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PORTUGAL
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Top Experiences
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*Destinations shown on this map are approximations of exact locations
Sintra
While Europe lays claim to many storybook scenes of beauty, it’s in Sintra that travelers truly step into a fairytale. Built amid (and into) the densely forested Serra de Sintra mountain chain, this resort town and UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a vivid assortment of bright and decadent architectural styles. Sintra’s three main castles allow visitors a chance to follow the town’s history. Begin with the commanding eighth-century granite turrets of the Moorish Castle, before moving on to Sintra National Palace, where you'll behold an eleventh-century collection of gleaming white design known affectionately among locals as “Town Palace.” And then it’s on to the magical Park and National Palace of Pena: Built by King Ferdinand II in the 19th century, he requested that the building and grounds resemble the set of an opera. With winding paths and series of color-drenched spires, the Pena complex is now the town’s dramatic crowning feature.
Explore Sintra with O.A.T. on:
- Gems of Western Europe: Lisbon to London
- Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona
- Post Trip:Lisbon, Portugal on Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past
Evora
Perched on a hill and a hub for bustling trade routes, the town of Évora was coveted and controlled by the Celts, Romans, and Moors over the course of its storied history. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, this walled city showcases this complex and layered history through its assortment of ruins and historical architecture. The influence of Rome is on clear display at the Temple of Diane, where 14 magnificent Corinthian columns date back to the second and third centuries A.D., and at the Romanesque-meets-Gothic É ora Cathedral. While the town bustles with the energy of a lively university population, its Church of St. Francis also offers a unique—and eerie—message to those who enter its Capela dos Ossos (bone cathedral): “We bones in here wait for yours to join us.”
Discover Évora with O.A.T. on:
Alto Douro Wine Region
Along the upper stretches of the tranquil Douro River, vibrant terraced vineyards climb up the undulating hills of its namesake valley. Protected by the Marao Mountains from Atlantic breezes and home to nutrient-rich soil, historians estimate that wine has been produced here for more than two millennia, but became a sensation much later. In 1678, Englishmen returned from a visit to the Abbot of Lemago with a shipment of red wine fortified with brandy. The port made in the region became so highly coveted—and copied—that it became formally protected with a Designation of Origin to control the quality less than a century later. Today, this region continues to perfect its wine-making techniques, combining cutting-edge advancement with the time-honed traditions that earned its reputation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its contributions to viticulture—as well as striking natural beauty, sprinkled with centuries-old olive groves—continue to captivate visitors today.
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Porto
One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Porto has always been a key player for Portugal, launching countless vessels in the age of the great navigations and then acting as the epicenter of the port wine trade. The Ribiera, the oldest part of the city, still reveals glimpses of 2,000 years of history along its medieval streets, while architectural gems beckon throughout the entire city, from the Neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa to the ornately Gothic São Francisco. Whether ducking into the country’s oldest bookstore, the 19th-century Livraria Lello, or marveling at the beauty of the Iberian Peninsula’s largest synagogue, visitors often find that Porto’s allure remains undimmed by time.
Explore Porto with O.A.T. on:
- Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past
- Gems of Western Europe: Lisbon to London
- Pre Trip:Porto: Northern Portugal’s Romanesque Gem on Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas
Minho Province
Nestled between the Duoro and Minho rivers, Portugal's northernmost region was greatly influenced by the Celts and Romans who controlled it centuries ago, but for the Portuguese today, the region is known as the cradle of their nation's identity. The ninth-century city of Guimarães was also the site of 1128's Battle of São Mamede, which resulted in the Kingdom of Portugal's creation, and the establishment of its first capital city. Walking the streets of Guimarães' historic town center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) today offers a glimpse into how this former medieval settlement developed over the years into a bustling modern town. Nearby Braga, Portugal's third-largest city, also proudly displays its historical and religious significance: Home to one of the world's oldest Catholic archdioceses and the hilltop pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga is known for the dramatic festivals it hosts throughout the year.
That said, this region also continues to generate buzz around food and wine enthusiasts: Minho's temperate climate is particularly well suited for agriculture, and has developed a sparkling reputation for its vinho verde. Directly translated to "green wine," the wine utilizes young grapes (whether red, white, or otherwise) and an early bottling technique to produce a unique and slightly fizzy mouthfeel.
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Lisbon
More than 2,000 years ago, Romans told tales of Lisbon, the city of seven hills rumored to have been founded by Odysseus during his journey home from Troy. Over the millennia, Portugal’s now-capital city was transformed by its myriad settlers—among them the Greeks, Romans, Moors, and Christians. Yet it was the late 15th century that most dramatically shaped Lisbon’s place on the world stage. As Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator ushered in the Age of Discovery, maritime explorers set off for Western Africa and the far shores of the Atlantic. As many returned with tales, new wares, and lucrative trade routes, Lisbon became the hub of European trade and commerce. Signs of Lisbon’s past dominance are sprinkled throughout the city today—among them the Gothic Jeronmios Monastery and mighty Castelo de Sao Jorge fortress—but the city was devastated after three major earthquakes and a tsunami wiped out as much as a third of the city’s population in November 1755. That said, the lisboetas persevered, rebuilding their city and maintaining the lively spirit and love of life—food, wine, and traditional fado music that visitors can experience as they explore the lively Belem district and other city neighborhoods..
Explore Lisbon with O.A.T. on:
Recommended Viewing
Watch this video showcasing what makes this country so unforgettable
Delve into Portugal's modern-day beauty and turbulent past alongside O.A.T. traveler Penny P. from St. Louis, Missouri, as she learns about the country's culture, history, and art, including the longstanding tradition of azulejos, or blue painted tiles.
Featured Reading
Immerse yourself in Portugal with this selection of articles, recipes, and more
ARTICLE
Part of Lisbon’s charm is to be found in its many neighborhoods, each with its own identity. Read about them here.
City of Discovery
Monuments to the Age of Exploration are just one of Lisbon’s delights
A city steeped in history
With more than 20 centuries of history behind it, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, having been settled even before Rome, London, and Paris. It is believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians around 1200 BC. Attracted by its setting on the Tagus, the Phoenicians dubbed the city Allis Ubbo—translated variously as “Safe Harbor,” “Friendly Bay,” and “Enchanting Port.”
The Romans were the next to control the city, naming it Felicitas Julia after Julius Caesar and building an underground complex of chambers, rooms, bridges, and corridors (though this network still exists today, it is rarely open to the public, due to safety considerations). The Romans were followed by Germanic tribes beginning in the fifth century AD. During the eighth century, the city was conquered by the Moors, who named it Lissabona and declared it the capital of the region. The Moors ruled here for 450 years, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s architecture—most prominently in the form of Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George’s Castle), built on the ruins of Roman and Visigoth fortresses high on a hill overlooking the Tagus.
In 1147, the city was captured by the Christians in one of the most important battles of the Second Crusade. At that time, the Kingdom of Portugal was confined to the northern part of the territory we know as Portugal today, and it was Portugal’s King Afonso I (also known as Afonso Henriques) who pushed the boundary of this kingdom beyond the Tagus River. Interestingly, although Lisbon has served as the Portuguese capital since 1255, it is unusual in that it has never been granted that official status.
Monuments to the Age of Exploration
Of course, Lisbon’s rise to prosperity and prominence on the world stage occurred during Portugal’s great Age of Exploration, when legendary explorers set out to discover a New World. At the time, Europeans depended on spices to disguise the flavor and aroma of meat that spoiled over the long winter months, and traders were also eager to gather stores of gold from the great continent of Africa. By the 14th century, the Portuguese fleet had begun sailing into the waters around North Africa searching for a trade route that would help them avoid the northern Mediterranean ports that were controlled by the northern Italian city-states of Venice and Genoa. In 1415, the Moroccan trading port of Ceuta fell to Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator, who founded a School of Navigation in the city of Sagres and launched the Age of Exploration.
The turning point in this great age of exploration occurred in 1498, when Vasco da Gama first charted a course to India. Portuguese explorers became the first Europeans to cross the Equator, round Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, establish trade with China and Japan, visit Australia and Newfoundland, and even circumnavigate the globe. As a result, Portugal became the wealthiest country in Europe, and the riches of this heyday may be seen in the Manueline style of architecture that survived the earthquake that devastated Lisbon in 1755.
Among these are two monuments that, together, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery. Both have also been named among the Seven Wonders of Portugal by the Ministry of Culture.
The icon of the city, Belem Tower was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to the Tagus River and as a commemoration of Vasco da Gama’s expedition. Although it has been used as a prison for political prisoners, a telegraph post, and a storage site for ammunition over the course of its history, it is best remembered as the last image seen by sailors setting off on their voyages of discovery and as an excellent example of Manueline architecture.
Also an excellent example of this style, and a monument to the Age of Exploration, is the Jeronimos Monastery, which began construction in 1501 and which was established to celebrate the success of Portuguese explorers. Set on the banks of the Tagus River, the monastery became the home of the Order of St. Jerome (Hieronymites, or dos Jeronimos), who were charged by King Manuel I to celebrate daily mass in perpetuity for himself and his successors, as well as Prince Henry the Navigator. Largely restored since the 1755 earthquake, the monastery was turned over to the state in 1833 and is now home to a collection of museums.
Welcome to the neighborhood
Today, Lisbon remains one of the leading cities of Europe, playing an important role in a number of industries, including international trade and finance, education, tourism, entertainment, and the arts. Lively and cosmopolitan, embracing both the old and the new, Lisbon has also been named the most livable Portuguese city in an annual survey published by a leading Portuguese newspaper.
Part of the city’s charm is to be found in its many neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The Belem neighborhood is home to Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, boasts several monuments in addition to those cited by UNESCO, as well as attractive gardens and parks.
The heart of the city is Baixa, whose reconstruction after the earthquake is a fine example of urban planning and a forerunner of earthquake-resistant architecture. Today, it offers the city’s best shopping, as well as Terreiro do Paco (Black Horse Square) and Praça do Rossio (Pedro V Square).
Lisbon’s oldest district is the Alfama neighborhood. Because this area was largely unscathed by the earthquake, many vestiges of the city’s Moorish heritage still survive here. Its name is derived from the Arabic word for “fountains” or “baths” (al-hamma), in honor of the public baths that were popular here from the 17th to early 20th century. Fado, Portugal’s unique form of the blues, is often heard in bars and restaurants throughout this neighborhood.
Monuments to the Age of Exploration are just one of Lisbon’s delights
Portugal: Month-by-Month
There are pros and cons to visiting a destination during any time of the year. Find out what you can expect during your ideal travel time, from weather and climate, to holidays, festivals, and more.
Portugal in December-February
The winter months in Portugal may bring rain showers, but in the south, blue skies prevail. Here, the sunshine and crisp air make it comfortable to explore festivals and traditional outdoor markets. In the north, the colder weather along the border of the mountains is ideal for skiing and indulging in winter activities. This is an excellent time of year to plan a visit and revel in the peaceful ambiance and competitive prices.
Holidays & Events
- December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception; this public holiday—which recognizes the sinless conception of the Virgin Mary—is celebrated with Mass, parades, feasts, and fireworks
- December 25: Christmas
- January 6: Three Kings’ Day; also known as Epiphany, this holy holiday is a time for observing plays and pageants, performing traditional Portuguese dances, feasting on Bolo Rei (King cake), and listening to carolers
- February: Carnaval; numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the period leading up to Lent
Must See
Throughout December, Óbidos is transformed into Vila Natal (Christmas Town)—an illuminated fantasy of holiday attractions and activities. From Father Christmas’s house to ice skating, games, and performances, there’s no shortage of cheer in this seaside city.
The following month, the parishes of Aldoar, Foz do Douro, and Nevogilde keep the spirit of the season going with the Janeiras Festival. Over the course of a weekend, local churches host choral and orchestral performances that are complemented by dancing, cake, and Port wine.
Not to be outdone, February takes the festivities up a notch with Carnaval. The weekend before Lent begins, Portugal pulses with elaborate parades and non-stop parties. Ornate floats roll down city streets surrounded by women and men costumed from head to toe. Restaurants shell out seafood, businesses adorn their storefronts with colorful decorations, and partygoers descend in a flurry of energy and excitement. The biggest celebrations are held in Lisbon and the islands (especially Madeira and the Azores) but nearly every city in Portugal joins in on the fun.
Watch this film to discover more about Portugal
Attend an authentic Portuguese cooking lesson with traveler Jim V. from Dublin, Ohio, where he learns to prepare fresh cod and batatas (potatoes).
Portugal in March-May
The splendor of Portugal is in full bloom in springtime, as hillsides are cloaked with flowers and almond blossoms dot the countryside. It is just warm enough to languish by the beach, and the rising temperatures create a fantastic atmosphere for outdoor celebration all over the region. This is a spectacular time of year to get to see the sights and revel in local culture before summer tourism reaches its peak.
Holidays & Events
- March/April: Easter
- April 25: Liberty Day; marks the bloodless, civilian-supported military coup that ended five decades of dictatorship in Portugal in 1974
- May 1: Labor Day; a day of parades, demonstrations, and rallies advocating for workers’ rights in Portugal
Must See
For a traditional taste of the Algarve region, head to the mountainside village Alcoutim in March for one of two foodie fairs: Pão Quente e do Queijo Fresco (Hot Bread and Cheese) or Doces d'Avó (Grandma’s Sweets). Though relatively new, both of these outdoor festivals are huge hits: Thousands of visitors attend each year for a chance to sample homemade breads, fresh cheeses, and traditional pies and cakes. Once you’ve had your fill of local fare, consider perusing the handicrafts and enjoying musical performances.
Watch this film to discover more about Portugal
Attend an authentic Portuguese cooking lesson with traveler Jim V. from Dublin, Ohio, where he learns to prepare fresh cod and batatas (potatoes).
Portugal in June-August
Bask in the sunshine and take advantage of idyllic beaches and the bustling atmosphere in the cities. When traveling to Portugal in June, you can benefit from beautiful weather and lighter crowds, while July and August are prime travel months. The summer offers optimal conditions, with an average temperature around 77⁰F—perfect for enjoying the myriad of festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the region.
Holidays & Events
- June 10: Portuguese National Day; marks the death of literary icon and adventurer Luís de Camoes, who is a symbol of Portuguese nationalism
- August 15: Assumption Day; commemorates the day God assumed the Virgin Mary into heaven following her death
Must See
For one week in the summer, artists from different cultural and religious backgrounds gather in seaside Lagoa for a cultural extravaganza known as Mercado de Culturas Luz das Velas. Each year, a theme is chosen for the event—such as the Silk Road—and performances are tailored to match it. From music to dance to food to décor, it’s an opportunity for more than 40,000 people from around the world to celebrate art and diversity.
If you’re looking for a more laidback summer activity, Portugal’s countless beaches deliver. The Algarve coast may be the most beloved stretch of sand, but there are plenty of cliff-side coves and secluded swaths of surf to enjoy when the temperatures soar.
Another relaxing option is Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. This bohemian central district is packed with bars and restaurants, and is a fine place to enjoy a glass of wine or signature Portuguese cod al fresco when the summer sun is shining.
Watch this film to discover more about Portugal
Attend an authentic Portuguese cooking lesson with traveler Jim V. from Dublin, Ohio, where he learns to prepare fresh cod and batatas (potatoes).
Portugal in September-November
A marvelous time to visit, fall in Portugal is mild, the sea is still warm, and the crowds have thinned out. Wander through cities in comfort, take in sweeping coastline views, or admire local wildlife all while capturing a true sense of daily life here, free from the hustle and bustle of the summer masses and high temperatures. As the weather cools, autumn markets and festive food stalls emerge, making it a fine time to take part in the rich local culture.
Holidays & Events
- November 11: St. Martin’s Day; associated with maturation of the year’s wine, this holiday is traditionally celebrated with a tasting and roasted chestnuts
Must See
The wine harvest begins in early September, and vintners often invite the public to take part in the process during wine stomping celebrations. The Alto Duro wine region is a particularly fine place to experience everything the harvest season has to offer.
Watch this film to discover more about Portugal
Attend an authentic Portuguese cooking lesson with traveler Jim V. from Dublin, Ohio, where he learns to prepare fresh cod and batatas (potatoes).
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