Attractions in Portugal
The finest attractions in Portugal at a glance: castles, natural wonders, historic old towns and more. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.
Culture & History
Belém Tower
The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), an iconic symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery, is a stunning limestone fortification that stands proudly on the n…
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Sintra
Sintra, a fairytale town nestled in the lush, mist-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra, is a place of extraordinary beauty and historical significan…
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Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is a stunning region in Northern Portugal, famous for being the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
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Tomar Templar Castle
The Tomar Templar Castle is closely linked to the Knights Templar and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
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Benagil Cave
The Benagil Cave is a spectacular sea cave on the Algarve coast, famous for its circular ceiling opening.
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Chapel of Bones, Évora
The Chapel of Bones in Évora is a striking bone chapel whose walls are decorated with human remains.
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Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal.
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Jerónimos Monastery
The Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon is an outstanding example of Manueline architecture.
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Guimarães Old Town
The historic old town of Guimarães is known as the 'cradle of the nation' of Portugal.
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Batalha Monastery
The Batalha Monastery is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic and Manueline style.
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Alcobaça Monastery
The Alcobaça Monastery is a UNESCO-listed Cistercian monastery and one of Portugal's most important medieval monuments.
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Livraria Lello, Porto
Livraria Lello in Porto is a neo-Gothic bookstore from 1906.
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Ria Formosa
The Ria Formosa in the Algarve is a vast system of lagoons and islands.
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Peneda-Gerês NP
Peneda-Gerês National Park is Portugal's only national park.
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University of Coimbra
The University of Coimbra is one of Portugal's oldest and most prestigious educational landmarks.
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Lisbon Oceanarium
Lisbon Oceanarium is one of Europe's largest aquariums and a top family attraction.
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Santa Luzia Sanctuary
The Santa Luzia Sanctuary sits above Viana do Castelo and is an iconic viewpoint.
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National Tile Museum
The National Tile Museum in Lisbon is dedicated to Portuguese tile art.
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Bom Jesus do Monte
Bom Jesus do Monte is Braga's most famous sanctuary and a magnificent Baroque ensemble.
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MAAT Lisbon
MAAT is one of Lisbon's most modern landmarks and combines art, architecture, and technology.
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Dom Luis I Bridge
The Dom Luis I Bridge is Porto's most famous bridge and an instantly recognizable city symbol.
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Monument to the Discoveries
The Monument to the Discoveries is one of Lisbon's most iconic monuments on the Tagus waterfront.
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Church of São Francisco
The Church of São Francisco in Porto is famous for its richly gilded Baroque interior.
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Casa da Musica
Casa da Musica is one of Porto's most modern landmarks and a symbol of contemporary architecture.
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Sao Bento Station
Sao Bento Station in Porto is famous for its huge azulejo panels.
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São Jorge Castle
São Jorge Castle overlooks Lisbon's historic center.
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Sete Cidades Lake
Sete Cidades Lake is one of the Azores' most famous crater lakes and a symbol of São Miguel.
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Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo is a protected crater lake in the interior of São Miguel in the Azores.
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Berlengas Islands
The Berlengas are a small island group off Portugal's west coast and a protected natural paradise.
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Pico Mountain
Pico is Portugal's highest mountain and the Azores' most dramatic natural landmark.
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Douro River
The Douro is one of the great rivers of the Iberian Peninsula and a defining feature of northern Portugal.
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Tagus River
The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula and defines life around Lisbon.
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Albufeira Lagoon
Lagoa de Albufeira is a coastal lagoon south of Lisbon with calm water and natural areas.
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Furnas Lake
Lagoa das Furnas is a famous volcanic lake on São Miguel.
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Montejunto Range
The Serra de Montejunto is a small but distinctive mountain range north of Lisbon.
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Caramulo Range
The Serra do Caramulo is a distinctive mountain range in central northern Portugal.
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Culatra Island
Ilha da Culatra is one of the calm islands of the Ria Formosa in the Algarve.
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Madeira Laurisilva
Madeira Laurisilva is a unique evergreen laurel forest and a UNESCO-protected natural heritage site.
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Roman Temple of Evora
The Roman Temple of Evora is one of Portugal's most famous ancient monuments.
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Aljubarrota Battlefield
The Aljubarrota battlefield marks one of the most decisive moments in Portuguese history.
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Mafra National Palace
Mafra National Palace is a monumental Baroque complex near Lisbon.
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Convent of Christ
The Convent of Christ in Tomar is one of Portugal's most important historic monuments.
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Vinho Verde Region
The Vinho Verde region in northern Portugal is an important wine-growing area with fresh, light wines.
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Peniche Fortress
Peniche Fortress guards the rocky peninsula on Portugal's west coast.
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Zoomarine Algarve
Zoomarine Algarve is a large family leisure and animal park on the southern coast.
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Almourol Castle
Almourol Castle stands on an island in the Tagus River and is one of Portugal's most photogenic castles.
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Elvas Fortifications
The Elvas fortifications are among Portugal's most impressive military structures.
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Coruche Cork Oaks
Coruche is a center of Portugal's cork industry and the cork oak landscape in Alentejo.
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Obidos Castle
Obidos Castle is one of Portugal's best-known medieval landmarks.
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Conimbriga Ruins
Conimbriga is Portugal's best-known Roman archaeological site.
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What are the top attractions in Portugal?
Among the most popular are Belém Tower, Sintra, Douro Valley, Sete Cidades Lake, Lagoa do Fogo and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.