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Monumental Cities and Towns

The wonderful variety of countryside in Portugal is matched by the many charming towns and monumental cities throughout the land. From UNESCO heritage sites to border towns, dramatic hilltop settlements and sophisticated cities - all with their own unique Portuguese character and charm.

Angra do Heroismo (Azores)
With its palaces and forts dating back to the 16th century, the city of Angra do Heroismo has been classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO – a testament to its beauty and history.

Belmonte (Beiras)
Belmonte is the birthplace of the great Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral, discoverer Brazil. The town is dominated by its 13th century castle which bears witness to its strategic position in the fight against Spain over the centuries.

Castelo de Vide (Alentejo)
The white walled town of Castelo de Vide is perched on a hilltop around the fourteenth century castle and contrasts splendidly with the surrounding vegetation. The result is a wonderful view and a charming town boasting the oldest synagogue in Portugal (13th century).

Coimbra (Beiras)
Strategically positioned in the centre of Portugal, Coimbra is an ancient University town set in a steep limestone hill with many architectural gems, including its two cathedrals and numerous churches and manor houses. It was Portugal’s capital for over a century (1143-1255) and has remained a significant cultural centre ever since.

Evora (Alentejo)
Evora, as befits a UNESCO world heritage city, is blessed with a large number of striking monuments and buildings, many of which date back to the period of Roman and Moorish occupations. It is considered by many to be Portugal’s most beautiful city.

Guimarães (Minho)
Known as the “birthplace of the Nation”, Guimarães was first the capital of Portugal and remains a lasting symbol of Portuguese nationhood. It possesses an impressive array of medieval buildings testifying to this glorious past. It is, without doubt, one of the loveliest and most distinguished cities in Portugal.

Lousã (Beiras)
Situated at the foot of Lousã mountain, the origins of this town have been lost in the mist of time. Indeed the past never seems to be far away: Arouce castle dates back to the XII century and the streets are flanked by medieval houses. The historic Foz de Arouce bridge is a testament to the Napoleonic Wars.

Marvão (Alentejo)
Close to the Spanish frontier, the small walled town of Marvão is a delight to behold. Set on top of a hill it commands awe inspiring 360-degree views that are sure to impress the visitor. Almost all the houses are located within its ramparts.

Mértola (Alentejo)
Beautifully situated high above the banks of the Guadiana River. Mértola is a slow placed, quiet town. To discover Mértola is to meet up with history, tradition and nature.

Monsanto (Beiras)
Monsanto, meaning the “sacred mount” is a dramatic fortified hilltop settlement. Built on a granite mount 800 metres high, the beautiful vista spreads out in all directions. The homes were constructed with the stone of the mount itself so it is difficult to distinguish between the two at a distance.

Monsaraz (Alentejo)
Perched high above the plains, and surrounded by a walled castle, it is easy to see why Monsaraz is known locally as the “Eagle’s nest”. It has commanding views of the Alentejo countryside brimming with cork and olive trees. But Monsaraz itself, with its history and narrow streets, fits in perfectly with this panorama.

Obidos (Lisbon Coast)
Known as the “Wedding City”, Obidos was a traditional present of the Kings of Portugal to their Queens. It is a beautiful picture-postcard town, with balconies covered in colourful flowers, whitewashed houses and narrow cobblestone streets -- all surrounded by Moorish walls and dominated by an old castle.

Sintra (Lisbon Coast)
“To see the world and leave out Sintra is to go blind about” so says an old proverb. Indeed, “Glorious Eden” as the English poet Byron called it is an assault on the senses: lush verdant vegetation coupled with fairytale palaces, castles and manor houses. Not to be missed.

Vila Viçosa (Alentejo)
This beautiful and tranquil corner of The High Alentejo is dominated by the enormous Dukes of Bragança Palace. The old town which dates back to the 13th century is still enclosed within the walls of the castle.

Tomar (Lisbon Coast)
A lovely town situated on the Nabão river, with whitewashed houses and terraces. Tomar’s ex libris, however, is the wonderful Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Headquarters of the Knights Templar. It is a testament to Portugal former power and an architectural masterpiece.

History and Geography

With such a long sea coast, it is not surprising that Portugal has witnessed so many sailings and arrivals. This is why we have been open to the world and to communication for so long. We have assimilated peoples of different origins: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans (who left us our language), northern Europeans and peoples from Mauritania. In spite of all these mixtures, Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe. In the 12th century, the country gained its independence from the other kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula thanks to Count Afonso Henriques, who was our first king at his own wish. A century later, with the conquest of the Algarve, Portugal was todefinitively establish its continental border. In the late 13th century, King Dinis founded our university, one of the oldest in Europe, and took it to the beautiful city of Coimbra. In the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail to Africa, the distant Orient and the heart of South America, from where we brought a wealth of treasures. Even before advancing along the coast of Africa, we discovered the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, which are part of our territory in the Atlantic. After a dynastic crisis and a period under the rule of the Spanish crown, in 1640 a Portuguese king took the throne once more, because, although we are discrete, we have a strong sense of independence. In the 18th century, King João V, an absolutist monarch and a patron of the arts, built a huge palace and convent in Mafra and the great aqueduct that supplied Lisbon’s water. In the 19th century, the monarchy was weakened by clashes between different factions and, in 1910, it was overthrown and Portugal became a republic. We have been members of the EU since 1986, though we still value our own virtues. From this brief history, you will see that our art is a little different from that you already know. Note some of the peculiarities, especially the "Manueline" style, which exalted the age of the discoveries, the way we have learned to work with tiles and our fado, the song of nostalgia.

Cuisine

The staple diet is one of fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. Although Portugal's waters abound with fresh fish, the dried, salted codfish known as 'bacalhau', often imported, is considered the national dish. In some countries, at Christmas time, people eat turkey, in Portugal people eat boiled 'bacalhau', with olive oil, potatoes, grain and cabbages. In many areas, meat is seldom eaten, although the Alentejo region is known for its pork and Trás-os Montes for cured meats. Breads and sweets - the latter a legacy of Moorish occupation - take a variety of forms, with many regional specialities. Wine is the ubiquitous table beverage.

Festivals

Itineraries that feature this region

Accommodation

Please click on the symbol to see the Spanish Hotels in this area and obtain information about each.

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