Things to Do in Portugal

Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India inspired the glorious Monastery of St. Jerome or Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a UNESCO World Heritage site with an architectural exuberance that trumpets 'navigational triumph.' Work began around 1501, following a Gothic design by architect Diogo de Boitaca, considered a Manueline originator. After his death in 1517, building resumed with a Renaissance flavor under Spaniard João de Castilho and, later, with classical overtones under Diogo de Torralva and Jérome de Rouen (Jerónimo de Ruão). The monastery was completed in 1541, a riverside masterpiece - the waters have since receded. 

The monastery was populated with monks of the Order of St. Jerome, whose spiritual job for about four centuries was to give comfort and guidance to sailors - and to pray for the king's soul. When the order was dissolved in 1833 the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until about 1940. The simple tomb of renowned poet and writer Fernando Pessoa is here.

When you arrive in Monchique, you may get the idea that you’ve fallen into the picture on a postcard, as this rustic little town of 10,000 people has remained relatively unchanged despite the ever-growing influx of tourists looking for fun in the sun. Monchique’s chief businesses revolve around agricultural products such as grains, oranges, olive oil and a liqueur called medronho, distilled from the berries of the strawberry tree.

The town itself is settled between to large hills, Foia and Picota. And fitting with the postcard-perfect, European-seaside surroundings, Monchique is essentially a maze of rolling cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and colorful shops where local artisans peddle their wares. Overlooking the town is a 17th century Franciscan monastery, and from this vantage point, visitors can get panoramic views of the entire countryside and the Atlantic coast (possibly for their own postcard pictures).

Lisbon has a long and proud maritime history. This museum focuses on that long naval history with model ships, nautical instruments and uniforms. Among the armadas of model boats, this museum has gems such as Vasco da Gama's portable wooden altar and the rich, polished private quarters of the 1900 UK-built royal yacht Amélia. There are also ornate royal barges, the biggest a 1780 neo-Viking number.

On weekends a children's museum offers brightly colored creative activities.

The Estremadura town of Nazaré hugs the western Atlantic coast, a traditional Portuguese fishing village turned popular summer resort and surfer’s paradise. The long sweep of sandy beach is backed by a long esplanade and a cute white-washed, red-roofed town.

The protected harbor at the south end of Nazaré’s beach springs into life when the day’s catch comes in; fish such as lobster, sardines and mackerel are laid out to dry in the sun along the harbor walls and then sold from market stalls run by women swathed in the area’s traditional headscarves and seven layers of skirt. The waterfront bars and restaurants rightly have an excellent reputation for the spanking fresh seafood served daily; the fish stew caldeirada is a local specialty.

To the north of the coastal village, a funicular trundles 360 feet (110 m) up and down between the golden beach and the cliff-top Promontório do Sítio, famed for its far-reaching sea views and landmark shrines. Legend dictates that a statue of the Virgin Mary, brought back here from Nazareth in the fourth century, was found on the cliffs in the 18th century; the Baroque church of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré commemorates its re-discovery. Close by, the Ermida dá Memoria is crusted with sparkling blue azulejo tiles and celebrates a sighting of the Virgin Mary, whose timely appearance prevented a 12th-century aristocrat from riding his horse over the cliffs in thick fog.

Nazaré lept to international attention when Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara surfed a record-breaking wave on May 11, 2012; the height of the wave was estimated at 78 feet (23.75 m) from peak to trough. McNamara’s claim to have surfed an even bigger wave here in January 2013 is awaiting verification.