Things to do: my top 25 places and activities in Portugal

July 15, 2019

In Portugal, you won’t be bored for a second, as this beautiful country is full of treasures: landscapes, gastronomy, customs, exceptional places, monuments, etc. There’s always something to discover! There’s always something to discover! Today, I’m unveiling a few places and activities in Portugal that I think you should discover or experience at least once during your stay or life in Portugal.

This list of 25 places and activities in Portugal is not exhaustive, there are lots more, but today these are the ones I wanted to go over with you. Maybe this will give you some ideas of places and activities to do in Portugal. Happy reading 😉

1. Watch a soccer match in Portugal

Soccer is THE national sport in Portugal. The Portuguese support their favorite team in stadiums, restaurants and bars. What’s more, you’ll notice that almost all bars and restaurants are equipped with televisions, designed to broadcast soccer matches. When I first arrived in Portugal, it struck me! So, when you go to a soccer stadium in Portugal, every generation and gender is represented. Women, men, young people, children, the elderly, everyone goes to the stadium and “lives” soccer. So, even if you’re not an aficionado of the sport, going to see a match is, in my opinion, one of the activities in Portugal to experience.

2. See life in all its colors at the incredible Palacio de Pena in Sintra (one of Portugal’s 7 wonders)

“Wow” is the first word that comes to mind when describing the Palacio de Pena. A magnificent, enchanting park and a palace of many shapes and colors that looks like something out of a Disney cartoon. You can choose between two entrance tickets, one giving you access to the park and palace, the other just to the park. Personally, I think the park is enough, because it’s the park and the outside of the palace that are surprising. The inside of the palace is a little more “classical classic”, even if there are a few places with marked Moorish traces that are worth discovering. Apart from the Palacio de Pena, the town of Sintra is full of treasures, including its historic center and the Quinta da Regaleira.

Palacio de Pena in Sintra.

3. Burrow into the Mira de Aire caves (one of Portugal’s 7 wonders)

This is one of the activities I enjoyed most in Portugal, even though I wasn’t initially very enthusiastic about discovering these caves. Located just outside Fatima, which we’ll talk about in a moment, the Mira de Aire caves were discovered in 1947. Their total known length is 10,000 metres. The entrance is at an altitude of 300 metres, and they were formed 150 million years ago, when dinosaurs populated the region. Footprints on the floor are still visible. The magnificent stalagmites and stalactites enhance this unforgettable experience, making this one of Portugal’s must-do activities!

Mira de Aire caves.

4. Diving in the Gerês waterfalls (one of Portugal’s 7 wonders)

The Peneda-Gerês National Park, opened in 1971, is located in northern Portugal, about 100 km from Porto. For me, it’s a must-do in Portugal, especially if you love nature. You’ll be able to stroll along beautiful paths and swim in the park’s many idyllic waterfalls. One of Portugal’s must-do activities, whether you’re young or old!

Tahiti waterfall in Gerês Park.

5. Feeling like Mary Poppins under the multicolored umbrellas of Agueda

The pretty town of Agueda, between Porto and Coimbra, has set up the UmbrellaSky project. The principle is simple: for an ephemeral period(often summer), the city is adorned with umbrellas suspended from cables above the streets. The umbrellas appear to float in the air. This concept of hanging umbrellas was first launched in 2011, in the Portuguese city of Agueda. Since then, the concept has been launched in numerous cities around the world, including a few in France: Lens, Toulouse, Béziers, Aurillac… A lovely place to discover!

The umbrellas of Agueda.

6.Visit the pretty medieval village of Óbidos

Óbidos is a beautiful little village in central Portugal, not far from Caldas da Rainha. The village is surrounded by imposing fortifications and, in my opinion, its greatest charm lies in its houses. Whitewashed houses adorned with beautiful flowers and others with yellow or blue painted edges. The castle at the heart of the town is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. There are many reasons why this is one of my must-sees in Portugal.

Óbidos and its beautiful houses.

7. Enter the Joanina Library and discover the curious way in which books are preserved

This library is located in the famous University of Coimbra. Baroque in style, it was voted the most beautiful university library in the world in 2012, and you’ll soon understand why if you go there. To protect the library’s 200,000 books, an amazing device has been put in place. The Joanina Library is populated by bats, whose mission is to chase away any insects that might enter the library and damage the books. Every evening, the reading tables are covered to protect them from bat droppings, and every morning the floor is washed after the bats have gone out for the night.

The Joanina Library in Coimbra.

8. **Discover the Douro Valley (a Unesco World Heritage site) on board a steam train**

You’ve probably already heard of the Douro Valley. Well, what better way to discover this incredible valley than on boarda steam train! It takes you to the heart of the Douro Valley’s vineyards, along the banks of the river, amid breathtaking scenery! The trip takes you from Peso da Régua to Tua and back. Regional musicians entertain you on the way, and you’re served a light snack with a glass of port. Please note that this trip is only available between June and October. The price is €42.50 for adults and €19 for children aged 4 to 12. An original experience!

Steam train along the Douro.

9. A stroll near the Costa Nova palheiros

Just a few minutes fromAveiro city center, you’ll arrive in Costa Nova, where you’ll discover some pretty, brightly-colored striped houses: the palheiros. Years ago, ideally located on the beach facing the sea, they were used by fishermen to store their fishing gear. Nowadays, most of them have been converted into homes, providing the backdrop for many of our photos.

A stroll past Costa Nova’s palheiros.

10. Grilled sardines at Lisbon’s Santo Antonio festivities

If you live in or visit Portugal regularly, you can’t miss out on the Portuguese festivals. They are held all year round, and are deeply rooted in Portuguese culture. To find out more about the main Portuguese festivals, please read my article dedicated to them. One of the biggest is Santo António, and you can’t talk about this festival without mentioning sardines. In fact, this festival is often renamed “la fête de la sardine” by the French . Why is this? Quite simply because one of the characteristics of this festival is the presence of barbecues set up in all the streets of Lisbon on which sardines are grilled. The sardines are served with bread, a glass of vinho verde and a caldo verde soup. This is one of Portugal’s must-do activities, because sardines and popular festivals are in the DNA of Portuguese life!

Grilled sardines for the Santo Antonio festivities in Lisbon.

11. Think you’re in Venice for a moment on a moliceiro tour in Aveiro

Moliceiros are boats that were once used by seaweed fishermen (” moliço” is a type of seaweed). These original boats have become the symbol ofAveiro and a must-see tourist attraction. Moliceiros are very long boats(around 15 meters), often very colorful. At the bow of the boat, there’s always a painting depicting either a saint or a Portuguese celebrity, or sometimes a humorous or comical scene(like the photo below). It’s always a pleasure to take a tour when you’re in Aveiro.

Funny scene painted on the front of a moliceiro in Aveiro.

12. Staring at the Vista do Rei viewpoint in the Azores

One of the most famous sites in the Azores is undoubtedly the Sete Cidades protected reserve, one of Portugal’s 7 natural wonders. The road between Sete Cidades and Pico do Carvào is lush with vegetation, and it’s on this road that you’ll reach one of the Azores’ most famous viewpoints: the Vista do Rei lookout. It overlooks the volcanic lakes of the sete cidades. Miradouro Vista do Rei means the “King’s View” lookout, and it is indeed a King’s view that this spot on the Azores offers. The “wahouuu” effect is guaranteed!

The Vista do Rei viewpoint in the Azores.

13. Skiing in Portugal

I’d never have thought that skiing would be one of Portugal’s activities, but it is possible in the Serra da Estrela! The “easy” slopes give you the chance to rediscover the thrill of skiing, to the delight of young and old alike. And to recharge your batteries after a few runs, try the famous queijo da serra(one of Portugal’s 7 gastronomic wonders). Cheese lovers will be delighted! Finally, still in the heart of the Serra da Estrela, you won’t be able to resist the little faces of the local dogs: the Serra da Estrela dogs!

A short break on the ski slopes of the Serra da Estrela.

14. From postcard to reality, discover the Grotte de Benagil in the Algarve

A beach hidden in a sea cave is a geological curiosity not to be missed during your stay in Portugal! Little known just a few years ago, this tiny beach is now a victim of its own success. It’s a crowded place, but in my opinion, it remains one of Portugal’s must-do activities. Benagil is one of the most beautiful sea caves in the world. Although the cave doesn’t seem very far from Benagil’s main beach, currents can be strong, so it’s best to take a boat or hire a paddle to reach the cave. Boats can be taken directly from Benagil beach, but in summer you may have to wait. To get around this, starting from another beach, such as Armação de Pêra or Carvoeiro, which also go to the cave, may be the solution.

The Benagil cave in the Algarve.

15. Take part in Coimbra’s “queima das fitas

To be honest with you, I hesitated to put this Portuguese tradition on the list, but I finally did, because university life in Portugal is a very important thing. In fact, you’ll notice it quite quickly when you live in Portugal, as you regularly come across students dressed in their black robes. The Queima das fitas(burning of the ribbons) is a tradition dedicated to the end of Portuguese university life, and takes place in May at the end of the academic year. On entering university, Portuguese students receive a ribbon(fita in Portuguese), the color of which corresponds to the discipline they are studying(yellow for medicine, red for law, light blue for science. ..). To symbolize the end of their student life, students burn this ribbon in a cauldron in front of Coimbra Cathedral. A great opportunity to get to know this student city and discover yet another Portuguese tradition.

16. Take part in the longest night of the year, for São João in Porto

Apart from Santo Antonio, which I mentioned earlier, São João is another of Portugal’s “big” popular festivals. This festival brings together people from all over Portugal, but the city in which it is most celebrated is Porto. São João is the city’s patron saint. One of the main traditions of these festivities is that of head-butting. Back in the day, this tradition involved participants tapping the heads of girls they liked with garlic flowers or leeks, symbolizing the start of a flirtation. Today, this tradition lives on, but the garlic flowers and leeks have been replaced by soft plastic hammers, and everyone taps and gets tapped on the head during this São João evening. A convivial moment to be experienced in Portugal.

The hammers during the São João festivities

17. Visit Fatima, a place of pilgrimage.

The small town of Fátima is located in central Portugal. It became famous on May 13, 1917, when the Virgin Mary appeared to three young shepherds in Fatima. Since then, the Fatima sanctuary has become one of the world’s most important pilgrimage sites. Some pilgrims kneel for the last 200 meters to the Chapel of the Apparitions, following a trail of prayers and vows. Even if you’re a non-believer, you won’t remain indifferent to this place.

Kneeling pilgrimage to Fatima.

18. Smell the flowers on the incredible island of Madeira

900 kilometers from Portugal, the beautiful island of Madeira is a must-see. This Portuguese island, voted the world’s best island destination in 2016, is nicknamed “the island of flowers “. Indeed, this island with its tropical climate boasts lush flora, a veritable open-air garden! You’ll see a whole host of different flowers.

The botanical garden in Funchal.

As well as discovering exceptional flora, you can also enjoy the natural pools of Porto Moniz and, for the more sporty, take a hike to Pico do Arieiro (1810 meters), where a lovely panorama awaits you. Or, for the more adventurous, head to Cabo Girão and tread the glass plate over the ocean. Finally, every year from April onwards, the “festas das flores”(flower festivals) are organized. It’s a magical time when flowers are the center of attention.

The glass plate in Cabo Girão.

19. Eating a Belém pastel

I didn’t want to talk too much about food in this article, because you know me, I tend to talk about it a lot in my articles, but I couldn’t talk about places and activities in Portugal without mentioning the pastel de nata and the unmissable Belém store. The pastel de nata is THE Portuguese pastry par excellence, and one of Portugal’s 7 gastronomic wonders. The nec plus ultra of pasteis de nata is the pastel de Belém. As its name suggests, this pastry is made in Belém, a district of Lisbon. Its history goes back a long way, to the early ^19thcentury, when nuns and monks created this pastry in a cane sugar refinery next to the Jerónimos monastery in Belém. Master confectioners passed on the recipe, which is still a secret today. So, if there’s one thing you must do at least once in Portugal, it’s try this little sweet!

20. Learn to surf

One of Portugal’s most popular activities is surfing. And understandably so! How can you not surf in the country that holds the world record for the biggest wave surfed? Put yourself in Garrett McNamara ‘s or Rodrigo Koxa’ s shoes for a few moments and start surfing. Rest assured, you don’t need to be a pro to surf in Portugal – there are spots for all levels and it’s a pretty cool experience.

Surfing with friends.

21. Climbing the steps of the Lamego sanctuary

I could have told you about the famous Bom Jesus sanctuary in Braga, but I chose to introduce you to another sanctuary: that of Lamego, which is also well worth a visit! To reach the temple at the top of the stairs, you’ll need a good cardio, as 686 steps await you. A monumental, symmetrical staircase decorated with azulejos. At the top, you’ll be treated to a magnificent view of the city and the upper Douro valley.

Sanctuary of Lamego.

A must to discover and combine with a stroll through the vineyards of the Upper Douro! In fact, I recommend a visit to Quinta da Pacheca, not far from Lamego. For a glass of Douro wine in the midst of magnificent vineyards, or for the unusual experience of sleeping in a wine barrel, this exceptional place is well worth a visit!

Spend the night in a wine barrel at Quinta da Pacheca.

22. Sailing on the Rio Tejo in Lisbon

See the city of Lisbon in a different light – that’s what a boat trip on the Tagus River is all about. And even better with a sunset over the April 25 bridge in the background. In my opinion, this is one of the best things to do in Portugal with friends on a balmy summer’s evening. For more details on duration, prices and agencies, check out my article on the 13 must-do things to do in Lisbon, where you’ll find more information.

Sailboat tour on the Tagus at sunset.

23. Go back to prehistoric times and admire the rock engravings in the Côa Valley

The Côa Valley is a pretty valley in northern Portugal, some 100 km east of Vila Real. Aside from its beauty, this valley amidst olive groves, almond trees and vineyards is famous for its many Paleolithic sites, where large slabs of schist were engraved tens of thousands of years ago. Rare engravings that make this an exceptional place!

The magnificent Côa Valley.

24. Drink a glass of port

To go to Portugal without drinking a glass of this world-famous nectar would be an understatement! The nec plus ultra is to drink a glass of Porto in a Porto cellar. Most of these wineries are located in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the shore opposite Porto. You’ll be spoilt for choice: Taylors,Sanderman, Graham’s and many more. All brands can be found here, and most of them open their doors for visits and tastings.

A glass of Port in Portugal: it almost reaches the top of the glass!

25. Listen to Fado

Fado is part of Portugal’s DNA. If you live in Portugal or visit regularly, you can’t afford to miss listening to a Fado singer at least once, and what better place to do so than in the very birthplace of Fado: Lisbon’s Alfama. Find out more about some of my favorite places to listen to Fado in this article.

A fadista and her musicians.

In conclusion

I haven’t lied to you! Portugal abounds in treasures and riches on many levels. And yet, this list is only a tiny fraction of what Portugal has to offer. I’ll never stop saying it, but whether you’re visiting or living in Portugal, be curious! It’s this curiosity that will enable you to discover Portugal and learn more and more about this beautiful country.

What about you? What places and activities in Portugal do you recommend?

If you liked this article, please click on the “Like” button below. And don’t forget to follow us on our social networks: our Facebook group “Amoureux du Portugal”, our Facebook page “Vivre au Portugal” and our Instagram “Vivre au Portugal”.

Receive our latest blog posts and our selection of properties for sale every month

* mandatory fieldFirst name * *Last name Telephone E-mail address * *Current city of residence Focus: *