Portugal Tourism
Fun Sun and Great Food

Portugal Tourism to the country of Magellan and Vasco da Gama the great navigators, a country of beautiful colors, great weather year round and amazing sights, monuments and landmarks.

Portugal is located on the south westernmost point of Europe on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon the Capital of Portugal is a city of great charm. We loved Lisbon on first sight when we spent a week there on an ASTA Congress.

Aerial view of Downtown Lisbon Portugal

Lisbon, the Capital of Portugal

This is a lovely city with a busy downtown called Baixa where you’ll find many cafes, shops and fountains around narrow streets. Don’t miss the freshly roasted chestnuts sold in the Rossio Square.

Belem Tower guarding the city of Lisbon

Top Attractions in Lisbon

Jeronimos Monastery in Portuguese Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, is the resting place of world explorer Vasco da Gama.

Belem Tower a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the icon of the City of Lisbon. This watchtower was built in the 1500s.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is where the treasures from around the world were collected by one man.

Parque das Nações or Nations Park, with Europe’s longest bridge is this 21st century landmark that includes an aquarium, casino and a waterfront promenade.

St George’s Castle is an archaeological museum with an amazing view of the City of Lisbon.

Berardo Museum is the art collection of a Portuguese Multi Millionaire including Picasso and Dali among others.

Madre de Deus Convent is an old convent with a marvelous collection of ceramic tiles.

The World’s most expensive Chapel constructed with gold collected in colonial Brazil. This São Roque Church is a European masterpiece.

The Design and Fashion Museum holds the creations of the greatest international designers in a permanent exhibition.

Portugal Tourism

Praia da Marinha in the region of Algarve, Portugal

Algarve

Portugal Beaches on the south are in the region of Algarve. This region on is a great destination for many Europeans and the rest of the world. It is the king region of Portugal Tourism. The amazing beaches, tall cliffs, clear water and picturesque villages make it the perfect beach destination in the country that is besides a perfect weather year round with very little rain and lots of sunshine.

The capital and main city Faro looks like it never left the 18th century, with charming neighborhoods. Lagos and Sagres on the eastern side of the Algarve date back to the Roman Empire.

Picturesque town of Sintra in Portugal

Sintra Portugal

The Palacio da Pena in Sintra is a great example of 19th century romanticism. It is set at the top of Monte da Pena and built on the site of and old monastery of the order of St Jerome.

The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and the main highlight is the chapel with an alabaster altarpiece.

Portugal Tourism

Porto an important city of northern Portugal

Porto

Located on the mouth of the Douro River in northern Portugal, Porto has a special architecture of exceptional beauty. The historic center was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The center of the city features the Cais da Ribeira, the most beautiful part of the city with narrow streets and alleys in front of the harbor filled with boats ready to take you on a ride. The place is full of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Nightlife image of Coimbra in Portugal

Coimbra Portugal

It was once the Capital of Portugal and hosts the world famous University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 being one of the oldest universities in Europe.

Here you may visit medieval churches and narrow streets that will bring you back to the past of the city. For that reason it is considered one of the most Romantic Spots in Portugal.

Collage of images of Guimarães, Portugal

Guimarães

This well preserved city was one of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2012.

Historically it is an important town for the people of Portugal; it is here that the First King of Portugal Alfonso Henriquez fought the Battle of São Mamede, in June, 1128. This battle symbolizes the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal.

Here you may visit the medieval castle, the Ducal Palace serving as a museum and the most beautiful street in the city, the Rua de Santa Maria.

Portugal Tourism

Interior of the Cathedral of Evora in Portugal

Évora

In this 2,000 year old city you will find the steps of all civilizations that have crossed through this land. There are Moorish courtyards, Gothic doorways and Roman temples.

It is located on the foot of the Evora Mountains and as many other places in Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Portugal Tourism

Beautiful town of Obidos in Portugal

Óbidos

This town was conquered from the Moors by the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, which later gifted it to his wife Queen Isabel; since then the city of Óbidos belonged to Portugal’s Queens.

It is a walled city with a Moorish castle which is used as a Pousada, the equivalent of a Bed and Breakfast Inn. If you want to enter the city do it through the Santa Maria gate with its 18th century blue tiles called azulejos. Visit the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria, the Chapel of São Martinho and the Igreja do Senhor da Pedra. The most important event in this town is the Holy Week Festivities.

Funchal the Capital of the Island of Madeira in Portugal

Funchal in the Island of Madeira

Not far from the continent in front of the coast of Africa is the Archipelago of Madeira with its old city of Funchal which is more than 500 years old.

Here the weather is perpetually fine and sunny and the city has all facilities to make it easy to walk around.

Funchal has a great nightlife with casinos, bar and restaurants offering the best Portuguese food and lots of entertainment.

Vila Franca do Campo the largest town in the Azores

Vila Franca do Campo, Azores

The Azores Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal, are located midway between Boston in the USA and mainland Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. These are nine amazing islands forming this archipelago.

These islands are the perfect set for Adventure Travel due to its wild landscapes. Watersports, yachting, scuba diving as well as horseback riding are the attractions of the Islands.

Vila Franca do Campo is the largest town on the islands attracting many visitors for whale watching. In general the islands are famous for being one of the best spot the large mammals.

For more information go to the Portuguese National Tourist Office.

images credits for portugal tourism

belem tower by pedro simoens
algarve by ricard 12
sintra by victor
coimbra night by portuguese eyes
guimaraes n/a
porto by citor
evora n/a
obidos by kyle taylor
lisbon n/a
funchal n/a
vila franca n/a

all courtesy of wikimedia commons