City: Portugal
Top Things to do in Portugal
Countries
What to do and see in Portugal, Portugal: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in Portugal
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. Caldeira das Sete Cidades
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,535 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine324317
One of the most popular spots in Acores Portugal for photography due to its breathtaking views , it's stunning greens and colors in the summer is really something to see, we have a beautiful island of Sao Miguel Acores Portugal
3. Parque Natural da Arrabida
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,672 reviews
Reviewed By Fatima2020s
Mesmerising landscape. A lot of beautiful spots. Possibility of doing paddle, canoeing or simply walk.
4. Ponta da Piedade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,401 reviews
Reviewed By AnnaMoscow16 - Moscow, Russia
Boat trip is the best way to explore the very beautiful Atlantic coastline in Lagos - very beautiful caves and grottos reflected in transparent emerald water versus terracotta cliffs. Highly recommended as a trip - the guides are very friendly and happy to tell the story of the place
5. Lagoa do Fogo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,967 reviews
Reviewed By Ashevilletraveler4 - Asheville, United States
The 4 of us agreed that is was one of the most beautiful places we saw on Sao Miguel Island and that's saying a lot because the whole island is beautiful. There is a steep hike down to a beach area and it's really well worth doing. It was so lovely to be by the lake at the bottom of the crater and listen to the sound of nothing except nesting birds. Amazing.
6. Oceanario de Lisboa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39,694 reviews
Opened in 1998, the Oceanário was the centerpiece of the XXth Century's last World Fair, themed "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future", and eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans.MissionThe Oceanário’s mission is to promote knowledge of the oceans and bring up the public about the duty of protecting natural heritage, through changing their daily habits.While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.
Reviewed By southerntraveller49 - Andalucia, Spain
Although tickets are a bit pricey compared to other attractions, the Oceanário justly deserves a visit. Besides its striking contemporary architecture, the contents are also outstanding. The day I went, there was an original and amazing temporary exhibition on undersea forests by a Japanese artist, accompanied by beautiful music from the talented Portuguese composer Rodrigo Leão. Beautiful for your eyes and ears. The permanent exhibition is also impressive and complete. It attracts with its twilight atmosphere every kind of visitor and leaves you with the impression of having had a glimpse of a misterious and riveting world, utterly apart from our daily lives. The Oceanário has a very varied public, but it seems to be focused on families. That implies children, especially if you go there on weekends, but most of them were well behaved, not bothering your visit at all. There are a bunch of other activities run by the organisation, but even if you opt for a single free visit, you´ll notice that this place has the positive trait that you can feel free here to visit the place at your pace. You can go around some sections rapidly if you want, or linger for a while in others and then come back again. It allows a very free vision of the place, it doesn´t give the impression as if there were a prefixed itinerary that you´d have to follow always.
7. Capela dos Ossos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,483 reviews
The walls and pillars of the chapel, built in the century XVII, are lined with thousands of human bones and skulls. Ceilings with murals realtivas death. Written on a plaque next to the door, the phrase "We bones that are here for your hope", reminds us how fleeting passage through life.
Reviewed By jonahNJ - Pennington, United States
The one place I was really looking forward to visiting in Portugal was the Chapel of The Bones. Once inside this relatively small chapel, it exceeded my expectations! Note that the chapel is small, so there is a staggering of groups admitted to the chapel. However, the visitors moved along well during my visit. Just outside of the chapel is a poem which compels travelers to ponder their existence. If that was not enough of a prompt, just over the entrance to the chapel is the engraved warning “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” which loosely translates to “We bones that are here, we are waiting for yours." I then entered the chapel and sure enough all of the walls and pillars are covered in a variety of human bones and skulls. Skulls are also used to trim portions of the ceiling. During my visit, I learned that approximately 5,000 skeletons from church cemeteries in Evora were used to “decorate” the chapel. Visiting this small chapel was one of the most surreal experiences of my life and a must see for visitors to Evora.
8. Guincho Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,046 reviews
Lying at the foot of the Sintra hills and facing the Atlantic, this superb beach is not only ideal for wind surfing but also board surfing due to the large breakers.
Reviewed By eurydice2017 - London, United Kingdom
Guincho beach is truly beautiful and unspoiled, pretty much deserted out of season and a must for die hard windsurfers. The water is super cold and tricky, lots of powerful currents and big waves at times. During the season there are life guards in some of the beaches but out of season no, so if you feel adventurous and go for a swim proceed with great care. Or just sit and look and the sea, it is SO amazingly beautiful. Unforgettable sunsets guaranteed too! Big sand dunes and great walks nearby, namely one which starts roughly opposite Fortaleza do Guincho (big yellow building, old fortress) with wood paths to walk on and beautiful meandering paths providing stunning views. Not to miss!
9. University of Coimbra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,454 reviews
The Tourism Circuit of the University of Coimbra unfolds in different centers: - The Palace of Schools where you can visit the Royal Palace that includes the Grand Hall of Acts, the Private Exam Room and the Armillary Room; The Royal Chapel of Saint Michael and the Joanine Library where you can visit the Noble Floor, the Middle Floor and the Academic Prison (with limited access for the preservation of the building). - The Science Museum where you can visit the 18 th and 19 th Century Physics Cabinets, the Natural History Galleries and the Chemistry Laboratory. - The Botanic Garden where you can travel around the world through botanic.
Reviewed By Wortleberry
I think we paid 12.5 Euros to visit a fascinating science museum in the old science faculty, the amazing gilded library, historic lecture theatres and other stunning university buildings. This is the cultural highlight of Coimbra.
10. Centro Historico de Cascais
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,711 reviews
Reviewed By LucWolfarth - Spanish Fort, United States
Cascais has for thousands of years be the place were first Romans settle perhaps running away from Lisbon. It was granted the state is a village centuries ago and it kept like that. Don’t miss the opportunity of walking on its narrow streets feeling the breeze of the sea at the Bay and it’s fantastic views. It’s definitely a romantic cozy place to be.
