Top Portugal hotels
Belém Lisbon
326 Reviews This building has become the symbol of Lisbon. It was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbour. Many of the voyage of discoveries journeys left from here. The tower is...
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Oporto Wine Porto
48 Reviews Porto is, of course, famous for its Port. Its success lies in it becoming a favourite tipple of the English elite during the heyday of the British Empire. The English moved in on Porto in large...
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Old Town Albufeira
12 Reviews The crazy construction that disfigured Algarve, has (thanks God!) spared the central area of old Albufeira. Now, cleaned and organized for touristy exhibition, the central Albufeira looks good, and,...
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Palácio da Pena - Pena Palace Sintra
58 Reviews This palace, painted with vivid colors, is one of Sintra’s main attractions. It’s located in the top of the hill and it has a dazzling sight over the coast, sea and the hill itself. There you can...
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Chapel of Bones Évora
28 Reviews Maybe it would be advisable for the most impressionable people not to visit this chapel - you will be submerged under thousands of bones, in a gloomy but also harmonious image. The bones are not...
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Slave Market Lagos
6 Reviews One of the darker periods in Lagos’ history is the time when in the 15th century the town sported a market at which slaves, imported from North Africa, were sold on a market. The first African slaves...
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Day trips: Sintra, Cascais, Estoril... Lisbon
102 Reviews I loved this short day trip to sintra!!it's a magical place with so many interesting sites that I believe an overnight stay wouldn t be a bad idea!!! quinta de regalais although not that old is a...
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Ribeira Porto
38 Reviews Ribeira means in Portuguese stream. This is the place where the city was born and developed due to trade in the little stream by the river Douro. The district was the scene of fights and sieges. When...
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Beaches Albufeira
23 Reviews At the touristy south coast of the Algarve, more or less, between Quinta do Lago and Sagres, the coast has this sandstone cliffs. They have colours ranging from yellow to red, depending on the amount...
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Castelo dos Mouros - Moorish Castle Sintra
47 Reviews Castelo dos Mouros (the Moorish Castle), perches on its hilltop, a silent sentinal above the town of Sintra. The Portugese of today waves from several of its crenelated towers along the walls. But...
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Churches Évora
17 Reviews UNESCO world heritage, this church is one of the best examples of Portuguese Renaissance style. In 1834 it was nationalized and transformed in military headquarters, accelerating its ruin. Some...
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Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira Lagos
6 Reviews This is my favorite point in Algarve. A long walk, or a short ride by car, and you are at a beautiful natural point, 5 Km from town. Naturism is still possible in Pinheirinhos, one of its secluded...
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Churches and monasteries Lisbon
260 Reviews We visited this beautiful building on Christmas day so it was all closed except for the wonderful church. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Jerome who was the patron saint of sailors. It was built...
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Churches/Cathedrals Porto
78 Reviews Reading in Lifecooler that... "Porto Cathedral is the cradle of the city, which has developed from here. It is a must-see monument, because of its artistic treasures. Built in the 12th century in...
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Waterparks Albufeira
6 Reviews This water shute I found frightening. It looks so simple. I watched for a while before I was tempted/persuaded to have a go. When you get to the top and its your turn to sit down with your legs...
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Palácio Nacional de Sintra - Sintra National Palace Sintra
69 Reviews In the centre of the city stands the most discreet of its public palaces, but the richer. Built from a Muslim palace, for several centuries it was suffering modifications and improvements. Its...
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Praça do Giraldo Main Square Évora
14 Reviews Wandering the streets of Evora after we had finished our daily "touristy things", we came upon the Praca de Giraldo, a quiet square in the middle of town with its fountain that was being enjoyed with...
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Dolphins Lagos
6 Reviews Take a trip on the Dolphin Safaris RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which leaves from the Lagos Harbour, when we went it cost about 35 euros each but well worth it,The trip last approx 45mins,Taking in...
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Castles and palaces Lisbon
161 Reviews Photo: Hilltop citadel - Lisbon's Castelo de São Jorge What is it about a group of seven hills that makes them a magnet for a city to take root there? Rome, Amman, Barcelona, San Francisco, Prague,...
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Boat tours Porto
13 Reviews Departing point for several cruises along the river, this quarter, close to Ribeira, is also being restored, and shows a clean face to the river. Well, in the back there is still much work to be...
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Zoo Marine Albufeira
6 Reviews Zoo Marine is a kind of seaworld/zoo on the Algarve coast,the main attraction being the Dolphin show which is shown several times a day everyday of the week,other attractions include a sea-lion...
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Quinta da Regaleira Sintra
34 Reviews "man of scientific spirit, very large culture and rare sensibility...", is what I read in the leaflet received at the entrance of the park, about the man who conceived the place. I can't follow him!...
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Cathedral Évora
19 Reviews Just beside the Roman temple, this cathedral built between the 12th and 13th century and where Romanesque melts with Gothic, its easy to visit and surely deserves it. From the 14th to the 18th...
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Statues Lagos
11 Reviews Built against a section of the city wall overlooking the square where you'll find the statue of Henry the Navigator, this house was built in 1728. It was refurbished in 1737, the date on the facade...
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Grand structures and architecture Lisbon
240 Reviews Photo: Stark reminder - Convento do Carmo The Elevador de Santa Justa will take you straight up (and I mean straight up - it's a vertical lift) to the higher reaches of Chiado. The lift's exit brings...
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The monastery in Belém is an amazing tribute to the great Portuguese discoverer Vasco de Gama's discovery of a sea route to India, but it's also an amazing example of Manueline architecture. The cloisters are the most spectacular I've seen anywhere and the interior is lighted well enough to capture some photos of the beautiful stained glass and the carved tombs of various national heroes, including Vasco de Gama himself.
As I said, the cloister in the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is one of, if not the most impressive I've ever seen. The sandy colored stone is light enough to bounce the light off of the intricately carved details in such a way that makes viewing it more breathtaking.
Lisbon is an energetic city compared to the rest of Portugal. Standing in Praca do Comercio is evidence of the fast-paced nature of the place as you'll observe locals hurrying to catch the subway or a local tram.
Lison's best art museum is worth a look if you are really interested in such things, but overall I wasn't all that impressed. Not too many people come to Lisbon for the museums as they might visit Madrid or Paris. With the mild weather and the more interesting streetlife, you won't miss it!
If your visit to Portugal is limited by time constraints and you only plan to visit Lisbon, try to squeeze in a daytrip to Sintra. It only takes about an hour to get there and the sights are truly out of this world. I can't compare Sintra to other places that I've been, because it has a certain other-worldly feel. Perhaps my impression was heightened by some crazy weather, but even under the most mundane conditions, I think you'll find it magical. Check out my Sintra page for details.
Tomar is one of the many picturesque little towns that you can found throughout this relatively small country. I rented a car and visited a half dozen of them that were all within two hours of Lisbon. If you have a little extra times, it's definitely worth your time to explore and see some quiet spots. For more information of Tomar, check out the link below.
Another town worth exploring is Óbidos. The white-washed walls are accented with blue and yellow painted stripes and the lanes are quiet especially if you visit in the off-seaon like I did. Climb up on the city walls and you'll have tremendous view of the surrounding valley and the town itself. For more information, check out my Óbidos page at the link below.
If you like architecture, then Alcobaça is a must-see. The monastery here is one of Europe's most important Cisterian monuments and well-worth a look. Check out the link to my page below for more information.
The most impressive Gothic cathedral in Portugal blends both Gothic and Manueline implements into a marvelous explosion of gargoyles, carved stonework and flying buttresses.For more information, check out my Batalha page at the link below.
There are two legends about the beginnings of Lisbon.The first tells us that the city was founded by a relative of the patriarch Abraham named Elishah; the other, that the city Olios hippon was founded by Ulysses, the Greek, during his various adventures, seduced by the beauty of the bay.But it was the Phoenicians, the people of the sea, who built a colony and a larg port here around 1200 BC.They called it Alis Ubbo *delightful little port* and a flourishing trade soon developed.PS I also advice you to learn more about Portugal by visiting *mcb* pages about Portugal ;-D giving the link as well!
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...
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...
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...
Reviews and photos of Portugal attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Portugal sightseeing.
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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 ...
A: You meant Albufeira; isn't it?
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