571 Best Sights in Portugal

Formerly Porto's stock exchange, Palácio da Bolsa is one of the city's most breathtaking historical buildings. Guided tours leaving every half hour are the only way to see the interior of this masterpiece of 19th-century Portuguese architecture, so if you're only in Porto for one day, it's wise to book your tour in the morning for an afternoon time slot. The grand Moorish-style ballroom, with its octagonal dome and ornate arches, is the most memorable chamber. A high-end restaurant, O Comercial, serves European dishes in a suitably grand space with high ceilings and elaborate chandeliers.

The Mafra National Palace and Convent, 8 km (5 miles) southeast of Ericeira, has been classified as UNESCO World Heritage since 2019. From the 17th through 19th centuries this was a favorite residence for the Portuguese court. In 1711, after nearly three years of a childless union with the Hapsburg queen, Maria Anna, a despairing King João V vowed that should the queen bear him an heir, he would build a monastery dedicated to St. Anthony. In December of that same year, a girl—later to become queen of Spain—was born; João's eventual heir, José I, was born three years later. True to his word, King João V built an enormous monastery, which still looms above the small farming community of Mafra. The original project—entrusted to the Italian-trained German architect Johann Friedrich Ludwig, invariably known in Portugal as João Frederico Ludovice—was to be a modest facility that could house 13 friars. Construction began in 1717 and continued until 1755, with the final result being a rectangular complex containing a monastery large enough for hundreds of monks as well as an imposing basilica and a grandiose palace that has been compared to El Escorial outside Madrid, Spain. The numbers involved in the construction are mind-boggling: at times 50,000 workers toiled. There are 4,500 doors and windows, 300 cells, 880 halls and rooms, and 154 stairways. Perimeter walls that total some 19 km (12 miles) surround the park.

The highlight of any visit to the monument is the magnificent baroque library: the barrel-vaulted, two-tiered hall holds almost 40,000 volumes of mostly 16th- through 18th-century works and a number of ancient maps. Protection from insects is provided by bats, which slip into the room at night through tiny holes that were bored through stone under the windows for the purpose. The basilica, which was patterned after St. Peter's in the Vatican, contains 11 chapels and six organs, which are played simultaneously for splendid concerts at 4 pm on the first Sunday of every month except January and February. At the time of writing the basilica is closed for renovation, so there are no organ concerts. However, the carillons—the world's largest ensemble, with 45 bells in the north tower, 53 in the south—are still played every Sunday, at 4 pm in winter and 5 pm in summer. When you're in the gilded throne room, notice the life-size renditions of the seven virtues, as well as the impressive figure of Hercules, by Domingos Sequeira. Guided visits may be booked in advance at an additional cost.

Built in a similar style to the celebrated palace at Versailles and now restored from pink to its original blue, Queluz National Palace was ordered as a royal summer residence by Dom Pedro III in 1747. Architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira took five years to make the place habitable; Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Robillon spent 40 more executing a detailed baroque plan that also comprised imported trees and statues, and azulejo-lined canals and fountains. You can tour the apartments and elegant staterooms, including the frescoed Music Salon, the Hall of Ambassadors, and the mirrored Throne Room with its crystal chandeliers and gilt trim. 

The enormous twin chimneys rising out of Sintra Palace are among the town's most iconic landmarks. There has probably been a palace here since Moorish times, although the current structure dates from the late 14th century. It is the only surviving royal palace in Portugal from the Middle Ages and displays a combination of Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline architecture. The chapel has Mudéjar (Moorish-influenced) azulejo tiles from the 15th and 16th centuries. The ceiling of the Sala dos Brasões is painted with the coats of arms of 72 noble families, and the grand Sala dos Cisnes has a remarkable ceiling of painted swans.  Bilingual descriptions in each room let you enjoy them at your own pace.

The large domed edifice is the former church of Santa Engrácia. It took 285 years to build, hence the Portuguese phrase "a job like Santa Engrácia." Today, the building is Portugal's National Pantheon, housing the tombs of the country's former presidents as well as cenotaphs dedicated to its most famous explorers and writers. A more recent arrival is fado diva Amália Rodrigues, whose tomb is invariably piled high with flowers from admirers.

This estate, 6 km (3½ miles) west of Sintra, was laid out by English gardeners in the mid-19th century at the behest of a wealthy Englishman, Sir Francis Cook. The centerpiece is the Romantic-style, three-dome Palácio de Monserrate, which combines Gothic and Indian architectural influences with Moorish touches. The gardens, with their trickling streams and waterfalls, are famed for an array of tree and plant species, with notable species clearly marked and identified.

The biggest draw in Sintra, this colorful palace is a glorious conglomeration of turrets and domes awash in bright pastels. In 1503 the Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Pena was constructed here, but it was badly damaged by the devastating earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755. The monastery remained active in the ruined building, but it was abandoned when religious orders were expelled from Portugal in 1834. In 1836, the ruins were purchased by Maria II's consort, Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Inspired by the Bavarian castles of his homeland, Ferdinand commissioned a German mineralist and mining engineer, Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, to build the palace of his fantasies, in styles that range from Arabian to Portuguese Gothic. Work was finished around 1860, by which time he was Fernando II. The surrounding park is filled with trees and flowers, as well as hidden temples, grottoes, and the Valley of the Lakes, where swans glide the mystical surrounds. Portugal's last monarchs used Pena Palace as a summer home, the last of whom—Queen Amélia—went into exile in England after the Republic was proclaimed on October 5, 1910. Inside is an ostentatious and often bizarre collection of European furniture, ornaments, and paintings. Placards explain each room. Visitors can walk along high palace walls, peek into turrets, and refresh at one of two on-site cafés. A path beyond an enormous statue (thought to be Fernando II himself, forever guarding the park and the palace) on a nearby crag leads to the Cruz Alta, a 16th-century stone cross 1,732 feet above sea level, with stupendous views.  Buy timed tickets in advance and arrive at least an hour before your designated tour time; you will either have to take a shuttle bus or make the 30-minute uphill trek to the palace from the park entrance.

Formerly Parque da Liberdade, this park was renamed in 1903 when England’s Edward VII visited Portugal. Its large central promenade has manicured lawns featuring traditional Portuguese cobblestone pavement with geometric designs and views of the city center. The beautifully kept Estufa Fria is a sprawling 1930s greenhouse garden whose various habitats are arranged around a pretty pool.

The 172,900-acre park, sitting on the border with Spain, was created in 1970 to preserve the region's diverse flora and fauna. It remains Portugal's only national park, and even a short trip shows you wild stretches framed by mountains, woods, and lakes. The park's headquarters is in Braga, but you can get a map of the more than 30 marked trails at any local tourism office.

Occupying the entire southern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula is the Parque Natural da Arrábida, dominated by the Serra da Arrábida—a 5,000-foot-high mountain range whose wild crags fall steeply to the sea. There's profuse plant life at these heights, particularly in spring, when the rocks are carpeted with colorful wildflowers. The park is distinguished by a rich geological heritage and numerous species of butterflies, birds, and mammals (you might spot foxes and mongoose, and even wild boar). The park is a favorite destination for bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and adventure-sports enthusiasts. There are also some lovely hidden beaches for those prepared to put in the footwork.

Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela is Portugal’s largest protected natural area, covering much of the country’s highest mountains. It is the only place in mainland Portugal to regularly see snow, with a small ski resort operating in winter, while summer offers hiking trails, glacier valleys, and natural pools.

Belmonte sits on the edge of the park, and scenic villages such as Manteigas and Loriga lie within, providing access to trails and local culture. There is no single entrance or tickets; visitors explore via roads, trails, and guided routes. The train from Lisbon to Belmonte-Manteigas (roughly four hours) is one of Portugal’s most scenic, following the Tagus river and its tributaries through hills and valleys into the mountains.

The Centro de Interpretação da Serra da Estrela in Seia provides maps, guidance, and seasonal updates. From there, visitors can plan routes for hiking, swimming in glacial lakes, or other outdoor activities throughout the year.

These sprawling gardens date back to 1775, when Boston merchant Thomas Hickling built a summer house called Yankee Hall, planted trees brought in from North America, and constructed the thermal water pool, still a highlight of the park today. The gardens were enlarged in the mid-19th century, adding Australian King and Canary Islands palm trees and other imported species still thriving today. The garden is particularly well known for its collections of camellias, cycadales, and ferns, as well as for its thermal pool, which is an orange-brown color due to its high iron content. There are changing rooms and outdoor showers to rinse off after, but be sure to bring a towel and wear a swimsuit that you don’t mind getting stained.

This opulent palace draws a great many visitors—and for good reason. Built of locally quarried marble, the palace's main wing extends for some 360 feet and overlooks an expansive square and the bronze equestrian statue of Dom João IV. At the north end of the square note the Porta do Nó (Knot Gate) with its massive stone shaped like ropes—an intriguing example of the Manueline style.

The palace's interior was extensively restored in the 1950s and contains all you'd expect to find: intricate rugs, frescoed ceilings, priceless collections of silver and gold objects, Chinese vases, Gobelin tapestries, and a long dining hall adorned with antlers and other hunting trophies. The enormous kitchen's spits are large enough to accommodate several oxen, and there's enough gleaming copper to keep a small army of servants busy polishing. Dom Carlos, the nation's penultimate king, spent his last night here before being assassinated in 1908; his rooms have been maintained as they were. Carlos was quite an accomplished painter, and many of his works (along with private photos of Portugal's last royal family) line the walls of the apartments.

The ground floor of the castle has displays of objects ranging from Paleolithic to 18th century and mainly Roman artifacts discovered during excavations. These include pieces from ancient Mediterranean civilizations—Egypt, Rome, Carthage, and also pre-Columbian. Also on view are coaches from the 17th to the 20th century. Hunting, rather than war, is the dominant theme of the armory that holds more than 2,000 objects. The treasury displays crucifixes from Vila Viçosa and those belonging to Dona Catarina de Bragança as well as more than 200 pieces of jewelry, paintings, crystal, and ceramics. The porcelain collection is made up of blue-and-white china from the 15th to 18th centuries.

At 5,963 feet, this is one of Madeira's highest mountains. On your way here, you'll travel over a barren plain above the tree line: watch for errant sheep and goats wandering across the pavement on their way to graze on stubbly gorse and bilberry. Stop in the parking lot near the top and make the short climb to the lookout (next to a giant NATO radar), where you can scan the rocky central peaks. There are often views of the clouds below (unless you're in them), but on a clear day you can see the Curral das Freiras to the southeast. Look in the other direction and try to spot the huge Penha de Águia (Eagle Rock), a giant monolith on the north coast. The trail from the lookout that crosses the narrow ridge leads to Pico Ruivo (6,102 feet), the island's highest point, winding over the second-highest point, Pico das Torres (6,073 feet), along the way—it's one of the best hikes on the island, though it is a tough 13-km (8-mile) round-trip trek, and sections are sometimes closed by landslides. You might consider taking a guided tour from one of the many outfitters in Funchal.

The island's series of lofty peaks make for great exploring. The summit of Pico do Castelo, at 1,433 feet, has a small 16th-century fort that provided defense against the frequent attacks of French and Algerian pirates. It's a tough climb to the top, but one that's peppered with pretty flora, from cacti to berry bushes. From the summit, the views are rewarding: below, to the west is Porto Santo Beach, and to the east is the conical shape of Pico de Baixo and the Ilhéu de Cima. From here it's an easy walk to Pico do Facho (1,552 feet), the island's highest point.

Though not a beach per se, the otherworldly natural sea pools in Porto Moniz are one of the most popular sites in Madeira, with children and adults splashing in the waters around the volcanic rocks or soaking up some sun on the concrete "beach." There are pools of varying sizes, some shallow and calm (perfect for kids), and some deeper and rougher for more adventurous types (one even has a diving board). Several pools have wheelchair access. You can rent deck chairs and umbrellas and dine at the snack bar during the summer months. The water here is significantly colder than elsewhere on the island. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Just below Pico das Flores lies Calheta Point, where the café-restaurant O Calhetas marks the western edge of the beach. There is probably no better way to enjoy the whole island than to stop for a drink or bite to eat, then walk back along the beach during the sunset as you admire the astonishing landscape.

This natural hot springs differs from the others on São Miguel because it’s actually in the ocean. Surrounded by basalt cliffs, the cold ocean water mixes with the hot thermal water to create a unique bathing experience—just keep an eye on the tides, as at high tide, the waters can feel chilly, while at low tide they can be steamy. But time it right (there’s a Ferraria Hot Springs app that can help), and you’ll never want to leave. A footpath leads down to the volcanic rock pool and from there, a ladder will take you into the thermal waters. Though it’s fairly shallow, wearing waterproof shoes is a good idea, as the rocks can be sharp and slippery underneath. There are ropes to hold on to if needed, and lifeguards on duty.

The 516 Arouca bridge was created with the intention of raising Arouca's profile as a tourist destination, and its opening in 2021 as the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge (it was surpassed in 2022) led to a sudden influx of curious visitors. The 516-meter-long (1,693-feet-long) bridge, suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above the Paiva River, offers breathtaking views of the Aguieiras Waterfall, Paiva River gorge, and surrounding Arouca Geopark. The metal grid floor allows views straight down to the river below. Visitors cross in guided groups at scheduled times. Two access points require short hikes from parking: Areinho (500 stairs) or Alvarenga (easier 20-minute walk).

Designed by Teófilo Seyrig (who apprenticed for Gustave Eiffel), this two-tiered metal bridge leads directly to the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On hot summer days some brave souls dive straight into the waters below for a swim, but it's definitely not for the fainthearted. For most visitors, the real glory is the magnificent view of downtown Porto. The jumble of red-tile roofs on pastel-color buildings is reflected in the majestic Douro River; if the sun is shining just right, everything appears to be washed in gold. By the foot of the bridge is the lower station of the Funicular dos Guindais, the quaintest part of the city's public transportation system, which cranks uphill to the Batalha neighborhood.

This small fishing village is a popular destination for Lisboetas, who appreciate the beautiful beaches, whose wonderfully clear blue-green waters and white sands create a dramatic contrast with the green, pine-covered hills. A handful of good fish and seafood restaurants offer terraces with views out to sea. Due to the high number of visitors, cars are banned June to mid-September, but free buses run here from Setúbal to Portinho da Arrábida and other picturesque beaches. Parking can be difficult even outside peak season.

Sandeman's distinctive logo can be seen from across the river, and the image of cable cars soaring over the black, cloaked silhouetted figure is an unforgettable one. Scotsman George Sandeman founded the brand in London in 1790, and the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia have been in use since 1811. A museum here re-creates 19th-century London through photographs and other artifacts, and visitors can also explore the cellars and sample the famous drink.

Coimbra's best loved family attraction, Portugal dos Pequenitos is made up of scale models of Portuguese houses, castles, and monasteries that children of all ages can play in. The well-maintained structures replicate Portugal's most important buildings and monuments, all built to the scale of a five-year-old. There are also sections devoted to scaled-down versions of typical buildings in the former Portuguese colonies, as well as traditional houses from across the country's diverse regions.

These rustic mineral hot springs surrounded by greenery make for a relaxing stop when in Furnas—though they’re extremely popular with locals and tourists alike, so it’s best to come in the morning to avoid the evening rush and to more easily snag one of the limited parking spots. There are four stone pools with water at 39ºC (102ºF), some with waterfall features, and one cooler pool with 28ºC (82ºF) water; all are orange-colored because of the high iron content, so leave light-colored swimsuits and any jewelry back at your hotel to avoid discoloration. Towels are available for an extra fee, as are lockers, for which you’ll need to leave a deposit. You’ll definitely want to rinse off after bathing in the pools, and while cold showers are free, you’ll need to purchase a token to have a hot shower.

When you think of the perfect tropical beach, you're probably envisioning something like this quiet, pretty swath of white sand nestled around a series of coves carved out of black volcanic rock. This beach—not to be confused with the beach of the same name on Maderia's main island—is made for staring out at the impossibly blue sea and the interesting rock formations on the uninhabited islet of Ilhéu de Baixo. Though swimming is dangerous on the western end at Ponta da Calheta, a little farther east you'll find calmer waters perfect to wade in. There's no shade, so bring an umbrella. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

A favorite destination for celebrities, Comporta's snow-white sands are dotted with colorful sun loungers and straw-roofed beach huts selling cocktails as well as fresh seafood, and the clear, bright blue invites you to take a cooling dip. Although one of the busier beaches in the Alentejo, this is still quieter than the beaches of the Algarve, and there’s plenty of elbow room even during the summer high season. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets; food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

The closest beach to the town of Vila Baleira is family-friendly Praia da Fontinha, which offers soft, clean white sand and calm, warm waters ideal for swimming. About half a mile in length, the beach seems quiet even when it's packed. You can eat lunch at Pizza N'Areia, right next to the beach, or grab a drink and a plate of barbecued meat at the beach bar, O Corsario. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for a small fee. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

At this dreamy beach, crystal clear waters lap against the impressive rock formations. Dramatic coves and caves in orange limestone make for a striking backdrop for snorkeling and sunbathing. Although it’s located in prime tourist territory, the relatively challenging descent means it’s less visited than other beaches in the region. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; sunset.

Among the country's most-photographed beaches, Praia da Rocha is also one of the most popular, drawing a constant stream of visitors from around the world. Dramatic cliffs provide the backdrop for a wide, golden expanse of sand. Many water sports are available, and there's a long pier to stroll on. Several bars and restaurants can be found along the beach, all jutting off a wooden boardwalk that stretches down the strand. More can be found further east towards the marina. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This beautiful beach has calm, turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling, and cave-studded cliffs that can be visited on boat tours. You can reach Praia de Dona Ana by car or on an enjoyable 30-minute walk along a cliff top. This small beach can get packed, especially when the tide comes in and the sand disappears. Parking is difficult and the steep steps down to the sand can be trying, but it's worth the effort to visit what has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: snorkeling.