571 Best Sights in Portugal

Built in 1135 by Afonso Henriques (later Portugal's first king), Leiria Castle was to become an important link in the chain of defenses along what was then the southern border of the Kingdom of Portugal. When the Moors were driven from the region, the castle lost its significance and lay dormant until the early 14th century, when it was restored and modified and became the favorite residence of Dom Dinis and his queen, Isabel of Aragon. Within the perimeter walls you'll encounter the ruins of a Gothic church, the castle keep, and—built into the section of the fortifications overlooking the town—the New Palace, built in the late 15th century by João I, founder of the Avis dynasty. With this addition the castle became more of a royal residence than a fortress and remains one of the loveliest structures of its kind in Portugal. Lined by eight arches, its balcony affords lovely views.

A prize-winning refurbishment concluded in 2021 saw displays in the small museum revamped and a funicular installed on the north flank of the castle, as well as new walkways around it—smoothing visits for people with reduced mobility. Alternatively, on the south flank of the hill, just beyond the Sé (Cathedral), an elevator takes you part of the way up.

Once a Moorish stronghold, Loulé has preserved the ruins of the medieval castle, which was enlarged in 1268 after the site had been occupied and fortified since Neolithic times. There's an archaeology museum on-site to explore, too.

You can climb the tower of Marvão's castle and trace the course of the massive Vauban-style stone walls (characterized by concentric lines of trenches and walls, a hallmark of the 17th-century French military engineer Vauban), adorned at intervals with bartizans, to enjoy breathtaking vistas from different angles. Given its strategic position, it's no surprise that Marvão has been a fortified settlement since Roman times or earlier. The present castle was built under Dom Dinis in the late 13th century and modified some four centuries later, during the reign of Dom João IV.

Built in 1292, this castle contains carved stone from the Roman, Moorish, and Christian periods. The courtyard has a very deep cistern in the center. From the castle's Torre de Menagem, you can look down on archaeological digs along the sides of the fortress, and out over the river and rolling hills toward Spain.

The castle and its imposing towers are one of the first things you see when you approach Monsaraz. Dating back to the 14th century, it's among the many fortifications built to protect the border between Portugal and Spain. During the Portuguese Restoration War, the castle was used by the military, but it was abandoned soon after that. It was only around 1830 that locals decided to turn it into a bullfighting ring, a tradition that continues in September during the Festas de Nosso Senhor Jesus dos Passos. For the rest of the year, you can roam around the castle and enjoy the views of the Alqueva Dam.

On a hill between Coimbra and Figueira da Foz lies the well-kept castle of Montemor-o-Velho. Climb to the top and you'll be rewarded with some of the best views of the region. Montemor-o-Velho figures prominently in the region's history and legends. One popular story tells how the castle's defenders cut the throats of their own families to spare them a cruel death at the hands of the Moorish invaders; many died before the attackers were repulsed. The following day the escaping Moors were pursued and thoroughly defeated.

The castle walls and tower are largely intact. But, thanks to damage done during the Napoleonic invasions in 1811, little remains inside the impressive ramparts to suggest this was a noble family's home that once garrisoned 5,000 troops. Archaeological evidence indicates the hill has been fortified for more than 2,000 years. The two churches on the hill are also part of the castle complex; the Igreja de Santa Maria de Alcaçova dates back to the 11th century and contains some well-preserved Manueline additions.

At the base of Portalegre's sloping cobblestone streets stands the town's castle, which dates to the early 14th century. Sadly, the castle's walls were disassembled in the 1930s to open streets around it to traffic. Now a wooden structure, somewhat controversial in its design, links the castle's body with an adjacent tower, where you can climb up for splendid views of the cathedral and city.

The fairy-tale Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira sits 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Ovar. Its four square towers are crowned with a series of conical turrets in a display of Gothic architecture more common in Germany or Austria than in Portugal. Although the original walls date to the 11th century, the present structure is the result of modifications made 400 years later. From atop the towers you can make out the sprawling outlines of the Ria de Aveiro.

Built in the 12th century, this hilltop medieval castle has been reinforced and reconstructed several times throughout the centuries, with the last repairs done in the 1980s. The cement recovered from the cisterns and various coins on display in the municipal museum in town attest to the presence of the Roman occupation here. The castle exhibits both Gothic and Manueline styles in its exterior walls, and a medieval cemetery once existed where the church of Santa Maria stands. While exploring the towers, don't miss out on the incredible views of the city and surrounding valley and hills.

In the heart of Vila Viçosa, surrounded by lush gardens, is this medieval-era castle. For a while it was the home of the Bragança family before they settled down in the nearby Paço Ducal. Inside you'll find a 16th-century church and a cemetery where the Portuguese poet Florbela Espanca rests. You can walk around the walls or visit the small museums of archaeology and hunting located inside the castle.

It was from the Manueline window of this palace that the young King Dom Sebastião is said to have addressed his troops before setting off on his crusade of 1578. The palace is long gone, though the section of wall with the famous window remains and can be seen in the northwest corner of the Praça do Infante. The crusade was one of Portugal's greatest-ever disasters, with the king and some 8,000 soldiers killed in Morocco at Alcácer-Quibir. (Dom Sebastião is further remembered by a much-maligned, modernistic statue that stands in Praça Gil Eanes.)

The battlemented ruins of this 10th-century castle still give a fine impression of the fortress that finally fell to Christian forces led by Dom Afonso Henriques in 1147. Panoramic views from the serrated walls explain why the Moors chose the site. It's visible from various points in Sintra itself, but for a closer look follow the steps that lead up to the ruins from the back of the town center (40 minutes going up, about half that coming down). No cars are allowed, but you can save your legs by catching Scotturb Bus 434 or taking a tuk tuk ride from town. The castle is walkable from the Palácio da Pena, since it's accessed from the same road and its entrance is somewhat below that of the Palace park.

At the top of the town's hill are the ruins of the 12th-century Castelo Templário. Not much remains of the series of walls and towers that once surrounded the entire community. Adjoining the ruins is the flower-covered Miradouro de São Gens, which provides a fine view of the town and surrounding countryside.

From the battlemented walls of the ruined 13th-century castle you can look down over Tavira's many church spires and across the river delta to the sea.

The Minho region is well known for its turismo no espaço rural (rural tourism). There are some 100 properties in the area, with a particular cluster along the Rio Lima's north bank, each no more than several miles from a town. Facilities are usually minimal, but houses may have a communal lounge, tennis, a pool or access to local swimming facilities, fishing, and gardens. Rates include a bed and breakfast, and some places will arrange other meals on request. The Central Nacional de Turismo no Espaço Rural is the central booking agency associated with the rural tourism program; its website includes links to the sites of Solares de Portugal (generally grander old houses), Aldeias de Portugal (village lodgings), and Casas no Campo (more remote rural digs), plus suggestions for themed tour routes.

When the Capelinhos Volcano erupted in the 20th century, it completely changed not only the landscape of Faial, but the population as well. The undersea eruption created a lunar-like island that extended the coastal land mass, and resulted in about half of the population leaving Faial, never to return. Today you can visit the innovatively designed Volcano Museum—created underground to respect the landscape above—to get a better sense of what happened, as well as to learn more about the geological history of the Azores. Afterward, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse, partially buried during the eruption, for panoramic views.

It’s a short walk on a paved path through a subtropical forest to reach the four small pools at Caldeira Velha: three hot pools (about 36ºC [97ºF]), and one cooler pool (about 27ºC [80ºF]) adjacent to a waterfall. While more compact than the pools at Furnas, the ferns and other greenery give this place an almost prehistoric feel. The interpretation center contains informative displays on the area’s volcanic history and biodiversity in the Azores in general. Bring a towel and flip-flops; there are lockers and showers, but with cold water only.

About 3 km (2 miles) south of Batalha's world-renowned monastery, this small museum is a project of the foundation of the same name, created to preserve and enhance understanding of the history surrounding the São Jorge battlefield. The main focus of the exhibition area (with labels in English) is on the 1385 military engagement that—with the crucial aid of English longbowmen—conclusively established Portugal's sovereignty, but it also documents conflicts with Spain from the early Middle Ages through the early 15th century. There are free audio guides in English and several other languages; the visit includes an engaging multimedia show scheduled at 11:30 am and at 1:30, 3, and 4:30 pm. If you plan on visiting both the center and battlefield, set aside an hour and a half.

This small wine museum isn’t worth making a detour for, but if you’re already visiting the charming town of Lajido it’s well worth a short stop. You’ll find exhibits in English and Portuguese about wine production in Pico, covering topics including vineyard landscapes, the local climate, and indigenous flora and fauna.

Three river valleys to the west and south of Amarante---the Sousa, the lower Tâmega, and part of the Douro---prospered around the time that Portugal became an independent kingdom, but fell behind as it expanded southwards, meaning that they missed out on new artistic developments such as the Gothic style. Today, the area's dozens of surviving 12th-century churches and other religious buildings are the country's prime showcase of Romanesque architecture. Several towns banded together to create the Rota do Românico (Romanesque Route), coordinated since 2018 from this Interpretation Center in Lousada, a 20-minute drive from Amarante. It has excellent maps, leaflets, and books, as well as stimulating interactive displays. Admission is free, as it is to all the route's monuments, but visits to the latter must be scheduled by email to  [email protected] a couple days in advance (to ensure a designated local is on hand to let you in).

Locally born artist José de Guimarães is known for his often large, colorful creations and love of art from other continents. This huge arts center, inaugurated in 2021, showcases not only a representative selection of his own works but also his large collection of African, pre-Columbian, and ancient Chinese art. A focus on the relationships between contemporary art and these traditions often features in the always stimulating temporary exhibitions.

Inside the working 17th-century Santa Clara Convent, the painted wood walls and ceiling are lined with ceramic tiles, giving the sanctuary a Moorish feel. There are two beautiful internal cloisters; one is filled with orange trees, the other offers a sweeping panorama of the convent. The adjacent church contains the tomb of Zarco, who discovered Madeira.

This convent from 1670 was never open to the public until 2014, after the last nuns moved out. Although it stands across from one of the city’s most famous viewpoints, it remains an under-the-radar stop. The church and chapel are free to visit any day, while the rest of the building can be seen on guided tours (in Portuguese), which usually take place on the second Sunday of the month. The baroque church stands between two wings of the convent; most of its interior dates from 1758, after the devastating 1755 earthquake left it slightly damaged. The older paintings were originally in the colossal convent and palace of Mafra, while the tile panels were added in the late 1700s and illustrate scenes from the life of St. Peter of Alcántara. Another highlight is a cardinal’s funerary chapel, covered in inlaid marble.

The Carmelite Convent—once Lisbon’s largest—was built in 1389 by Nuno Álvares Pereira to give thanks for Portugal’s victories over Castile. It was all but destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, leaving the haunting shell of a Gothic church that still stands today. The former sacristy houses the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo, a compact but intriguing collection of Gothic tombs, Roman epigraphy, medieval tiles, and ancient coins. Outside, the tree-shaded Largo do Carmo connects to the top platform of the Elevador de Santa Justa and is a tranquil spot for a coffee or cocktail. But this peaceful setting belies its dramatic history: it was here, at the adjacent Carmo barracks, that Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano took refuge during the 1974 Carnation Revolution. He eventually surrendered to rebel troops, marking the end of the dictatorship. Today, the Museu da Guarda Nacional Republicana (closed Sunday and Monday) occupies the barracks and includes the historic room where Caetano made his final stand.

The entrance to this extraordinarily austere convent, 13 km (8 miles) southwest of Sintra, sets the tone for the severity of the ascetic living conditions within. From 1560 until 1834, when it was abandoned, eight friars—never any more, never any less—prayed in the tiny chapel hewn out of the rock and inhabited the bare cells, which were lined with cork in attempt to maintain a modicum of warmth. Impure thoughts meant a spell in the Penitents' Cell, an excruciatingly dark space.

One of Lisbon’s hidden treasures, the exterior of this 17th-century convent belies the riches inside. Still inhabited by nuns and women in need, it opens for visits every day except Tuesday, starting in the beautiful church lined with Portuguese and Dutch tile panels. They’re found below paintings framed by gilded wood carvings, which, together with the gold-and-marble altar, make it one of Lisbon’s most notable examples of Portuguese baroque.

When young Lisboetas want to go to the beach, they'll often cross the bridge for the Costa da Caparica, which packs out in summer with bronzed locals. As a former fishing village, the town itself lacks charm but the beachfront is lively with dozens of cafés and bars catering to a relaxed surf-loving clientele. The further south you go, the quieter it gets. Each beach is different: the areas nearest Caparica are family-oriented, while more southerly ones attract a younger crowd with beach parties (there are some nudist beaches, too). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.