Looking for a list of the most beautiful places in Portugal to visit on your next vacation? Look no further! This post covers Portugals 8 most beautiful places that should be on every traveller’s bucket list.
There are very few places as charming and beautiful as Portugal. In recent years Portugal has become a very popular travel destination with people from around the world visiting this stunning European travel destination. Portugal is known for its orange-roofed buildings, colourful streets, vibrant atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. It is the perfect place to visit that offers sightseeing, adventure, culture and history.
With all the stunning towns, villages, and cities to visit in Portugal finding the perfect one can be a challenge. Although all places in Portugal are beautiful the most beautiful ones that you should visit are listed in this post.
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8 Most Beautiful Places in Portugal
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and definitely one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. It is a city made up of steep hills, small streets, and colourful buildings. Its location along the coastline gives the air a warm salty feeling which only adds to the city’s charm. One of the best things about Lisbon is that there are various viewpoints around the city so you can admire the beauty from above!
Lisbon is the perfect place to visit if you are seeking stunning architecture and a plethora of culture and history. Some of the best things to do in Lisbon are: tour the Alfama District, visit Rua Augusta, admire Praça de Comércio, marvel at Monastery Jeronimos, and much more!
If you are looking to find the most picture-perfect spot in Lisbon be sure to visit the Alfama district which is characterized by its narrow streets, steep hills, and beyond Instagrammable sights.
Douro Valley
Douro Valley is an enchanting and magical wine region in Portugal. The landscape in this region is beyond stunning, making it an easy addition to the list of the most beautiful places in Portugal. This cultural hotspot is a Unesco World Heritage Site and a must-visit for wine lovers and those looking to admire the magical Portuguese countryside.
This region is characterized by its hilly landscape which is home to various vineyards that produce amazing table wines and port wines. There is a train that can bring you to this region where you can then explore all the towns, villages and vineyards. There is no better Portugal experience than to enjoy the freshly produced wine while admiring the lush, rolling hills all around. It is also a great day trip from Porto with various tours offered.
Albufeira
Albufeira is a magical small town that sits along Portugals very famous Algarve region. This region is known for its orange-hued cliffs, beachfront towns, and coastal vibes. Albufeira is one of the many towns that make up this region and due to its old town charm and beach-lined shores, it is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
This small town looks like the perfect mix of Greece and Italy. It has whitewashed buildings that resemble Greece with the authentic feeling streets of Italy. It is the perfect Portuguese city to get lost in, with its old town full of tiny streets and tiled ground. Plus there are viewpoints all around that allow you to view the town and beach from above which is beyond beautiful.
One of the best things about Albufeira is that the small town is surrounded by various other beautiful towns, villages, and beaches. This means you can take a short drive and end up in a new and exciting place along the coast. Albufeira is full of things to do and is the perfect place for beach lovers who are looking to enjoy a stunning old town and unnaturally blue waters in one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. Find here how to easily get from Albufeira to Lagos!
Lagos
Also sitting along the Algarve’s beautiful coast is the famous city of Lagos. Lagos is by far the most popular destination in the Algarve and for good reason! The old town in the Algarve is full of white-coloured buildings, cobblestoned streets, and winding hills. It is the perfect place to get lost in the narrow streets full of surprises, plus Lagos is full of amazing things to do.
In addition to the Old Town, Lagos is home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in the world. The entire coastline is full of blue waters, towering orange-coloured cliffs, and sandy beaches. All along to coast, you are welcomed by different beaches but the highlight is Ponta da Piedade which offers the most magical views of the unique landscape of this region. The old town and coastline of Lagos make this one of the most beautiful places in Portugal without a doubt.
Sintra
Sintra is Portugal’s fairytale castle that is beyond stunning. It is located only a short distance from Lisbon and is the perfect day trip destination. In Sintra, you will find various stunning attractions, the most famous being Pena Palace! This palace is orange and red-coloured and made to look like something from a movie!
If you are looking to view one of the most architecturally unique places in Portugal, Sintra is for you! It is not only beautiful but also a great place to visit if you are looking for a day of learning about some of Portugal’s long history. No visit to Portugal is complete without visiting Sintra, one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
Aveiro
Aveiro is the Venice of Portugal that sits along the countries west coast. It is known for its skinny canals, bright buildings, and colourful boats that sail through the canals. As a coastal town, it is a hub for fishing with a vibrant fishing market and a lively old town. The architecture here is very different from other cities in the country, and the mode of transportation through the canals to view the city is unique and exciting.
Aveiro is the perfect day trip from Porto that offers a very unique and different beauty from most places in Portugal. If you are seeking an off-the-beaten-track beautiful travel destination in Portugal, Aveiro is the place for you.
Porto
Porto is a beautiful city in Portugal full of culture, history, and stunning architecture. The city has a magical vibe and is known for its amazing Douro river cruise and port wine cellars. As one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, Porto is full of things you must see. Some of which are Majestic Cafe, Sāo Bento train station, The Clergios Church, and Livraria Lello.
What makes Porto even more interesting is that this city had an influence on the Harry Potter books. This is because J.K Rowling lived here while she was writing and took the library and other factors from the city and used them to model things in the novels. Spending just a few days in Porto is the perfect amount of time to really appreciate the unique beauty of one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
Cascais
Cascais is a lovely and quaint coastal town located West of Lisbon. It is the perfect place to visit for a quiet and charming getaway in a Portuguese city that is not as busy and touristy as the others. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Portugal due to its stretching sandy beaches, blue waters, white-coloured buildings, and charming old town.
Cascais is the perfect place to go to for viewing the famous glazed azulejo tiles on buildings that are famous in Portugal. They can be found on Nossa Senhora da Assunção church and are stunning and super unique to Portugal. Cascais is also home to a medieval fort and the Citadel Palace. This makes Cascais a wonderful getaway that offers something a little more off the beaten track than the other places on this list.
When to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s location in Southern Europe makes it a great travel destination year-round. The summers can get extremely hot and the winters are quite mild. Plus, the spring and fall are warm so you can enjoy some pre and post-summer sun and hot weather. The best time to visit is likely in the shoulder months from March-May and September – October. This is when there are fewer tourists and the weather isn’t too hot. No matter when you decide to visit Portugal you will surely have an amazing time.
The most beautiful places in Portugal vary greatly. It is so nice that Portugal is such a diverse country despite its small size. The fact that you can enjoy old towns and sandy beaches and huge mountains all in one small country is amazing! If you are heading to Portugal and looking to visit some of the most beautiful places in Portugal, be sure to add these to your list!
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Love,
Sam
Portugal has so many beautiful places to visit. I think I would want to visit Sintra the most. The castle looks spectacular. Thanks for sharing.