Olá 🙂 Welcome back to my blog! In this post, I’m going to show you the top 10 places to visit in Portugal in 2023. Whether you’re looking for cultural landmarks, stunning beaches, or charming towns, Portugal has something to offer for every traveler.
So, let’s get started!
You can also watch this post in video format on my YouTube Channel:
Places to visit in Portugal #10 – Aveiro
Our first destination is Aveiro, a charming town located in central Portugal. It’s known for its picturesque canals, colorful boats, and beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. Don’t miss the Aveiro Museum, the Costa Nova Beach, and a ride on a traditional moliceiro boat.
Places to visit in Portugal #9 – Ponta Delgada
Our next stop is Ponta Delgada, the capital city of the Azores archipelago. It’s known for its stunning natural landscapes, including crater lakes, volcanic hot springs, and dramatic cliffs. Don’t miss the Sete Cidades lagoon, the Furnas hot springs, and a whale-watching tour.
Places to visit in Portugal #8 – Guimarães
Guimarães is a beautiful town located in northern Portugal. It’s known for its medieval castle, historic center, and beautiful parks. Don’t miss the Guimarães Castle (Castelo de Guimarães), the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques), and the Penha Park.
Places to visit in Portugal #7 – Évora
Évora is a historic city located in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It’s known for its Roman Temple (Templo Romano Évora), the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), and the beautiful cathedral (Catedral de Évora). Be sure to stroll through the charming streets of the historic center and enjoy some local wine and cuisine.
Places to visit in Portugal #6 – Funchal
Funchal is the capital city of the island of Madeira, located off the coast of Portugal. It’s known for its beautiful gardens, stunning ocean views, and vibrant nightlife. Don’t miss the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the Funchal Marina, and the Madeira Wine Museum.
Places to visit in Portugal #5 – Coimbra
Coimbra is a historic city located in central Portugal. It’s home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (Universidade de Coimbra), as well as several beautiful churches and museums. Don’t miss the Joanina Library (Biblioteca Joanina), the Old Cathedral, and the Machado de Castro National Museum.
Places to visit in Portugal #4 – Algarve
The Algarve is a beautiful region located in the south of Portugal. It’s famous for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and picturesque coastal towns. Some of the best beaches to visit include Praia da Rocha, Praia do Vau, and Praia da Marinha. You can visit them and enjoy a wonderful day, but be careful! Always check if the sea is safe for swimming, if the beach is being watched, and don’t get too close to the cliffs, as they can sometimes fall, which can be dangerous. Take these precautions and make the most of your time at these beautiful beaches!
Places to visit in Portugal #3 – Sintra
Sintra is a picturesque town located just outside of Lisbon. Known for its fairytale castles and palaces, Sintra is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Don’t miss the Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena), the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros), and the Quinta da Regaleira.
Places to visit in Portugal #2 – Lisbon
Our next stop is Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. Lisbon is known for its beautiful architecture, colorful tiles, and charming neighborhoods. Be sure to visit the Belem Tower (Torre de Belém), the Jeronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), and the Alfama neighborhood. Take a ride on the historic tram 28 and indulge in local delicacies, such as pastel de nata.
Places to visit in Portugal #1 – Porto
In the first place, of course, we have Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, and my beautiful city (so I had to put it in first place hehe). Porto is famous for its port wine, historic landmarks, and stunning views of the Douro River. Don’t miss the Dom Luis I Bridge, the Ribeira district, and a visit to one of the many port wine cellars.
So there you have it, the top 10 must-visit places in Portugal. I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful in planning your trip to Portugal.
The 10 places I mentioned above are popular places to visit in Portugal. If you are looking for some lesser known locations, I would like to invite you to read my post about 5 Hidden Gems in Portugal.
Destination: Portugal – Authentic Travel Guide
If you want to know more, you can also check my course called Destination: Portugal. This course is, mainly, for people who want to travel to Portugal. In it, I will give you tips about everything you should know before traveling, like for example, what places to visit and which language to use in different situations. Like this, you will be able to see Portugal through the eyes of a local, instead of simply as a tourist.
Furthermore, you will get a one-week travel itinerary, a quick travel guide for a one-day visit to the beautiful city of Porto, a guide to the best beaches in Portugal, a handout, containing all the contents of this course, packed together so that you can print it or put it in your phone and bring it with you on your trip, and last but not least, a done-for-you template to introduce yourself in Portuguese so that you know how to answer in your first interactions here in Portugal.
For now, that’s all. I hope you enjoyed this post 🙂
Beijinhos,
Mia