Portugal Off The Beaten Path

 
by solopes
 
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by solopes
  • Parque Dr. Manuel Braga (Coimbra, Portugal)
      Parque Dr. Manuel Braga (Coimbra,...
    by Redang
  • Parque Dr. Manuel Braga (Coimbra, Portugal)
      Parque Dr. Manuel Braga (Coimbra,...
    by Redang
  • The view from Miradouro Pisao.
      The view from Miradouro Pisao.
    by cachaseiro
  • Miradouro Pisao.
      Miradouro Pisao.
    by cachaseiro
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Portugal

51.

Day trips: Sintra, Cascais, Alcochete...   Lisbon

Day trips:  Sintra, Cascais, Alcochete..., Lisbon

 55 Reviews  If you ever come to Lisbon you must go to Sintra. It's an amazing place, far from all the city problems, where you can relax in its marvelous nature, stroll around the beautiful and historic city... 

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52.

Monserrate   Sintra

Monserrate, Sintra

 4 Reviews  This park was landscaped in the 18th century by a wealthy Englishman; William Beckford. Around half a century later, another rich Englishman; Francis Cook transformed the gardens and rebuilt a... 

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53.

Outside Walls   Évora

Outside Walls, Évora

 17 Reviews  This convent produces everything it needs for its monks. They don't go out. There are two distinct monasteries. This is the one inside the walls of the fortress. The monks that live here are in... 

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54.

Monuments and structures   Lisbon

Monuments and structures, Lisbon

 53 Reviews  A large building now used for military purposes, is something I can't qualify. It seems a fort, but it is only a palace with a style that... style? Well, just have a look and make no questions,... 

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55.

Quinta da Regaleira   Sintra

Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra

 3 Reviews  This estate was built between 1904 and 1910. It was designed by Luigi Manini; an Italian architect, for a wealthy Brazilian merchant; Antònio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. Here you can visit a palace,... 

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56.

Cromeleques dos Almendres   Évora

Cromeleques dos Almendres, Évora

 3 Reviews  A few of those stones have details that go unnoticed by most people who visit the site. One of them has a flat surface full of holes of the same size -- perhaps used for some kind of game? One... 

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57.

Little things to notice in Lisbon   Lisbon

Little things to notice in Lisbon, Lisbon

 47 Reviews  Lisbon's earthquake, in 1755 destroyed the original church, built in 1556. Ten years after the earthquake, Marquês de Pombal ordered the reconstruction, with a new architecture, according Pombal's... 

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58.

Pena Park & Cruz Alta Point   Sintra

Pena Park & Cruz Alta Point, Sintra

 3 Reviews  Sintra has so many interesting points to visit, that most tourists visit the palace and skip the park. If you have time, don't do it. The park has a great botanical variety, and some views are... 

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59.

Street scenes   Évora

Street scenes, Évora

 4 Reviews  Late in the afternoon, after we had done our touristy things in Evora, we took a walk, both for a "rest" from the day and also with an eye open for a good place to eat dinner. As we approached the... 

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60.

Out-of-the-way museums and sights   Lisbon

Out-of-the-way museums and sights, Lisbon

 37 Reviews  One of the less visited museums in Lisbon (It is new, opened in 1996) this museum, in Belém area, shows several displays concerning energy producing. It was not difficult to gather a good display,... 

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61.

University buildings-General   Évora

University buildings-General, Évora

 9 Reviews  In Evora you will find the 2nd oldest university in Portugal,dating back to the year 1559. This university-buildings are next to the Mercade Municipal and the Franziscan church. We did not enter the... 

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62.

Neighborhood sights   Lisbon

Neighborhood sights, Lisbon

 30 Reviews  If you enjoy exploring the areas outside the main tourist centers and historic districts, you could take a short trip out to see some of the largest street art I recall seeing. There are three... 

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63.

Bairro da Malagueira   Évora

Bairro da Malagueira, Évora

 3 Reviews  Made by the famous architect Alvaro Siza Veira, its has this arabish look. Go for a walk. Be careful cos some of the houses are habited by gipsies that some times could be not very friendly.... 

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64.

Belém sightseeing   Lisbon

Belém sightseeing, Lisbon

 12 Reviews  If you make it to Belem make sure you pay a visit to the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. This stunning monastery is an example of Manueline style. Work commenced in 1502 but was not completed until towards... 

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65.

Medieval Paintings   Évora

Medieval Paintings, Évora

 2 Reviews  This is really a very nice ip that you'll thank me after. Nobody knows about this place. Ask in the Turism Office for more details or just go to the after of Eugenio de Almeida building (same building... 

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66.

Lisbon for kids   Lisbon

Lisbon for kids, Lisbon

 6 Reviews  Parents - Monsanto - Get the No.2 or 13 to Monsanto park and as well as a nice day you'll also find Alto de Serafina (or Indian Park) as it may be known. A grand childrens play area which you will be... 

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67.

Sao Bento's Hill   Évora

Sao Bento's Hill, Évora

 4 Reviews  Wonderful place where you can see a full view of this city. This place has some old wind mils. take the road to Malagueira and as soon as you get to the Municipal Swiming Pool garden turn left.... 

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68.

Sports, entertainment, and culture   Lisbon

Sports, entertainment, and culture, Lisbon

 13 Reviews  There lies a 1000 hectare park in the hills in Lisbon called Monsanto. It is one of the only forested areas in the city. It is frequented by outdoor recreationalists. There is camp grounds available... 

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69.

Shopping   Lisbon

Shopping, Lisbon

 9 Reviews  This could be one of the best areas of Lisbon, but it is one of the worst. Not recommended at night, even during the day it may have problems, because of the ethnic and religious minorities that... 

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70.

Take to the road: driving out of Lisbon   Lisbon

Take to the road:  driving out of Lisbon, Lisbon

 5 Reviews  Some 40kms south of Lisbon and a few kms west of Sesimbra is the remote, windswept Cabo Espichel and Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo. Sheer cliffs drop away from the 17th century church (built with... 

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71.

On the water   Lisbon

On the water, Lisbon

 5 Reviews   Lisbon’s answer to the Golden Gate Bridge is this, the Bridge of the 25th April or Ponte 25 de Abril to give it its Portuguese name. Dating to 1966, and constructed by the same company who built its... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Valenca.

by cachaseiro

Valenca is a small town in the very north of Portugal right by the spanish border.It´s a very charming old town with an old fortress and the old city walls still very intact.The view up there is really nice and strolling around the little streets of Valence is pure joy.This is also in the region where they make the famous portugese green wine and you can buy it all over the old town, both in cafes and in shops.I have a been there a couple of times and never seen that many foreign tourists.It seems to be mostly a town that local portugese and spanish visit for the day, so do like the locals and go to Valenca.

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The Alentejo countryside

by berenices

The Douro region, where Port wine originates, is well-known for its unique landscape and deservingly so. But the south of the country, namely, the Alentejo region, is just as beautiful for a different reason. The terrain here is different from that in the north. It is a more wide expanse, relatively flat with gently rolling hills thousands of hectares of which are planted to cork oak trees, and the rest to vineyards. Alentejo is best in springtime. The entire countryside would be like a garden, and as the terrain is unbroken for many miles around (agriculture in this region is composed of vast landholdings) in undulating hills, it is like seeing giant yellow or violet blankets on the roadside. Close to June, the poppies would appear, appearing as large swathes of red.A drive through historic and picturesque towns shows how different the southern part of the country is to the north. It's...

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Natural Park Ria Formosa and Tide Mill

by Leipzig

The Natural Reserve of Ria Formosa, Algarve, occupies a surface from 18400 ha out of 60 km from coast. It is an area for the migratory birds and to nest for many species. Ria Formosa is formed by the rise in the level of water by progressive filling of the depression by sediments. The force of the rising and falling water is used to mill grains.

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Day trip to Arrabida Mountains and Setubal

by hopang

Take an entire day package tour (bus trip) to south of Lisbon if you are having a vacation in Lisbon, Estoril or Cascais. The trip may be one of the highlights of your stay in Lisbon. You may purchase the package tour from your hotel or any local travel agent. The tour will take you across the 25th of April Bridge to Almada with stop at the Statue of King Christ. The tour will then proceed to Arrabida Mountains which are parts of the Arrabida Natural Park near the Sado River. The Arrabida Mountains with summit as high as 500 meters above sea level have Mediterranean type of climate and vegetation. The view from the summit over the sea is truly breath-taking and spectacular. The Natural Park covers a total area of approximately 10,000 hectares. Arrabida Mountains are located between Setubal and Sesimbra. The day trip also includes stop at Setubal Bay, wine tasting at Moscatel de Setubal...

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Alentejo

by cachaseiro

Alentejo is the farming region of Portugal and less visited than most parts.It does have some interesting places though.Especially Evora, but also many other places.Alentejo is also the most left wing part of Portygal and the communist party is still strong there.It´s generally quite flat and very hot in Alentejo and if you go there in the summer then be prepared for some very high temperatures.

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The Almourol Castle.

by Maurizioago

This castle is situated on an rocky islet in the middle of the Tagus river.It was built by the Templars in 1171 and is well preserved.I don't think you can visit it inside, but sail around it. There are motor boats with driver on the shore of the river.You can go there by train from Abrantes or from Tomar. It is advisable to stop at the station of Almourol and then have a 15 minutes walk

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Vila Vicosa.

by Maurizioago

The main sight of Vila Vicosa is the Ducal Palace. It was built between XVI and XVII centuries. This was the former residence of the Dukes of Braganca from the beginning of the 16th century. There are many rooms to visit inside the palace. Vila Vicosa also has a castle with some houses inside its walls.Vila Vicosa lies about 25 km. from Estremoz; north-east of Evora.

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Visiting Hill Towns

by Svitata

The best way to visit the smaller hilltowns in Portugal is to drive as such areas are out of the way and not well connected by trains or buses. Some of the towns are not easy to get to, but they are such gems!

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Leiria.

by Maurizioago

Leiria could be chosen as a base to visit Batalha, Alcobaca and Fatima. It is located 129 km north of Lisbon; on the road to Coimbra.The main sight of this town is the castle. It was conquered to the Moors by king Alfonso Henriques in 1135. Five years later it was reconquered by them. It returned to the Christian's hands again in 1142. The present version of the castle was built in 1324 by king Dinis as a fortress and summer palace for himself and his queen Isabel of Aragon.

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Amarante.

by Maurizioago

Amarante is situated 56 km east of Porto. It is set along the banks of the river Tamega.The highlight of Amarante is the monastery of Saint Goncalo. It dates back to 1540. The legend says that if you touch Saint Goncalo' sarcofagus you will marry within a year. I did it but I'm still single.

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Top 3 Hotels in Portugal

Lapa Palace  Lisbon

 4 Reviews and 206 Opinions  Great weekend. Best hotel in Lisbon for gardens and outside pool 5* and so not cheap. Excellent... 

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Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa  Porto

 2 Reviews and 303 Opinions  I have no words to explain how much I liked the place. I paid 50 euros for a double room and What a... 

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Hotel Calheta Beach  Madeira Island

 1 Review and 219 Opinions  Calheta has a marvelous marina and have the only beach of yellow sand. It´s situated in the West... 

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The Place

Reviews and photos of Portugal attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Portugal sightseeing.

Experience Portugal
 

Questions and Answers

tony85 profile photo

Q:  hi guys, was jus postin this for sum help n sum advice, wats the night life like in albefuria in april time, im on about goin on ... 

Maurizioago profile photo

A: You meant Albufeira; isn't it? 

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