9 Best Places to Visit in Portugal

Portugal is a picturesque country with a lovely combination of a rich history and modern charm. It has a stunning coastline, diverse landscapes, and maritime heritage perfect for a trip full of history, culture, and beautiful nature. In this blog post, we have listed 9 of the best places to visit in Portugal.

Overview

The Douro Valley, located in northern Portugal, is a breathtakingly beautiful and historic region known for its scenic landscapes, vineyards, and rich cultural heritage. The landscape is characterized by steep hills with terraced vineyards, carved by the Douro River. The iconic terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley are a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Douro Valley itself is the birthplace of port wine.

View over the Douro valley, a rolling landscape filled with terraced vineyards.
Douro area in Portugal

It’s not only a beautiful region to drive through, but it is also the perfect place to visit a vineyard and taste wines of one of the oldest wine regions in the world. Besides wine tasting and visiting wineries, you can also enjoy boat cruises along the Douro River. Additionally, it is the perfect place for hiking and cycling through the beautiful rolling landscapes.

Must see: The Douro valley is full of beautiful viewpoints, just like Miradouro do Ujo. It is an elevated viewing platform from where you have an amazing view of the surrounding landscapes and valley.​

The two of us standing on Miradouro do Ujo, a steel platform with a stairs overlooking the Douro River as it winds through the hills of the Douro Valley.
Miradouro do Ujo

Camping tip: Stay the night at Quinta da Padrela. You can stay at their winery for free, including a shower and a free wine tasting! We left with six bottles of wine aka the wine is good!

Our campervan with a table and two chairs next to it, next to a tree on a grass field.
Quinta da Padrela
A bottle of wine, a glass of wine and some slices of meat on a camping table.
Quinta da Padrela

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2. Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga

Near Braga, in the northern part of Portugal, you find Bom Jesus Do Monte, or just Bom Jesus. It is a pilgrimage site, famous for its impressive Baroque architecture, ornate staircases, and panoramic views of the surrounding area. As it is build on top of a hill, you get a beautiful view over the city of Braga.

A zigzagging stairs leading towards a church on top of a hill
Bom Jesus Do Monte, Braga
Sarah walking down the stairs of Bom Jesus Do Monte. In the distance you have a view of the city Braga.
Bom Jesus Do Monte, Braga

The most famous part of Bom Jesus is the zigzagging staircase with 577 steps. Not only the staircase but also the church at the top of the staircase and the lovely gardens and viewpoints at the Bom Jesus complex are definitely worth a visit. 

Porto, Portugal’s lively gem, is a lovely city full of colorful tiles, port wine and bridges, located at the bank of the Douro River. It’s without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Portugal. You can walk through the city over the cobblestone streets, enjoy a good glass of wine or sangria on a terrace along the river and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Porto.

The Dom Luis I bridge in Porto, a big steal bridge in front of the houses of the city on a hill.
Dom Luis I bridge in Porto
The Igreja do Carmo church covered in the typical blue azulejo tiles. In front, you see some cars driving.
Igreja do Carmo in Porto

The city is not only home to Portugal’s oldest and most beautiful bookstore, but you will find many other medieval buildings that you can discover during, for example, a guided walking tour. As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do in this small but fascinating city.

Sarah standing on Miradouro do Jardim viewpoint on a wall in the left of the picture. She is overlooking the Douro river with behind the houses on the hiills of Porto.
Miradouro do Jardim in Porto

Tickets

Discover the region in a unique way and enjoy an unforgettable experience!

516 Arouca, also known as the Arouca 516 Bridge, is a suspension footbridge located in Arouca, a town in northern Portugal. In September 2021, it was known to be the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, until the opening of the Sky Bridge 721 in the Czech Republic.

The 516 Arouca bridge, a steel hanging bridge over a big gorge towards a mountain in the background of the picture.
516 Arouca bridge

Although it is no longer the longest bridge in the world, it is still a thrilling experience to walk over this 516 meter long bridge, at a height of 175m above the valley. That’s why Arouca is one of the best places to visit in Portugal, especially for outdoor lovers.

Arouca is not only known for its impressive suspension bridge but also for its stunning hiking trails such as the Paiva Walkways.

Note: To visit the bridge, you have to pay an entrance fee and book a time slot in advance. In the entrance fee, entrance to the Paiva Walkways is included. 

If you like surfing, the name Nazaré will surely sound familiar to you. It is a charming coastal town known for its breathtaking cliffs and the biggest surfing waves in the world. Its picturesque beaches, colorful fishing boats, and rich maritime heritage makes Nazaré the perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure. If you want to witness the impressive big waves and the surfers, you should go in the Big Wave Season between October and March.

High waves in the sea at Nazaré
High waves in Nazaré
Sarah looking at the high waves in the sea at Nazaré
High waves in Nazaré

Óbidos is a medieval gem nestled in the heart of Portugal. In this charming and colorful town, encircled by ancient walls, you find cozy cobblestone streets with cute little houses, vibrant flowers, and a fairytale castle. You can stroll through the colorful streets or walk over the ancient walls and enjoy a magnificent view of the town and its beautiful surroundings.

Sarah standing between in a cobblestone street between white washed houses decorated with plants in Obidos.
Obidos, Portugal
A cozy cobblestone street lined with whitewashed houses with blue and yellow accents.
Obidos, Portugal
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A visit to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lisbon. It is the sun-kissed capital city of Portugal, full of vibrant neighborhoods. You can move around the city in the iconic yellow trams and taste the best fresh pastéis de nata’s in the world. It is such a vibrant city with numerous things to do, like cozy food markets and several iconic landmarks.

The two of us standing in the streets of Lisbon while the Ascensor da Bica, a yellow funicalar, is rolling down the street.
Ascensor da Bica in Lisbon, Portugal
Santa Justa-Lift, a high steel elevator shaft in the streets of Lisbon
Santa Justa-Lift in Lisbon, Portugal

Hotels

Discover the best places to sleep inn Portugal and enjoy a comfortable trip!

Cabo da Roca is the ‘North Cape’ of Portugal, but it’s the ‘west’ edition. It has the title of being the westernmost point of continental Europe. If you are standing here, it literally feels like standing on the edge of the world, where the land meets the endless Atlantic Ocean. 

The monument at Cabo da Roca with the coordinates of the place.
Cabo da Roca

Activities & Tours

Discover one of the many unique activities and tours in Portugal and enjoy an unforgettable trip!

Last but definitely not least is the Algarve region. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal and together with the Douro valley our favorite part of the country. With its golden beaches, turquoise waters, and charming towns, the Algarve region is a coastal paradise.

A drone shot of the sea rolling on a beach with rough rock formations in the Algarve.
One of the many stunning beaches in the Algarve, Portugal
Sarah standing on Praia da Prainha looking towards a limestone rock formation sticking out of the ocean in the background.
Praia da Prainha in the Algarve, Portugal

You find countless beautiful beaches and impressive rock formations. The ideal place for a few days relaxing on the beach, alternating with discovering lovely towns and adventurous walks.

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Last updated: February 17, 2025

Win-Win for everyone

Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?

However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!