Best Places To Visit in Portugal
For more than a decade, since my parents bought a place there, we have been visiting Portugal year in, year out and getting to know her like a trusted friend. Albeit she’s a little bit of a quirky friend – the one you never know if she’s going to turn up in some crazy hat or name-drop a famous ex. Portugal has surprised us over and over and we love introducing her to our readers!
From stunning palaces and castles, to ancient towns and traditions, there are so many beautiful places to visit in Portugal and interesting corners to explore. Portugal is more than just pastel de nata’s and azulejos tiles (although no day in Portugal should come to pass without wrapping your lips around the unrivaled custard delicacy!) It’s an ancient world power, a land of secrets, a place time forgot and how can we forget – home of original Nando’s!
We think that some of the best places to see in Portugal are concentrated around the central belt, between Porto and Lisbon and we have compiled a list of our favourites. It’s not exhaustive but based on our day-trips and mini-breaks here’s our list of the best places to visit in Portugal…
Places In Portugal We’d Love To Introduce You To…
In no particular order, here are our bucket-list recommendations and in our opinion some of the best spots in Portugal’s central region…
1. COIMBRA
After Porto and Lisbon, one of the best cities to visit in Portugal has to be Coimbra! It shows off its beauty from any approach, sitting on the hillside above the River Mondego, but once you’re inside, climbing those city streets, it’s even more appealing.
Why do people visit? Coimbra happens to be home to one of the oldest universities in the world and that brings a certain amount of prestige with it. It also brings in the international students who want the opportunity to learn at the helm of this ancient academic institution. So what do you get when you fuse international youth with a 500 year old establishment? A really cool hangout!
Breathtaking libraries, 16th century chapels, ancient parks and a UNESCO university mingle with cool cafes, world-food and hip student bars. It’s so old and so young in one breath.
What not to miss; Enjoy some Fado at Cafe Santa Cruz – an atmospheric church turned cafe with a back-catalogue of famous regulars.
Book tickets to see the university – when it’s UNESCO you know it’s going to be good!
Stroll the largest Botanical Gardens in Portugal, dating back to 1773 and impressively grand.
And if your Portugal itinerary allows for it, stay at Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas – a medieval palace preened to Perfection.
2. BUSSACO (BUCACO) PALACE
Probably one of my favourite places to visit in Portugal, the Bussaco Palace is a regualr picnic spot for our family. In my opinion it’s one of the finest arrays of azulejos tiles we’ve ever seen outside of Lisbon and one of the most impressive buildings too!
Bussaco started life as a palace for the Portuguese royals but when the monarchy ended in 1910 the kings chef turned Bucaco into a luxury hotel. But you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy this neo-Manueline palace. The grounds are immense, as are the height of some of the trees – imported from every corner of the planet. Fascinatingly, the Bussaco Forest is also the spot where the Napoleonic invasion into Portugal came to an end when Lord Wellington conquered his enemy in the Peninsula War.
It’s one of the most beautiful places in Portugal and perfect for the summer months when you might be seeking a bit of shade. And my sister particularly likes the steep climb to the Cruz Alta viewpoint for 360 degree views at sunset – but it’s not for the feeble-knee’d!
You can buy your tickets on the gate, it’s approximately €4 for adults and it’s never busy.
Tip: Whilst Bussaco Palace is a hotel, we wouldn’t recommend staying there – the rooms are in need of a little refreshing! But if you are looking for a nice hotel in Luso, check out the Grande Hotel de Luso.
3. TOMAR
Tomar is always going to be a winner in my books…a cool castle, pretty streets, and all that mystery and magic surrounding the Knights Templar. If you love historical obscurities and are wondering where to go in Portugal for your fill of myths and legends then look no further!
The first place you will want to visit in Tomar is the castle and convent high above the town. But, when you’re up to scratch on your Templar trivia, the town below is an absolute delight too! There’s a laid back vibe and a picturesque riverside area you can enjoy beneath the willow trees.
READ MORE : A Day-Trip Guide To Tomar
4. SINTRA
Sintra is definitely one of the most popular places to visit in Portugal, and for good reason! It’s Portugal’s poster-boy and a massive hit with instagram. But why does it turn up on every Portugal ‘must-see’ bucket list?
Because Pena Palace is straight out of the movies!
It’s a sight to behold and a fusion of every romantic style of architecture there ever was. Poking through the pine forest at the pinnacle of the Sintra mountains it is said you can see this bright yellow spectacle from Lisbon!
But, you’ll definitely want to set aside a whole day for Sintra because as well as Pena Palace there is also a beautiful Moorish castle and some pretty enchanting gardens to explore too.
If you are looking for accommodation in Sintra (because it is lovely to experience it in the evening and early morning when the bulk of day-trippers have left) we love the pink house Marmoris Camelia. I’ve always felt that when I’m visiting such a colourful town I want to stay somewhere colourful too! Plus the views from the pool across the valley are stunning. And a fabulous breakfast is included in the price.
For the best deals at Hotel Marmoris Camelia, click here.
5. NAZARE
Perched on Portugal’s rugged Atlantic coast, Nazaré is famously home to Praia do Norte, where daredevil surfers from around the globe come to ride 30-metre monsters that defy logic, gravity, and common sense. It’s not every day you see someone willingly launch themselves into a liquid skyscraper! But, even if you’re not into surfing, it’s worth coming just to feel your jaw hit the floor.
However, Nazaré isn’t all adrenaline and waterproof GoPro’s. There’s a charming old town, brightly coloured fishing boats bobbing along the shoreline, and elderly locals still wearing the traditional seven skirts – apparently one or two just won’t do when the sea breeze picks up.
You’ll find fresh seafood, long beaches, and one of the most dramatic coastal viewpoints in Portugal at the Sitio clifftop, which you can access via a slightly rickety but totally charming funicular railway.
We highly recommend a few nights in Nazare as a beach retreat and our favourite apartment on the seafront comes with a balcony that’s perfect for catching the sunset…
For the cheapest tariff’s at this apartment, click here.
READ MORE : Nazare – Portugal’s Unique Little Beach Village
6. THE SCHIST VILLAGES OF THE SERRA DA LOUSA
Taking a turn off the main tourist trail and heading into the forested hills above Serra da Lousã you’ll find that time has hit the snooze button. Charming villages made of stone (or schist, if you want to get geological about it) sit tucked into the mountains like well-kept secrets.
The Aldeias do Xisto, or Schist Villages, are as pretty as Portugal get. Think winding cobbled paths, honey-coloured stone houses, and balconies overflowing with flowerpots and sleepy cats. The kind of place where a shepherd might offer you a shot of medronho and some unsolicited wisdom.
The villages themselves have names as lovely as their settings: Talasnal, Casal Novo, Candal, Cerdeira, and Chiqueiro are some of our favourites. You can visit them in a loop, either on foot or by car.
Talasnal is probably the most famous and polished of the bunch. It’s got a rustic-chic vibe, with artisan shops, wood-smoke-scented air, and cafés serving surprisingly good gin (the locals have priorities). Head here for hand-carved souvenirs and sweeping views across the Lousã range.
Cerdeira, on the other hand, is the artsy one. An old village turned creative retreat, it’s now home to artists’ studios, workshops, and cosy eco-accommodation. You might stumble upon an outdoor sculpture or catch an impromptu poetry reading.
And, Casal Novo and Chiqueiro are the quietest of the lot—proper hideaways. No shops, no cafés, just you, the ancient stone walls, and maybe a goat watching you with suspicion. Bliss.
These villages are the perfect place to slow down, breathe in the pine-scented air, and lose track of time entirely. Whether you’re wandering between villages or simply sipping something strong with a view, the Schist Villages are a soulful little pocket of Portugal you won’t soon forget.
7. CONIMBRIGA
Only 20 minutes from Coimbra, you can travel back in time to one of the best preserved Roman settlements on the Iberian Peninsula. And these guys had style! The mosaic floors still pop with colour, the plumbing system and private bath-houses betray their wealth, and the unearthed pair of leather sandals clearly speak of boujee refinement.
You may only need an hour or two to absorb this wonder, but it’s a worthy day-trip from Coimbra and a perfect contrast to the youthful buzz of the university city. Stroll the ancient streets, marvel at Roman innovation, and let your imagination fill in the columns—Conímbriga may be a ruin, but it still knows how to impress.
8. AVEIRO & COSTA NOVA
Many visit Aveiro in the hopes of a Venetian love-child – whispers of colourful boats and canals entice the day-trippers for lunch on the water in some fairytale destination. And whilst it would definitely tick the aesthetic box, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it Portugal’s Venice.
However, the detailed and ornate moliceiro boats, with painted whimsical scenes of seaweed harvests from a bygone age, are a sight to behold. And you can even take a tour for a float along the Ria de Aveiro lagoon and through the towns canals.
But the joy doesn’t stop there. Brazilian immigrants to the town have left their mark in the architecture and Art Nouveau is everywhere. In fact, if you are in town for a few nights, book yourselves into the wonderful Palacete Valdemouro for the complete experience.
And seeing as this is Portugal, it would be amiss to not mention Aveiro’s assortment of azulejos tiles – this town has quite the beautiful frontage. Plus, they’re so good at painting tiles, they even made a museum for it!
But whilst you’re visiting Aveiro you may as well detour ten minutes to its beach, Costa Nova, for more candy-coloured scenes and photographic opportunities. The old striped fishing huts are now an eye-catching backdrop to some of the best sand dunes you’ll find in Portugal and the calm of this sleepy fishing village is the perfect place to while away a few hours drinking coffee. It’s two for the price of one with Aveiro and Costa Nova.
READ MORE : Visiting Aveiro – Portugal’s Prettiest Canal Town
9. ÓBIDOS
Imagine stepping through a time-warp into a storybook village perched on a hill—welcome to Óbidos. Enclosed by mile-long medieval walls (walkable, if you don’t mind mildly terrifying heights), this town has all the ingredients for pure escapism: cobbled lanes, white-washed houses trimmed in yellow or blue, and a castle that now doubles as a plush Pousada.
You’ll pass through Porta da Vila, a baroque gateway decorated in azulejo tiles, then wander Rua Direita’s art-filled alleys lined with quirky shops and cafés. And for book lovers, since 2015 Óbidos has been named a UNESCO City of Literature, and you can browse tomes in a former church-turned-bookstore at São Tiago, among more than a dozen lovely literary spots.
Finally, no visit to Obidos is complete without sipping ginjinha – a potent cherry liqueur served in edible chocolate cups – from a street-side window bar. Topped off with sunset views from the battlements across terracotta rooftops, vineyards, and maybe even a glimpse of the lagoon.
We love spending a couple of nights in Óbidos, it’s got such a cool vibe, there are so many amazing accommodation options and it’s just a great place to kick back for a few days.
10. MONSANTO IN THE SERRA DA ESTRELLA
Finally, one of our favourite places to visit in Portugal when we’re holidaying at my folks is the quirky town of Monsanto. Clinging to a mountaintop in the shadow of the Serra da Estrela, this granite-hewn beauty is unlike anywhere else in Portugal—or, frankly, the world.
The houses here aren’t just nestled between boulders—they’re built into them. Enormous stone slabs casually lean against rooftops, wedge into alleyways, and loom over doorways like they’re the most natural building material known to locals. It’s bizarre and brilliant all at once. When you see one boulder being used as a washing line, one as a garage and one as lamp post, the mind just boggles.
Officially crowned “the most Portuguese village in Portugal” back in 1938, Monsanto wears that title proudly—complete with a silver rooster perched on the Torre de Lucano. But don’t expect clichés or touristy fluff here. This is a real village with real stories and the kind of quiet that hums with history. Narrow cobbled lanes wind uphill to a ruined Templar castle, with views that stretch all the way to Spain on a clear day. It’s a real wow-town.
Make sure you try a local tasca lunch of hearty mountain fare – stews, sausages, and wine so strong you start seeing boulders as possible siesta-spots. Why not? – they’re used for everything else!
So there you have it – our favourite places to visit in Portugal in the central region. We would encourage anyone to consider this area of Portugal for a holiday, there is so much to do and see!
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