Choose from 168 Fun Things to Do in Portugal
Falesia Beach
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Fátima
- Fátima is a must-visit for Catholics and history buffs.
- Day tours from Porto and Lisbon last upwards of eight hours and include hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Conservative dress is recommended, as many of Fátima’s attractions are sacred spots for devotees that sometimes ask visitors to cover their shoulders or legs.
- Mass at the basilica is held several times a day.
Praia da Rocha
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Faro
Faro is home to about 55,000 people, but despite its relatively small size, it is the administrative center of the Algarve region. Prior to its modern incarnation, Faro was occupied by the Romans and then later the Moors, serving as a trading hub for both; ruins of both invading civilizations can be found throughout the city. As it grew in importance over neighboring towns such as Silves, Faro eventually became the regional seat.
Like Porto, Faro has an old town. Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th century Cathedral that faces the 18th century Episcopal palace. Much of the city is now composed of apartments and there are attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre. Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods.
Of course, Faro is also a favorite place for seaside leisure, though it is not often very crowded. The beach is about 7 km (4 mi) from the city and is a long sandy near the International Airport. The city holds various cultural events here such as concerts and festivals.
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Faro has a number of interesting museums, such as the 16th century convent now serving as the city’s archaeological museum. Of particular interest is the section devoted to the Moorish occupation. The church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is known as the “Golden Church” because of its renowned gold-leaf woodwork. It is also famous for its somewhat grim adornments – its chapel is lined with the bones of over 1,200 monks. Other museums include the Praça de Dom Francisco Gomes, a maritime museum featuring scale models of boats and galleons, and the Faro Jewish Heritage Center.
Labirinto Lisboa
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Orient Museum (Museu do Oriente)
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Quinta Do Gradil
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Queluz Palace
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Estrela Garden (Jardim Da Estrela)
- The garden is a must-visit for nature lovers, spontaneous travelers, and anyone looking for a serene respite from the city.
- Estrela Garden is popular among families with small children due to the animal-themed playground and duck-filled ponds.
- The pond-side café is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee, glass of wine, or quick snack.
- Most of the park is paved with gravel or soapstone and relatively flat, making it fairly accessible for wheelchairs.
Principe Real Garden (Jardim do Principe Real)
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Praia dos Salgados
- Praia dos Salgados is must for nature lovers and families.
- Be sure to take plenty of sunscreen and a hat—shade is limited.
- You can rent surfboards, bodyboards, and other water sports gear at the beach.
Monserrate Palace (Palacio de Monserrate)
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Quarteira
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Fado Museum
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Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa)
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Ferragudo
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Palacio Foz
- Palacio Foz is a must-visit for design and architecture enthusiasts.
- Guests can make an appointment through the palace’s website for a private tour to explore its interiors.
- The Hall of Mirrors and the basement, which was once a restaurant, are not to be missed.
Monchique
When you arrive in Monchique, you may get the idea that you’ve fallen into the picture on a postcard, as this rustic little town of 10,000 people has remained relatively unchanged despite the ever-growing influx of tourists looking for fun in the sun. Monchique’s chief businesses revolve around agricultural products such as grains, oranges, olive oil and a liqueur called medronho, distilled from the berries of the strawberry tree.
The town itself is settled between to large hills, Foia and Picota. And fitting with the postcard-perfect, European-seaside surroundings, Monchique is essentially a maze of rolling cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and colorful shops where local artisans peddle their wares. Overlooking the town is a 17th century Franciscan monastery, and from this vantage point, visitors can get panoramic views of the entire countryside and the Atlantic coast (possibly for their own postcard pictures).
Monchique is also near some hot springs; one is found in the village of Caldas de Monchique and two more bubble south of Picota Hill. These are known as Fonte Santa and are believed to have mystical healing properties. The Romans used these springs as spas, as did royalty from Southern Europe.
Monchique is typical of the communities in this area. The neighboring villages of Alferce and Casais reflect traditional Portuguese mountain life, and Marmelete is a small fishing village. Though this last is a gateway to the sandy beaches of the western Atlantic coast, it is largely unaffected (you might say nonplussed) by tourist incursions.
Evora
For a full-on educational experience on the history of this tremendous city, be sure to spend some time in the Historic Center of Evora, where you can discover ancient megaliths dating back to as far as 4000 BC, while puzzling together Evora’s diverse and immense background.
After visiting the Historic Center, take a second look around the city’s landmarks and architecture. You won’t be surprised to see that for such a small place, there is a wide array of buildings and designs from the renaissance, baroque, gothic, roman, and other eras.
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Monastery of St Jerome (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos)
Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India inspired the glorious Monastery of St. Jerome or Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a UNESCO World Heritage site with an architectural exuberance that trumpets 'navigational triumph.' Work began around 1501, following a Gothic design by architect Diogo de Boitaca, considered a Manueline originator. After his death in 1517, building resumed with a Renaissance flavor under Spaniard João de Castilho and, later, with classical overtones under Diogo de Torralva and Jérome de Rouen (Jerónimo de Ruão). The monastery was completed in 1541, a riverside masterpiece - the waters have since receded.
The monastery was populated with monks of the Order of St. Jerome, whose spiritual job for about four centuries was to give comfort and guidance to sailors - and to pray for the king's soul. When the order was dissolved in 1833 the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until about 1940. The simple tomb of renowned poet and writer Fernando Pessoa is here.
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Take tram 15 towards Alges, and get off at the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos stop.