10 Stunning Places to Visit in Portugal for Every Types of Travelers

Lisbon is the perfect place to start your adventure in Portugal. This colorful city sits on seven hills next to the Tagus River. The old areas of Alfama and Bairro Alto have narrow streets, local restaurants, and beautiful tiles on walls. You can ride the famous Tram 28 through the city or see the big Jerónimos Monastery. The Time Out Market has great local food, while the nearby Belém Tower shows Portugal's sea history very well.

Sintra is a magical town about 30 kilometers from Lisbon. UNESCO says this place is very important for world history. The town is famous for its pretty palaces and gardens. Pena Palace is bright and colorful like a fairy tale on top of a hill. Quinta da Regaleira has mystery gardens with underground tunnels and wells. The National Palace of Sintra shows beautiful examples of old Portuguese royal buildings. Cool mountain air makes Sintra perfect for walking around.

The Algarve is Portugal's southern area, known for its golden beaches and tall cliffs. Lagos has amazing rock shapes like Ponta da Piedade and beautiful beaches like Praia Dona Ana. Sagres sits at Europe's southwest corner with strong ocean views and great surfing. The area has over 300 sunny days every year. Pretty fishing villages, golf courses, and fresh fish restaurants make the Algarve perfect for beach lovers and outdoor fans.

Porto is Portugal's second biggest city and the heart of the north area. The old center is known for its beautiful old churches and traditional blue tiles. The famous Port wine storage places in Vila Nova de Gaia offer wine tasting with river views. Livraria Lello bookstore helped inspire parts of Harry Potter with its amazing look. The modern Serralves Museum shows new art, while the Ribeira area has great restaurants and nightlife along the Douro River.

Óbidos is a perfectly kept old town with ancient walls around it. This small town is about one hour north of Lisbon and feels like going back in time. The main street goes to a beautiful castle that is now a fancy hotel. White houses with blue and yellow details line the narrow stone streets. The town is famous for its cherry drink served in chocolate cups. Óbidos has many festivals during the year, including a popular old-time fair.

Cascais is another charming place near Lisbon that is worth visiting. This charming coastal town is just 30 minutes awat by train from the capital city. It used to be a fishing village, then it became a popular vacation place for European kings and queens. The town center has designer shops, art galleries, and great fish restaurants. Guincho Beach brings surfers and windsurfers with its strong Atlantic winds. The nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park has walking trails and beautiful coastal views. Cascais mixes beach relaxation with high-class Portuguese culture perfectly.

The Douro Valley is one of the world's oldest wine areas, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steep hills covered with grape plants create beautiful views along the Douro River. Peso da Régua is the area's main town and where river trips start. Traditional quintas (wine farms) offer tours and wine tasting of famous Port wine and table wines. River trips give amazing views of stepped vineyards. The valley looks especially beautiful during grape picking time in September and October.

Évora is an old city in the Alentejo area, about 90 minutes east of Lisbon. The whole city center is listed as a UNESCO  World Heritage Site. This city is adorned with Roman, Moorish, and old influences. The Roman Temple of Évora is one of Portugal's best-kept Roman buildings. The Chapel of Bones has walls decorated with human skulls and bones. Évora Cathedral gives city views from its towers. The surrounding area is known for great wines, olive oil, and traditional crafts.

Coimbra has one of Europe's oldest universities, started in 1290. The University of Coimbra is another UNESCO World Heritage Site with the amazing Joanina Library containing old books and fancy decoration. The old center sits on a hill above the Mondego River with narrow old streets. Students dressed in traditional black capes add to the city's school feeling. Coimbra is also famous for fado music, a traditional Portuguese singing style that started here hundreds of years ago.

Braga is known as Portugal's religious center and one of the country's oldest cities. The Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary sits on a hilltop with a beautiful old stairway and wide views. The city center has the impressive Braga Cathedral, one of Portugal's most important religious buildings. Se Cathedral shows different building styles from different time periods. The nearby Peneda-Gerês National Park has great hiking opportunities. Braga mixes deep religious history with modern Portuguese culture and great local food.