PORTUGAL

  • Capital City: Lisbon
  • Form of Government: Republic
  • Area: 92,212 km2
  • Religion: Christianity 84,3%
  • Telephone number: + 353
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Time Zone: UTC
  • Population: 10,256,178 (2021)
  • Currency: Euro (Eur)
Lisbon, Portugal old town cityscape at dusk.

Lisbon (Capital)

 

Insanely beautiful capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is the maritime center at the mouth of the Tagus river, and it is the westernmost capital of a mainland European country. It has appr. 540,000 residents, the whole metropolitan area having a population around 2,8 million.

Shark swimming in a giant aquarium

Oceanário de Lisboa

Address: Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal

 

Opened in 1998, the Oceanário was the centerpiece of the XXth Century’s last World Fair, themed “The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future”, and eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans.MissionThe Oceanário’s mission is to promote knowledge of the oceans and bring up the public about the duty of protecting natural heritage, through changing their daily habits.While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.

Cloister of Hieronymites Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon, Portugal.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (UNESCO 1983)

Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal

 

This monastery was built between 1495 and 1601 and is a gorgeous example of Manueline Gothic architecture. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Notable sights are the Church of Santa Maria, with Renaissance-like axial portal and Neo Manueline tomb of famous Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama, Plateresco-style decorations of the inner courtyard of the monastery and Azulejo ceramic tiles in the refectory.

Sintra, Portugal at the Initiation Well.

Quinta da Regaleira

Address: R. Barbosa du Bocage 5, 2710-567 Sintra, Portugal

 

Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and built at the turn of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex consists of a Palace, a Chapel, and gardens with grottos.

Trekking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, Madeira island, Portugal

Pico do Arieiro

 

That 1,818 meter high peak is third highest of Madeira island and gives a beautiful vantage over the island and even the neighbouring island Porto Santo is visible when the weather is clear. It can be reached by car and its facilities include a parking lot, a restaurant and a souvenir shop. The peak is connected to another, Pico Ruivo, with a well-made footpath.

Coastal cliffs (Ponta da Piedade), Lagos, Portugal

Ponta da Piedade

Address: Lagos, Portugal

 

Ponta da Piedade is a headland with a group of rock formations along the coastline of the town of Lagos, in the Portuguese region of the Algarve. Consisting of yellow-golden cliff-like rocks up to 20 meters high, they are one of the most famous tourist attractions of Portugal.

Scenic landscape and beach on Algarve coast, Portugal

Albufeira

 

This coastal town in green Algarve is a famous tourist destination known for its maritime environment and good-quality golf courses nearby. It has approx. 13,700 residents and offers many kinds of activities including scuba diving, golfing and guided fishing trips.

Notable sights are Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro street full of open-air discothèques, cafés and bars, Praia dos Pescadores beach and the Almóada Castle.

View over the central Baixa district and the pedestrian street Rua Augusta in Lisbon, Portugal.

Baixia

 

This district consists of a lot of central Lisbon and it is the most elegant part of a city. It is a very easy sight for a calm walker.  Notable attractions are the Avenida da Liberdade,  110 meter long promenade with tailoring shops and cafés, and the Casa do Alentejo with its Moorish-style courtyard.

Templo Romano or Templo de Diana next to Pousada Convento dos Loios in Evora, Alentejo, Portugal

Evora (UNESCO 1986)

 

This historic town in picturesque Alentejo is splendid for a day-trip or longer stay. Notable must-sees are the Renaissance fountain of Portas de Moura, the Royal Palace and the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval.

Natural rocks at Praia da Rocha in the Algarve Portugal

Praia da Rocha

 

This idyllic beach area consists of the southern part of the town of Portimão and it is suitable for powerboating and scuba diving. It is famous for the annual beach soccer tournament BSWW Mundialito.

More information about Portugal

the sundial in the fortaleza de Sagres at the Ponta de Sagres at the Cabo de Sao Vicente near the town of Sagres at the Algarve of Portugal in Europe.

Fortaleza de Sagres

Address: 8650-360 Sagres, Portugal

 

This fortress is an idyllic vantage point giving view over the cliffs and the coast to Cabo de São Vicente. It is not classically constructed, but rather like a wall that divides the mainland from the headland. Notable attractions are the Rosa dos ventos,  stone compass from the 16th century and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça chapel. There is also a small auditorium for showing a film about the Sagres’ role in maritime navigation history. Notable sight for a maritime aficionado.

Porto, Potugal - June 11, 2015: Tourists visit restaurants at famous place Ribeira Square at day time

Ribeira Square (UNESCO 1996)

 

This idyllic area includes the historic centre of Porto, which is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. It spreads along the Douro river and it is a famous shopping district, serving bread, meat and fish among other things. Notable sight in the district is e.g. the Casa do Infante, where Prince Henry the Navigator was born in 1394.

Parque de Serralves

Museu Serralves

Address: R. Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal

 

Opened in 1999 in Serralves cultural institution, this museum houses the exhibitions of contemporary art by various Portuguese and foreign artists. From the beginning, the collection and the various exhibitions have focused on the period following 1968. There are no permanent exhibitions, but the museum hosts five exhibits from invited artists every year. The exhibitions – normally three parallel exhibitions – are organized on a quarterly basis divided between 14 galleries. Definitely a must-see for the friend of art.