15 THINGS TO DO IN PORTUGAL

Best Things to Do in Portugal

One of the things to do in Portugal is to travel the country and see the tourist spots which displays Portuguese ancestry as well their land and water riches. It is a country abundant in religious buildings constructed centuries ago that still exists to this day. You will surely enjoy the beauty of palaces, castles, monasteries and Roman Catholic cathedrals in Portugal. Here is a list of places that you must go visit in Portugal:

1. Quinta da Regaleira – Sintra

Termed as the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra”, Quinta da Regaleira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place has a lovely palace, a small chapel, and a beautiful park with some grottos, fountains and sculptures created many decades ago. This is a place to go to and one of the things to do in Portugal is to witness this grand palace.

This is a major scenic attraction in Portugal since it used to be the home of António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro back in the early 1900’s. His family was extremely wealthy and thus, they had the money to build the palace. You may want to hire a Portugal travel guide if you like a tour.

2. Ponte de Dom Luís I – Porto

The Ponte de Dom Luis I is a bridge which is also a tourist spot in Portugal. It connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It opened in 1886 and has been preserved and maintained up until now. It means that this bridge has been serving Portugal for 130 years.

The bridge is a double decked and has a metal arch for support. It was 1982 when the bridge was termed “Property of Public Interest” by the Institute for the Management of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage. To this day, both decks are in use for public and private transport.

3. Lisbon Oceanarium – Lisbon

Lisbon Oceanarium is the biggest enclosed Oceanarium not only in Portugal but the whole of Europe. It has four tanks all in all and is home to some rare marine fishes. It has the Ocean Sunfish which is the boniest fish in the world – it can weigh as heavy as 1,000 kilograms.

The Oceanarium is also a host to the Yellow Pufferfish – this type of fish puffs up and literally drinks water to enlarge itself making it a threat to predators. Afterwards, it goes back to its normal size.

4. Caldeira das Sete Cidades – Ponta Delgada

Here is another crater attraction but people actually live in it! A population of 858 people inhabits this small island which has a lot of natural beauty to offer tourists.

Each year there is a Green Trippin Camp being held in Sete Cidades. It is a musical festival which features trance-like rhythms. The Church of Sao Nicolau is the island’s place of prayer. It has a neo-gothic appeal.

One of the things to do in Portugal is to visit the two crater lakes in Sete Cidades – one of which has blue waters and the other one is green. The story behind it was a young love that needed to part and when their tears fell to the ground, it created the lakes – one green and one blue to represent the lover’s’ eyes.

5. Ponta da Piedade – Lagos

You can ask anyone who has been to Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal and they will tell you that the sight is indeed crafted by God. Some tourists even said that they were teary-eyed just looking at the aqua-blue sea and the rock cliffs by the shore.

And speaking of the beach, you can ride a boat or a small yacht and explore the area. You don’t need a mask to look under the sea. From above, you can clearly see fishes swimming around because the water is so clear.

6. Jeronimos Monastery – Lisbon

The Jeronimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is fondly called by residents as the Monastery of the Hieronymites. The monastery is for the Order of Saint Jerome.

The structure was a status symbol back in the Age of Discovery. It displayed the prosperity and supremacy of the country. The architectural design adapted the Manueline style and the details included sea animals maybe because during that era, every able country ventured to the seas and captured lands.

7. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Founder’s Collection

The building structure is simple and not that grand. But the art collection inside it deserves attention so don’t judge a book by its cover. It has hidden treasures inside the museum like the statue of Bacchus created by Michael Rysbrack. It also has the Pallas Athen of Rembrandt circa 1655 and an Egyptian Funerary mask which was believed to have originated from the 30th Dynasty.

You will see at least 6,000 art collections of different natures and genres in this museum – some are Greco-Roman and some are from European inspirations.

8. Alfama – Lisbon

Alfama is an ancient district in Lisbon and its name came from an Arabic derivative Al-hamma which meant hot fountains. But there are no hot fountains in Alfama. What you will witness in this dainty old town is a maze of constricted streets. You also have to try their Remodelado trams – it is not like the regular trams anywhere in the world because the roads in Alfama are so narrow that only specialized trams are used.

The town used to be a poor man’s home but the stigma is now gone. Now, it is a historical site full of trendy possibilities.

9. Pico do Arieiro – Funchal

Everyone wants to touch the sky! And by that means being able to touch the clouds. It is not physically possible to do so but there is almost an alternative to that. Go to Pico do Arieiro and you will be able to see and “feel” the clouds below you – this is one of the things to do in Portugal.

Pico do Arieiro is a mountain and is the third highest summit in Portugal. It is now a well-managed tourist attraction and a Portugal travel guide is present to make the experience more convenient for you. There is a road leading to the top where you can see Porto Santo, the nearest island to it.

10. Convento da Ordem de Cristo – Tomar

This is a convent and castle rolled into one and the construction began in 1118 as supervised by the Templar Knights or the Order of Poor Knights of the Temple. At one point, the convent was a citadel and it defended Portugal from the attempt of Abu Yusuf al-Mansur to capture the place in 1190. But the Manueline-style structure was a strong fortress.

Today, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its history and artistic value. The details and sculptures built in this convent/castle is simply gorgeous – you will probably say that the sculptors from centuries ago, using their hands and simple carving materials, performed some magic.

11. Park and National Palace of Pena – Sintra

It is also called Pena Palace and it is the labor of love by King Ferdinand II. He had this palace built on top of the Sintra hills which was heavily influenced by Manueline and Moorish structure. King Ferdinand II was hands-on in the construction of this majestic Palace and from the park’s point of view, the royal home can be seen at all angles. The park enveloping the Palace consists of 500 varying species of trees from all over the world.

12. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte – Lisbon

When you want to propose to the love of your life, this is the place that you should go to when in Portugal and about to pop the WILL YOU MARRY ME question. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Lisbon was a secret to the public until it was noticed by tour guides for its “miraculous” story.

The chapel in the area had a stone chair which was built for pregnant mothers and if you sit down there, your child-bearing experience will not be difficult. That’s the story. Also, this is a romantic place because it is on top of everything in Lisbon and one can easily overlook the place in its panoramic scenery.

13. Lagoa do Fogo – Sao Miguel

Lagoa do Fogo means Lagoon of Fire. It was named as such because this lake is actually a crater lake. It means that the lake is on the volcano. Now, it is by Sao Miguel decree and law that Lagoa do Fogo is a nature reserve.

The volcano has long been dormant. The last documented eruption was in 1563. It was proven that beneath the lake was a part of a bigger volcano until 5 million years ago when the top portion fell off and created the crater to which the lake is on right now. Some bird species dock on the crater and it is such a beautiful sight to see.

14. Cabo da Roca – Sintra

There is something about lighthouses that make people nostalgic and sentimental. So if you are one of those individuals, then, the Cabo da Roca will interest you. It is one of the six lighthouses constructed in the 1778 and near the Atlantic Ocean.

It is not an ordinary lighthouse, though, because the base of the tower is composed of nine other buildings. The people who manage the lighthouse take turns in doing so and they practically live on the base of the tower. It is also positioned at the cape’s end so, the scenery is literally breathtaking – most definitely one of the things to do in Portugal.

15. Zoomarine Algarve – Albufeira

Zoomarine is a theme park in Portugal which is also a Conservation and Science center for marine animal life. It has become a rehabilitation center for marine species in the country and it is the first one being established as such. They are working together with the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity to save aquatic animals, especially those at risk of being in the endangered species list.

Aside from that, Zoomarine is a park with its famous attraction – the dolphins.