The months of July and August are very hot (temperatures above 30 °C). There, you will find the convent Convento de Santa Cruz do Buçaco, which housed members of this Order from 1628 to 1834, when religious orders were disbanded. There are the magnificent seafaring cities of Lisbon and Porto, the lively beach resorts of the Algarve and the traditional fishing towns of the Atlantic coastline. Conímbriga is located 16 km from Coimbra and offers the possibility to see what a Roman city was like 2000 years ago! During your visit, walk along the ramparts, admire the beautiful keep with 4 towers and the chapel in honour of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação. It has benefited from the influence of various architectural styles, over several centuries, including Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance styles. During your visit, you can see the small granite houses, some of which have been restored for residential tourism where you can also sleep when you arrive in this authentic region of Portugal. It was conquered from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques. For more information about Pateira de Fermentelos and the Umbrella Sky Project, read the article What to visit in Águeda, the city of the colourful umbrellas. Portugal has many natural parks but one of … The human occupation of this island began several centuries ago with the passage of Viking and Muslim navigators, as well as French and English privateers. During your visit, you will be able to see traces of Roman, Visigothic and Muslim times. This is a country dominated by the sea both historically and culturally. Created in 1971, the Peneda Gerês National Park is home to more than 100 granite villages that have changed little since the creation of Portugal in the 12th century. In addition, the city became world famous after Garrett McNamara broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed in 2011. Ideally located, you can visit Lisbon and discover its many faces during a weekend. This exceptional place was almost submerged by the waters of a dam that was going to be built nearby. Quarteira This project is such a success that the agency Sexta Feira was invited to recreate it all over the world. This lady asked them to come to Cova da Iria on the 13th of each month, at the same time, for 6 months. The 739 km long Estrada Nacional 2 is the longest Portuguese road and the only one in Europe that crosses a country along its entire length (there are only 3 in the world: Route 66 in the United States, Route 40 in Argentina and N2 in Portugal). Lisbon is a vibrant and diverse city, which is forward-thinking and liberal, but has not forgotten its history and past. Elvas With centuries of history, this village has several points of interest that are worth your visit. Where to go in Portugal? Currently, Santarém is not as important as it was a few centuries ago, but its heritage is immense and, in that sense, I invite you to discover this city during your visit to Portugal. A town since the 14th century, Viana do Alentejo will take you to the deep and authentic Alentejo. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. This forest was planted by the Order of the Carmelites in 1644 and today has an area of 400 hectares. This sanctuary and the statue, in particular, welcome those who wish to visit Lisbon and its region with open arms. Thanks to the Age of Discoveries, Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages in the world: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and East-Timor. It was at this moment that it lost the status of “capital of Algarve” to Faro. Favaios is a wine-growing village located in the Douro Wine Region (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) that I invite you to visit when you come to this beautiful Portuguese region. If you cannot make a 2-month stay in Portugal all at once, you can divide this itinerary into several stays or create your own itinerary based on the number of days available and the places that interest you most. At first glance, it was a beautiful place, but nothing special. Tavira maybe a popular holiday destination but it has lost none of its Portuguese charm, The beaches of Tavira lie within the protected coastline of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and are some of the finest pristine beaches in the entire Algarve. Portugal in November, Portugal on a Budget Monte Gordo De karakteristieke sfeer is uniek, de hoofdstad Lissabon biedt een pittoreske charme die moeilijk te weerstaan is. If you want to get close to the waterfall, you can take the PR7 walking route of approximately 9 km (6 hours). After numerous attacks over the centuries, the last of which was carried out in the 19th century by Napoleon’s troops, the castle fell into ruins and was abandoned for more than 100 years. To fully enjoy Belver, leave your car on the river beach of Alamal and stroll along the wooden walkways placed by the river, over a 2 km stretch. Villa in Portugal huren Als u een villa in Portugal wilt huren kunnen we ons voorstellen soms door de bomen het bos niet meer te zien. Do not leave Pinhão without taking a cruise on the Douro river in a traditional boat that used to transport wine to Porto. We zijn nog steeds dezelfde Kyero, maar met de nieuwe branding die onze missie weerspiegelt om … Despite being a small country (in size), when visiting Portugal, you will not have time to get bored, because there are many wonders (monuments, landscapes, beaches, culture, gastronomy). Information: take the opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Portugal, the Cathedral of Portalegre. To discover all the places to visit in Peniche, read the article What to visit in Peniche – from the paradise of Berlengas to the fantastic beaches. Are you going to visit Portugal ? Visiting the historic villages means discovering a network of 12 villages dating back to medieval times, where part of Portugal’s history unfolded. The monument offers its visitors several points of interest, such as the castle, the Gothic and Renaissance cloisters, the charola (see picture above) and the Manueline church. Throughout the apparitions, this lady made some revelations, such as the end of the First World War, that Francisco and Jacinta would soon go to heaven (Francisco died in 1919 and Jacinta in 1920, due to the Spanish flu). When visiting Coimbra, don’t miss the opportunity to make a detour and discover the best preserved ancient Roman city in Portugal. Once, there was a small corner in Europe of 92 090 km2, a place which became known as Portugal (1139 A.D.) – D. Afonso Henriques was the founder of this kingdom and its first king. Here, you can admire the landscape that stretches for tens of kilometres and imagine what it would be like to live in this place hundreds of years ago. Hier geniet je van een prachtige kustlijn, veel zon en een goede keuken. Located at the top of the mountain range Serra de Ossa, in Alentejo, it presents a square shape with 4 circular towers at each end. Lisbon is popular destination for cruise ships (this is the Disney Magic departing from Lisbon), Discover more of Portugal with our guides. Be sure to try the cheese Queijo da Serra and discover places like Sabugueiro, Linhares da Beira, Loriga, the cities of Covilhã and Guarda and natural wonders such as Lagoa Comprida, Covão dos Conchos and the Zêzere Glacier Valley. For more information about Braga, read the article Top 20 of the best places to visit in Braga. When visiting this park, you will discover paradisiacal beaches (you don’t need to go to the Caribbean), viewpoints that offer breathtaking views and ancient castles with many stories to tell. Here ancient fortified towns are set within stunning natural scenery, and there are whole regions virtually undiscovered by modern tourism. Related articles: Lisbon introduction – top 10 sights and activities in Lisbon - 3 days in Lisbon, The magnificent plazas of the Baixa district, The Ponte 25 de Abril bridge spans the Tejo estuary. Portugal in the Winter Information: the Portuguese route of the Way of St. James (Santiago de Compostela) leaves Portugal through the city of Valença. Explore every corner and go to Marvão Castle. Lagos Said to be the city where ´Portugal was born´, Guimaraes was the country´s first capital and its incredible castle and beautiful palace certainly testify to its prestigious past. Met zijn kleurrijke steden, groene eilanden en zonnige kusten is Portugal een perfect land voor een afwisselende vakantie. End your visit at the Cruz Alta viewpoint to admire this wonder at sunset! 4) Porto Luxegids. The next section explains why they are in our top 10 of Portugal. Improved over the centuries, the Castle of Beja owes its origin to the Roman occupation. Villa te koop Algarve - Faro Portugal: 1005 x Woningaanbod - Totaal te koop in Portugal: 3025 huizen bij HUISenAANBOD.nl From 1915 onwards, the ruins were rebuilt and today you can visit the keep, the church Igreja de Santa Maria da Pena, the Royal Palace and walk along the ramparts that offer a 360º view of the city. Here, you get a chance toin the world 9. Founded in the 2nd century BC, Bragança is a city to visit during your stay in Portugal, especially for its beautiful citadel. 6) Vila Nova de Milfontes Located 8 km from Mafra, the small town of Ericeira is basically a fishing village that has grown over the years thanks to its quality of life and its magnificent beaches, very popular amongst surfers. Mértola is a town with centuries of history, with traces dating back to the Neolithic period. Best Places to Stay in Portugal – discover amazing rooms and breathtaking views! With more than 75.000 hectares, the park is home to approximately 9000 inhabitants dispersed in 92 villages, of which one (Rio de Onor) is divided in two by the Spanish border. Portugal in March Here are the places you can’t miss in the park: To get to know this park better, I invite you to read the article Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park: the 9 places you can’t miss! Estoril Portugal Known in Portugal for its delicious Pão de Ló (similar to the English sponge cake, or even the French Savoy cake), the municipality of Ovar hides other wonders that I suggest you discover during your visit to Portugal.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'gotoportugal_eu-banner-1','ezslot_3',698,'0','0'])); In the north of the municipality you’ll find Barrinha de Esmoriz, a lagoon where you can admire the beautiful flora and fauna while walking on the 8 km wooden walkways, created to allow people to explore this natural wonder. Founded in 1125 by Countess D. Teresa de Leão, mother of the first Portuguese king, Ponte de Lima is one of the oldest towns in Portugal and one of the most beautiful! The Portuguese discoveries played a major role in shaping the world map. Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park: the 9 places you can’t miss! During your visit to the city, do not hesitate to take a short detour to discover the Costa Nova beach and its beautiful fishermen’s houses painted with vertical and horizontal stripes and in different colours, which brings a special charm to this place. It is a city which has it all for tourists: history, nightlife, culture and most importantly, fun. The itinerary I present below is circular, which means that you can start in Viana do Castelo, as presented in this article, or in Porto, Lisbon or Faro, if you arrive in Portugal by plane or by one of the land borders. The main access is through the campsite Parque de Campismo da Galé, but if you pay attention, you will find another access next to the houses. Never crowded, Bordeira beach invites you to spend relaxing holidays away from touristy places. 8) Guimarães In the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Discoveries, the Portuguese went on several voyages and maritime explorations, in search of new trade routes. Located literally in the centre of Algarve, the village of Alte is another little-known treasure to discover during your visit to Algarve. Information: in the Côa Museum building, there is the Côa Museu restaurant, where I suggest you have lunch or dinner while enjoying a superb view over the Douro and Côa valley. Located on the top of a hill, Monsaraz is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. During your visit, make sure to go to the majestic palace Paço Ducal, former residence of the Dukes of Bragança, the Castle of Vila Viçosa, built in the 13th century, the sanctuary Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the beautiful church Igreja de São João Evangelista. Located 8 km from Aljezur, it offers magnificent landscapes. Sintra Portugal, AlentejoIntroduction When visiting Tavira, you will discover a city with 21 churches, an old Moorish quarter, the ruins of a castle with a beautiful view of the city, a bridge of Roman origin and alleys where you will enjoy to lose yourself. In the centre of the Douro Wine Region, Pinhão is undoubtedly one of the most famous villages in the Douro Valley, due to its beautiful train station, with 24 tile panels representing Douro’s landscapes and scenes of the vintage. To visit the Castle of Almourol, you must board a small boat located on the left bank of the river, in the municipality of Praia do Ribatejo. Like Galé beach in Melides, Falésia beach will surprise you with the beauty of its cliffs. The Portuguese love Vila Nova de Milfontes, and during their summer holidays (mid-July and August), it is transformed from a peaceful village into a bustling and lively resort. For more information on each island and how to get there, read the article Ria Formosa: come and visit the natural paradise of Algarve. There is an ancient castle, a medieval palace, a Gothic monastery and pretty streets filled with traditional houses - Guimarães is a joy to explore. Évora lived several lives: Roman until the 5th century, belonged to the Visigoths until the 8th century, to the Moors for four centuries and, finally, to the Portuguese since 1165. Although it was recently elevated to the category of city (in 1988), Peniche has always been of particular importance in the country, especially at the maritime and fishing areas. The village is also surrounded by fabulous viewpoints, such as the Casal de Loivos viewpoint and the Torguiano de São Cristóvão do Douro viewpoint. Be sure to try the Calça Curta or Tua Mercearia, very popular restaurants amongst those who come here! Above Nazaré is the Sitio headland, with its delightful historic centre, lighthouse and views over the Praia do Norte beach, onto which the massive winter waves crash. It temporarily hosted Portuguese families who came from the former African colonies. This village is just one example of the many villages used by the local population. If, like me, you enjoy big sandy beaches, walk in the midst of stunning landscapes, admire the fishermen working and discover their authentic villages, Costa da Caparica will surprise you! - 1 week in Portugal (suggested routes with maps), Obidos is a charming walled town and popular day trip from Lisbon, Carvoeiro on the Algarve coastline, is a favourite for family holidays, The following is our top 10 favourite places to visit in Portugal. Our opinion: We adore Sintra, but the town has succumbed to over-tourism; it’s not fun to wait for an hour for the tourist bus or standing in the endless ticket queues. Do not hesitate to stroll along the banks of the lagoon to the gazebos to contemplate this wonder. In addition to being able to admire the beautiful houses and streets, you will find countless walking routes, mountain bike trails and river beaches. As you can imagine, in this article I did not present all the Portuguese beauties, but when visiting the 100 places mentioned above, you will discover more than 90% of the incredible places in Portugal (not to mention the Madeira archipelago and the Azores archipelago)! The beautiful town of Mértola is located in the Guadiana valley, in Alentejo, and just 20 km from the Spanish border and Algarve. The city is a joy to explore with grand plazas leading to narrow cobbled streets that are dissected by the quaint tram network. Since then, this magnificent monument belongs to the Portuguese state, which decided to open it to the public. But you won’t find just villages frozen in time. Older villages remain isolated from modern life. Welkom bij de nieuwe, zonniger Kyero. Located just 6 km from the airport, the historic centre of Faro will conquer you with its narrow and timeless streets and its beautiful cathedral from which you will have an incredible view of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Our opinion: If you wish to escape the summertime tourist masses then head to the far north of Portugal. To visit the 100 most beautiful places in Portugal, you need to travel just over 4300 km and a stay of at least 2 months. Evora is the ideal base from which to explore the Alentejo region, with day trips to Elvas, Estremoz and Evoramonte. Portugal's Best Beaches To admire this natural beauty, head to the Fisgas do Ermelo viewpoint. These villages were built with local materials (schist) that give them a very special character. Where to go in the Algarve? Related articles: Sintra introduction – Day trip to Sintra, The colourful Pena Palace is always a highlight of a visit to Sintra, The Castelo dos Mouros is high above Sintra and once guarded the town. Valença, also known as Valença do Minho, has the third largest fortress in Portugal. As nobody saw Our Lady of the Rosary (except for the young shepherds), on October 13, 1917 a miracle occurred so that the crowd could see and believe in the apparition of the Virgin Mary. The building occupies an area of ​​approximately 4 hectares, with 1200 rooms, 4700 doors and windows. 5) Lagos This small town has a charm like few in Algarve. In this article, I will show you the 100 most beautiful places to visit in Portugal and an itinerary so that you can easily discover these wonders. Right at the entrance to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Branda da Aveleira is a small village that has been particularly inhabited for a long time, only 6 months a year. In addition to the beautiful umbrellas hanging on the streets of the historic centre (Rua Luís de Camões, as well as on the adjacent streets), the benches, posts and facades are covered with beautiful works of urban art. Luxe huizen Portugal te koop - Villa’s en luxe appartementen in Portugal. Porto may have a hard-working and modest mentality, but it is a city with a rich history, and nightlife and artisan scenes that are flourishing. Located just 39 km from Lisbon, the municipality of Mafra has many treasures that are worth visiting during your stay in Portugal. To get to know this small town better, read the article What to visit in Portimão, one of the wonders of Algarve! To discover the wonders of this city in detail, read the article Top of the places to visit in Figueira da Foz. Het is je misschien opgevallen dat alles er wat anders uitziet. Inhabited for many centuries, the village of Drave is now abandoned (the last inhabitant left in 2000) and to get there, you need to walk 4 km (2 hours) from the village of Regoufe. During your visit, admire the Cathedral of Viseu, the Porta do Soar and Porta dos Cavaleiros and enjoy the many works of urban art scattered throughout the city. To discover its historic centre and magnificent beaches, read the article What to visit in Lagos, one of the most beautiful cities in Algarve! During your visit you can take enjoyable day trips to pretty Ponte de Lima and the northern border town of Valença. This village was originally founded to serve as a major Portuguese fortification on the Spanish border in the 12thcentury (those pesky Spaniard really wanted this town) Many of the tours featured within the village lead guests around the wall and moat defences that made Almeida stood defiantly amidst the Spanish sieges. History, beaches, and nightlife - Lagos is rightful popular! Portugal is easily one of Europe’s most visited countries, thanks in large part to its affordability, ideal holiday weather, and its incomparable attractions. The monastery was donated to the order of the Dominicans who remained there until 1834, the year the religious orders were disbanded in Portugal. You will find stairs that will take you to the beach. Climb to the sanctuary Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, built from 1750 to 1905 with characteristics of the Baroque and Rococo style. Its Gothic style is mixed with elements of the Italian inspired Renaissance style. The city became Christian again in 1058, with the victory of King Fernando I of Leão, and in 1123 Viseu became part of the Portucalense County. Information: in late 2020 or early 2021, the largest suspended pedestrian bridge in the world, 516 metres long and 175 metres above the Paiva river, will be inaugurated. If you want to discover all the secrets of this magnificent valley, I invite you to read the article Itinerary to visit the Douro Valley and Porto in 7 days. Lagos is one of the finest holiday destinations on the Algarve coastline, and combines a vibrant city and glorious beaches. Read more here, Advertências Legais / Mentions Légales / Legal Notices | Política de Privacidade / Politique de Confidentialité / Privacy Policy | Copyright © "Gotoportugal.eu" 2013 - 2020, Top 20 of the places to visit in Viana do Castelo, Read this article for a detailed tour of the city of Porto, What to visit in Águeda, the city of the colourful umbrellas, Top of the places to visit in Figueira da Foz, Visit Tomar and discover the magnificent city of the Knights Templar. Related articles: Nazaré introduction – Batalha introduction – Peniche guide, The beautiful beach of Nazaré, as seen from the top of the Sitio headland, The Farol da Nazaré lighthouse, on a peaceful summer’s day and with calm seas. In the 19th century, Figueira da Foz doubled its population thanks to the port and shipbuilding, as well as the arrival of many tourists to enjoy the magnificent beaches. dicht Portugal. This country awakens in us a very unique feeling, Saudade, when we are far from this wonderful paradise. This place is very photogenic and it is worth taking a detour when visiting Coimbra. 7. This history is played out along the cobbled streets and small plazas, where ancient town defenses stand next to traditional tiled villas. For more information about this city, read the article Top 16 of the places to visit in Faro. There are several other cities in Portugal. In fact, Nazaré is divided into three distinct areas: the lower part, by the sea, Pederneira, the inner part of the city, and the Sítio, located on the Nazaré promontory. In dit Zuid-Europese land zal elk type vakantieganger zich prima vermaken. Natural reserve since 1978 and natural park since 1987, Ria Formosa has a significant biodiversity that extends for more than 60 km and more than 18 000 ha in total. Located in the Protected Landscape Area of the Esposende Coast (35 km from Viana do Castelo), the small town of Apúlia is a very pleasant place due to its natural beauty and authenticity. Nazaré boasts a vast sand beach, a characterful town and a rich fishing heritage. Yes, Portugal has maintained its borders since 1279. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the prehistoric rock art site of the Côa river valley is the most important outdoor Paleolithic rock art site in all of Europe. During your visit, walk along the ramparts and go to the keep to have a beautiful view of the city of Beja and its surroundings. Information: the places below refer only to mainland Portugal. Melgaço is one of the most beautiful towns located on the banks of the Minho river and on the Spanish border. So that you can discover this wonder, I put here the exact location of the path to be used. Monte Clérigo beach is one of my favourite places across the country! With more countryside charm on the Costa Verde and natural beauty on Madeira, Portugal has plenty to offer! Information: the best time to hike in the Rota Vicentina is from September to June. In the summer, Nazaré has a lively holiday atmosphere, but still retains its Portuguese character. Since then, due to its great economy and privileged location, Lagos has undergone an enormous development and was considered the “capital of Algarve” for two centuries. Finish your hike in the village to have the option of taking a taxi to get back to the starting point. After this integration, the city was attacked several times by troops from Castile (Spain). This way you are helping me in the development of my blog and I’ll be able to offer you free tips and travel guides so that you can better prepare your visit to Portugal.