Portugal is becoming an increasingly popular destination in Europe thanks to the country’s diverse attractions, and this list of the best places to visit in Portugal is sure to fuel your wanderlust for the westernmost country in Europe.
No matter your passion, you will find something to love about Portugal. Whether you’re interested in discovering amazing cities and historic landmarks, enjoying beaches and other natural wonders, or sampling mouthwatering culinary delights, there’s something for every traveler in Portugal.
From vibrant cities like Lisbon and Porto to laidback coastal towns along the Algarve to charming small towns like Obidos and Evora, in this article, we’re highlighting 10 of the best places to visit in Portugal to give you a taste of everything this beautiful country has to offer.
10 Best Places To Visit in Portugal
1. Lisbon
As Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon is a must-visit destination. Not only is it the largest city in Portugal, it also houses some of the country’s most important historical sites.
Castelo de Sao Jorge is one of the most impressive historical sites in Lisbon. This ancient fortress dates back to the 2nd century BC, and it has been used as a defensive fortification for more than two millennia.
Another place to visit in Lisbon is Belem Tower, a 16th-century fortified tower on the waterfront that served as the official gateway to the city. Back when Portugal was a colonial and maritime power, this tower was symbolic of the country’s might.
While you’re at Belem Tower, be sure to stop at Pasteis de Belem. This bakery is one of the best places in Lisbon to try Pastel de Nata, an egg custard pastry that is the national dessert of Portugal.
Another great spot to eat in Lisbon is Time Out Market, a massive food hall in the city center where you can choose from dozens of vendors and types of cuisine.
Lisbon is a hilly city, which means you’ll be walking a lot uphill, but it’s worth it for the views. Some of the best Miradouros (viewpoints) in the city are Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
Portugal has been increasing in popularity in recent years and Lisbon is the most-visited destination in the country. Therefore, it can feel crowded during the summer months. However, spring and fall are great times to visit Lisbon because of the fewer crowds and better weather.
2. Porto
Located near the mouth of the Douro River, not far from the coast, Porto is the country’s second city and one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Although smaller and lesser-known than Lisbon, it certainly stacks up to the capital.
One of the best things to do in Porto is to stroll across the iconic Luis I Bridge. The bridge divides the two sides of the city – Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia – and provides some of the best views of Porto.
Port wine is the most famous export of Porto, and the riverfront of Vila Nova de Gaia is lined with port houses like Sandeman and Calem where you can tour the port cellars and enjoy a tasting of port wine.
Moreover, you can check out the impressive Porto Cathedral, visit the whimsical – yet often crowded – Livraria Lello, which holds the title of the most beautiful bookstore in the world, or take a scenic boat tour along the Douro River.
Located in the northern part of the country, Porto tends to have summer temperatures that are a bit milder than Lisbon’s. Spring, summer, and fall are all good times to visit Porto.
3. Douro Valley
Not far from Porto, you can discover the Douro Valley region of Portugal. This fertile valley along the Douro River is considered one of the oldest wine regions in the world.
While you can sample port wine at the many port houses along the river in Porto, visiting the Douro Valley allows you to go deeper into exploring port production. You can visit family-run wineries and see where the grapes are harvested to make port wine before you indulge in a unique wine tasting or two.
At JayWay Travel, we can arrange tours that will allow you to get a firsthand look at port production in the Douro Valley. Beyond visiting wineries, this region boasts some of the most stunning natural landscapes and scenic viewpoints in Portugal.
You can visit the Douro Valley at any time of the year, but late spring and early fall offer the best weather. September is grape harvest season in the Douro Valley, which is a great time to visit if you want to get to know the port wine tradition of this region even better.
4. Sintra
For centuries, Sintra has been a popular destination. This hilly and picturesque resort town in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains was a popular place for Portuguese royalty and society’s elite to build their opulent palaces and estates.
Today, you can still visit many of these historic palaces and estates. The colorful Pena Palace is a must-visit, as is the fairytale-like Quinta da Regaleira. Sintra National Palace and the medieval Castle of The Moors are two more historic sites to visit in Sintra.
Apart from sightseeing, in the center of town, you’ll find lots of restaurants and shops to try – or buy – Portuguese delicacies and local wines.
Sintra is a popular day trip destination from Lisbon. As such, it can get crowded during the day, especially in the summer months. This is something your JayWay trip planner can assist with by securing skip-the-line tickets to the best attractions or even arranging private tours for a more exclusive experience.
5. The Algarve: Faro & Lagos
Looking for the best beaches in continental Portugal? Head to the south! While Portugal has a long coastline with many beach towns, the most beautiful beaches in the country are located along the sun-kissed coast of the Algarve in the southern part of the country.
Faro is the largest town in the Algarve and a good base to explore the rest of the region. Faro offers a mix of rich history and culture as well as several must-visit places for nature lovers.
Lagos is a popular resort town that’s also a great place to stay in the Algarve. This is where you’ll find some of the best beaches in the Algarve like Praia do Camilo.
In Lagos, you can hike to Ponta da Piedade, which will take you along a dramatic cliffside coastal walk to reach some stunning rock formations. This is also a popular starting point for boat tours that allow you to visit unique formations like the Benagil Cave, which is only accessible by water.
Here at JayWay Travel, we can arrange your excursions out on the water, whether you’re interested in having a boat day or taking a kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tour.
The Algarve is a popular summer destination, but you can visit year-round. This region is known for being a winter sun destination since it’s considerably warmer and sunnier than much of the rest of Europe in the winter months. That being said, it can still get chilly in the Algarve in the winter. You’ll find the best weather from April through October.
6. Coimbra
Once the capital of Portugal until it was replaced by Lisbon in 1260, Coimbra is an ancient riverfront city that is well worth visiting. Located about two hours north of Lisbon, Coimbra is a great place to spend a couple of days soaking up the ambiance.
One of the top things to do in Coimbra is to get lost wandering the historic streets of the medieval center. The city is also home to the University of Coimbra, which is Portugal’s oldest university and one of the country’s most prestigious places of higher education.
After a full day of exploring Coimbra, be sure to head down to the banks of the Mondego River where you can enjoy an al fresco dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
Coimbra is not quite as well-known as bigger cities like Lisbon and Porto, so it’s usually not a crowded destination, even in the summer months. Spring, summer, and fall are all excellent times to visit Coimbra and enjoy the beauty of this underrated city.
7. Nazare
Although the Algarve Coast in southern Portugal is well-known for its beaches, there are plenty of other coastal towns along the western side of Portugal, too. One of those towns is Nazare, an easy day trip from either Lisbon, Coimbra, or even Porto.
This small town on the Atlantic Coast is known for its great beaches and big waves. Because of its massive swells, Nazare is a popular destination for surfers. That said, this might not be the best place to learn how to surf if you’re a beginner. However, it’s a lot of fun to watch the big-wave surfers.
Aside from the beach, you can hike to Forte de Sao Miguel Arcanjo, a popular viewpoint overlooking the sea. This is a great walk along the coast. Another place you can walk to is Sitio, the oldest part of the town, located on a rocky promontory.
You can visit Nazare year-round. It’s warmest in the summer, but due to the town’s coastal location, it’s quite windy all year and this can make it a little chilly even in the summer months. For big-wave surfers, October to March is the best time of year for surfing – or spectating if you just want to watch the surfers in action.
8. Obidos
If you’re in search of small-town charm, you’ll find it in spades in Obidos, one of the best places to visit in Portugal. Located about one hour from Lisbon, Obidos is a picturesque medieval town surrounded by ancient walls that can easily be visited on a day trip from either the Portuguese capital or Coimbra.
Walking the town walls is a great way to start your visit to Obidos, and you can enjoy various scenic viewpoints of the town as you stroll around. While in Obidos, you can’t miss trying Ginja, the local liquor flavored with cherries, cinnamon, and sugar.
Despite its small size, Obidos has been designated a City of Literature because it’s home to more than a dozen bookstores.
There’s no bad time of year to visit Obidos, as this beautiful town is a year-round destination. However, due to its proximity to Lisbon, it’s a popular day trip which can mean heavy tourist crowds.
You’ll find that mornings and afternoons are more crowded in Obidos, but the town clears out in the evening. Weekends are also a busier time to visit Obidos.
9. Braga & Guimaraes
Located in northern Portugal, Braga and Guimaraes are two history-filled towns that are well worth a stop on your Portugal itinerary. It’s easy to visit them from Porto either on the same or two separate day trips.
Guimaraes is considered the birthplace of Portugal since it’s where the first Portuguese king Afonso Henriques was born in the year 1109. Guimaraes was also the first capital of Portugal before the capital moved to Coimbra and finally Lisbon.
You can’t miss visiting Guimaraes Castle or the Palace Duques de Braganca, which has been turned into an art museum.
Braga is home to the oldest diocese in Portugal. During the Middle Ages, Braga competed with Spain’s Santiago de Compostela in terms of power and importance.
Today, Braga is still home to many beautiful churches, including the Bom Jesus do Monte, which is famous for the striking Baroque staircase leading up to it.
Both Braga and Guimaraes are lovely to visit any time of the year, but you’ll enjoy the best weather in spring, summer, and early fall.
10. Evora
Last but not least, Evora is yet another of the best places to visit in Portugal. This captivating city is the capital of the Alentejo region in south-central Portugal.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Evora is a historic city filled with intriguing sites, from the ruins of the Roman Temple of Evora to the macabre Chapel of Bones. It’s also a great place to get lost as you wander through the city’s picturesque medieval streets.
In Evora, you can’t miss the Se de Evora, the largest cathedral in the country, with its awe-inspiring Gothic architecture. You can climb to the top of the cathedral for amazing views of the city.
Alentejo is another wine-producing region in mainland Portugal, and you can sample the local wines at various wineries throughout Evora. That said, you should also consider a visit to the vineyards and wineries in the countryside around Evora.
You can visit Evora at any time of the year, and it doesn’t get as crowded as some of the main cities in Portugal, such as Lisbon or Porto. Summer is the hottest season while spring and fall are much more temperate, so these are the best times to visit for more pleasant weather.
Explore The Best Places in Portugal With JayWay
If this list of the best places to visit in Portugal made you dream of a trip to this gorgeous European country, you’re in the right hands. Here at JayWay, we’re passionate about showing the charms of Portugal to our guests.
Whether you’re looking for a trip to explore Portugal’s highlights, a culinary journey through the most exquisite Portuguese tastes, or a two-week trip that combines the best of Spain and Portugal, rest assured that JayWay will plan the perfect Portugal itinerary for you, tailored to your needs and preferences.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.