Mysterious Portugal is a country with a rich history and culture, warm temperate climate, first-class service and low crime rates. Located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, it is not very familiar to tourists who still prefer other, more classic European destinations - France, Spain, Italy.
Meanwhile, Portugal deserves to be given some of your vacation and attention. Ancient cities and magnificent medieval fortresses, well-maintained, clean beaches and well-developed infrastructure, numerous resorts and chic local cuisine make the rest in this country rich, interesting and varied. The subtropical Mediterranean climate allows you to relax in Portugal almost all year round. The only thing worth considering: winters in this country are rainy, albeit warm - from +5 to +10 ° C.
There are many four-five-star hotels in the country. The best of them are located in ancient castles and fortresses. It is best to start your acquaintance with Portugal from Lisbon. Then you can go to smaller cities - Porto, Braga, Coimbra. Do not forget that in addition to the continental part, Portugal also has island possessions - the Madeira archipelago. The main visiting card of the country - port is worth trying in combination with a local delicacy - swordfish. Fish and seafood dishes are the main focus of Portuguese cuisine.
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What to see in Portugal?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Azores
Peace and tranquility reign on nine islands located in the center of the Atlantic. There is no developed infrastructure, but there are plenty of whales, dolphins and corals. Lovers of beach holidays, eco-tourism, diving and fishing come to the Azores archipelago. There are medicinal geysers in the sulfur caves, and the Pico island has its own volcano.
Belém Tower
The fort standing on the island of the Tagus River is one of the symbols of Lisbon. It was built in the first third of the 16th century, in honor of Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India, and was used alternately as a fortress, powder warehouse, prison and customs. Today the tower is open to tourists.
Altu Douro
The wine-growing region of Portugal is the birthplace of port wine, which gained worldwide fame in the 18th century. Wine has been produced in this area over the past two thousand years: this is evidenced by the seeds of grapes found in the soil and production dating from the III-IV century. Today, both light (Bordeaux) and fortified (Burgundy) drinks are produced in the Douro Valley.
Aveiro city
Portuguese Venice was first mentioned in chronicles in 959. The river passing through the city, with multicolored seaweed boats floating on it, gives Aveira an indescribable charm. Local attractions date back to the Middle Ages. The city center consists of houses built in the art nouveau style.
Pena Palace
The "medieval" Pena Palace, located above the city of Sitra, seems old only at first glance. In fact, it was built in the 19th century in the then popular romantic style, copying ancient architecture. The park around the palace contains plants from different parts of the world: Australian ferns, North American sequoia, Mediterranean cypress.
Vasco da Gama bridge
The longest bridge in Europe was opened in 1998. The cable-stayed structure, turning into a viaduct, stretches across the Tagus River for more than seventeen kilometers. The bridge consists of seven sections and six car lanes. Since 2008, entry to Lisbon via Vasco da Gama has been paid. On the bridge, it is allowed to reach speeds of up to one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour.
Evora Museum City
Located one hundred and thirty kilometers from Lisbon, Evora keeps the cultural heritage of the ancient Romans and Moors. The oldest monument is the Temple of Diana (II-III century AD), the most unusual is the "Chapel of Bones", made up of the skeletons of ten thousand Portuguese Christians. Narrow streets, numerous squares with fountains and arches that seem to grow out of the ground make Evora a real open-air museum.
Madeira Island
Located a thousand kilometers from Portugal, on the western side of Africa, the island is famous throughout the world for its clean air and balneological centers. There are practically no beaches in Madeira. Access to the ocean is carried out using special ladders. The main island activities are windsurfing, diving, golf, tennis, horse riding, tuna and pygmy shark hunting.
Alcobasa monastery
The Cistercian (Catholic) monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobasa was founded in the middle of the 12th century. The period of prosperity of the monastery fell on the XIV-XVI centuries, when two castles and thirteen cities fell under its control. The three-nave basilica of the abbey is built in the Gothic style. The facade of the cathedral has pronounced baroque features.
Krishto Rey
The twenty-eight-meter statue of Jesus Christ, towering over the city of Almada, on a pedestal seventy-five meters high, was built on popular, mostly female, donations in the middle of the 20th century. Cristo Rey - a request to the Lord to save Portugal from World War II. A successful request, since the country did not participate in it in the end.
Obidos Castle
One of the Seven Wonders of Portugal was built in the 12th century on the site of ancient Roman baths. The four-cornered fortress was built in the military style "Manuelino", classical for that time, combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish culture. After the Lisbon earthquake, the castle fell into decay. Since the 19th century, it has functioned as an unofficial museum.
Almendrish
Huge boulders (megaliths) that have survived since the Neolithic (the last stage of the Stone Age) are the largest clusters of menhirs (vertically set stones) on the Iberian Peninsula. The ten monoliths of Almendrish contain carvings. Four of them have small round holes.
Don Luis bridge
The bridge connecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia is named after the Portuguese king Luis I. The massive structure, three hundred and eighty-five meters long, was built in 1886. The Don Luis Bridge is intended for road and rail transport. There is also a special pedestrian zone on it.
Quinta da Regaleira
The palace and park complex of Baroness Regaleira consists of a four-storey palace built in the neo-Gothic style, a Roman Catholic chapel and a multi-tiered park consisting of an “upper” wild forest and a lower, garden part. Gothic turrets and gargoyles of the palace look organically surrounded by artificial grottoes and carved benches.
Porto Santo
The tiny islet of the Maider archipelago is the ideal place for relaxation, surrounded by golden beaches, emerald greenery and turquoise waters. Despite its small size, Porto Santo can offer tourists a well-developed infrastructure and a lot of entertainment, from a sightseeing tour of the island to diving.
Monte Tropical Garden
The tropical garden, laid out on the island of Madeira around the Monte Palace, consists of two artificial lakes, and a huge number of local and exotic plants brought from different countries of the world. The garden area is decorated with numerous sculptures and square stones, lanterns and Buddha statues. On the paths of Monte you can meet handsome peacocks and fighting Indonesian roosters.
Vilamoura (Vilamoura)
The elite resort of Vilamoura is the main tourist resort of the Lisbon Riviera. Three large blue flag beaches, six golf clubs, ruins of ancient Roman baths, diving centers and art galleries sit alongside coastal cafes and chic restaurants. The city has tennis and squash courts, bike paths, and a casino.
Cascais
Growing out of a 12th century fishing settlement, Cascais is today a recognized center of youth leisure. During the day, the city lives a measured tourist life, introducing tourists to the historical and architectural ensemble of the center. At night, Cascais is illuminated by the lights of numerous discos and nightclubs. The local beaches are ideal for extreme water sports enthusiasts.
Guimaraes castle
The medieval fortress, built in the middle of the 10th century to protect the nearby monastery, was used as a defensive structure for five centuries. Then the Guimaraes castle was turned into a prison. Starting from the 18th century, the building, which was crumbling from time to time, was gradually dismantled by local residents into stones. At the end of the 19th century, the castle was declared a historical monument, restored and opened to the public.
Praia da Marina beach
Located near the town of Carvoeiro, the beach is distinguished by both exquisite beauty and steepness, not suitable for older vacationers and families with small children. Everyone else can walk down the long, steep stairs to Praia da Marina, admire the changing waters and explore the local coves, grottoes and caves.
