Things to Do in Portugal

With its imposing Moorish castle and smattering of whitewashed, orange-roofed houses lining the Arade riverfront, the ancient town of Silves is an arresting sight. It’s more than just a pretty face though – Silves was once the capital of the Algarve and it remains one of the region’s most important historic sites, making a popular choice for a day trip or boat cruise from nearby Portimão.

Silves’ small center is easy to get around on foot, starting with a visit to the historic castle, a striking red brick fortress that dates back to the 12th century. Other highlights include the Silves Cathedral, the landmark Roman bridge, the monumental Cross of Portugal and the Archaeological Museum.

The Santo Amaro Docks (Docas de Santo Amaro), located beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge along the waterfront between Baixa and Belem, is both a lively marina with moorages for hundreds of boats, as well as one of Lisbon’s nightlife hot spots. 

Locally known simply as “Docas,” this waterfront area features restaurants, bars and clubs housed in old warehouses. It’s a lively place for an afternoon drink, and the waterfront is landscaped all the way to Belem, making for a pleasant 30-minute stroll. Things really start heating up come nightfall when Lisbon’s youth turn out to party late into the night.

Set on the banks of the River Douro, the Ribeira District is Porto’s oldest quarter. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the district’s maze of alleyways and pastel-colored houses rises up on a hill above the bay. The Ribeira’s modern waterfront—lined with restaurants, bars, and cafés—is a popular leisure hub and nightlife destination. 

Porto’s Ribeira District is best explored on foot. Visitors can stroll down Cais da Ribeira, the district’s main street, toward Ribeira Square (Praca da Ribeira), a picturesque plaza dominated by two large fountains. Explore on a walking tour with a local guide to learn about the neighborhood’s history and visit popular landmarks such as Ponte de Dom Luis bridge and Elevador da Ribeira. For a more intimate experience, opt for a small-group or private tour. Visit on a full-day tour of Porto to see the Ribeira District and other city highlights such as Arrabida bridge and the Porto Se Cathedral. 

The Ribeira is located in Porto’s southeast section, roughly 10 minutes by road from the city center. The district is easily accessible on foot or by bus. 

The Ribeira District is lively throughout the day and into the evening. For a special treat, visit at dusk and dine along the Douro River as the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia begin to light up across the water. Visit in spring or fall for fewer crowds, warm weather, and lower prices. 

Since the Ribeira ranks among Porto’s most photogenic neighborhoods, you’ll definitely want to see it (and snap some pictures) from the water. Short river cruises depart from Ribeira Quay and pass beneath Porto’s six bridges.

Along the winding Portuguese coast lies Sesimbra, a small fishing village with a 17th-century fort overlooking the sea. Its 12th-century Moorish stone castle is perched up on jagged cliffs that drop down into calm Setúbal Bay. There is a small historic monastery within the castle walls, and the best mountain and sea views can be seen from a climb to the top.

Sesimbra is famous for its deep sea fishing and fresh seafood. There are several waterfront restaurants serving fresh fish, and fisherman will often auction off their catches from the harbor. The clear, protected waters of the bay create ideal swimming and scuba diving conditions. In addition to active water sports, there are excellent hiking trails, beaches, and natural parks in and just outside of town. With local beaches and an old town to stroll through, it’s easy to enjoy a quieter pace.

Restauradores Square in Lisbon commemorates Portugal's liberation from Spanish rule. The Spaniards controlled Portugal for 60 years until Portuguese nobility started a revolt on Dec. 1, 1640, which began the 28-year Restoration War. In the center of the square is an obelisk that stands more than 98 feet tall and has two bronze figures on the pedestal representing Victory and Freedom. The monument was designed by artist and architect António Tomás da Fonseca and built in 1886. The bronze statues were created by sculptors Simões de Almeida and Alberto Nunes. 

Several important buildings are located on Restauradores Square. The most prominent one is Foz Palace which was once the residence of the Marquis of Foz and now houses the national tourism office. The former Eden Theater, one of Lisbon's most beautiful art deco buildings, is also located here. The theater closed down in 1989 and became a hotel in 2001. Also located by the square is the Elevador da Gloria, a funicular that links downtown to the Bairro Alto district. 

Backed by the rolling foothills of the Serra de Montejunto in the Estremadura/Lisboa wine-producing region, the history of the Quinta do Gradil wine estate dates right back to 1492, when it was mentioned in royal documents. By the 18th century it was thriving in the hands of the Marquis of Pombal, who led the rebuilding of Lisbon after the devastating earthquake of 1755 and who also established the Douro as the first official wine-growing region in the world. Today the estate is owned by the wealthy wine-expert Luís Vieira, who produces six top-quality white, rosé and red wines. Sitting among 220 hectares, half of which are planted with the vines of 12 grape varieties – including Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier – the park also includes peach and pear orchards as well as pine and eucalyptus forest; at its heart sits a low-slung, butter-colored 18th-century palace surrounded by modern-day cellars, storage and tasting rooms. Scattered across the grounds are an historic chapel, an aqueduct, mill and granary; as well as tours, tastings, the chance to buy wines and a acclaimed restaurant overlooking the neat ranks of vines, the Quinta do Gradil also offers horseback riding and bird watching.

One of the many elegant palaces of Sintra, just outside of Lisbon, Queluz Palace dates back to the 18th century and is considered an excellent example of Portugal’s Rococo architecture. Its sprawling gardens, fountains, and statues have earned it its nickname as the Versailles of Portugal.

Built as a summer retreat for Prince D. Pedro of Bragança, it later served as the official residence of the royal family following a fire that destroyed the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon. Today it hosts state events, as well as classic music concerts in the summer months. The ornate Throne Room is a highlight for many, with mirror-lined walls and glass chandeliers overhead. The Royal Bedroom has walls lined with murals of Don Quixote and an impressively domed ceiling. The palace gardens and tiled canal, with water flowing to the many lakes, are impressive enough to warrant their own visit.

Located at the southernmost tip of Portugal’s Algarve, Ria Formosa Natural Park (Parque Natural da Ria Formosa) is a scenic swirl of freshwater lagoons, sandy islands, and lush salt marshlands. The park hugs the coast between Manta Rota and Vale do Lobo, and is best known for its varied topography and diverse bird life. 

Ria Formosa Natural Park is an ideal day trip from nearby Faro. With its scattered islands and aquatic landscape, the park is best experienced by boat—whether you choose to join a boat tour or hop on a ferry to explore at your own pace. There are various options for Ria Formosa boat tours, including bird-watching cruises aboard a traditional painted boat (saveiro), bike tours through the park’s many coastal trails, and catamaran cruises that visit several islands in one day.

 

Ria Formosa Natural Park is located near Olhão on Portugal’s southern coast. The closest international airport is in Faro, which is a 20-minute drive from the Ria Formosa visitor center. Ferries to the park’s islands run from Faro, Olhão, and Tavira. 

Summer (June through September) is the most popular time to visit Ria Formosa, when ferries run frequently and the weather is typically warm and sunny. The park’s tiny islands can get crowded during July and August, so set sail early if you want the beach to yourself. Ferries are much less frequent in winter and sometimes stop completely, so during this season you may need to charter a small boat. 

Five barrier islands make up Ria Formosa Natural Park, and each has its own character. Ilha de Armona is known for its sandy beaches, Ilha da Culatra for its lively fishing villages and Portuguese Water Dogs, and Ilha da Farol for its landmark lighthouse. Remote Ilha da Deserta is a good place to escape crowds, while Ilha de Tavira is ideal for nature walks or bike rides, with easy-to-follow trails linking the villages.

Nature lovers will find their bliss among the otherworldly volcanic landscape of Sao Miguel Island’s Sete Cidades. What you’ll find there is more than just lush green mountains that fall into an endless blue ocean but also a giant, 5-kilometer-wide volcano caldera, home to some of the most spectacular views around.

Sete Cicades’ two lakes are among the area’s most loved sights: first there’s the Lago Azul and its brilliant shade of blue, and then the Lago Verde, known for its often tree-green waters. A visit to the massive, now-dormant crater also promises those endless amazing vistas, appreciated from various viewpoints accessed by car, hike (as there are many trails) or even 4x4. Meanwhile, relax from all your adventuring by making a stop at the nearby Termas da Ferraria, where seawater mingles with volcanic hot springs — and where you can take an especially soothing dip.

The hilly city of Lisbon might be home to the most beautiful elevator on the planet. The Santa Justa Lift was built in 1902 by Portugal-born French engineer Raoul de Mesnier du Ponsard (a student of Gustave Eiffel) as a way to connect Downtown Lisbon with hilltop Bairro Alto. The neo-Gothic wrought-iron lift — once powered by steam — is the only remaining vertical street lift in the city (the others are funiculars) and one of Lisbon’s most beloved landmarks.

Visitors can ride the 147-foot (45-meter) lift to the top of the structure for sweeping views of the city from a miradouro at the very top. From there, it’s possible to continue on foot to Largo do Carmo in Bairro Alto.

Twenty-one miles west of Lagos, the whitewashed village of Sagres is popular with families looking for a laidback holiday spot near the Algarve’s famous beaches. Backpackers, surfers, and divers also come to Sagres to holiday. Most of the action takes place around the town square, where there are plenty of lively restaurants and cafes. And on August 15 of every year, a big party is held to celebrate the local saint’s day with fireworks.

Sagres is on a headland overlooking the southwesternmost harbor in Europe, and from the village you can see the boat builders and lobster fishermen dragging their haul in each day. This area is also marked by two geomorphological structures: Cape St. Vincent and Sagres Point. Cape St. Vincent (São Vicente Cape) was once known as the “End of the World,” because, being at the extreme west of continental Europe, no one knew what lay beyond the horizon. Historically connected to the Portuguese Age of Discovery, in the 15th century Henry the Navigator established a school of navigation here where some of the world’s most important explorers, including Magellan and Diaz, apprenticed. One of the best views of Cape St. Vincent and Sagres point is from Torre de Aspa—a viewpoint on the western side of Vila do Bispo.

The buzzing heart of Porto, running from Praça do Marquês de Pombal in the north to Praça da Batalha in the south, Rua Santa Catarina is Porto’s principal shopping street. The pedestrianized thoroughfare stretches for some 1.5km and is lined with beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, plus a huge selection of shops, restaurants, patisseries and cafés. This is the spot to find big name brands like Nike, Bellissima and Prof, while the Via Catarina shopping mall offers international stores like H&M and Zara, as well as a sizable food court.

Rua Santa Catarina is also home to the magnificent Capela das Almas, a striking blue chapel decorated with ornate azulejo tilework; the famous Café Majestic, renowned for its opulent Belle-Epoque style décor; and the lively Mercado de Bolao, Porto’s largest open-air market, where stalls are laden with fresh produce, fragrant spices and exquisite handicrafts.

Also known as Praça Dom Pedro IV, Rossio Square sits at the heart of Lisbon and has been a popular meeting spot since the Middle Ages. The square bustles with life as cars, buses, and pedestrians speed around it, intermixed with those leisurely sitting on benches or in cafes. Cobblestone walkways are arranged in wave patterns, a style that has since spread throughout Portugal and parts of Brazil.

It is surrounded by two identical Baroque fountains, with a column monument of Pedro IV, king of Portugal and the first emperor of Brazil, standing tall in the center. Allegorical figures of Justice, Wisdom, Restraint and Courage can be found at the monument’s base. Both the fountains and the monument are spectacularly lit up by night. The Dona Maria II National Theater sits at the northern end of the square with Ionic columns of the Church of St. Francis, which was destroyed in the earthquake of 1755.  

The square is lined with traditional cafes, restaurants, and shops — many with outdoor seating. It is a great place to sit down and simply watch the city pass by. Café Nicola and Café Suiça are two particularly classic cafes to enjoy, dating back to the 18th century.

A staple of Lisbon’s culinary scene for centuries, the Mercado da Ribeira has origins that date back to the 13th century. The market has been at its current space since 1892, a spacious open hall, topped with a large dome. In 2014, the hall was reformed in 2014 and transformed into the beloved gourmet food market that Lisboans known today.

The Mercado da Ribeira is the perfect place for foodies to sample a number of Portuguese specialties like ginja (wild cherry liquor), Portuguese wines like Port and Madeira, and pastel de nata (traditional egg tarts). Other highlights include classics like steak and fries, locally produced cheeses and cured meats, and specialty chocolates from Porto. There are also some international food stalls serving up foods like sushi, pizza and hamburgers. One of Portugal’s most famous chefs, Henrique Sá Pessoa, offers a less expensive alternative to his high-end restaurants at his stall in the Mercado da Ribeira.

Looking to experience the traditional Portuguese market? Mercado da Ribeira still holds its daily farmer’s market, with stalls selling fresh produce, fish and meat, starting at 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.

With roots going back to Roman times, Quarteira was for many years a backwater fishing village, but today it is a buzzing seaside resort with the restaurant-lined promenade of Avenida Infante de Sagres backing the Atlantic Ocean. Primarily a family resort and very popular with Portuguese visitors, Quarteira has a long stretch of soft, sandy beach with shallow waves for children to swim in safely. Kids will also love the water rides at nearby theme parks Zoomarine Algarve and Krazy World Zoo.

A local fish market takes place every morning at the west end of the beach; the menus of the local restaurants and bars always offer grilled sardines, prawns or tasty caldeirada stew made with fish caught that day. Other local distractions from sunbathing include the international golf courses at Vilamoura – this neighboring resort is an easy walk westwards along the seafront – the charms of Faro’s old walled city and the rivers and lagoons of the nearby Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (Ria Formosa Natural Park). However, Quarteira is probably best known for its weekly Wednesday flea market, which attracts visitors from all over the Algarve.

Standing watch over Portimão at the mouth of the Arade River, the once-mighty Santa Catarina Fortress now lies in ruins, but retains much of its former grandeur, with its stone-brick curtain walls still largely intact.

Portimão’s maritime fortress was built by Alexandre Massai in the 17th-century to protect the port from pirates and invaders, but today it serves as the photogenic backdrop to the sandy Praia da Rocha beach. Explore the chapel inside, dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, or head there at sunset for a dazzling view along the coast.

However, many visitors come to Santana for the famed Madeira Theme Park, seven sprawling hectares of family fun. Most activities and exhibits showcase traditional Madeira culture, from lake rowboats and traditional hedge mazes to pirate-themed rides and live shows. Music lovers also gather here every July for the 24 Hours of Dancing Festival, during which traditional folklore groups perform, making it one of the best times of year to experience this picturesque village on Madeira’s northern coast.

Situated in a magnificent garden just west of downtown Porto, the Serralves Museum has become a top city highlight and one of the most influential modern art museums in Portugal. Its permanent collection spans from the 1960s to the present day, with large sculptural pieces scattered throughout the grounds. 

Inside the museum you’ll find works from both Portuguese and international artists, including South African painter Marlene Dumas, American Dara Birnbaum, and Portugal native Pedro  Barateiro. In the outdoor sculpture garden, keep an eye out a giant trowel embedded in the ground and a pair of enormous red pruning shears. 

There are several options for visiting. A basic admission ticket grants access to the museum and gardens, and Serralves Park is also featured on most Porto tours and day trips, whether you want to explore the city in a sidecar, by foot, or on a day trip from Lisbon. The Serralves Foundation is also included on many Porto architecture tours, giving visitors the chance to see prominent outdoor installations. 

The museum is located roughly 10 minutes by road from downtown Porto. The easiest way to get there is by bus from Porto’s city center. Lines 201, 502, and 504 stop near the museum grounds. On-site car parking is also available for a fee. 

The Serralves Museum is open daily, with extended hours on weekends and holidays. If you’re visiting Porto during peak season (May through September), plan to arrive just before it opens or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. 

The Casa Serralves (Serralves House) was commissioned by Count Carlos Alberto Cabral, the second count of Vizela. It is an impressive art deco estate of tall ceilings, expansive parlors, and clean, ornamented lines. This style gives way to modernism when you walk outdoors, as the garden's plan straightens further into stoic, efficient angles.