City: Central Portugal
Top Things to do in Central Portugal
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Things to do in Central Portugal, Portugal: The Best Architectural Buildings
1. Quinta da Regaleira
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13,313 reviews
Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and built at the turn of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex is comprised of a Palace, a Chapel, and gardens with grottos.
Reviewed By richardb552016 - London, United Kingdom
This palace is a must for anyone visiting Lisbon. Within easy reach by train and bus, the gardens are a delight with many follies, chapels, delightful views and what is called an Initiation Well which is an absolute must including stepping stones and looking through a waterfall amongst other attractions. The cafe affords a lovely outdoor seating area with views of the palace and gardens. The architecture of all of the buildings are magical in appearance. Allow at least 2 hours. The walk to the top of the garden area is fairly steep but worthwhile. Then it is all downhill from there!
2. Mercado Municipal Vila Franca De Xira
3. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30,695 reviews
No expense was spared when they built this masterpiece of Manueline and Gothic architecture in 1502, which was inspired by Vasco da Gama who is buried here with other great navigators of the past.
Reviewed By dewdee - Bangkok, Thailand
This 500 year old monastery is absolutely beautiful on the inside out. If you're a history buff, I recommend buying the combo 12 euro ticket which gives you access to the archaeological museum adjoining the monastery as well. Every step is worth a photo and the architecture is really stunning inside. There is also a special exhibit right now on the upper level explaining the historical timeline of the place compared alongside important milestones in Portugal's history. Very informative and educational. This is a worthwhile visit because the surrounding Belem areas are all tourist attractions and is accessible by direct bus or tram from the city center.
4. Park and National Palace of Pena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,360 reviews
Reviewed By bluecarrot - Los Angeles, United States
While not as old as so many other sights in Portugal, this palace and its surrounding grounds are truly awe-inspiring! If youre able, plan to go on a day with good weather and spend the day hiking around the stunning grounds and through the hundreds of paths and trails that wind all through the wooded area at the base of the palace! Seeing the palace itself is also quite interesting, but, for me, the outside of it is more amazing than the inside. The remaining furniture inside comes from a number of different styles and periods and the detail and craftsmanship are some of the finest Ive ever seen but try to go through the inside of the palace before it gets crowded if you want to see anything at all! Sintra is an easy day trip from Lisbon and this palace and its grounds are the gem of that trip, its absolutely worth the time!!
5. Casa dos Pintores
6. Panteao Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,147 reviews
The construction of the church of Saint Engracia – currently the National Pantheon of Portugal - began towards the end of the 16th century and was only completed in the 20th century. This 400-year delay originated the proverb “Obras de Santa Engracia” meaning any work that never ends. A unique testimony to Portuguese Baroque art the National Pantheon stands on a hill overlooking the river Tagus being an icon of Lisbon’s cityscape. From its terrace you can have a majestic view of the city and its river. On the inside the Pantheon houses the remains of some of the most distinguished personalities of the country.
Reviewed By eddg2019
Another of the Alfama’s hidden in plain sight gems, the National Pantheon is located in what was formerly the Church of Santa Engrácia, which had a long and turbulent history. The church was converted into the National pantheon in 1916 and contains the tombs of important Portugeuse rulers and historical figures as well as a number of cenotaphs. It is worth it to climb the six flights of stairs to the interior of the dome, which has a walkway that affords magnificent views of the intricate floor patterns below. This is not for anyone with vertigo or a fear of heights. The dome level has an exit leading out onto a broad terrace that provides panoramic views over the Alfama neighborhood and beyond.
7. Igreja de Sao Roque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,078 reviews
Reviewed By eddg2019
Taken together, the Church and Museum of Saint Roque are among Lisbon’s most important artistic, cultural, and historic repositories. In addition to the main altar, the church is noteworthy for its side chapels, particularly that of St. John the Baptist with its central mosaic panel that looks like a painting on canvas, the gilt wood Chapel of Our Lady of Doctrine, and the tile work of the Chapel of São Roque. The painted ceiling is the only one extent from the Mannerist period. The adjoining museum houses one of the most important collections of sacred art, which includes paintings, sculpture, metalwork, reliquaries, altar frontals, and the treasure of the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist.
8. Palacio de Monserrate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,089 reviews
Not very far from the historic centre of Sintra is one of the most beautiful architectural and landscape Romantic creations in Portugal: the Park and Palace of Monserrate, unique representatives of 19th century eclecticism.
Reviewed By polenasia - Jeonju, South Korea
Very small palace, with only few rooms. Interesting story behind it, worth reading as you walk through it. Make sure you thoroughly explore surrounding park, some amazing trees and plants. Altogether good place for spending morning or afternoon there.
9. Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 656 reviews
Reviewed By john8tea - Fukuoka, Japan
We stumbled on the ruined Convent of Santa Clara-a-Velha late on our first afternoon in Coimbra, after walking along the Mondego river and visiting the gardens of the Quinta das Lágrimas. This 13th-century convent was strongly associated with Portugal's saintly queen, Santa Isabel, and was an important pilgrimage site during the medieval period and beyond, until it had to be abandoned in 1677 due to the river's constantly rising floodwaters. After painstaking archeological and restoration work, the ruins can now be visited. You first make your way through the small museum/information centre, with many interesting artifacts and a great deal of information (unfortunately, the explanatory notes are only in Portuguese at the moment, but if you persevere you can understand enough to get the gist). There is an absorbing documentary video shown in the auditorium and if you can catch one with English subtitles (ours was at 5.30pm) it is well worth watching, as it sets everything in a richer historical context. Then you make your way out into the ruins of the convent church and cloisters, where the explanatory notices, though few in number, are in both Portuguese and English. It is a quiet, contemplative and evocative sacred space.
10. Igreja Matriz de Santa Iria de Azoia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
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