Portugal Things to Do

  Arts Centre at the cliffs above Calheta
by sachara
 
  • Arts Centre at the cliffs above Calheta
      Arts Centre at the cliffs above Calheta
    by sachara
  • Jardim Botanico - dragon trees
      Jardim Botanico - dragon trees
    by SoulFisher
  • Fatima, Portugal
      Fatima, Portugal
    by jumpingnorman
  •   Things to Do
    by mircaskirca
  • Igreja do Colégio de Todos-os-Santos
      Igreja do Colégio de Todos-os-Santos
    by mircaskirca
 

Most Viewed Things to Do in Portugal

151.

Belém   Lisbon

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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152.

Oporto Wine   Porto

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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153.

Old Town   Albufeira

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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154.

Palácio da Pena - Pena Palace   Sintra

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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155.

Chapel of Bones   Évora

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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156.

Slave Market   Lagos

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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157.

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

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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158.

Ribeira   Porto

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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159.

Beaches   Albufeira

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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160.

Castelo dos Mouros - Moorish Castle   Sintra

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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161.

Churches   Évora

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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162.

Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira   Lagos

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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163.

Churches and monasteries   Lisbon

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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164.

Churches/Cathedrals   Porto

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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165.

Waterparks   Albufeira

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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166.

Palácio Nacional de Sintra - Sintra National Palace   Sintra

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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167.

Praça do Giraldo Main Square   Évora

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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168.

Dolphins   Lagos

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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169.

Castles and palaces   Lisbon

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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170.

Boat tours   Porto

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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171.

Zoo Marine   Albufeira

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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172.

Quinta da Regaleira   Sintra

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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173.

Cathedral   Évora

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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174.

Statues   Lagos

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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175.

Grand structures and architecture   Lisbon

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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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Obidos, Alcobaca and Batalha.

by Maurizioago

The Abbey of Alcobaca was founded in the 1148 by the Cistercian order. It was completed in 1222. Its church is the largest one in Portugal. Inside there are the tombs of D. Pedro and Ines de Castro. The main cloister of the abbey was built by king Dinis in 1308. Into this complex you can also visit the kitchen and a room with some staues of Portuguese kings. It is said that 999 monks lived in this abbey. Once you have visited the abbey, you could head to Batalha. There you should visit the Mosteiro da Santa Maria da Vitòria. It was built between 1388 and 1434, with manueline addictions of late XV and the beginning of the XVI centuries. The abbey is the result of a vow made to the Virgin by king Joao I after beating the Castillian army at the battle of Aljubarrota (1385). This victory bought Portugal its independence from Spain. Inside the church are buried Joao I, his wife and his four...

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Discover the Portuguese Wine...

by Tripack

In Vino Veritas! = Truth in wine!After some glasses, the VTer's make quickly own this quote... Let's learn more about the famous Vinhos Verdes, Port, Douro, Moscatel de Setúbal, Madeira wines... Sala Ogival offer an interesting display for a journey through the Portuguese wine regions. At the end you will reward by a pratical and tasteful exercice!I won't to do a wine tasting review here as for me taste is a subjective science... So let's come and taste to get your own opinion ;-) Santé! Cheers! Saude!

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Sintra - Quinta da Ragaleira

by codrutz

Quinta da Ragaleira is a mansion/small palace built by a millionaire alchemist, located a few minutes up the hill from Sintra (closer than Castelo dos Mouros and the farthest Palacio da Pena).The park is by far the attraction, it is one of the most complex and interesting park, with labyrinths above as well as below the ground - tunnels link points in the park, it's really a fun place to spend at least one hour, in this strange park.Pictured is the symbol of Ragaleira, the 30 meters vertical tunnel/spiral stair, leading down in the grottoes/tunnels. You will find this picture on every Sintra guides :)

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Sintra - Palacio National

by codrutz

The best preserved medieval (15th century) palace in Portugal. It's a must visit, interiors are very interesting, I'm fascinated by the variety of designs of the ceilings, the ceramic filled walls of a very special room and the kitchen.Warning, the lines below contains a spoiler, if you like to discover by yourself what are the two white inverted cones of the palace don't read below this line :)The white cones are the ventilation system of the palace's kitchen, there are two big rooms of the kitchen and the smoke and smell was supposed to dissipate trough those very tall chimneys. They are the equivalent of the modern kitchen vents everyone has now in the kitchen. Don't understand the functionality of the inverted cone shape, could it be function or just the distinct look from outside. Anyway those things puts a recognizable image of the Sintra National Palace.

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Lisbon

by codrutz

Lisbon (Lisboa) is the capital of Portugal and the largest city, its population is 564,657 but with the metropolitan area the number of people jumps to an incredible 2,641,006, which is 25% of Portugal's total population, and about the same as my hometown Bucharest metro area population (2,600,000).Alfama, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Belem .. each of those districts have something different to offer, take it one by one and spend time, hopefully more than I did, mine was a rush of a visit, the "preview" one :)You can link Alfama+Baixa, Chiado+Bairro Alto but Belem is separate, having so many attractions (Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Monument to the Discoveres, Pasteis de Belem .. and more). That is I reckon you should spend minimum of three days in Lisbon to have a good overview. I had two days for Lisbon and three days for other places (Sintra, Queluz, Guincho beach, Cascais,...

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Queluz National Palace

by codrutz

The Palace of Queluz is in the town with the same name, half way between Lisbon and Sintra, very accessible from IC19 motorway (no hilly roads like Sintra).Interiors are very rich, no wonder Queluz Palace is called "the small Versailles". I was most impressed by the ceilings, the lights, the Ambassadors' room and its ceiling "trompe l'oeil", the statues in the garden and the two big fountains with many beautiful bronze statues.

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Sintra - Palacio da Pena

by codrutz

Once again a must visit, you will have to walk up the hill for this one, but the final reward is worth the sweat. Don't leave Sintra without seeing Palacio da Pena and it's natural park.The castle is a dream. My favorite castle is Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, the romantic castle or crazy King Ludwig (check my Schloss Neuschwanstein tips). Palacio da Pena brings you immediately the image of Neuschwanstein, thinking is must be a copy of some sort. But the fact is Pena was built before Neuschwanstein, between 1842-1854, while the latter was started only in 1869, so maybe King Ludwig's architect inspired from Pena :)The park will set you back another hour or more, but it worth to do the long walk, to see the sequoias, shaded alleys, the ponds - hosting a big surprise: a black swan (or maybe more), statues, points of view to the castle and ocean, there is a small jungle there - without the...

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Sintra

by codrutz

You have to visit Sintra more than anything else in Portugal. There are so many things there, you will have to discover its secrets. For the moment I can tell you what I have discovered (see my next Sintra tips - I made a separate tip for each one I've been to).Sintra itself is a town located in the National Park Sintra-Cascais, at the base of hills measuring some 400 meters in height, 30 km from Lisbon (30 minutes on the IC19 motorway). Though it doesn't feel like, Sintra is home for 500,000 inhabitants and many tourist - making it a crowded place especially in the morning when buses with tourist pour in and fill the parking places and narrow streets.Some of the places you must visit in Sintra: Sintra Palace, Monserrate Palace, Sintra City Hall, Castelo dos Mouros and my two very favorites: Palacio da Pena and Quinta da Ragaleira.All those above and more forms the Cultural Landscape of...

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Cabo da Roca

by codrutz

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point or continental Europe. Easy to reach from Sintra or Cascais, the latter drive offers an excellent view of the ocean and beaches on the western coast.You can take a certificate from the Tourist Info (at the parking place), two versions of them, making a nice souvenir. Photo opportunities are also plenty, just don't forget to look where you step, as there are a lot of rocks, vegetation and of course the dangerous cliff side which you don't want to cross.

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Cascais

by codrutz

Cascais is a seaside resort located 35km west of Lisbon, on Estoril coast, half an hour drive on the A5 (attention heavy traffic, stalls between 9-10AM and 5-9PM, long rush hours coming to-from Lisbon).Preferred as a base point for visiting Portugal because it's close to Lisbon but you can avoid traffic when you want to visit other points of interest. Features a small beach (but for the best beaches take the car and head on the west coast wither north of Cascais to Cabo da Roca), a citadel, a main pedestrian street, a big shopping center, a crowded McDonald's and some 20 hotels available to book online, probably more accommodation on the spot.

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Fun things to do in Portugal

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... 

 Hotels in Lisbon

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... 

 Hotels in Porto

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... 

 Hotels in Madeira Island

2,479 Hotels in Portugal
 
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Reviews and photos of Portugal attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Portugal sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Portugal
  1. Lisbon Things to Do
  2. Porto Things to Do
  3. Albufeira Things to Do
  4. Madeira Island Things to Do
  5. Funchal Things to Do
  6. Sintra Things to Do
  7. Cascais Things to Do
  8. Évora Things to Do
  9. Lagos Things to Do
  10. Ilha de São Miguel Things to Do
  11. Faro Things to Do
  12. Alvor Things to Do
  13. Ponta Delgada Things to Do
  14. Coimbra Things to Do
  15. Óbidos Things to Do
  16. Guimarães Things to Do
  17. Tavira Things to Do
  18. Portimão Things to Do
  19. Fátima Things to Do
  20. Nazaré Things to Do
  21. Braga Things to Do
  22. Aveiro Things to Do
  23. Belém Things to Do
  24. Praia da Rocha Things to Do
  25. Estoril Things to Do
  26. Viana do Castelo Things to Do
  27. Tomar Things to Do
  28. Sagres Things to Do
  29. Carvoeiro Things to Do
  30. Quarteira Things to Do
  31. Cabo da Roca Things to Do
  32. Alcobaça Things to Do
  33. Pinhão Things to Do
  34. Porto Santo Island Things to Do
  35. Vila Real Things to Do
  36. Peniche Things to Do
  37. Barcelos Things to Do
  38. Costa de Caparica Things to Do
  39. Setúbal Things to Do
  40. Ericeira Things to Do
  41. Ferragudo Things to Do
  42. Vila Nova de Gaia Things to Do
  43. Olhão Things to Do
  44. Silves Things to Do
  45. Vila Real de Santo António Things to Do
  46. Armação de Pêra Things to Do
  47. Batalha Things to Do
  48. Monte Gordo Things to Do
  49. Covilhã Things to Do
  50. Ilha da Berlenga Things to Do

More Cities in Portugal

 

Popular Regions in Portugal

Distrito de Lisboa Things to Do  Algarve Things to Do  Região Autónoma da Madeira Things to Do  Distrito do Porto Things to Do  Distrito de Leiria Things to Do  Região Autónoma dos Açores Things to Do  Distrito de Évora Things to Do  Distrito de Setúbal Things to Do  Distrito de Braga Things to Do  Distrito de Santarém Things to Do  Distrito de Coimbra Things to Do  Distrito de Viana do Castelo Things to Do  Distrito de Vila Real Things to Do  Distrito de Aveiro Things to Do  Distrito de Castelo Branco Things to Do 

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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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