Things to see and do in in Portugal

There is no better introduction to the Portuguese capital Lisbon than a streetcar tour. The electric streetcars, a Lisbon landmark, first ran in 1901 and have been transporting locals and visitors alike up and down the city's hills affordably ever since.

Streetcar line 28 is the best route for sightseeing and views. Think of it as Lisbon's authentic answer to a hop-on hop-off tour bus! It runs between Martim Moniz and Campo Ourique and takes passengers through some of the most beautiful streets, past major landmarks. Climb aboard an old remodelado carriage, take a seat on one of the wooden benches and sit back to enjoy Lisbon.

Life in Portugal's second largest city revolves around the Douro River, which has given Porto some of its most famous landmarks, including the beautiful bridges and the medieval Ribeira district with its colorful merchants' houses and historic cafés.

Do as the wine merchants of Porto once did when they transported their wine barrels on boats and let the trade winds carry you through the city on a boat trip on the Douro to visit the most beautiful places. A fleet of colorful rabelo - low wooden cargo boats - takes visitors along Porto's life-giving river, showing the best of the city from a unique perspective.

The Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena) is the highlight of the city of Sintra, which can be easily reached on a day trip from Lisbon. It is considered one of the most beautiful expressions of 19th century Romanticism in Europe and is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal's Seven Wonders of the World.

Perched on a hill, the Pena Palace is instantly recognizable for its bright and colourful facades, white trim and pointed turrets. It may look like a caricature in photos, but up close it is very magnificent - especially the painted interiors, which served as a royal summer residence for Portugal's ruling family.

For an insight into the country's seafaring tradition and the associated fado, which the sailors used for entertainment, watch a performance in Lisbon's Chiado, where fado has been booming through the streets for over 200 years.

Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, fado is a popular Portuguese tradition that encompasses music, poetry and movement. Originally, the singers were all male, but today women perform the stirring melodies that transport listeners to another time and place, accompanied by guitars and violas.

Have you ever been to a place that strongly resembles Harry Potter's Hogwarts? If not, it's time to visit the University of Coimbra.

The university campus was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. With a history dating back to the 13th century, the university was housed in a former royal palace, is home to many interesting treasures and offers magnificent views of Coimbra and the River Mondego. Make sure you also visit the Biblioteca Joanina. When you enter this old library, you'll feel like you're in a movie set: golden decorations, a piano and a colony of bats.

Located about 19 miles (30 km) north of Coimbra, the Buçaco National Forest is a true gem of Portugal. Spanning 260 acres (105 hectares), this lush green space is home to one of Europe’s most remarkable tree collections — including species that date back some 500 years.

In the 17th century, the forest was settled by Carmelite monks who built walls, small chapels and a monastery that was to be converted into a royal palace, but is now a luxury hotel. The best way to explore this fairytale-like enchanted forest is on foot, following at least one of the many hiking trails that lead you through this enchanted place. Get a map from the information center, which will be very useful.

The Douro Valley outside of Porto, one of Europe's most famous wine regions, is the best place for a tasting of the country's most famous export - port wine. Wine tasting in this area has many advantages over tasting in the city of Porto, where you only get overpriced, touristy port tastings.

In the Douro Valley, you can visit centuries-old wineries (quintas) in person and get the chance to immerse yourself in the Portuguese winemaking tradition in an authentic way. It is best to book a tour of the Douro Valley from Porto: Many include tastings with the winemakers, a regional lunch and spectacular views of the terraced vineyards.

There are few better ways to enjoy the beauty of the Algarve coast than on foot. There are several stunning hiking trails that allow you to explore one of Portugal's best beach vacation destinations from a different perspective.

One of the most popular walks along this sun-drenched stretch of coastline is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Just under 7.5 miles (12 km) round trip, it’s an easy half-day hike. Spend a full day on the trail and you’ll have time to relax on the many beaches you pass along the way. Beyond the beaches, there’s plenty to discover: dramatic sea caves — including the famous Benagil Cave — as well as natural rock arches, bridges, sea stacks, and even a lighthouse.

The Benagil cave is particularly fascinating, because here the waves have not only caused lateral erosion, but the rain has also eroded the upper part of the cave. The result is a natural skylight that illuminates the beautiful white sand inside.

The fenced-off area around this "eye" allows visitors to look into the cave from above. But to really experience the magic of Benagil Cave, you have to enter it from the water. Instead of using one of the small tourist boats, book a Benagil cave tour by kayak - this way you can enter the beautiful beach - a privilege that boat visitors don't have.

One of the most exciting experiences in Portugal are the hot springs on the Azores island of São Miguel. There are several geothermal springs here, each with its own unique atmosphere. Terra Nostra is probably the most famous, with its large spring-fed pool that is so rich in iron and other minerals that the water has a golden color.

Another great place is Ponta da Ferraria, where a hot spring meets the ocean right where rocks form a natural pool. It is a magical experience to feel the water temperature as the hot spring water mixes with the cool Atlantic water.

From moderate and flat levada walks that take you through the forested interior of the island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to more challenging mountain peaks that will have you soaring above the clouds, Madeira is a hiker's paradise.

The trail to Pico Ruivo do Paul is an easy hike that ends at a marked viewpoint at 5,250 feet (1,600 m), from where you have a spectacular view of the water. For something a little more adventurous and a lot more strenuous, set off at sunrise on a longer trail that connects the two highest points on the island, Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo - hiking above the clouds.

One of the best day trips from Porto is to Aveiro, a charming city with a long history - a cultural wonderland with many sights and culinary experiences. The main activity is a trip on one of the colorful Molicero boats. Originally used to farm seaweed and preserve the region's fertility, these boats are now a popular tourist attraction.

Finally, don't miss out on sampling Aveiro's culinary gems. Ovos moles are traditional snacks consisting of sweetened egg yolk in wafers. Another place worth visiting is the nearby Costa Nova, a beach town with Instagram-worthy huts in every color of the rainbow.

Discovering the beautiful azulejo tiles is one of the best things to do in Porto. These glazed ceramic tiles depicting religious stories and the country's history can be found almost everywhere in Porto - from churches to train stations, from fountains to benches.

Azulejos are an extremely important part of Portugal's cultural heritage. Some of the largest works can be found in the Sao Bento train station, where almost 20000 azulejo tiles depict the history of Portugal and rural scenes. The work took almost 11 years to complete. In a tile painting workshop, you can learn about the history of azulejos while hand-painting your own souvenir tiles.

Livraria Lello in the heart of Porto is considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. J.K. Rowling, the author of the famous Harry Potter series, was inspired by this bookshop when writing her novels.

Founded in 1906, the bookshop attracts many tourists thanks to its impressive design. Even before you enter, the white façade, which combines Art Nouveau and neo-Gothic styles, is a real eye-catcher. But it is the breathtaking interior of the store that Livraria Lello owes its fame to the walls that are lined from floor to ceiling with large bookshelves filled with volumes in every language. The highlight is certainly the iconic red spiral staircase.

Central Portugal is home to a trio of monuments, all of which can be visited as part of a day trip from Lisbon. All three sites are rich in architecture and history. The three UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the Monastery of Christ in Tomar, the Alcobaça Monastery and the Batalha Monastery.

The Monastery of Christ in Tomar, dating from the 12th century, consists of a monastery and a castle built in Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Batalha Monastery is a Dominican monastery from the late 14th century. It contains examples of Gothic and Manueline architecture. Alcobaça is a 12th-century monastery known for introducing Gothic architecture to Portugal.

The fairytale town of Obidos is just an hour's drive from bustling Lisbon and is absolutely worth a visit. The town is still surrounded by a fortress wall and was given as a wedding gift by King Denis of Portugal to his queen in 1282.

The medieval cobbled streets with their small stores and whitewashed houses are a perfect backdrop for photos. A must in Obidos is a tasting of the famous sour cherry liqueur Ginjinha de Óbidos. It is traditionally served in small edible chocolate glasses and is simply delicious. After strolling through the beautiful streets, don't forget to visit the well-preserved castle of Obidos.

If you're coming to Portugal to surf, swim or sunbathe, don't miss out on the glorious beaches of Lagos in the Algarve. There's no shortage of activities here and beach hopping is undeniably the way to go in this part of Portugal.

Highlights include the impressive Praia dos Estudantes, with a bridge spanning the ocean between two rock formations. The tranquil bay is ideal for frolicking in the calm tides. Just outside Lagos is Meia Praia - a sandy beach of monumental length where you will always find a place to spread out.

One of the most bizarre attractions in Portugal is the anchor graveyard on the island of Tavira. More than 200 large, rusty anchors lie on the sand dunes that merge into Barril beach. They were once used for tuna fishing, but when the stock dwindled, the fishermen left their anchors behind. To this day, no one really knows who collected and lined up the anchors - but it was a blessing for the area, which is now one of Tavira's most popular tourist attractions. The old fishermen's huts have been converted into restaurants and cafés, and the old railroad line for transporting tuna is now used for transporting tourists on a small panoramic train.

There is something even more unusual that draws visitors to Portugal: a visit to the famous Capela dos Ossos or 'Bone Chapels' in Evora and Faro. These unique religious shrines may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they make for an interesting, if somewhat macabre, site.

The Capela dos Ossos of Evora was made from the bones of more than 5,000 people and is about 59 feet (18 m) long and 36 feet (11 m) wide. The bones are expertly arranged, with the skulls serving as a captivating decoration. The Capela dos Ossos in Faro is tiny by comparison and is located at the back of the beautiful Igreja Do Carmor church - away from a pretty garden.

Professionals and beginners alike dream of the legendary waves of Nazaré. According to the Guinness World Records, North Beach in Nazaré is home to the largest waves ever surfed — often reaching up to 100 feet (30 m) high. The lighthouse perched on the cliffs above Praia do Norte is the perfect vantage point to watch these giants crash ashore and the fearless surfers who take them on — a spectacle like no other.

There is also an interesting surf museum inside the lighthouse. Nazare is also a great place for beginners: there are several surf schools to help you get started and build your confidence on the town beach with smaller waves.

In the heart of the Alentejo wine-growing region is the first internationally certified stargazing reserve, recognized by UNESCO as a "protected area for stargazing".

The dark sky is a wonderful natural planetarium where there is virtually no light pollution, making the whole area a wonderful place for stargazing with the naked eye. On the edge of the hauntingly beautiful Alqueva reservoir lies the walled town of Monsaraz, where the Observatorio do Lago Alqueva is located. Here you can learn about the night sky and use the telescope to observe the constellations and planets of the solar system and the craters of the moon.

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is a mountainous area that is home to the highest peak in mainland Europe, the Torre. It is also the first and largest natural park in Portugal - a breathtaking beauty. Activities include a cable car ride down to the valley to enjoy the view. You can also explore the funnel-shaped mouth of a man-made lake that looks like a surreal waterhole - a great photo opportunity. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, caves and waterfalls to marvel at and at the top of the mountain there is a commercial building with a restaurant and stores selling local crafts and products.

A visit to the more traditional restaurants, cafés, food markets and small stores will bring you closer to the culture and give you an insight into how the locals live and what they eat.

For culinary travelers, one of the best introductions to Portuguese cuisine is a guided culinary tour, which is particularly useful in Lisbon. Most of these tours last around four hours and are a short but tasty introduction to the local culinary specialties that will leave you wanting more. You should try the national dish bacalhau (salted and dried cod), caldo verde (sausage and kale soup) or pastel de nata (custard tarts) - all of which are a must.

The diving conditions in the Algarve are excellent: calm seas, good visibility and a rich variety of species. Around the cities of Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Faro and Sagres there are a variety of dive sites for all levels of difficulty. There are colorful rocky reefs and many species of fish to marvel at.

Keep your eyes open or your camera ready for interesting underwater creatures such as octopuses, moray eels and even seahorses. For wreck divers, the Algarve has a lot to offer, some wrecks have been deliberately sunk to create artificial reefs. Diving is possible all year round, but the best conditions are in the fall and spring, when temperatures are mild and the water is clear.

Viana do Castelo is located on the picturesque estuary of the River Lima in northern Portugal, directly on the Atlantic Ocean. As the small town has long been an important place of pilgrimage, it is home to centuries-old historical and cultural sights such as palaces, manor houses, churches and cathedrals.

The beautiful mountain church of Santuário de Santa Luzia, modeled on the Sacre Coeur in Paris, towers over everything on a hill and offers a remarkable view of the Lima Valley and a large part of the coastline. Viana do Castelo is an excellent starting point for exploring the Lima Valley, hiking in the foothills or relaxing on the beautiful beaches.