The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Portugal
Portugal is full of amazing places, natural, architectural sights, and cultural monuments. However, the main tourist destination remains the city overview. Let’s look at the most beautiful places in Portugal worth traveling cities to visit for all tourists.
The Portuguese Republic is the westernmost country in Europe, a country known for its football, colorful beaches, delicious fish dishes, and folklore traditions. People come here to enjoy architectural ensembles preserved from the Middle Ages, to walk through cities sheltered by colorful tiled roofs, and to admire ancient fortresses and churches.
Here are the top 15 most beautiful places and cities in Portugal worth visiting for everyone!
The Top of the Most Beautiful Places and Cities to Visit in Portugal for Bright Traveling
1. Sintra
Sintra is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. Since the Moorish occupation, Portuguese kings and nobles have recognized Sintra’s irresistible charm. There you will find such a dense concentration of beautiful villas and gardens, which is not found anywhere else in Portugal. At least five of the country’s main palaces and monasteries were hidden here among the lush southern vegetation.
Stay in touch in Portugal and use eSIM! Chat with friends during the trip and send cool photos on Instagram.
2. Obidos
This city is one of the best preserved villages in central Portugal, it traces its history back to the XIII century. Its historical value is the main concern of the population, of which the village has only about 5,000 people. For 600 years of its existence, Obidos was the personal property of the Portuguese kings and has always been considered an extremely romantic place, which also attracted foreign tourists and the Portuguese themselves at all times.
3. Nazare
The most famous fishing village in central Portugal is known for the wonderful folk art objects that are made by the locals. Nazare has a very strong sense of tradition and authentic local culture, which distinguishes it from nearby settlements. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
4. Fatima
In 1915, for the first time, children from Fatima observed the appearance of the Virgin Mary, who, according to them, conveyed a message of a religious and prophetic nature. This phenomenon was not an isolated one, repeating itself many times from 1915 to 1917. The Catholic Church recognized them as a genuine miracle. Today, Fatima is the most visited pilgrimage site on the Iberian Peninsula. The Sanctuary of Fatima and the Church of the Holy Trinity are located in Fatima.
5. Evora
Evora is one of the best preserved architectural gems in the country. An ancient Roman temple stands across the street from the monasteries that flourished during the time of Evora’s metropolitan status. These buildings combine with the remnants of the Moorish occupation to form one of the most attractive heterogeneous architectural ensembles in Europe. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
Read also:
6. Tomar
The history of this city dates back to the XII century, when the construction of the Templar castle began, which was later reconstructed into a royal monastery, which served as the center of the Order of Christ. Today, the monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city of Tomar itself is rightfully endowed with the status of one of the most picturesque corners of Europe, preserving the spirit of medieval Portugal.
7. Porto
The second largest city in Portugal. At the end of the 19th century, entrepreneurs from Brazil returned here and built many beautiful villas in the city. To this day, Porto is considered one of the economic centers of Portugal, there you can see new office buildings, modern residential complexes, fashionable shops and restaurants, and shopping malls everywhere. Serralves, the National Museum of Modern Art, is located in the Port. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
8. Guimaraes
The birthplace of the first king Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes is the real cradle of Portugal. The medieval part of the city is one of the most authentic and well-preserved in the country. The city was also the birthplace of Vicente (1465-1537), a playwright who is called the Portuguese Shakespeare.
9. Ginshu
Ginshu is located 9 km northwest of Cascais, it is the westernmost point in continental Europe. It is worth coming here to see the legendary Ginshu Beach, where waves break against the walls of the restored 17th century fortress (Fort du Ginshu), which has become an attractive hotel for tourists. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
10. Serra da Arrabida
Serra da Arrabida is a unique nature reserve that pleases the eyes of connoisseurs of pristine nature with stunning colors — dense thickets of shrubs, colorful wildflowers, and turquoise shades of the Atlantic Ocean. En route from Lisbon, you will find crowded and secluded beaches in the area, a medieval Capuchin monastery, and several good restaurants.
Read also:
11. Viana do Castelo
This northern city with strong folklore traditions is known for its ceramics, women’s dresses, abundant rainfall, and the dazzling beauty of historical buildings. Its heyday occurred in the XVI century, to this day it is one of the most important ports of the country. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
12. Cascais
Not far from Lisbon, there is another must-visit place — the city of Cascais. There has been a summer residence of kings here for a long time, and Portuguese tourism essentially originates here. Castles right on the seashore, palm trees, and azure water — all this is Cascais.
13. Aveiro
The city of Aveiro, which is located 220 kilometers from the capital of the country, is called Portuguese Venice by the locals. The Vogue River flows through the city, along which the locals sail on delightful boats called “moliseiros”. Each has its own unique painting. To get a better view of the city, it is best to take a ride on one of these moliseiros. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
14. Porto Moniz
The village of Porto Moniz is located on the amazing volcanic rocks of the island of Madeira and rises above the sea. It is known for its pools surrounded by rock formations. Local attractions include the Madeira Aquarium, built on the basis of an 18th-century fortress, and Fort John the Baptist. It is also worth seeing the Vau da Noiva waterfall.
15. Lisbon
Of course, do not forget about Lisbon — the largest city, the most important port, and the capital of Portugal. Lisbon is a point of fusion of various architectural styles that blend harmoniously with each other. There you will see Baroque palaces, the Gothic Carmelite monastery, the Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral, the Ajuda Palace, the San Bento Palace in the classical style, the Museum of Electricity, and the Museum of Ancient Art. This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
Read also:
FAQ
How to stay connected with the world during your trip to Portugal?
eSIM — a built-in SIM card with internet access, will help you stay connected anywhere in Portugal. It must be issued online on the eSIM Plus website, and use the internet while traveling.
What is the currency in Portugal?
In Portugal, the currency is the euro. Therefore, there should be no problems in this regard. Come immediately with this currency, so as not to waste time on exchangers.
What is the best transport to use in Portugal?
Portugal has an excellent rail and bus system. The trains are called CP (Comboios de Portugal), and there are a great many buses. The most popular companies are Rede Expressos and Renex, and there are also local companies that operate only in the northern or southern provinces. Train or bus tickets can be purchased in advance on company websites or at the ticket office before the trip. Car sharing is very popular in the country but the Portuguese are distrustful of hitchhiking.
Travel Around Portugal using eSIM Plus
When planning a trip, you need to keep in mind the connection. After all, orientation in a new city is difficult without a navigator and an online translator. In order not to get lost and not spend a lot of money, you need to arrange an eSIM in advance and forget about expensive roaming and hourly searches for a local operator.
eSIM is a virtual phone number that can be issued online directly from home. To do this, just open the eSIM Plus website and select the desired tariff. After payment, the number will be activated, and you will have internet access during the trip.
Do not overpay and do not complicate your life. Use eSIM and travel to Portugal for fun!
