With its stunning beaches, beautiful countryside, enchanting landscapes and luring cityscapes, Portugal has become a hot spot tourist destination, inviting travelers from all over the world.
If you are planning to visit Portugal anytime soon, you should definitely check out this list of places you ought not to miss!
1. Featuring first is Viana do Castelo. The coasts here have a uniqueness etched into them. Unless the weather ends up being a spoilsport, you will realize how lucky you are to taste the best Portuguese food here. Don’t miss the mollusk range at Tasquinha da Linda Resturant!
2. Next up is a structure created by one of Gustav Eiffel’s students known as the Luis I bridge. A walk over this architectural splendor, which happened to be the longest in the world a century ago, will present you a view of the sea fifty meters below.
3. Porto’s Casa da Música is a recent addition in 2005 that managed to capture the heart of many appreciators of music and admirers of architecture. Boasting of steep curves and angles, it houses a café, performance stage and clubhouse.
4. Gulbenkian houses European and Asian art like Egyptian mask made of gold, rare Chinese porcelain, and Persian tapestries in its museum. This private collection of late Calouste Gulbenkian even possesses masterpieces like Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Renoir.
5. Parque das Nacoes will transport you ahead in time with its modern outlook and contrasting architecture. Pleasant breeze from the seaside and aroma from local seafood restaurants ornate the shore. Do visit the humongous Oceanarium to see life under water through a three sixty degree view.
6. Next let’s take a look at Sintra, historically named as “Glorious Eden”. Located near Lisbon, the place is actually the ancient Portuguese abode of the Kings. Must-sees include Palácio Nacional de Pena and Palácio Nacional de Sintra too. Expect a huge crowd as tourists flock here every day.
7. Evora is yet another popular tourist destination of Portugal. A place of medieval grandeur and Roman splendor, do try out Tapas-style mouth-watering food and Alentejan specialities at the Botequim da Mouraria bar.
8. Guimarães has recently been nominated as the cultural capital, boasting of middle age aura as well as new centers promoting art and architecture. Coimbra, with its own music center, playing Fado, the signature musical style of Portugal has been popular as well.
9. Ria Formosa, present on a coastline, also has its own natural parks with waterdogs and bird watching center. Do visit here if you want to avoid the crowd at Algarve seashore. Another alternative of seashore is the Sagres point. The cliffs are so huge that you will be in awe of its vastness.
10. Monsaraz, a hilltop jutting into Spain, has few of best castle ruins and Europe’s largest artificial lake Alqueva dam. Also visit the highest peak of Portugal, Serra da Estrela, with its share of heights, greenery and waterfalls.
11. If you want to experience the rural side of Portugal, Barcelos is the place for you. And if you are not tired enough, have a nice relaxing walk at the stretches of sand at Santo André beach and fall in love with Portugal.