorative hand painted tiles or delicately sewn textiles are a good choice as well. Shoppers will also be pleased to know that one of the best things to buy in Portugal is gold, as it is at least 19.2 karats in weight.

For some high end shopping, the place to be is Avenida da Liberdade. For some Portuguese designers, check out the boutiques and stores at Bairro Alto and Chiado where famous Portuguese shoe brand Fly London can be purchased. Bars of luxury soaps like Ach. Brito by Claus Porto make good gifts.

For flea market finds, go to the Feira da Ladra every Tuesday and Saturday in the morning. El Corte Ingles is the largest department store in Lisbon. On the other hand, Colombo is the largest shopping mall.

From Lisbon, there are a number of daytrips that are possible. Why not take a trip to Mafra to see one of the largest historical buildings in Europe, the Mafra National Palace (Palacio de Mafra) and marvel at its grandeur and sheer size, lording over the municipality that is only over 261 square kilometers. It has a basilica, museums, hundreds of stairs, libraries and a display of statues, two carillons with ninety-two bells and six pipe organs. This 2,000-room palace took 30 years to complete.

Those who want to indulge in some water sports can take a day trip to Ericeira in the west coast of Portugal. Praia do Sul and Praia do Norte are two of the most popular surfing beaches that are accessible from Lisbon.

Travelers may also opt to go to the nearby towns of Sintra, check out the casino in Estoril or go swimming in Cascais.

Things to see in Sintra

The Palacio Nacional de Pena is undoubtedly the most striking jewel of Sintra. This Bavarian Castle is an architectural delight, complete with a Renaissance dome, gothic turrets and Arabic minarets. It is located on a hilltop in the municipality of São Pedro de Penaferrim and is oen of the seven wonders of Portugal and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the town is the Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Historically, this was used as the summer residence of Moorish royalty. For a great view of the whole municipality of Sintra and its castles, go up the Castle of the Moors or the Castelo dos Mouros, which was built between the 9th and the 10th centuries. A Moghul-inspired exotic castle, built during the Romantic Period of Sintra called the Moserrate Palace, built in 1858 by the order of Francis Cook, Viscount Monserrate is also available for exploration daily except during Christmas and New Year.

Things to do in Sintra

Things to see in Estoril and Cascais

Things to do in Estoril and Cascais

For those who don’t wish to be outdoors, then a trip to the casino is a must. See how the Europeans like to gamble at the largest casino in Europe, the Casino Estoril. Not to be outdone, Estoril also has some beautiful beach resorts, including the Tamariz Beach near the park surrounding the casino, a resort favored by some of the rich and famous that is accessible via an underground pass.

Things to see in Evora

A must see is the Cromlech of Almendres that resembles the Stonehenge in England, consisting of more than one hundred rounded monoliths made from granite, some decorated with mysterious carvings. The Cave of Escoural has charcoal drawings made by Cro-Magnon artists, believed to be about 15,000 years old.

Start at the Igreja Real de Sao Francisco and make your way to the Capela dos Ossos. The Chapel of Bones is unique in that it is constructed using the bones of 5,000 people, mostly nuns and monks. This is sure to give a traveler a whole new perspective on life.

The Templo Romano is another sight to behold. This roman temple is a tribute to the goddess Diana. This temple was constructed in the second century and 14 or the original 18 Corinthian columns of granite are still standing today. At the same time, there is also a 12th century cathedral, the Cathedral of Evora that was built with an impressive sculpture of the twelve apostles to welcome visitors. Its main façade is equally impressive, made from rose granite and resembling the façade of the cathedral of Lisbon.

The Museu de Arte Sacra is a unique type of museum since it features mostly religious artifacts.

Things to do in Evora

The best time to visit Evora is in June, in time for the Feira de Sao Joao. This country fair is sure to be a source of enjoyment for many travelers.

For those who want to enjoy the outdoors in Evora, there are many guided tours that will appeal to those who are looking for something different. There are bike tours as well as bikes for hire so you can explore the city on your own.

When you need to relax or simply want to enjoy a pastry while people watching, go to the Praca do Giraldo. The town square is an ideal place to start tours, meet family members and other tour mates or simply relax and unwind.

Things to see in Lagos

Those who wish for a quieter and secluded area will appreciate the small size of Praia do Pinhão. Here, you’ll be surrounded by cliffs and other breathtaking scenery and can be accessed through a foot path from Praia Dona Ana, another popular beach. Like Praia do Pinhão, the landscape is not only dotted with cliffs, but also interesting grottos. Praia do Pinhão has a viewing point where steps have been built and were divers can take a leap down into the sea.

Things to do in Lagos

If you’ve had enough of swimming and taking postcard perfect pictures, then enjoy the nightlife of Lagos. There are many interesting cafes in the squares of central Lagos such as Praça Gil Eanes where a statue of King Sebastian, who went to conquer Morocco and never returned has been erected in the middle of the square. Another square, Praça Luis de Camoes is the location of the statue of the poet Luis de Camoes who wrote one of Portugal’s well-loved epics, Lusiadas, a tale of heroism displayed during the numerous conquests and voyages done by the Portuguese.

Day trips to Sagres can be done. In Sagres, travelers can see the most powerful lighthouse in Europe in the headland of Cabo de San Vicente. Beach lovers will love Praia da Mareta, which is the closest to Sagres. It is a sandy beach on the bay that is sheltered by the cliffs of Ponta de Sagres. For something more tranquil, Sagres offer the coves of Salema and Luz, perfect for romantic getaways. These are fishing villages where you can sample fresh seafood from the restaurants in the area, including octopus, white sea bream and moray. Life here is very laid-back so the beaches are very popular for those with families. Finally, one of the best beaches accessible from Lagos is Praia da Rocha. There are rocky red cliffs, 2-kilometer long beach, good waves for surfing and quiet coves to please travelers who appreciate the beach life.

Things to see in Coimbra

Old Town is a good place to start for many travelers. Have your picture taken by the Arco de Almedina, the only one left of the three arches leading to the old town. It may take some time for you to reach this arch as the street leading to it is so steep that it is called by the locals as the Backbreaking Street or the Rua de Quebra-Costas in the local parlance. It is made of cobblestones so it can be slippery so be careful. Climb up the Se Velha or Old Cathedral. This cathedral dates back to the 12th century. It is a Romanesque cathedral that according to records is the only one from the Reconquista period to remain intact. As it was built during tumultuous times, the Old Cathedral looks more like a fortress than a church. For something newer, walk over to the Se Nova New Cathedral, a Jesuit church built in the 16th century. Four Jesuit saints line up the façade of the New Cathedral.

The University of Coimbra is the oldest and one of the largest universities located in Portugal. It originated in the 13th century and the whole university complex holds many interesting spots. Upon entering Porta Ferrea (iron gates), which leads to the old courtyard of the university, you can make your way to the Sala dos Capelos. Here, you’ll find paintings of Portuguese royalty beneath its vaulted and decorated ceiling. The university library or the Biblioteca Joanina will astound you with the elaborate gilding on the walls. It was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style.

Things to do in Coimbra

Things to see in Porto

Things to see in Fatima

The Our Lady of Fatima Basilica was built in commemoration of this historic apparition. This national shrine is also the resting place of the three children who saw a “lady brighter than the sun”.

The Museu de Cera on Rua Jacinta Marto where the sanctuary is located is a wax museum that travelers may find helpful. It provides the history and story of Fatima and how the apparitions came about in 31 separate scenes. It is open everyday except on Christmas Day.

Things to do in Fatima