30 most beautiful places in Portugal

Let’s explore the most beautiful places in Portugal! This incredible country has it all – colorful cities, fairytale palaces, ancient castles, mountain villages, and some of the most stunning beaches you will find in Europe.

We’ve spent many months traveling around Portugal, from the charming towns in the north to the sunny coastlines of the Algarve, discovering all the places that make this country so special.

In this blog post, you’ll find the most beautiful places to visit in Portugal with descriptions, photos, and locations on Google Maps to help you plan your perfect Portugal trip. Get ready to explore and fall in love with this amazing country! Happy travels!

1. Pena Palace

Portugal is known for its medieval castles and royal palaces. It was a monarchy, after all. But Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena) in Sintra is on another level. It is not only one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, but also in Europe!

The 19th-century palace is also a national monument and was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal by the public. Sintra’s proximity to Lisbon makes this palace one of the top destinations for a day trip from Lisbon. It does get busy!

The Romanticist palace is famous for its colorful appearance, which makes it look like it came straight out of a Disney movie. I mean, where have you ever seen anything remotely like this?

Fun fact! The Pena National Palace was built on the site of an old monastery. When King Ferdinand II of Portugal married Queen Maria II in 1836, he wanted to build a summer residence for the family and fell in love with this place in Sintra.

So he bought the convent as well as the surrounding area and started building a palace. Today, you can actually distinguish between the two parts of the palace – the red part is the old monastery, but the yellow and blue parts are the new building. 

King Ferdinand not only ordered the building of the Palácio da Pena but also a large park around it. The exotic park includes diverse trees and plants from all corners of the Earth, including North America, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand!

The unique climatic conditions up on the mountain (not too cold, not too hot) are very suitable for the exotic foreign plants. It is also very common to see a big cloud of fog surrounding the palace when the humidity arrives from the nearby ocean.

The Pena Palace is a must-see place to visit in Sintra. I highly recommend coming here first thing in the morning, before it turns into chaos with long lines and crowds, or going there right before closing. And definitely buy your tickets online!

My favorite place in Pena Palace was the inner square next to the red Clock Tower. Not only does it have incredible panoramic views over the West Coast of Portugal, but it is also the most picture-perfect place in the palace!

Location: Palácio Nacional da Pena – Entrance ticket

2. Benagil Cave

Southern Portugal is known for its incredible coastal rock formations, but Algar do Benagil, or the Benagil Cave, is the most breathtaking natural landmark of them all and, overall, one of the most famous attractions in Portugal.

It is a huge coastal cave known for its massive dome-shaped ceiling with a large circular opening and two arched entrances. Did you know that such caves with circular holes in the ceiling are called ‘algars’ in this region in Portugal?

We were lucky to visit the cave during the off-season back in 2023, so we could walk inside and enjoy it all to ourselves for more than 30 minutes. However, the rules have changed, and you can no longer disembark and walk inside the cave. But it is still possible to see it.

This cave is only accessible by sea, so you need to book a kayaking tour to see this place, or you can get there by boat from Portimão port, as well as from Lagos, or you can join a boat trip to see dolphins and Benagil cave from Albufeira.

Benagil Cave might be the most famous cave in Portugal, but there are many other beautiful caves in the Algarve you can visit for free. We found quite a lot of them, and many caves are easily accessible on foot during low tide.

Location: Algar de Benagil

3. Batalha Monastery

Batalha is a small town in central Portugal, hidden between Leiria, Alcobaça, and Nazaré. Despite its small size, it hides a magnificent secret within its medieval walls – the majestic Batalha Monastery.

It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! In terms of architecture, nothing can compare to this masterpiece!

Officially called the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, this is more than just another place on a long list of must-visit places in Portugal.

Batalha is one of those towns that was literally born out of history. It was built on the battlefield (that’s where its name comes from – Batalha!), where the decisive Battle of Aljubarrota took place back in 1385.

It is where Portugal, despite being outnumbered, secured its independence from Castile (today’s Spain), and it is considered one of the most important battles in Portugal’s history.

After the victory, Portugal’s King João I ordered the building of a majestic monastery on the very battlefield. The construction of the monastery took over a century and was done under the reign of seven kings and the supervision of fifteen architects.

Batalha Monastery is now a National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also one of the most important Gothic sites in Portugal. It also serves as the first royal pantheon in Portugal, filled with tombs of kings, queens, and princes.

Inside, you can visit the Founder’s Chapel, which holds the tombs of King João I and Queen Philippa of Lancaster, along with their sons, including Henry the Navigator (the one who initiated Portugal’s Age of Discovery).

But my favorite place inside the monastery was the famous Unfinished Chapels – the Pantheon that was never finished and has been roofless for centuries.

The Unfinished Chapels has one of the most extravagant entrances you’ll see built in Portugal’s intricate Manueline style. I was speechless.

It was a bit mindblowing to think that someone had to carve it with their hands (see the first photo with the entrance). No wonder it took so long to make it! And it wasn’t even finished!

If you’re traveling through Portugal, the Batalha Monastery is a must-visit place! Plus, it is near a couple of other iconic destinations, so you can plan a perfect day trip full of historical highlights. At least, that’s what we did!

Location: Batalha Monastery

4. Praia da Ursa, Portugal’s breathtaking wild beach

Praia da Ursa or Ursa Beach is easily one of the most beautiful places in Portugal! With its golden-sand shores and astonishing rock formations, this wild beach completely mesmerized me when I finally got to see it.

The beach got its name thanks to the large sea stacks – one of them is named ‘Roca da Ursa’ or the ‘Rock of Bear’. It is one of my favorite hidden gems in Portugal. Praia da Ursa is a wild beach, so you won’t see tons of beachgoers around here.

The beach is located near Cabo da Roca, one of the most iconic destinations in Portugal. Why? It is the westernmost point of Portugal and Continental Europe, so tons of people visit this place every day, especially around sunset hours.

If you go to Cabo da Roca and have some time to spare, I highly recommend walking over to Praia da Ursa. It is a 20-minute walk to the top of the cliff and will take an extra 10 minutes of steep descent if you want to go down by the water.

We decided to descend only halfway down to the beach, because that spot seemed to have the best perspective of the massive rocks. I think the photos turned out great, don’t you think? However, I can assure you – it looks even more dramatic in person.

In case you are looking for a scenic place to visit a short distance from Lisbon (it is a 45-minute drive), then this is the perfect place to go. You can get there by car or by bus, which stops at Cabo da Roca lighthouse.

Location: Praia da Ursa

5. Palace of Monserrate

While everybody is a fan of the colorful Pena Palace, I am just swooning over the Palace of Monserrate in Sintra. It was actually one of my favorite palaces we visited in Portugal.

The majestic palace was built in the middle of the 19th century, and it serves as the perfect example of Sintra romanticism.

The credit for creating this masterpiece goes to an English merchant, Francis Cook, who created this vision by mixing elements of Gothic, Indian, and Moorish styles.

The palace features romantic archways and overlooks the natural beauty of the gardens and forests surrounding the palace.

Despite the unique exterior, I do think that the most iconic part of the Palace of Monserrate is the inside. Although it is rather small compared to other palaces and castles in Sintra, it is packed full of dazzling beauty.

As you enter the palace, you will have the opportunity to explore two floors connected by a staircase. The rooms upstairs are less impressive than downstairs, where you can observe an exotic mix of architectural styles.

One of my favorite places in the Palace of Monserrate is the hallway lined with golden Moorish-style arches decorated with carved elements and details (photo above). This picture-perfect hallway is one of the top Instagram spots in Sintra!

After visiting the palace, don’t forget to stroll around the gardens and the park. It hides some beautiful hidden gems, like ruins of an old chapel already overgrown with trees and plants.

The whole palace felt like a magical fairytale. No wonder it is amongst the most amazing wedding venues in Portugal. There is an entry fee to the palaces, and I highly recommend buying tickets online before your visit.

Location: Palace of Monserrate – Entrance tickets

6. Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is one of my top favorite beaches in Portugal, and the main reason for that is that the beach offers some of the most epic coastal views in the country! Just look at those color contrasts!

At Praia da Marinha, you will find some of the most unique and beautiful rock formations, like the Elephant Rock or the famous heart-shaped rock, as well as others without names. It’s a place with incredible natural beauty!

The beach is also part of the popular Seven Hanging Valleys Trail that runs along the coastline, offering the best views of the Algarve’s most unique cliffs, caves, rock formations, and beaches.

But if you come here to enjoy the beach, you might want to know that it is best enjoyed at lower tide, as it becomes a bit narrow at high tide. If you only have time for a few things to do in the Algarve region, a visit to this beach must be one of them!

Location: Praia da Marinha

7. Queluz National Palace, the Portuguese Versailles

The glamorous 18th-century Queluz National Palace is often called the ‘Portuguese Versailles’ thanks to its exquisite looks, making it one of the most beautiful places in Portugal!

It is amongst the last major Rococo buildings designed in Europe and served as a residence and a retreat for many different members of the Portuguese royalty.

Although it was built as a place for leisure and recreation for the Portuguese royal family, at times it also became an official residence for some members of the monarchy.

The palace was founded by Queen Maria I and King Pedro III, and it displays an abundance of extravagant architecture. Today, it is a member of the European Royal Residences Network.

I loved wandering around the halls, corridors, and rooms of the palace. The architecture here is truly unfathomable – wooden decor, painted ceilings, mirrors, crystal chandeliers, and each room more beautiful than the rest.

My favorite places inside the palace were the Ballroom, the Hall of Ambassadors, as well as Sala das Mangas gallery with tiled wall panels.

However, the palace is especially known for its majestic gardens, including the famous Fountain of Neptune. The gardens feature statues, terraces, fountains, as well as a cascade, the first artificial waterfall to be built near Lisbon.

It was pretty hot outside in the sun, but we spent quite some time in the garden – it was so beautiful and we wanted to enjoy it despite the heat!

Queluz National Palace is located in the Sintra municipality, just a 20-minute drive away from Lisbon, making it one of the best historic sites to visit near Lisbon! You can buy entrance tickets online before the visit. This is one fantastic place!

Location: Queluz National Palace – Entrance tickets

8. Lisbon, the majestic capital of Portugal

I simply cannot talk about the most beautiful places in Portugal and not mention Lisbon!

Lisbon is not only one of my favorite cities in Portugal, but also one of my favorite capitals in Europe! Built across seven hills and overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon is full of colorful houses, iconic landmarks, and historic squares.

We’ve visited Lisbon several times (one time we stayed there for three weeks), and it never fails to surprise us with something new each time. But which are the most beautiful places to visit in Lisbon?

Some of Lisbon’s most stunning landmarks include the iconic Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém district, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites that represent Portugal’s Age of Discovery.

Back in the historic heart of the city, don’t miss Arco da Rua Augusta, a triumphal arch next to the Praça do Comércio square, as well as the most picture-perfect place in Lisbon – the Pink Street.

These spots will make for beautiful photos!

The best way to start the day in Lisbon is to watch the sunrise at the famous Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint. Not only is it one of the most popular viewpoints in Lisbon, but it is also one of the most beautiful places in the city.

The viewpoint features a pergola covered with blooming flower bushes and decorated with the traditional Portuguese blue and white azulejo tiles. But the best part is the view – the whole city is at your feet!

While exploring Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, make sure to visit the Lisbon Cathedral, the city’s oldest church, dating back to the 12th century. Even better, if you can catch it with the yellow Tram 28 passing by!

9. Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga

Bom Jesus do Monte is one of the most famous attractions not only in Braga but in all of Portugal. Without a doubt, it is one of the most famous churches you can find in Portugal.

This stunning sanctuary sits on a hill just outside the city of Braga and is known for its monumental Baroque stairway that zigzags all the way up to the church at the top of the hill.

Climbing the Baroque stairs is one of the must-do things to do in Braga (if you are able to do that)!

I have visited this place three or four times already, and it always takes my breath away – the architecture, the grandeur, and those panoramic views from the top! It is definitely a special place!

The religious site dates back to the 14th century, though the current sanctuary and staircase were built in the 18th-19th centuries.

Each level of the staircase features fountains and statues. It’s a true masterpiece and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.

You can reach the top by climbing the 577 steps or by taking the historic funicular. One of the times we came here, we arrived on Sunday morning, and it looked like locals used the stairs as a gym! So many people were walking up and down there, haha!

The church itself is beautiful, but simple. However, the real adventure of Bom Jesus do Monte is the climb up and the views that await you at the summit.

If you come here during the day, I recommend exploring the hilltop, too. There is a beautiful garden with a fountain, as well as many cafes, where you can relax and soak in the special atmosphere. It is one of those places you simply cannot miss in Portugal!

Location: Bom Jesus do Monte

10. Quinta da Regaleira

Designed by an Italian architect, the spectacular Quinta da Regaleira or Regaleira Palace is one of the landmark tourist attractions in Sintra.

It is a stunning Romantic-style palace built in the early 20th century with vast gardens, (small) lakes, fountains, and underground passages. But it truly stands out with its Gothic-style pinnacles, towers, and gargoyles.

While the Pena Palace with its colors looked fun and princessy, the moody and dark grey Quinta da Regaleira kind of feels more like the villain’s castle you see in cartoons, haha! I loved it!

However, Quinta da Regaleira is truly famous for only one thing, and it is its famous Initiation Well, also called the inverted tower. There are actually two wells, however, only the bigger one has this photogenic spiral staircase with 23 niches inside the wall (see photo above).

The well was never used as a water source but instead served for spiritual ceremonial purposes.

Besides the Initiation Well, there are many other cool spots to explore! After visiting many palaces and castles in Sintra, I can safely say that Quinta da Regaleira gardens are easily the most extravagant and luxurious of all the properties we visited!

The terraced gardens feature beautiful viewpoints, scenic benches, towers, fountains, statues, and bridges, as well as a chapel and a large collection of plants, bushes, and trees. Almost got lost in the winding network of paths, haha!

We visited Quinta da Regaleira in early November, bought our tickets in advance, and arrived at the entrance 30 minutes before opening time, so we could be the first ones to enter. When the palace opened, the line behind us was already massive!

Quinta da Regaleira palace is located very close to the Sintra Historic Center, so it is easy to reach on foot. We stayed in Sintra town, not too far away, so we just walked there. This was one of my favorite places we visited in Sintra!

Location: Quinta da Regaleira – Initiation Well

11. Azenhas do Mar

The charming Azenhas do Mar is one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal and one of my all-time favorite places we visited in the country!

Azenhas do Mar name translates from Portuguese as ‘Watermills of the Sea’. The magical small town is the best place for watching the sunset in the Atlantic Ocean, which is exactly what we did when we visited this place.

The town that originated as a fishing village has now grown into a seaside resort featuring Mediterranean-style whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs. The town is only a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, making it the perfect destination for a day trip.

If you drive there, I recommend stopping by Miradouro das Azenhas do Mar viewpoint to enjoy the fantastic views of the town as well as the beach below with its iconic rock pool.

Location: Miradouro das Azenhas do Mar – Parking lot

12. Porto, the charming capital of Northern Portugal

Porto, or Oporto, is the heart of Northern Portugal. It is the second-largest city in Portugal and also one of the most charming cities in Europe. You’ll find some of the most beautiful places in the country in this city.

Built along the Douro River, this city is famous for its colorful riverside houses, historic bridges, and world-famous Port wine.

Porto is also home to some of the most beautiful attractions in Portugal, from its iconic 19th-century double-deck metal arch bridge, Dom Luís I Bridge, to the small and charming tile-covered Chapel of Souls, one of the most photographed places in Porto.

Porto is also home to the famous Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, said to have inspired J.K. Rowling (author of Harry Potter) when she lived in Porto.

You also shouldn’t miss the beautiful São Bento Railway Station, known for its blue-and-white azulejos. Is it the most beautiful railway station in Portugal? Could be.

And Porto’s Ribeira district, with its lively riverfront, colorful houses, and restaurants overlooking the Douro River, is one of the best places to visit in Porto.

We’ve actually spent several weeks in Porto and explored all its bucket list tourist attractions, as well as some of Porto’s many hidden gems usually skipped by the regular crowds.

Every corner in this city has something special to offer.

One of my favorite must-visit attractions is the Porto Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. I loved exploring its tile-covered courtyard and stone rooms and halls!

Another must-visit is Jardim do Morro, the most iconic place to watch the sunset in Porto! The atmosphere here is always lively around sunset, with people sitting on the grass, sharing drinks, and often enjoying live music from street performers.

Porto is a city that captures your heart from the moment you arrive. There’s an unbeatable charm to this place, so I really hope you get to explore it to the fullest!

I know, you cannot possibly visit every beautiful place, but I’d say you’ll need at least two or three days to experience the city without rushing. But there’s nothing wrong with rushing just to see as much as possible, haha!

Location: Porto

13. Ponta da Piedade

Want to see the best view in the Algarve? This is it! Ponta da Piedade is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Portugal and definitely one of the most iconic places to visit in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region!

The Algarve is all about golden sand beaches and incredible coastal cliffs, and Ponta da Piedade near Lagos is especially famous for it. The ocean here is full of unique golden-colored rock formations: sea stacks, rock arches, caves, etc.

If you think of the Algarve as a great place where you can admire beautiful coastline, then Ponta da Piedade is the ultimate place to go to do that. It doesn’t get much better than this.

By the way, it is best to come here closer to high tide, as it will be more beautiful when the stones are covered by water! You can tell by the picture that we happened to be there at low tide.

You can enjoy this beauty not only from the coast but also from the water. There is a boat cruise in a small group from Lagos port along the coast to Ponta da Piedade to explore beautiful rock formations from the sea.

However, if you are into kayaking, then you will love to join this boat and kayaking tour from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade, where you will jump on a kayak and explore the caves and sea arches of Ponta da Piedade. They even let you swim in those crystal clear waters!

Location: Ponta da Piedade

14. Évora Cathedral

The Cathedral of Évora is truly a masterpiece! Known as the biggest medieval cathedral in Portugal, it is truly a majestic sight to witness! It is also one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal.

Visiting the cathedral and climbing up to the cathedral’s roof is one of the top things to do in Évora!

The construction of the cathedral started in the 12th century, when a modest version of the cathedral was built. However, over time, it was enlarged and new parts to the complex were added until its completion in the 18th century.

There is a small entrance fee to visit the cathedral. The entrance fee allows you to climb up to the roof of the cathedral, but you also get to see the church as well as walk around the cloister.

I love climbing up to the rooftops, and this was one of the most beautiful rooftops I got to visit in Portugal! You have to climb up at the very beginning of the visit. You’ll walk around the rest of the building afterward.

Once you are on the roof, you will notice that the cathedral has a very striking and picturesque lantern tower with multiple spires. This rooftop is the highest place in Évora where you can get panoramic views over the entire historical center.

The cathedral was my favorite place in Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region! It was everything you could expect from a medieval cathedral and more. Just wonderful!

Location: Cathedral of Évora

15. Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal

Aveiro is one of my favorite cities we visited in Portugal! It is also known as the ‘Venice of Portugal’, and I think it might as well be one of the prettiest places in the country!

Aveiro boasts beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and a city center full of water canals, where you can take a ride in the iconic moliceiro boats – the town’s traditional wooden boats, similar to gondolas in Venice (hence the nickname, Venice of Portugal)!

Located just about an hour south of Porto, Aveiro makes for a perfect day trip from Porto. We stayed in this city for a couple of days, exploring everything Aveiro had to offer – from its postcard-perfect architecture to the vast salt flats next to the city!

And you simply have to take a boat ride through the city’s canals! These beautifully painted boats were once used to harvest seaweed from the lagoon, but today it is a tourist attraction and one of the best ways to see the city!

We also had time to wander outside the city center to see the beautiful blue-and-white Old Aveiro Railway Station. It has beautiful tile panels all around it depicting historical scenes from Aveiro.

However, my favorite place in Aveiro was actually a short drive from the center, and it was Costa Nova, a charming beachside village known for its candy-stripped houses! Visiting the Costa Nova area is one of the must-do things to do in Aveiro!

These colorful houses (they are called ‘palheiros’) were once used by fishermen to store their fishing gear. Now, some of them are residential properties. I highly recommend stopping by this unique, postcard-perfect place before you stroll to the beach.

We took way too many photos of those cute houses, haha!

Aveiro is one of those places that is full of character and is very relaxing at the same time. The city is near Porto, so it receives quite a few tourists during the day, but there’s something special about this place that makes you want to stay a little longer. If you can, do it!

Location: Aveiro

16. Convent of Christ in Tomar

Tomar is one of the most fascinating places we visited in Portugal!

Known as the home of the Knights Templar, Tomar is filled with rich history, incredible architecture, and legends. There is only one reason people travel to Tomar, and it is to visit the majestic Convent of Christ.

Located about an hour and a half north of Lisbon, this small city hosts one of the most important monuments in Portugal’s history (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The Convent of Christ was founded in the 12th century as the headquarters of the Knights Templar, a powerful military order of warrior monks who played a major role in Portugal’s formation. The construction of the impressive building complex took about five centuries!

One of the most beautiful places in the convent is the 12th-century Oratory of the Templars – the famous round church (called a ‘rotunda’) covered with intricate frescoes and paintings (see the first two photos).

Another famous architectural artwork that you can visit in the Convent of Christ is the Chapter Window (photo below). The Manueline window is filled with maritime themes, including ropes, wood, buoys, and others.

I’ll never know why they had to renovate it during our visit, haha. Okay, but we did see it through the fences. However, one of my personal favorite places in the convent was the spiraled staircase that leads to the second floor and can be accessed from the main courtyard. So unique!

Honestly, this was one of the most beautiful places we got to visit during our road trip around Portugal. Walking through its old halls and towers gives you a glimpse into the life of the knights who once lived here.

The mix of history, mystique, and beauty makes it a truly unforgettable place. If you are doing a road trip around Portugal, definitely consider stopping by if you love architecture and historical buildings!

Location: Convent of Christ

17. Óbidos, the charming Town of the Queens

The medieval Óbidos is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. Referred to as the ‘Town of the Queens’, this place welcomes you with its medieval architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, squares, city walls, and the medieval castle.

It is often said that Óbidos has the most beautiful old town in Portugal.

We visited this small medieval town in the summer months, and explored all the main attractions of Óbidos, including Óbidos Castle, Rua Direita shopping street, walked around the city walls, and tried the famous Óbidos chocolate!

Óbidos Castle is one of the most famous medieval castles in Portugal and is among the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It looked pretty impressive!

However, my favorite place in the old town was the Porta da Vila gate with the beautiful Portuguese tiles – azulejos! It is one of the entrance gates to the old town, and to this day, cars still drive through it.

The whole of Óbidos is encircled by massive defensive castle walls. The best part about it is that you can walk around the town walls like a town guard a couple of centuries ago! The perimeter of the walls reaches more than 1500 meters (nearly a mile).

Some of the must-try things in Óbidos include the local Ginja de Óbidos – a Portuguese liqueur made of sour cherries, sugar, and usually cinnamon. In Óbidos, they serve it inside small cups made of chocolate, so you can eat and drink it all at once!

Another thing not to miss in Óbidos is the local chocolate. There are tons of local chocolate shops, where you can buy treats for yourself and your family.

Óbidos even hosts an International Chocolate Festival that has taken place in the Spring every year since 2002. It is when the whole town turns into a big festival and celebration of chocolate! Now I wish I had visited Óbidos in spring, haha!

Location: Castelo de Óbidos

18. Berlengas Islands

One of the bucket list things to do in Portugal is to take a boat trip to the Berlengas Islands. It is a small archipelago just off the coast of Portugal near Peniche, a seaside town just a 1h 15min drive away from Lisbon.

The Berlengas Islands are known for crystal clear waters, so people come here to enjoy the beaches as well as cliff jumping. But the most iconic tourist attraction on the Berlengas Islands is the Fort of São João Baptista.

This fort is a military defensive structure. The octagon-shaped fort was built from the remains of an old monastery that was abandoned due to regular pirate attacks. It was constructed during the 17th century.

Today, it is no longer functional, and you can explore the fort for a symbolic entrance fee. You can get there by one of the regular ferries from Peniche. It takes you to the island, then you have about 3 hours to explore, and then it will take you back to Peniche.

Before the trip, you have to register on berlengaspass.icnf.pt and obtain a Berlengas Pass by paying a tourist tax for visiting the archipelago. It costs a couple of euros, but you must do it before your trip.

Location: Forte de São João Baptista

19. Douro Valley, the Portuguese wine region

The Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine, is one of the most beautiful regions in Portugal and an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling through the country.

The Douro Valley is known for its terraced vineyards, scenic river views, and charming wine estates. And since 2001, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the best ways to experience this region is by taking a scenic drive along the N222 road, which winds along the river, and stopping by scenic viewpoints overlooking the vineyards and the river below.

Two of the most popular stops along the way are Peso da Régua and Pinhão – small towns at the riverfront offering scenic boat rides and river cruises along the Douro River. Just drive there and go to the pier – there will likely be somebody who will grab you immediately, haha.

Some of my favorite viewpoints along the river valley include Miradouro São Leonardo de Galafura, Miradouro da Boneca, and Miradouro da Portela, offering some of the most beautiful views of the endless rows of terraced vines cascading down the hillsides.

If you don’t have a car, there are plenty of group trip options to choose from right from Porto, with transportation, wine tasting, lunch, and a river cruise included. You just have to choose one and arrive at the pickup point. In any case, a visit to the Douro Valley is a must!

20. Castelo de Leiria

Leiria Castle is a beautiful and picturesque medieval castle built in the 12th century by the order of King Afonso I, the first king of Portugal, to protect, at that time, the Southern border of his country.

It is also, in my opinion, the most beautiful of all the medieval castles in Portugal.

I will never understand how other medieval castles like Guimarães Castle and Óbidos Castle get so much recognition, but this marvelous castle doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves.

Throughout the centuries, it has served as the residence for Portuguese monarchs and played a strategic role in the defense of the country.

Each year, Leiria hosts a Leiria Medieval Fair – a big medieval festival where the whole city is turned into a medieval-themed playground. One of the best places to be for history lovers!

If you happen to be around during those days, I highly recommend paying a visit to Leiria and the castle, as everything will be beautifully decorated and there will be medieval celebrations throughout the city.

We happened to be there a day before the festival started, so we saw different performances, everything in festive colors, and a city full of medieval markets and street food stands. Sadly, we could not stay longer, but it definitely looked quite fun.

But we did explore the castle! It is really well maintained, and you can walk around the walls, explore the halls and towers, and admire the panoramic city views. My favorite place was the balcony room with the beautiful arcade and the views of Leiria. So picturesque!

Location: Castelo de Leiria

21. Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo is one of the most stunning beaches in the Algarve and definitely one of my personal favorites. It is small, cozy, and framed by dramatic golden cliffs that make it feel like a secret paradise.

You’ll reach the beach by walking down a long wooden staircase that zigzags down the cliffs. And honestly, the view from the top is already worth the visit. The turquoise water, the soft sand, and the contrast with the cliffs make this beach an absolute dream for photos.

It’s also a great spot for swimming since the water here is usually calm and crystal clear. If you come during low tide, you can even walk through a little tunnel to reach another small beach right next to it.

Praia do Camilo can get busy in summer because of its popularity, so it’s best to come early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s quieter. It is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve!

Location: Praia do Camilo

22. Palace of the Dukes of Bragança

The majestic Palace of the Dukes of Bragança is not only one of the most famous attractions in Guimarães, but also one of the most unique palaces in the country and one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.

This medieval stone mansion was built in the first half of the 15th century for Afonso, 1st Duke of Bragança (one of the king’s sons), and stands out with its sturdy architecture and very distinctive chimneys towering high above the city.

Exploring the majestic Palace of the Dukes of Bragança was one of my favorite things to do in Guimarães. I loved its charming courtyard surrounded by a beautiful arcade and all the stone halls and medieval vibes!

We arrived here first thing in the morning to take some beautiful photos in the courtyard. After that, we went up to the upper floor to see the actual rooms and halls where they lived.

The rooms were beautifully decorated with rich tapestries, swords, paintings, and period furniture. Some of the massive tapestries showed scenes of some historical Portuguese battles.

Just a note – this isn’t an actual room layout from the 15th century, but rather a remake, because the palace was later significantly renovated and turned into a museum worth visiting. But they did a great job! It did feel like visiting something from medieval times!

One of my favorite places was the chapel on the second floor, right across the palace entrance. It featured stunning stained-glass windows and wooden balconies. We arrived at the right time when the sun was shining through the window. It looked so serene!

From the upper floor, you also get a great overview of the courtyard from above. The only puzzling question I had was – why did they need so many chimneys? I guess the palace was quite cold, so there might have been a fireplace in each room?

Overall, I loved this place. If you are traveling to the North of Portugal, I highly recommend stopping by Guimarães and including this palace, as well as the iconic Guimarães Castle, in your itinerary!

Location: Palace of the Dukes of Bragança

23. Baloiço do Trevim

You should know one thing about Portugal – they have a thing for swings here, especially in Northern Portugal, and the Trevim Swing is one of the most beautiful swings you will find in the country!

The swing is located in the Serra da Lousã mountains in the heart of Portugal, about a 1-hour drive from Coimbra. It sits on a picturesque hilltop and boasts panoramic views over the surrounding area.

It is easy to get to by car, as you can drive all the way up there on a paved road and park your car next to the swing. Swinging in a swing in the mountains – there’s just no way of beating that experience!

Location: Baloiço do Trevim

24. Peneda-Gerês National Park

Peneda-Gerês National Park is hands down one of the most beautiful regions in Portugal. It’s actually the only national park in the whole country, so if you love wild nature, you should definitely consider planning a trip to Peneda-Gerês!

The national park is vast. If you love nature, this is the perfect place to go to slow down, disconnect, and enjoy the outdoors. The perfect contrast to the buzzing cities in Northern Portugal.

One of the best ways to experience Peneda-Gerês is to go on a road trip and explore its many panoramic viewpoints along the way. Some of my favorites include Miradouro de Fafião, Miradouro da Pedra Bela, Miradouro das Rocas, and Miradouro Voltas de São Bento.

There are also countless hiking trails throughout the park, from easy scenic walks to longer, more adventurous routes. Some of the most popular ones are the Seven Lagoons Trail, Calcedónia Trail, and Trilho dos Miradouros Trail.

Peneda-Gerês National Park also features some amazing waterfalls. The most beautiful ones are Cascata do Arado, Cascatas de Fecha de Barjas, Cascata de Pincães, as well as Poço Azul do Gerês, where you can even go for a swim in the rock pools.

Peneda-Gerês National Park is all about the forests, granite peaks, and waterfalls. But if you have little time, driving through the park is an experience on its own, too – the winding mountain roads, stone bridges, and scenic views are all there to enjoy!

25. Monsanto, the most Portuguese village in Portugal

Stone caves and houses built above or under big boulders – this is the mysterious stone village of Monsanto, one of the most uniquely beautiful places in Portugal!

Voted as the most Portuguese village in Portugal, this ancient village attracts plenty of visitors who crave a feeling of stepping back in time. It is a real-life Stone Age village!

Some of the best things to do in Monsanto village include climbing up to the 12th-century Castle of Monsanto, visiting boulder caves and boulder houses, as well as trying the famous cherry pastel de nata – pastel de cereja.

The village got extra fame after the well-known TV series House of the Dragon filmed a couple of scenes right in this village. Namely, they filmed Daemon and Rhaenyra’s wedding here on a foggy day, as well as Rhaenyra’s coronation.

However, probably my favorite thing to do in Monsanto was hunting for the best viewpoints. The village sits on a hilltop 763 meters (2,503 ft) above sea level, offering spectacular views over the surrounding area.

We saw the most beautiful sunset there!

Monsanto is located deep in mainland Portugal, about a 3-hour drive from Porto. It is not an easy destination to reach, but it is very much worth it if you enjoy hidden gems and ancient places.

Monsanto is small and gets very busy during the day, so I would recommend arriving here in the evening, staying the night there (this is where we stayed), and then exploring the village the next morning before the tourist buses arrive!

This way, you’ll be able to see the sunset as well as the sunrise. They are quite magical around here.

Location: Monsanto

26. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego

Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, or Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, located in Lamego town, was one of my favorite places we visited in Northern Portugal.

The sanctuary sits on top of Santo Estêvão Hill and was built between the 18th and 20th centuries.

It can be accessed from the town by a long Baroque staircase of 686 steps, but you can drive up there by car as well. It is one of the best churches you can visit in Portugal!

If you are able, I highly recommend climbing the stairs. To me, it was the best part of the experience. We climbed all the way up there, explored the sanctuary, and then climbed back down.

Building sanctuaries on top of hills and then adding majestic, long staircases up to them is not uncommon in Portugal. We found a couple of similar spots around Portugal.

But this iconic staircase in Lamego with statues and azulejos tiles was my favorite of them all!

Location: Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

27. Águeda, the City of Umbrellas

Located about 80 kilometers south of Porto, Águeda is one of those hidden gems in Portugal that surprises you in a positive way. I only found this place by accident, just by looking at different locations on Google Maps.

Águeda is a small yet vibrant city famous for its annual festival, when the streets are filled with floating umbrellas that turn the whole town into an open-air art gallery each summer.

If you happen to be traveling around Portugal from July to September, definitely consider stopping by this unique town! It is one of the most unique places we visited in Portugal!

It’s a whole spectacle when the streets are decorated with thousands of colorful umbrellas as part of the globally famous Umbrella Sky Project.

When we visited, I counted about five streets that were covered with colorful umbrellas and other decorations. Not only streets, but some houses and shops also had umbrellas on them.

There were colorful benches, even a decorative car on one of the streets, as well as other colorful decorations. Luckily, I found out about Águeda at the end of August, so everything was in full swing when we stopped by.

The best streets to go to see the umbrellas are Rua Luís Camões, Rua José Maria Veloso, Rua Jornal Soberania do Povo, and Rua Vasco da Gama. I also saw colorful decorations on Rua São Bento street.

Besides the umbrella art, Águeda also has plenty of street murals, painted benches, and creative installations scattered all around the town. It’s the kind of place where you just want to wander around and take pictures all the time, haha.

As far as I know, they also create a special Christmas project that you can visit during December when the umbrellas are decorated with Christmas lights. If you want to be sure before you go, I recommend contacting Umbrella Sky Project on Instagram.

Location: Umbrella Sky Project in Águeda

28. Colorful churches in Cortegaça and Válega

There are two unassuming nearby towns in Northern Portugal that host two of the most colorful and beautiful churches in all of Portugal – Igreja Matriz de Válega and Igreja Paroquial de Cortegaça.

If you have a rental car, these are two incredibly beautiful buildings to add to your itinerary!

Igreja Matriz de Válega is not only the most colorful church I’ve seen in Portugal, but it is the most colorful church I have seen in the world. And I’ve seen a considerable number of churches while traveling around the world!

While this church dates back a thousand years, the construction of Igreja Matriz de Válega, as we see it today, started in the middle of the 18th century and lasted for a hundred years. The colorful tiles were added back in the middle of the 20th century.

My biggest shock was that the interior of Igreja Matriz de Válega is just as colorful as the outside! The central nave is also covered with colorful tiles depicting biblical scenes! And you can visit this wonderful place for free!

Another masterpiece nearby is the blue church, Igreja Paroquial de Cortegaça. This striking church stands in a quiet square, framed by a beautiful alley lined with palm trees.

The building that we see today was completed in 1918 and was built to replace the old temple, dating back to the middle of the 12th century, but the facade was covered with tiles between 1921 and 1923. Stunning!

Location: Igreja Matriz de Válega – Igreja Paroquial de Cortegaça

29. Serra da Estrela, highest point in mainland Portugal

The Serra da Estrela mountain range is the highest point in continental Portugal, reaching 1993 meters above sea level at the highest point named ‘Torre’.

It is not a distinct mountain but rather the highest place on a large plateau, offering some of the most beautiful panoramic views over the whole country!

Driving up to the Serra da Estrela mountain is a bucket list thing to do in Portugal. What’s even better is that you can drive to the very top of the country by car – there is a paved road that goes up to the highest point. No hiking needed!

At the top, you will see a tower with a cross on top – the highest point in Portugal. There are also a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops where you can have a meal or buy some souvenirs.

We bought some Serra da Estrela chocolate as well as the famous Serra da Estrela cheese! Its recipe is more than 2,000 years old! We quite liked it – the cheese is soft and gooey and has a strong and interesting flavor (but in a good sense!).

Visiting Serra Estrela is one of my favorite memories from our travels around Portugal! If you can, go there before sunset. It is the ultimate place to be when the sun sets.

Location: Serra da Estrela

30. Marvão, one of ‘1000 Places to See Before You Die‘

Marvão is one of Portugal’s most beautiful medieval villages, sitting 860 meters above sea level on a large quartzite rock in the Serra de São Mamede mountains in Eastern Portugal.

It is located near the Spanish border, a 2h 30min drive Northeast of Lisbon.

The village earned significant attention after it was listed in the #1 New York Times bestselling book ‘1000 Places to See Before You Die‘. With more than a thousand years of history, this village is a mystical place to discover.

The most famous attraction in Marvão is the Castle of Marvão – a well-preserved medieval castle dating back to the 8th century. You can access the castle’s walls, defensive towers, and courtyards for a small entrance fee.

The whole hilltop village is a fortress with big stone walls completely surrounding the houses and the castle.

Once you step inside the fortification, you are thrown back to medieval times with those narrow cobblestone streets leading you into a maze of stone houses. I love hidden places like these! I’m so glad we visited this forgotten place!

Location: Castle of Marvão

Happy exploring!

Portugal is one of those countries that stays with you long after you leave. From its colorful cities and peaceful countryside to the dramatic coastline and charming mountain villages, it’s a place that has something for everyone.

We’ve spent months exploring Portugal, and there’s always something new to discover – whether it’s a quiet fishing town, a fairytale palace, or a sunset spot you just stumble upon by chance.

I hope this blog post helps you plan your own unforgettable trip and inspires you to explore the most beautiful places in Portugal for yourself. Every corner of this country has its own magic. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and let Portugal surprise you!

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