Portugal is one of the oldest and most interesting nations of Europe. This country became the first maritime empire of the Discovery Age in the 15th century, changing the course of history. Today, Portugal is mostly known for its tourism sector, its Golden Visa, and, of course, its superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
I have been to Portugal several times, and each time I have let myself be immersed in the history that surrounds visitors in every corner of the country. The climate and everyday life are also different from those in the southern Mediterranean European countries. The Western Iberian Peninsula has its own cultural and characteristic. Thus, it is much different than visiting Spain or Italy.
Although Portugal had strong momentum with its Non-habitual Residence tax regime after 2009 and its Golden Visa after 2012, the appeal to expats and the opportunities it offers have recently faded.
For now, unfortunately, it is not a suitable destination for expats looking for a Plan-B base in Europe. To be fair, nothing much is left in Europe for expats for their long-term strategic planning.
The government may not know what it wants from expats, but it doesn't matter; the country itself has never stopped being worth the trip. Strip away the visa schemes and the tax incentives, and you are still left with one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. In this article, I'll introduce you to the best places to visit in Portugal, the best tourist destinations and where Portugal is located.
Portugal’s short travel distances make it one of the best places to visit for exploring multiple regions in one trip
Have you asked yourself, "Where is Portugal located?" Well, let me tell you a bit more about where Portugal is. Portugal looks like a narrow strip along the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula. It borders Spain to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The country is roughly 560 kilometres from north to south and rarely wider than 200 kilometres at any point, which is one reason exploring the best places to visit in Portugal is relatively easy and efficient.
The northern part of Portugal is green, hilly, and cooler, which is shaped by rivers like the Douro and the Minho. The center is transforming into the dry, golden agricultural Alentejo plains, offering some of the best places to see in Portugal for those interested in rural landscapes and traditional life.
The south is the Algarve, where the coastline turns dramatic, and the climate becomes almost North African. In the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres from the mainland, lie the volcanic islands of Madeira and the Azores, which are politically part of Portugal but feel like entirely different countries, often considered among the best tourist destinations in Portugal.
In total, Portugal has 832 kilometres of coastline on the mainland alone, which is a remarkable number for a country this size. The distances between regions are short enough that you can drive from Porto to the Algarve in about five hours, which means most of the places on this list are reachable from a single base if you are willing to move around.
Below are the best places to visit in Portugal according to my taste. I start with 12, down to 1 as per my preference.
Tavira’s slow pace makes it one of the best places in Portugal for a relaxed and timeless atmosphere
Tavira is located at the eastern end of the Algarve, far from the resort towns along the southern coast, and is often considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal for those looking for a quieter and more authentic atmosphere. It is a quiet town built around a Roman bridge that spans the Gilão River and is famous for its whitewashed houses and tiled facades. The slow pace of life here makes you feel like you are in a different decade, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal if you want to experience traditional architecture and local culture.
The old North African cultural heritage is evident here. You can climb up to the ruins of a medieval castle and look out over terracotta rooftops and the flat marshlands of the Ria Formosa Natural Park beyond them. However, you cannot find the beaches in the town. If you like, you can take a short boat ride to Ilha de Tavira, a barrier island with long stretches of sand and not much else, making it one of the best places to go in Portugal for unspoiled beaches.
For travellers planning their trip, Tavira is especially enjoyable during spring and early autumn, which is often considered the best time to visit Portugal, when the weather is warm but not overwhelming, and the crowds are much smaller than in peak summer.
Braga is widely regarded as Portugal's oldest city, yet it makes you feel energetic despite its age, and it stands out as one of the best cities to travel in Portugal for those interested in history, architecture, and local culture. It is a university town with serious Baroque architecture, an unusually high number of churches per square block, and a younger population than one would expect for such an ancient place, making it one of the best cities in Portugal to experience both tradition and modern life.
The main draw is Bom Jesus do Monte, a hilltop sanctuary reached by a monumental baroque staircase that zigzags up through gardens and fountains. You can walk it or take a funicular, but walking it at least once is the point. At the top, you get a view that makes the climb feel like a fair trade, and it easily ranks among the best places to see in Portugal. Braga is also an important stop on the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago, and during Semana Santa (Holy Week), the city fills with religious processions, reinforcing its reputation as one of the best places to visit in Portugal for cultural and religious traditions.
For travellers planning their trip, spring and early autumn are often considered the best times of the year to visit Portugal, especially for cities like Braga, when temperatures are mild, and the cultural atmosphere is at its peak.
The Roman temple highlights one of the best places to see in Portugal for ancient architecture still standing today
Fátima is another famous location, but not as a vacation destination, and it is widely considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal for those interested in religious history and spiritual experiences. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of people every year. Its fame dates back to 1917, when three shepherd children reportedly saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the fields outside this small town. After the rumours, a vast sanctuary complex was built there, with a basilica and an enormous open square. Pilgrims walk on their knees across the esplanade, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for its unique and powerful atmosphere.
Even if you are not religious, Fátima has a quality that is hard to put into words. It's a place where faith is visible, and that alone sets it apart from almost anywhere else you will go in Portugal, and it remains one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for cultural and spiritual travel.
For those planning a visit, May and October are especially significant due to major religious events, and this period is often considered the best time of the year to visit Portugal if you want to experience Fátima at its most meaningful.
Although Évora is a small city in the Alentejo plains, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best cities to travel in Portugal for those interested in history and heritage. With origins stretching back to Roman times and Portugal's golden age between the 15th and 18th centuries, it is a typical open-air museum city, making it one of the best places to visit in Portugal for a deep cultural experience. However, this small town is also the agricultural heart of southern Portugal, and is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, offering some of the best places to see in Portugal for rural landscapes.
In the center of town, a Roman temple still stands. Not rebuilt, not a replica, but the actual columns, still holding up what is left of the structure, two thousand years later. A few streets away, the Capela dos Ossos (the Chapel of Bones) is lined floor to ceiling with the skulls and femurs of roughly five thousand people. An inscription above the entrance reads, roughly: "We bones that are here await yours." It is not a horror attraction. It is a Franciscan meditation on mortality, and it is more affecting than it sounds, making Évora one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for those seeking something truly unique.
For travellers, spring and autumn are generally considered the best times of the year to visit Portugal, especially in inland regions like Évora, where summer temperatures can become extremely high.
Whitewashed houses and colourful trim highlight one of the best places to visit in Portugal for picturesque villages
Belém is technically a neighbourhood of Lisbon, but it earns its own place on any list because it carries a specific weight that the rest of the city doesn't, and it is often included among the best places to visit in Portugal for its historical significance. This is where the Age of Discovery began. Vasco da Gama set sail from here in 1497 to find the sea route to India, and the buildings left behind from that era still stand along the waterfront, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for maritime history.
The Tower of Belém, originally built as a lighthouse and ceremonial gateway, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and probably the single most recognizable image of Lisbon, placing it among the best tourist destinations in Portugal. The Jerónimos Monastery, a few minutes' walk away, is a late Gothic structure with nautical motifs carved into its stone, reinforcing why this area is considered one of the best places to go in Portugal for architecture and history.
For visitors, spring and early autumn are often considered the best times of the year to visit Portugal, especially for exploring areas like Belém, where walking along the waterfront is a central part of the experience.
Óbidos is a medieval walled town, which is small enough to walk from one end to the other in about fifteen minutes, and it is often considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal for those looking to experience a preserved historic setting. The fascinating thing is that the walls are still intact. The cobblestone streets are narrow and winding. The houses are white with blue-and-yellow trim, and the whole thing looks like a film set, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for its visual charm and authenticity.
It was a wedding gift from a Portuguese king to his queen in 1282, and it has more or less looked this way ever since. The castle at the top of the hill has been converted into a pousada where you can sleep inside medieval walls and look out over the rooftops and the countryside beyond them, which is why Óbidos is also regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for a unique and immersive stay.
For visitors, spring and autumn are often considered the best times of the year to visit Portugal, especially for towns like Óbidos, where walking through the streets is a central part of the experience.
The Azores’ remote location makes them one of the best places to visit in Portugal for untouched natural landscapes
Nazaré is a fishing village on the Silver Coast where people have been catching sardines in the Atlantic for centuries, and it is often included among the best places to visit in Portugal for its mix of tradition and modern fame. Older women in the town still wear traditional seven-layered skirts, and the fish market remains central to daily life, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for authentic coastal culture.
However, it is also where surfers ride waves that exceed 80 feet. The Praia do Norte, just north of the town center, produces some of the largest waves ever recorded. Big-wave surfing has turned Nazaré into a global name in the extreme sports world, and during the winter season, the clifftop at the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo fills with spectators watching the giant waves, making it one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for adrenaline and unique natural phenomena.
For travellers, winter is often considered the best time of the year to visit Portugal if you want to witness the massive waves, while spring and summer offer a calmer atmosphere for exploring the town itself.
The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometres west of mainland Portugal, and they are widely considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal for nature and remote landscapes. They are green in a way that does not look European. It is more like something between Iceland and Hawaii, covered in hydrangeas, dairy pastures, and volcanic craters filled with turquoise water, making it one of the best places in Portugal to see dramatic scenery.
São Miguel is the largest and most visited island. The Sete Cidades crater lake, split into green and blue halves, is one of the most striking natural wonders in all of Portugal. The Caldeira Velha hot springs are located in the middle of a forest of ferns and moss, heated by geothermal activity. You can also visit Furnas, another geothermal area, which has a tradition of cooking stew underground. The pots are buried in the volcanic soil and left to slow-cook for hours, which is why the Azores are also considered one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for unique natural and cultural experiences.
For travellers, late spring through early autumn is often considered the best time of the year to visit Portugal when visiting the Azores, as the weather is more stable and ideal for exploring the islands.
The cable cars over Funchal reveal one of the best places to visit in Portugal for panoramic island perspectives
Madeira is a volcanic island around 1,000 kilometres southwest of Lisbon, sitting in the Atlantic closer to Morocco than to mainland Portugal, and it is widely regarded as one of the best places to visit in Portugal for nature and year-round travel. The climate is mild year-round, with enough moisture to keep everything lush and flowering at all times. It has been called the floating garden of the Atlantic, which, I believe, is not an exaggerated description, and it easily ranks among the best places to see in Portugal for its unique landscapes.
The island's most distinctive feature is its system of irrigation canals, built centuries ago to transport water from the mountains to the farmlands below. Even the miles of hiking trails that wind through laurel forests, along cliff edges, and through tunnels carved into the rocks are enough to draw tourists here, making it one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for outdoor activities. The Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the last surviving stands of laurel forest in the world, and walking through it feels like stepping into a much older version of the planet.
Thanks to its stable climate, Madeira can be visited at almost any time, and it is often considered the best place in Portugal to visit year-round for those who prefer mild temperatures and fewer seasonal extremes.
The Douro Valley is accepted as Portugal's oldest wine region, and it is widely considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal for wine lovers and scenic landscapes. On both banks of the Douro River, the terraced vineyards, hand-shaped over centuries and rising steeply from the water, offer a truly remarkable sight, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for its unique geography.
Port wine comes from here. The grapes are grown on these slopes, and the wine was historically shipped downriver to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto. You can visit the quintas (the wine estates) scattered along the valley, taste wines that never leave the region, and eat meals that are built around whatever is local and in season, which is why the region is also regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal for gastronomy and wine tourism.
For travellers, the early-autumn harvest season is often considered the best time of year to visit Portugal, especially in the Douro Valley, when the vineyards are at their most active and visually striking.
Pena Palace, in Sintra, stands out as one of the best places to see in Portugal for its colourful and unique architecture
The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast, and the most popular tourist destination, widely recognized as one of the best places to visit in Portugal for its beaches and coastal landscapes. However, its fame, derived from decades of resort development and package tourism, does not reflect the region's true nature. If you want to experience the true face of the Algarve, you need to venture away from the main streets, where you will find some of the best places to go in Portugal, away from the crowds.
Once you leave the tourist traps, you will notice that it has one of Europe's most visually dramatic coastlines. The cliffs are sandstone and limestone, carved by the Atlantic into arches, sea stacks, and grottoes, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal for natural scenery. Praia da Marinha is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world by people who have actually stood at the top of the staircase and looked down at the water.
Then there is Benagil Cave. You can only reach it by boat, kayak, or swimming from a nearby beach, and when you get inside, you find a small beach enclosed by rock walls with a collapsed ceiling that lets sunlight pour in from above, reinforcing why the Algarve is considered one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal.
Lagos, on the western end, has a historic center, good restaurants, and is close to some of the best coastal cliff formations. Further west, Sagres is a calmer and windier place, closer to Cape St. Vincent at the southwestern tip of the European continent. The surf is good, the crowds are thin, and the feeling of being at the edge of something is real.
For travellers, late spring through early autumn is often considered the best time of year to visit Portugal, especially to enjoy the beaches and coastal scenery of the Algarve.
Sintra is a small town in the forested hills, about 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, and is widely considered one of the best places to visit in Portugal. It makes you reconsider what you thought you knew about Portugal or Europe in general.
The Romans came here. The Moors built a castle on the hilltop. Portuguese royalty made it their summer retreat for centuries. Lord Byron visited and, in a personal letter, called it the most beautiful village in the world, reinforcing its reputation as one of the best tourist destinations in Portugal.
Pena Palace sits at the top of the hill, painted in reds and yellows, mixing Romanticist, Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish architecture into something that should not work but does, making it one of the best places to see in Portugal. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic from its terraces. But on a foggy day, the palace floats above the trees as if it were straight out of a fairy tale.
You can also visit Quinta da Regaleira, which is a remarkable estate steeped in history and mysticism. Built in the early 20th century, it was commissioned by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy entomologist and collector. It has underground tunnels, initiation wells that spiral deep into the earth, caves hidden behind waterfalls, and gardens so large you could truly get lost in them. It is a strange, theatrical, and deeply absorbing place. You walk in expecting a mansion and walk out two hours later, wondering what just happened, which is why Sintra is also one of the best places to go in Portugal for a unique and immersive experience.
Situated on an adjacent hilltop, the Moorish Citadel offers a more expansive view than any other location. Standing here, you can gaze over the hills, down towards the coast, and all the way to the national palace in the city center below. Sintra itself is small and walkable, with cafés, pastry shops, and a train station that gets you back to Lisbon before dinner.
Sintra is, by every measure, the most visited tourist destination in Portugal outside of the two major cities. It deserves this reputation because nowhere else in the country do history, architecture, landscapes, and atmosphere come together so well, securing its place among the best places in Portugal.
For visitors, spring and early autumn are often considered the best times of the year to visit Portugal, especially for exploring Sintra, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are more manageable.
From the Algarve to the Douro, the country offers some of the best places to see in Portugal for light, landscapes, and architecture
Portugal is a country that should definitely be on your list of European destinations. Even if you already love European cities and sites, Portugal will offer you an alternative experience that's hard to find anywhere else on the continent. The coastline, the vineyards, and the play of light over every tiled surface from the Algarve to the Douro will keep visitors amazed.
You can visit Portugal several times, and every time you will want to come back with renewed excitement. That much is guaranteed, but nothing else is guaranteed when it comes to its Golden Visa or NHR tax regime. It has been getting worse for expats, and the trend seems to continue.
Thus, if you are not just looking for a place for a holiday, there are other great places in the world, where you can also build your Plan-B. If you have not started to make your long-term strategic planning yet, you can download our free special report on Plan-B Residencies & Instant Citizenships.
Written by Mikkel Thorup
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