Portugal

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Lisbon

Affordable prices and an alluring combination of sunny skies, glorious architecture, deep-rooted traditions, and thoroughly modern flair have

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country

Chiado and Bairro Alto

West of Baixa is the fashionable shopping district of Chiado. Although a calamitous 1988 fire destroyed much of the area, an ambitious rebuilding

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today

Évora

Dressed in traditional garb, shepherds and farmers with faces wizened by a lifetime in the baking sun stand around the fountain at Praça do

The Modern City

The attractions of 19th- to 21st-century Lisbon are as diverse as they are far-flung. Near the large square Praça dos Restauradores, north of

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a

Baixa

The earthquake of 1755, and the ensuing massive tidal wave and fires, killed thousands of people and reduced 18th-century Lisbon to rubble.

Alfama

In the Alfama district, narrow, twisting streets and soaring flights of steps wind up to an imposing castle on one of the city's highest hills

Alcantara and Belem

The old port district of Alcântara got a face-lift in the 1990s, and since then it has been a nightlife hub, as well as a great place to relax

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. However, this bustling fishing port also has

Porto Santo

Beachcombers have long loved the tiny, parched, and barren island whose golden beach is famous for its therapeutic properties. By packing themselves

Figueira da Foz

There are various theories as to the origin of the name Figueira da Foz. Locals at this seaside town’s busy fishing harbor favor the literal

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few

Guimarães

Guimarães is a town proud of its past, and this is evident in a series of delightful medieval buildings and streets. The old town's narrow,

Viseu

A thriving provincial capital in the Dão region (one of Portugal's prime wine-growing districts), Viseu has remained a country town in spite

Aveiro

Aveiro's traditions are closely tied to the sea and to the Ria de Aveiro, the vast, shallow lagoon that fans out to the north and west of town

Óbidos

The medieval village of Óbidos is a place to wander and wonder, both inside the city walls and out. Once a strategic seaport, Óbidos is now

Braga

Braga is one of northern Portugal's outstanding surprises. Founded by the Romans as Bracara Augusta, it prospered in earnest in the 6th century

Albufeira

A long, bar-lined strip lined with enough neon lights to rival Las Vegas makes this a party-revelers' paradise at night. During the day, you

Tavira

With its castle ruins, riverfront gardens, and old streets, Tavira—at the mouth of the quiet Rio Gilão—is immediately endearing. Many of the

Fatima

On the western flanks of the Serra de Aire lies Fátima, an important Roman Catholic pilgrimage site that is, ironically, named after the daughter

Estremoz

Estremoz, which lies on the ancient road that connected Lisbon with Mérida, Spain, has been a site of strategic importance since Roman times

Portalegre

Portalegre is the gateway to the Alentejo's most mountainous region as well as to the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede. The town is at

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century

Portimão

Portimão is a major fishing port, and significant investment has been poured into transforming it into an attractive cruise port as well. The

Viana do Castelo

At the mouth of the Rio Lima, Viana do Castelo has been a prosperous trading center since it received its town charter in 1258. Many of its

Beja

Midway between Spain and the sea is Beja, Baixo Alentejo's principal agricultural center that spreads itself across a small knoll. Much of the

Peniche

In the lee of a rocky peninsula, Peniche is a major fishing-and-canning port that's also a popular summer resort known for its fine trimmed

Alcobaça

Alcobaça is a town that still shows its old-world roots in its downtown architecture—pretty red-tile roofs and French chateau turrets. The town

Cais do Sodre and Santos

Taking its name from a once-busy river quay, the Cais do Sodré neighborhood remains a transportation hub. Trains for Cascais and the Estoril

Elvas

Extensively fortified because of its proximity to the Spanish town of Badajoz, Elvas was from its founding an important bastion in warding off

Castelo Branco

The provincial capital of Beira Baixa is a modern town with wide boulevards, parks, and gardens. There are some handsome buildings here, as

Sintra

Leiria

Leiria is a pleasant, modern, industrial town at the confluence of the Rios Liz and Lena, overlooked by a wonderfully elegant medieval castle

Bragança

This ancient town in the northeastern corner of Portugal has been inhabited since Celtic times (since about 600 BC). The town lent its name

Setubal

A colorful sister city to polished, cosmopolitan Lisbon, Setúbal lacks the tourist hordes of the capital but has plenty to offer the visitor

Monsaraz

The entire fortified hilltop town of Monsaraz is a living museum of narrow stone streets lined with ancient white houses. The town's 150 or

Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha (Queen's Baths), the hub of a large farming area, is best known for the fantastical, colorful ceramics produced in local factories

Vila Real

The capital of Trás-os-Montes is superbly situated between two mountain ranges, and much of the city retains a small-town air. Although there

Tomar

Tomar is an attractive town laid out on both sides of the Rio Nabão, with the new and old parts linked by a graceful, arched stone bridge. The

Ericeira

Ericeira, an old fishing town tucked into the rocky coast, is a popular seaside resort. Its core fans out from the sheer cliff, beneath which

Peso da Regua

This small river port is a working town, and though not as scenic as its smaller neighbor Pinhão, it’s the true heart of portwine country, and

Torres Vedras

A bustling commercial center crowned with the ruins of a medieval castle, Torres Vedras is best known for its extensive fortifications—a system

Carvoeiro

This busy resort town has gone to great lengths to boost tourism but still maintains some of its fishing-village charm. An abundance of good

Castelo de Vide

A quiet hilltop town, Castelo de Vide is a picturesque place with pots of geraniums and dazzling flower beds throughout town. It’s more lively

Guarda

At an elevation of about 3,300 feet, Portugal's highest city is aptly referred to by the four Fs: forte, feia, fria, e farta (strong, ugly

Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

A region of stunning beauty, this natural park covers approximately 1,011 square km (390 square miles) and is home to the highest mountain in

Monchique

The winding road up to Monchique from Portimão or Silves brings the surprise of lush greenery and an oasis of brightly colored villas surrounded

Vilamoura

Glitzy and glamourous Vilamoura is the Algarve’s answer to Monaco. Once a prosperous Roman settlement, today it’s an upscale resort community

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for lisboetas. And, despite high

Pinhão

Pinhão is heaven on earth for oenophiles, who can visit quintas (vineyards), tour the facilities, and sip port and wine to their hearts' content

Serpa

In this sleepy agricultural town, men pass the time by gathering together in the compact Praça da República under the shadow of an ancient stone

Sagres

In the 19th century, this village, amid harsh, barren moorland, was rebuilt over earthquake ruins. Architecturally, there's little of note today

Arraiolos

Arraiolos, dominated by the ruins of a once-mighty walled fortress, is a typical hilltop Alentejo village of whitewashed houses and narrow streets

Lapa and Estrela

Lapa is a quiet residential neighborhood with several chic eateries and one of Lisbon's most renowned casas de fado, Senhor Vinho. The Museu

Armação de Pera

Massively overdeveloped with high-rise apartment blocks (the majority of which stand empty for much of the year), Armação de Pêra is probably

Amarante

Small, agreeable Amarante may be overshadowed by its more historic neighbor Guimarães, but the town still deserves an overnight stop. Straddling

Almancil

Easily accessed from both the A22 and the N125, Almancil is near two of the region's biggest draws: the upmarket seaside resort areas of Quinta

Silves

Silves—once the Moorish capital of the Algarve—is one of the region's most intriguing locales. Small whitewashed villas trickle down from the

Benavente

Benavente is a small, country town in the heart of rural Ribatejo and of the Lezíria, which is Portuguese for the rich and fertile landscape

Vila Nova de Milfontes

This small resort town is at the broad mouth of the Rio Mira, which is lined on both sides by sandy beaches. Overlooking the sea is an ivy-covered

Santarem

Present-day Santarém, high above the Tagus River, is an important farming and livestock center. It holds the largest agricultural fair in the

Olhão

By visiting Olhão’s riverfront Mercado dos Pescadores or attending its famous August shellfish festival, you’ll see why this town is synonymous

Nazare

Not so long ago you could mingle on the beach with black-stocking-capped fishermen and even help as the oxen hauled boats in from the crashing

Peneda-Geres

The northeastern corner of the Minho is quite unlike most of this densely populated, heavily cultivated region. Here several forested serras

Curia

Just 30 minutes by car from the clamor of the summer beach scene, Curia is a quiet retreat with shaded parks and grand belle epoque hotels.

Belmonte

Three things catch your eye on the approach to Belmonte. The first two, the ancient castle and the church, represent the past; the third, an

Mertola

The ancient walled-in town of Mértola is on a hill overlooking the Rio Guadiana and its Roman quay. Mértola has seen several archaeological

Marvão

The views of the mountains as you approach the medieval fortress town of Marvão are spectacular, and the town's castle, atop a sheer rock cliff

Loule

Positioned north of the N125 and A22 roads, Loulé is more inland than other coastal towns. Castle walls and three stone towers provide visual

Parque das Nações

To prepare for the World Exposition in 1998, Lisbon's officials wisely kept in mind not only the immediate needs of the event, but also the

Praia da Rocha

Portimão’s crown jewel is a 1-km (½-mile) stretch of sand backed by a curtain of ocher-red cliffs, along the top of which stands a series of

Santiago do Cacem

Some of Europe's finest and least crowded beaches are on the rugged stretch of Portugal's west coast that extends from the southern extreme

Vila Viçosa

A quiet town with a moated castle, Vila Viçosa is in the heart of the fertile Borba Plain. It has been closely linked with Portuguese royalty

Praia da Luz

There was formerly an active fishing fleet here, and a favorite pastime was to watch the boats being hauled onto the broad, sandy beach that

Vila Real de Santo Antonio

This community on the Rio Guadiana is the last stop before Spain. Like most border towns, it's a lively place, with lots of bars and restaurants

Barcelos

Barcelos, a bustling market town on the banks of the Rio Cávado with a population of some 18,000, is the center of a flourishing handicrafts

Alvor

Characterized by a maze of interesting streets, lanes, and alleys, the handsome old port of Alvor is one of the Algarve's best examples of an

Batalha

Batalha, which means "battle" in Portuguese, is the site of another of the country's religious structures that memorialize a battle victory

Penacova

A little town on a hill at the junction of three low mountain ranges, Penacova affords panoramic views and wonderful hiking opportunities.

Gouveia

Nestled into the western side of the Mondego Valley, this quiet town of parks and gardens is a popular base from which to explore the Serra

Vale do Lobo

Vale do Lobo is a gated luxury villa complex that attracts the superrich and famous from the world over (but yes, it's still open to all). The

Covilhã

Although its origins go back to Roman times, there's little in present-day Covilhã of historic significance. Nevertheless, it is an attractive

Abrantes

Abrantes became one of the country's most populous and prosperous towns during the 16th century, when the Tagus River was navigable all the

Almeirim

Almeirim, a pretty country town just across the river from Santarém, is surrounded by vineyards and cork-oak forests. Many people from nearby

Alcacer do Sal

Salt production here has nearly disappeared, but it was because of this mineral that Alcácer do Sal became one of Portugal's first inhabited

Montemor-o-Novo

Driving east from the Portuguese capital, the first hilltop castle settlement you’ll hit is also one of the most impressive. Montemor-e-Novo

Chaves

Chaves was known to the Romans as Aquae Flaviae (Flavian's Waters). They established a military base here and popularized the town's thermal

Vila do Bispo

For a break from the resort buzz, head to this small, quiet town at the crossroads between the west and south coastal roads. The interior of

Calheta

Although Calheta is a historic village with a 17th-century church, it has only really developed over the past decade or so, thanks to having

Povoa de Varzim

Póvoa de Varzim has a long beach, but the town has little of Vila do Conde's charm—except, perhaps, for the many shops and roadside stalls that

Lagoa

This market town is primarily known for its wine, vinho Lagoa (the red is especially good). It is also home to the Algarve’s last surviving

Vila do Conde

Vila do Conde has a long sweep of fine sand, a fishing port, a lace-making school, and a struggling shipbuilding industry that has been making

Palmela

The small town of Palmela lies in the center of a prosperous wine-growing area, and every September the community holds a good-natured Festa

Sortelha

If you have time to visit only one fortified town, this should be it. From the moment you walk through Sortelha’s massive ancient stone walls

Cacilhas

Although a town in its own right, Cacilhas appears little more than a slightly run-down suburb of Lisbon, albeit one with the bonus of several

Guincho

The wide beach at Guincho is one of the most famous—and most visited—in the country. Atlantic waves pound the sand even on the calmest of days

Vila Franca de Xira

Vila Franca de Xira is an excellent place to see Portuguese bullfights, known as the tourada, which are held from Easter through October.

Monte

The village of Monte sits above Funchal at a height of 1,804 feet. The cool mountain air and dramatic views made it a healthy retreat for the

Lamego

A prosperous town set amid a fertile landscape carpeted with vineyards and orchards, Lamego is also rich in baroque churches and mansions. It

Espinho

Frequent trains and the N109 run past a string of quiet family beaches to Espinho, which has become an increasingly fashionable resort over

São Bras de Alportel

Peace and tranquillity rule in São Brás, a destination that melds old-fashioned charm with modern amenities. Once the Algarve’s largest cork

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão

The region around the small town of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, on the western side of the Serra da Arrábida, retains a disproportionately large

Monte Gordo

Pinewoods and orchards break up the flat landscape around this large resort area, just 4 km (2½ miles) from the Spanish border. Relentlessly

Azoia and Cabo da Roca

Azoia is a quaint village in the district of Leira that has maintained a genuine rural charm. Surrounded by flora typical of the Serra de Sintra

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday

Ovar

At Ria de Aveiro's northern end, Ovar is a good jumping-off point for the string of beaches and sand dunes to the north. This small town, with

Porto Moniz

The island's northernmost village, Porto Moniz, was a whaling station in the 19th century, but these days, its natural pools, formed by ancient

Luso

This charming town, built around the European custom of "taking the waters," is on the main Lisbon–Paris train line, in a little valley at the

Conimbriga

Surrounded by groves of olive trees and rolling hills, Conímbriga is home to one of the Iberian Peninsula's most important archaeological sites

Fundão

The pears and cherries grown in this region are the best in Portugal, and Fundão is the principal market town for the area's many orchards.

Monção

The riverside town of Monção is a fortified border settlement with a long history of skirmishes with the Spanish. In town there are the remains

Penamacor

Like many of the towns in this region, Penamacor is a mix of old and new. Dominated by the ruins of an ancient castle, it was a key link in

Santana

The village of Santana is famous for its A-frame, thatch-roof palheiros (tiny wooden houses), which are unique to the island. Traditionally

Celorico da Beira

Celorico da Beira is a major producer of Serra cheese, which is made from the best-quality ewe's milk, using traditional methods. Production

Alvito

Alvito is a typical, sleepy Alentejo town on a low hill above the Rio Odivelas. Noted for its fortresslike 13th-century parish church, the town

Bitetos

Crawling up the cliffs of the Douro, this quaint village dates back to Roman times and was historically a key docking point for rebelos , the

Ponte de Lima

Ponte de Lima's long, low, graceful bridge is of Roman origin. It's also open only to foot traffic; drivers cross a concrete bridge at the edge

Sabugal

Sabugal was the site of an eponymous 1811 battle, part of the Peninsular War between the French and Anglo-Portuguese. It is renowned for having

Constancia

Peaceful little Constância is at the confluence of the Zêzere and the Tagus. It's best known as the town where poet Luís de Camões was exiled

Caramulo

In the early part of the last century, when tuberculosis was rife, people came to Caramulo for the beneficial effects of the fresh mountain

Águeda

This center for the production of paper products has an attractive parish church and several well-preserved manor houses.

Évoramonte

Évoramonte is a medieval town that sits along the western flank of the Serra de Ossa at an altitude of 1,550 feet. Drive up to the castle for

Vista Alegre

Portugal's finest china is produced here by a business that was started in 1824 as a sort of commune. Housing was provided for workers from

Machico

Come to the second-largest town on the island after Funchal to wander through the old quarter, attractively situated in a crescent bay with

Pico do Arieiro

It’s a 45-minute drive from Funchal to the soaring peak of Madeira’s third-highest mountain, when on clear days visitors are rewarded with panoramic

Camara de Lobos

On coastal route N101, you'll pass many banana plantations on the way to Câmara de Lobos—a former fishing village made famous by Winston Churchill

Vila Nova de Cerveira

Granite hills border one side of Vila Nova de Cerveira, and the Rio Minho and Spain border the other. The town dates from the 13th century,

Almeida

Enclosed within a star-shape perimeter of massive stone walls, moats, and earthen bulwarks lies the quiet little town of Almeida. Less than

Viana do Alentejo

The attractive castle at Viana do Alentejo—with its rough stone walls, brick battlements, and round turrets—was constructed in 1313 to the very

Castelo Rodrigo

This old fortified town is now mostly deserted, many of its former residents having emigrated to France and Germany. Tranquillity, however,

Trancoso

This town reached its pinnacle in 1282, when King Dinis chose it as the site for his marriage to Isabel of Aragon. Portions of its well-preserved

Guadalupe

The tiny village of Guadalupe takes its name from a 17th-century chapel that is dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Gaudalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe

Caniçal

Multicolored boats bob in water flanking this village with a long history as a whaling station—the industry ceased operation in 1981. In 1985

Ribeira Brava

This pleasant village, with a pebbly beach and bustling seafront fruit market, was founded in 1440 at the mouth of the Ribeira Brava (meaning

Vila Nova de Foz Coa

The higher reaches of the Douro are known for their harsh terrain, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Yet this apparently inhospitable

São Pedro de Sintra

São Bento

Downhill to the west of Bairro Alto is the São Bento neighborhood, dominated by the former monastery—now the Assembly of the Republic, Portugal

Buçaco

In the early 17th century, the head of the Order of Barefoot Carmelites, searching for a suitable location for a monastery, came upon an area

São Cucufate

Valença do Minho

Valença do Minho is the major border crossing in this area, with roads as well as rail service into Spain. Valença's Old Town is enclosed by

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is very pleasant, nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets

Curral das Freiras

Porto da Cruz

The little fishing village of Porto da Cruz is a charming spot on the northeast coast. Plenty of bustling cafés and restaurants gather round

Cabo São Vicente

At the southwest tip of Europe, where the land juts starkly into the rough Atlantic, is Cabo São Vicente, called O Fim do Mundo (The End of

Ribeiro Frio

The landscape grows more lush on the northern side of the island, and the road is full of waterfalls. Ribeiro Frio (Cold Brook) is known for

Campo Maior

Surrounded by rows of gentle hills covered with the Alentejo's ubiquitous cork and olive trees, Campo Maior is a quiet, sparsely populated corner

Costa Nova

Take the bridge just south of Aveiro across to Praia de Barra and you arrive at the ribbon of small resorts strung along the south sand spit

Serra de Água

North from Ribeira Brava the N104 snakes through a sheer-sided canyon. In every direction you can see high waterfalls tumbling down canyon walls

Lisbon

Affordable prices and an alluring combination of sunny skies, glorious architecture, deep-rooted traditions, and thoroughly modern flair have

Porto

Portugal's second-largest city, with a population of roughly 280,000, considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country

Funchal

When colonists arrived in Madeira in July 1419, the valley they settled was a mass of bright yellow fennel, or funcho in Portuguese. Today

Évora

Dressed in traditional garb, shepherds and farmers with faces wizened by a lifetime in the baking sun stand around the fountain at Praça do

Coimbra

Coimbra is a fascinating city that combines a tangible sense of history with all of the vibrancy and street life typically associated with a

Lagos

Breezy and cool in every sense of the word, Lagos has an infectious energy and a laid-back feel. However, this bustling fishing port also has

Faro

The Algarve’s provincial capital combines a smattering of history and ample leisure opportunities in one lively package. It is one of the few

Guimarães

Guimarães is a town proud of its past, and this is evident in a series of delightful medieval buildings and streets. The old town's narrow,

Óbidos

The medieval village of Óbidos is a place to wander and wonder, both inside the city walls and out. Once a strategic seaport, Óbidos is now

Braga

Braga is one of northern Portugal's outstanding surprises. Founded by the Romans as Bracara Augusta, it prospered in earnest in the 6th century

Tavira

With its castle ruins, riverfront gardens, and old streets, Tavira—at the mouth of the quiet Rio Gilão—is immediately endearing. Many of the

Fatima

On the western flanks of the Serra de Aire lies Fátima, an important Roman Catholic pilgrimage site that is, ironically, named after the daughter

Estoril

Having long ago established its reputation as an affluent enclave, Estoril is still the place to go for glitz and glamour. In the 19th century

Viana do Castelo

At the mouth of the Rio Lima, Viana do Castelo has been a prosperous trading center since it received its town charter in 1258. Many of its

Peniche

In the lee of a rocky peninsula, Peniche is a major fishing-and-canning port that's also a popular summer resort known for its fine trimmed

Alcobaça

Alcobaça is a town that still shows its old-world roots in its downtown architecture—pretty red-tile roofs and French chateau turrets. The town

Setubal

A colorful sister city to polished, cosmopolitan Lisbon, Setúbal lacks the tourist hordes of the capital but has plenty to offer the visitor

Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha (Queen's Baths), the hub of a large farming area, is best known for the fantastical, colorful ceramics produced in local factories

Bragança

This ancient town in the northeastern corner of Portugal has been inhabited since Celtic times (since about 600 BC). The town lent its name

Leiria

Leiria is a pleasant, modern, industrial town at the confluence of the Rios Liz and Lena, overlooked by a wonderfully elegant medieval castle

Sintra

Ericeira

Ericeira, an old fishing town tucked into the rocky coast, is a popular seaside resort. Its core fans out from the sheer cliff, beneath which

Tomar

Tomar is an attractive town laid out on both sides of the Rio Nabão, with the new and old parts linked by a graceful, arched stone bridge. The

Peso da Regua

This small river port is a working town, and though not as scenic as its smaller neighbor Pinhão, it’s the true heart of portwine country, and

Vila Real

The capital of Trás-os-Montes is superbly situated between two mountain ranges, and much of the city retains a small-town air. Although there

Torres Vedras

A bustling commercial center crowned with the ruins of a medieval castle, Torres Vedras is best known for its extensive fortifications—a system

Pinhão

Pinhão is heaven on earth for oenophiles, who can visit quintas (vineyards), tour the facilities, and sip port and wine to their hearts' content

Arraiolos

Arraiolos, dominated by the ruins of a once-mighty walled fortress, is a typical hilltop Alentejo village of whitewashed houses and narrow streets

Sesimbra

Sesimbra, a lively fishing village surrounded by mountains and isolated bays and coves, is a popular day trip for lisboetas. And, despite high

Benavente

Benavente is a small, country town in the heart of rural Ribatejo and of the Lezíria, which is Portuguese for the rich and fertile landscape

Amarante

Small, agreeable Amarante may be overshadowed by its more historic neighbor Guimarães, but the town still deserves an overnight stop. Straddling

Santarem

Present-day Santarém, high above the Tagus River, is an important farming and livestock center. It holds the largest agricultural fair in the

Peneda-Geres

The northeastern corner of the Minho is quite unlike most of this densely populated, heavily cultivated region. Here several forested serras

Nazare

Not so long ago you could mingle on the beach with black-stocking-capped fishermen and even help as the oxen hauled boats in from the crashing

Barcelos

Barcelos, a bustling market town on the banks of the Rio Cávado with a population of some 18,000, is the center of a flourishing handicrafts

Batalha

Batalha, which means "battle" in Portuguese, is the site of another of the country's religious structures that memorialize a battle victory

Abrantes

Abrantes became one of the country's most populous and prosperous towns during the 16th century, when the Tagus River was navigable all the

Almeirim

Almeirim, a pretty country town just across the river from Santarém, is surrounded by vineyards and cork-oak forests. Many people from nearby

Montemor-o-Novo

Driving east from the Portuguese capital, the first hilltop castle settlement you’ll hit is also one of the most impressive. Montemor-e-Novo

Chaves

Chaves was known to the Romans as Aquae Flaviae (Flavian's Waters). They established a military base here and popularized the town's thermal

Vila do Conde

Vila do Conde has a long sweep of fine sand, a fishing port, a lace-making school, and a struggling shipbuilding industry that has been making

Calheta

Although Calheta is a historic village with a 17th-century church, it has only really developed over the past decade or so, thanks to having

Povoa de Varzim

Póvoa de Varzim has a long beach, but the town has little of Vila do Conde's charm—except, perhaps, for the many shops and roadside stalls that

Lamego

A prosperous town set amid a fertile landscape carpeted with vineyards and orchards, Lamego is also rich in baroque churches and mansions. It

Palmela

The small town of Palmela lies in the center of a prosperous wine-growing area, and every September the community holds a good-natured Festa

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão

The region around the small town of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, on the western side of the Serra da Arrábida, retains a disproportionately large

Monte

The village of Monte sits above Funchal at a height of 1,804 feet. The cool mountain air and dramatic views made it a healthy retreat for the

Vila Franca de Xira

Vila Franca de Xira is an excellent place to see Portuguese bullfights, known as the tourada, which are held from Easter through October.

Guincho

The wide beach at Guincho is one of the most famous—and most visited—in the country. Atlantic waves pound the sand even on the calmest of days

Espinho

Frequent trains and the N109 run past a string of quiet family beaches to Espinho, which has become an increasingly fashionable resort over

Costa da Caparica

Costa da Caparica is a 20-km (12-mile) stretch of beach on the northwestern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula. White sand and a laid-back holiday

Porto Moniz

The island's northernmost village, Porto Moniz, was a whaling station in the 19th century, but these days, its natural pools, formed by ancient

Monção

The riverside town of Monção is a fortified border settlement with a long history of skirmishes with the Spanish. In town there are the remains

Ponte de Lima

Ponte de Lima's long, low, graceful bridge is of Roman origin. It's also open only to foot traffic; drivers cross a concrete bridge at the edge

Bitetos

Crawling up the cliffs of the Douro, this quaint village dates back to Roman times and was historically a key docking point for rebelos , the

Machico

Come to the second-largest town on the island after Funchal to wander through the old quarter, attractively situated in a crescent bay with

Santana

The village of Santana is famous for its A-frame, thatch-roof palheiros (tiny wooden houses), which are unique to the island. Traditionally

Constancia

Peaceful little Constância is at the confluence of the Zêzere and the Tagus. It's best known as the town where poet Luís de Camões was exiled

Guadalupe

The tiny village of Guadalupe takes its name from a 17th-century chapel that is dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Gaudalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe

Caniçal

Multicolored boats bob in water flanking this village with a long history as a whaling station—the industry ceased operation in 1981. In 1985

Vila Nova de Cerveira

Granite hills border one side of Vila Nova de Cerveira, and the Rio Minho and Spain border the other. The town dates from the 13th century,

Camara de Lobos

On coastal route N101, you'll pass many banana plantations on the way to Câmara de Lobos—a former fishing village made famous by Winston Churchill

Valença do Minho

Valença do Minho is the major border crossing in this area, with roads as well as rail service into Spain. Valença's Old Town is enclosed by

Ribeira Brava

This pleasant village, with a pebbly beach and bustling seafront fruit market, was founded in 1440 at the mouth of the Ribeira Brava (meaning

Vila Nova de Foz Coa

The higher reaches of the Douro are known for their harsh terrain, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Yet this apparently inhospitable

São Vicente

The little town of São Vicente is very pleasant, nestled in a narrow gully just inland from the dramatic north coast. Most of the central streets

São Pedro de Sintra

Serra de Água

North from Ribeira Brava the N104 snakes through a sheer-sided canyon. In every direction you can see high waterfalls tumbling down canyon walls

Curral das Freiras

Porto da Cruz

The little fishing village of Porto da Cruz is a charming spot on the northeast coast. Plenty of bustling cafés and restaurants gather round

Porto and the North

Perched on the steep banks of the River Douro, Porto is Portugal's second-largest city and the heart of Portugal’s industrial north. A center

The Algarve

The Algarve is deservedly popular, with millions of annual vacationers thronging here to enjoy sandy beaches, superb golf, and all the other

Coimbra and the Beiras

While frequently sidestepped by tourists, this region is arguably the most unspoiled and quintessentially Portuguese part of the country. Even

Évora and the Alentejo

The Alentejo, which means "the land beyond the Rio Tejo" (Tagus River) in Portuguese, is a vast, sparsely populated area of heath and rolling

Estremadura and the Ribatejo

Estremadura and the Ribatejo are the two historical provinces north and northeast of Lisbon. Estremadura, with its green rural valleys, is

Madeira

Floral scents fill Madeira's sea-washed air. Bird-of-paradise flowers grow wild; pink and purple fuchsia weave lacy patterns up pastel walls

Side Trips from Lisbon

The capital’s backyard is rich in possibilities. A succession of attractive coastal resorts and camera-ready towns lie within a 50-km (31-mile

The Coast and the Douro

Tras-os-Montes

Cascais and Boca do Inferno

Once a mere fishing village, the town of Cascais—with three small, sandy bays—is now a heavily developed resort packed with shops, restaurants

Side Trips from Évora

A trip through the countryside surrounding Évora will take you to some of the earliest-inhabited sites in Portugal, the country’s carpet- and

Western Madeira

Barca d'Alva/Castelo Rodrigo

These two small villages, a stone's throw from the Spanish border, make good jumping-off points for visiting the other Douro River villages

Peninsula de Troia

Across the estuary from Setúbal is the Peninsula de Tróia—a long spit of land blessed with clean water and fine beaches on both the Sado and

Queluz

Halfway between Lisbon and Sintra, the otherwise rather unremarkable town of Queluz is dominated by its magnificent palace and gardens, located

Ofir and Esposende

Ofir, on the south bank of the Rio Cávado, has a lovely beach with sweeping white sands, dunes, pinewoods, and water sports—a combination that

Montemor-o-Velho

The small town of Montemor-o-Velho is most notable for its impressive ruined castle which sits high on a hill, overlooking the surrounding huddle

Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

A region of stunning beauty, this natural park covers approximately 1,011 square km (390 square miles) and is home to the highest mountain in

Porto Santo

Beachcombers have long loved the tiny, parched, and barren island whose golden beach is famous for its therapeutic properties. By packing themselves