Portugal is a country full of surprises, of historical places and natural spaces that can take anyone's breath away. It is difficult to choose only one region to visit, because they all have special places. So let's see in summary what is the best of Portugal, to think about our next trips.
In Portugal we have mountains and kilometers of coast, islands and cities full of entertainment, so it can be said that there is a type of tourism for all tastes. If you want to enjoy its most incredible corners, we give you some interesting ideas.
Lisbon and Sintra
You have to start the tour with the capital of Portugal and one of its most interesting cities. Lisbon is undoubtedly a destination dreamed of by many in which to enjoy the authentic Portuguese essence. In this great city we can enjoy neighborhoods that have a lot of personality and charm such as Alfama neighborhood and Chiado neighborhood. Lisbon's cathedral is from the XNUMXth century and you also have to see the Carmo Convent, which is in ruins but is equally beautiful. You have to get on the trams to go to the upper part of the city, visit the Jerónimos Monastery and walk to the Torre de Belem. Other places not to be missed are the Plaza del Comercio and the Castillo de San Jorge.
Very close to Lisbon we find a very picturesque town that is almost always visited in conjunction with the capital. We refer to the Sintra town, where we will find the Palacio da Pena, the most colorful and fun in the world. You should also visit the Quinta da Regaleira, with one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
Porto and Aveiro
Porto is the other city that is a classic when it comes to going on a trip to Portugal. This destination offers us the possibility of tasting the famous wine with the same name. In the city you have to get lost in its streets, enjoy a boat trip on the Douro and eat in the restaurants on the banks of the river. In the city you also have to see the Lello Bookstore, the Don Luis I Bridge, the Clérigos Tower, the Cathedral or Sé, the Bolhao Market and Rúa Santa Catarina, the most commercial in the city.
Near Porto we have Aveiro, which is another interesting destination that can be seen in a few hours. It is a small town where the moliceiros stand out, some ships that were commercial but have now turned it into the little Venice of Portugal. Near Aveiro we also have Costa Nova, a place with beautiful houses painted with colored stripes.
Algarve with its beaches
The southern part of Portugal is also the most touristy with a marked beach tourism. In the Algarve we can find kilometers of coastline with incredible beaches such as Benagil or the beautiful Playa da Rocha. But there are also some cities and towns that are worth visiting. Albufeira, Lagos or Faro are points of interest in this area, as well as the Ria Formosa Natural Park. They are nuclei that can be seen quietly in one day.
Óbidos and Coimbra in the center
If we go to central area of the country you have to visit the town of Óbidos, a walled place with a lot of history. We will be able to see the Porta da Vila, with the beautiful blue tiles that are so characteristic in Portugal, walk along the walls that surround the town and see the medieval castle of the city dating from the XNUMXth century. In Rua Direita we will find all kinds of shops to also buy the most famous drink of this place, the ginja, a delicious cherry liqueur.
Coimbra is also a city that is usually visited, with the oldest University in the country that can also be visited since it has from the Weapons Room to the Private Exam Room. The Botanical Garden or Commerce Square are other places that can be seen.
Madeira
On the beautiful island of Madeira there are many routes with viewpoints and natural landscapes to see. The Viewpoint Cabo Girao the Faja dos Padres or the Ponta do Sol are some of them. Experiences such as the Funchal cable car or the natural pools of Porto Moriz are not to be missed. Funchal is the capital and in the city you can see places like its botanical garden and the cathedral.
Azores
In the Azores there are several islands to see. In the largest which is that of San Miguel is the famous Miradouro da Boca do Inferno from which you can see the Laguna del Canario. A common activity on these islands is to get on a boat to see cetaceans. You can also climb the Serra de Santa Bárbara where the highest point on the island of Terceira is.