Interesting places in Portugal

LISBON

Lisbon is one of the most interesting places in Portugal. The capital city of Portugal is located on the northern bank of the Tag river, 17 kilometers form the Atlantic Ocean. The city has about 550,000 inhabitants, but municipal area “Grande Lisboa”, which includes many surrounding villages has about 2 million inhabitants. The city center, destroyed completely in 1755 during an earthquake, with a regular network of elegant streets of the Baixa district, was built mainly in the 18th century. Since the times of great geographical discoveries, when Lisbon played the main role in the world trade, it has been a very important harbor. Although the docks were removed, great buildings in Belém are still the proof of the marine past of the city.

FAROR

Next interesting place in Portugal is Faror. The capital city of the Algarve region, with Medieval fortresses and a large number of monuments, such as: the Roman-Gothic Nossa Senhora cathedral and the St. Francis Church from the 16th century. Worth-seeing museums include: Infante Dom Henrique, Ethnographic Museum, Ramalho Ortigao and Antoniano (next to Santo Antonio do Alto Chapel). In addition to that, beautiful churches in Sao Pedro da Misericordia and Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the Roman ruins Milreu, located in the suburbs, are also worth seeing.

MONCHIQUE

It is a very attractive city for tourists seeking Portuguese roots and tradition. Among beautiful houses on a hill, there are the Manuelin church, the Misericordia church (with a Baroque altar) and the Senhor do Pe da Cruz chapel (the 17th century). In the neighborhood, there are warm springs, Monchique and Foia, where at the height of 902 meters, there is a beautiful view over the local hills and the ocean.

PORTIMAO

A fishing town, where the main attraction is a beautiful cathedral from the 14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century, the Colegio church (the 17th century) and a town hall. In the suburbs, the Roman ruins of Abikadia are also worth seeing.

COIMBRA

There aren’t many cities that arouse so much respect and fondness among Portuguese people as Coimbra – it is a place of birth of the six kings and the seat of the oldest university in the country. Portuguese people treat it as a cradle of their nationality and tourists are impressed by its many fascinating historical monuments.

SEGRES

The school of navigation, which played a key role in Portuguese Discoveries, was founded here five centuries ago. Apart from the Nossa Senhora da Graca chapel, there is also an impressive fortress from the 14th century here. Nearby, on the very north-western tip of the European continent, there is the Cabo de Sao Vincente sanctuary which opens on to the vast horizon of sea and earth.

SILVES

The main attraction of the city are: its castle and walls of Arab origin, the Gothic cathedral, which was built on the site of the ancient mosque’s foundation and a bridge from the 12th century, which was built at the place of a former Roman bridge. The Cross of Portugal also deserves special mention (16th century religious sculpture), as well as the Nossa Senhora dos Martires chapel and the Misericordia church. The Archeology Museum was built next to a unique Arab water cistern.

TAVIRA

The city attracts tourists with its beautiful beaches, classic roofs and chimneys. This picturesque town offers a beautiful view over the Gilao river and its Roman bridges. Worth seeing churches: Santa Maria do Castelo (13th- 18th centuries), Misericordia (Renaisseance), Nossa Senhora das Ondas ( 17th century), Sao Jose ( with Gothic elements), Sao Paulo and Carmo (17th-18th centuries). In the suburbs, in the Luz village, there is a Renaissance church, which has been a pilgrimage destination for many centuries.

FATIMA

The Fatima sanctuary is a huge temple, which is a destination of pilgrimages such popular as Santiago de Compostela in Spain or Lourdes in France. On 12 and 13 May and October, thousands of tourists come to Fatima to celebrate the place where Our Lady appeared to the three shepherds.

MADEIRA

The Portuguese island called a green subtropical paradise. Due to its fixed daily temperature amounting to about 20°C, Madeira attracts guests all the year long. By the end of the 19th century, Madeira became a favorite destination of winter holidays for north-European elites. Currently, Madeira attracts the lovers of hiking, the fans of plants and sun seekers, although there are no sandy beaches in Madeira such as in the nearby Porto Santo island.
The sole bigger city on the island, is its capital called Funchal. The majority of museums and monuments, the best hotels, restaurants and shops are located here. The agricultural areas spread mainly along a sunny and well-developed southern coast. In the slightly colder and more humid northern part of Madeira, the number of housing estates decreases. Many mountainous sites of volcanic center of the island remain wild, some of them can be only reached on foot. The favorite place of hikes for tourists is the Pico Ruivo, the highest peak of Madeira.

AZORES

1,300 kilometers from the western coast of Portugal, there are nine volcanic islands comprising the archipelago of the Azores known for its impressive scenery, abundant flora and a peaceful style of living of its inhabitants. Once the area was wild and inaccessible, today it is a popular destination among hiking and sailing lovers. Due to its small number of beaches and big resorts, changeable and often humid climate, the Azores managed to avoid the mass tourism. The majority of tourists come here, to see green mountains and to relax in peaceful harbor villages with paved alleys and magnificent Baroque churches.