Portugal Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Lisbon
A colorful tapestry of urban life awaits in the vibrant hilltop neighborhoods of Lisbon. Don't miss drinks in rowdy Bairro Alto, live fado in the Alfama or cafe culture in elegant Chiado. The city is home to Europe's largest oceanarium.

Parque das Nações
This museum (www.parquedasnacoes.pt) in Lisbon houses a weird and wondrous collection of public art.

Belém
The striking Torre de Belém is near the fabled spot where Vasco da Gama set sail during the Age of Discoveries. Other Belém attractions include the glorious Jerónimos Monastery (www.mosteirojeronimos.pt).

Sintra
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sintra is an idyllic town surrounded by wooded hillsides. Don't miss the former summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and the beautiful Monserrate gardens.

Cabo de São Vicente
The cliff top heights of Cabo de São Vicente outside of Sagres are Europe's southwestern-most point. Lying near some spectacularly rugged and windswept beaches, the views are dramatic.

Évora
Évora is a virtual museum of a town that reached its golden age in the 15th century. The walled old center contains a Roman temple, a looming cathedral and picturesque plazas for taking in the architectural splendor.

Mosteiro de Santa Maria
The Mosteiro de Santa Maria (Monastery of Batalha) is a gothic Manueline masterpiece built to commemorate the 1385 victory over Spain in the Battle of Aljubarrota. Its elaborately carved exterior is one of the icons of Portugal.

Braga
Portugal's spiritual heart, Braga is a lively little city with an exquisite assortment of baroque churches, a sprawling cathedral and Roman ruins. It hosts traditional religious festivals throughout the year, including Portugal's most colorful Holy Week.

Knights Templar castle
The Knights Templar castle in Tomar contains intriguing medieval relics. The Convent of the Order of Christ at the heart of the castle complex is one of Portugal's premier artistic and historical structures.

Ribeira
This UNESCO World Heritage site in Porto has history lurking round every corner, from its neo classical Stock Exchange Palace to its romanesque-gothic Cathedral, with spectacular views along the vibrant waterfront of Cais da Ribeira (www.portoturismo.pt).

Guimarães
The medieval capital of Guimarães (www.guimaraesturismo.com) was the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Looming above its narrow, cobbled lanes lie castle ruins and the former palace of the Dukes of Bragança.

Côa Valley Archaeological Park
The Côa Valley Archaeological Park (www.ipa.min-cultura.pt/coa) is home to a magnificent collection of rock carvings from the Upper Palaeolithic period (22,000-10,000BC). The UNESCO World Heritage site only narrowly escaped destruction during a proposed dam-building project.

Coimbra
The charming town of Coimbra is home to Portugal's oldest and most venerated university and full of Portuguese culture. It is set amid a splendid old town of historic churches and medieval alleyways, with the buzz of student life all around.

Tavira
Tavira is one of the Algarve's oldest and least spoiled towns. Constructed on the banks of the River Gilhão, the picturesque settlement a smattering of gothic and Renaissance churches, a seven-arched Roman bridge, old fortifications and a pristine island beach.

Top Things to Do

Alfama
The narrow lanes of Lisbon's Alfama are a mazelike district of steep staircases, hidden churches and traditional taverns, with an old tram still rattling through the streets.

Peneda-Gerês
Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês (www.geira.pt/pnpg/index.html), is 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) of dramatic mountain scenery, old stone villages and unrivalled adventure for outdoor enthusiasts.

Algarve
Soak up some rays or take a dip in the sea along the Algarve, the sunny southern coastline boasting some of Portugal's loveliest beaches.

Watersports
Have a go at scuba-diving, surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing at one of the watersports centers dotted along the coast. Contact the Portuguese Federation for Underwater Activities (www.fpas.pt) for diving information.

Horse riding
Portugal has several dozen riding centers. Lusitano thoroughbreds hail from Portugal, and experienced riders can even take dressage lessons in Estremadura.

Festivals
Traditional festivals with dancing, drinking and feasting, occur throughout the year. Top picks include Lisbon's festival of St Anthony (12 and 13 June) and Braga's festival of St John (23 and 24 June).

Fado music
The melancholic Fado music, Portugal's best-known traditional musical form, can be heard at atmospheric bars and clubs in Lisbon or Coimbra.

Vila Nova de Gaia
The picturesque port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from Porto offer a taste of the country's best port wines.

Fatima
The spiritual shrine at Fátima has been an important center of Roman Catholic pilgrimage since 1917 when the Virgin Mary appeared to a group of children. Experience the torchlight processions of 13 May and 13 October.

Douro Valley,
The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site where beautifully set vineyards offer wine-lovers a chance to sample the great vintages of Portugal, can be reached by a cruise or a historic train ride.

Golf
Portugal has championship golf courses in the south (over 20 in the Algarve alone). One of the oldest clubs in the country is Quinta de Marinha in Estoril.

Estoril
The world famous Estoril racetrack (www.circuito-estoril.pt) is located a short distance from Lisbon, on Portugal's Atlantic coast. Visitors can go along to watch car or motorcycle races.