7 Best Things to do in Portugal

With a warm climate and an abundance of natural attractions, Portugal is a wonderful place to visit. From the beaches and mountains to the historical castles and cities, there are so many things to do in Portugal!

Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe, with a long history of exploration and conquest. It was once part of the Roman Empire. In the 15th century, it became an empire of its own, with a powerful navy that ruled the seas for over 200 years. Today, Portugal has a population of 10 million people and around 100 million tourists each year.

 

 

7 Best Things to do in Portugal

Portugal’s capital city is Lisbon, which has been attracting visitors since the 16th century thanks to its famous port wine production. Other popular tourist destinations include Porto, which has some of the best beaches in Europe; Cascais; Estoril; and Sintra—home to some of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe.

Here are 10 of the best things to do when visiting Portugal:

1. Visit Lisbon’s Museum of Ancient Art and its vast collection of artifacts

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Portugal, look no further than Lisbon’s Museum of Ancient Art. This museum is home to a wide variety of ancient artifacts, such as Roman sculptures, Egyptian mummies and paintings by famous artists like Picasso.

The museum also has an art gallery that showcases work by contemporary artists who have come from Portugal or have worked there. The museum offers guided tours through its galleries, which are available in English, French and German. The tour lasts 45 minutes and costs 5 euros per person.

2. Visit Porto on a day trip from Lisbon

Porto is a beautiful city with plenty of things to do and see. The best part about Porto is that it’s not too far from Lisbon—you can take a train or drive there in about an hour or two. The train ride itself is worth it: Porto sits on the Atlantic coast, so you’ll get some fabulous views of the ocean as you head toward your destination.

Once you arrive in Porto, the first thing you should do is spend some time wandering around the city center and admiring its many colorful buildings. Then head over to the Ribeira area of town and explore its many shops and restaurants—the food here is delicious! The next day you could visit one of Porto’s many museums or go shopping at one of its markets.

3. Explore the beaches of Algarve

The beaches of Algarve are some of the most beautiful in all of Portugal. With a little effort, you can find the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.

There are many different beaches to choose from, each with their own unique features. Some have stunning rock formations and caves, while others have warm waters perfect for swimming. If you’re looking for something more active, there are also plenty of places where you can hike or mountain bike along the shoreline.

If you want to explore the area further, there are plenty of things to do in Algarve that involve seeing some incredible scenery along the way!

4. Hike through the Sintra National Park

Sintra’s National Park is a beautiful hike, but it’s also one of the most popular places in Portugal. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, we recommend hiking through the park on a weekday morning or early afternoon.

The park is a fantastic place to see wildlife and gorgeous views of the mountains and forest. You’ll want to bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray if you’re hiking in summer months.

5. Head to the coast of Sagres, southwest Portugal, for a whale-watching adventure

Whale-watching off the coast of Sagres in southwest Portugal is one of the most popular things to do in Portugal.

The whales that live in the waters around Sagres are considered to be some of the most friendly and playful in Europe. They can often be seen swimming very close to boats and even jumping out of the water!

The best time to go whale-watching is between June and October, when there are more whales present due to their migration north. The blue whale is one of the largest animals on earth but they are generally shy creatures and you may have to wait hours before seeing one!

6. Try the local cuisine in one of Lisbon’s restaurants or cafes

The best way to get the most out of your trip to Lisbon is to try some of the local cuisine. The Portuguese are known for their love of food, and there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, try one of the many restaurants or cafes in Lisbon. You can find everything from traditional seafood dishes to local specialties like codfish cakes, which are served with potatoes and cabbage.

If you prefer something on the go, there are plenty of options as well. You can find Portuguese-style sandwiches called bifanas at stands throughout the city, or pick up some pastries from a pastry shop.

7. Climbing the Tower of Belem will give you a view of Lisbon like no other

If you’re visiting Lisbon for the first time, you’ll want to make sure you climb the Tower of Belem. The views from this tall bell tower are absolutely stunning, and it’s an experience like no other.

The tower is located in Belem, which means “Bethlehem” in Portuguese. It was built as a defense tower during the medieval period and has since become a symbol of Portuguese history.

There are two ways to climb the tower: either by going up the stairs or taking an elevator. The stairs are narrow and windy so it’s not recommended if you have a fear of heights. The elevator takes about five minutes to reach the top floor, where there’s a small cafe where you can enjoy some refreshments before heading back down again (or continuing on to explore the city).

Once you’ve reached the top, there are plenty of things to see: beautiful views of Lisbon and its surrounding areas; statues depicting Portuguese monarchs; old cannons from centuries past; stained glass windows depicting saints or other religious figures; and more! You can spend hours exploring everything about this incredible historical landmark—and when night falls (or when you’re ready to go home), you can take the elevator back down again. When you reach the ground floor, be sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out!

Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. There are many things to do in Portugal, but these are some of the best.

 

 

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