7 Amazing Places to Visit in Portugal

Pictured: Gorgeous vintage-looking trams in Lisbon city centre.

It might be interesting to note that the Lisbon tramway network that serves the capital is in operation since 1873! The trams pictured are on Lisbon Main Square - Praca do Comercio near the river Tagus.

Pictured: Sao Jorge Castle on top of a massive hill in Lisbon.

The Moorish castle overlooks the historic city centre and Tagus River and is one of the main tourist attractions in Lisbon. The fortified citadel dates from medieval period of Portuguese history. On the castle grounds you can buy wine, other beverages and snacks, and enjoy the snacks while soaking in the fantastic views of the city down below.

Pictured: The impressive Time Out Lisbon Food Hall.

This is a gourmet food hall and one of the most exciting places to eat in Lisbon. The market has over 30 kiosks and you can buy wine, seafood, Portuguese specialities and anything else. The food hall looks very slick and stylish as all the kiosks are branded in the same smart uniform black and white signage and everything seems to be well kept and maintained. On a busy evening one must have a sharp eye and be quick-witted to get a free table.

Pictured: The colourful and vibrant Porto city in Portugal.

Porto is a coastal city and the second largest city in Portugal known for its stately bridges and port wine. In Porto you can enjoy the stunning medieval Ribeira (riverside) district and its narrow cobbled streets leading to houses and cafes. To sample a bit of lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings you can venture up to the São Francisco Church.

Pictured: The hilltop Moorish and Manueline-style Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal.

The quirky yet captivating 19th-century fairy-tale castle is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework, and it’s also known for fantastic views. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Pictured: The Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) – a small interior chapel located next to the entrance of the Church of St. Francis in Evora that has the interior walls covered with human skulls and bones. Photo by Paolo Querci , License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Pictured: The ancient Roman Temple of Évora (also called the Temple of Diana). Nearby, whitewashed houses surround the Cathedral of Évora, a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century.

There’s also an old Agua de Prata Aqueduct that towers over the rooftops of Évora and is a prominent architectural feature no matter where you are – apparently the aqueduct stretches for 9 kilometres and it was built in Roman days to serve water to the town.

The old town of Evora has a lot to offer, along with the skeleton-adorned Chapel of Bones, as pictured above.

Pictured: Selfie at Benagil Sea Cave, Algarve, Portugal.

Algar de Benagil is an amazing cave that you can get to via the sea. There are lots of boat tours in the area that will take you to see this cave and many other caves. The rock formations are absolutely stunning.

Pictured: Marinha Beach, near Lagoa – an example of Algarve's typical coast.

The rock formations on the beaches are very popular with tourists and the coast between Lagos and Faro is lined with villas, hotels, bars and restaurants. In general, the region's western Atlantic coast and the rugged interior are less developed, and those are the places for a more local and a quieter experience during the popular holiday months.

Pictured: A spectacular natural landscape of the Sao Miguel island, Azores, Portugal.

The Azores is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean about 1,360 km west of continental Portugal. The islands are known for their dramatic landscapes and green pastures. São Miguel island is the largest and has lake-filled calderas and the Gorreana Tea Plantation.

Pictured: Waterfalls of Azores, the autonomous region of Portugal. Azores is known for its nature, waterfalls, hot volcanic springs and gorgeous landscapes.

Pictured: The historic University of Coimbra a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Portugal.

Coimbra is the country’s former capital and is a home to a well preserved medieval old town, among other historical sites of importance. In the city’s old town there is a stunning 12th-century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha.