Matosinhos Beach
Matosinhos Beach sits to the North of Porto and is made up of a long strip of golden sand that is flanked by a promenade.
Locals flock here, especially in the summer months and you will find lifeguards on duty. This means that there’s a good choice for families with young children who can bathe here with peace of mind.
Beach activities include soccer and volleyball and you will also find lots of opportunities for water sports.
Watch out for the waves you can even go surfing here when it’s good.
Lisbon Oceanarium
Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the best places to come in the city if you are travelling with children.
The project is dedicated to educating the public on marine conservation.
You will find four separate ecosystems that are divided geographically to represent the Antarctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Just some of the species you will find here include sharks, rays, sea otters, and penguins.
Silves Castle
Located in Xelb, Silves Castle used to be the capital of the Moorish Algarve.
The castle would have stood here to protect the region from intruders although it was later captured by Crusaders.
The architecture here is notable as the building is made from red sandstone.
Don’t miss the Medieval festival that is held here every August.
Evora
Set in the province of Alentejo is Evora known for its Roman history after the Romans settled here in 57 BC.
As a result, you will find the ruins of a Roman temple here. It’s thought to have been built between the second and third centuries.
After the invasion of Evora by the Romans, it was recaptured by Christian armies, which explains the presence of the Se. A cathedral consecrated in 1204 and built in the Romanesque, baroque, and gothic styles.
Sao Jorge Castle
Sitting on a hill in Lisbon is the Castelo de Sao Jorge. The castle dominates the city skyline and looks over the Baixa district.
The castle has been renovated several times since the 12th century when first built under King Afonso Henriques.
Much of the castle is now open to the public and you can wander along the ancient ramparts as well as take in the ornate tower.
Standing on the ramparts you will get some of the best views of Lisbon that stretch all the way down to the water.
Furnas Lake
One of the top spots in Azores is Furnas Lake which is a crater lake known for its blue waters tinged with green. Roam around and find the mud volcanoes and hot springs.
If you like brooding volcanic landscapes, then this is not to be missed.
In addition, you can go hiking past the calderas or take to the waters and go canoeing. This allows you to get up close to the amazing multi-hued waters.
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Located in Lisbon, the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is one of one of the most important buildings in all of Portugal.
The church and the adjoining monastery are built in the Manueline style. Much of the interior is ornately decorated, particularly the section known as the South Portal.
There are also monuments here such as the tomb of Vasco de Gama and the famous Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes.
Museum Calouste Gulbenkian
One of the most famous museums in Lisbon is the Museum Calouste Gulbenkian.
The museum has 6,000 artefacts that used to belong to Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian. Gulbenkian was an Armenian national living in Portugal who donated his art collection to the museum before he died.
As a result, you can expect to find an incredible collection that will take you back 4,000 years. All kinds of pieces such as Oriental, Classical and European art are on display for your pleasure.
Some notable pieces include Roman medallions, paintings by Rembrandt and Turner and furniture that would have belonged to Louis XV and XVI.
Bom Jesus do Monte
Bom Jesus do Monte is said to be the grandest of all the religious buildings in Portugal and sits on a slope amidst lush woodlands.
It is six kms outside of Braga and is still a spot of pilgrimage for devotees across the country.
It is made up of a grand stairway and the church of Bom Jesus and you will find a range of smaller chapels here. Also, to be found are fountains and intricate carved scenes from the Bible.
Pilgrims here climb the long staircase made of granite and takes you past the 14 Stations of the Cross.
Palacio Nacional de Sintra
The National Palace of Sintra sits on its scenic central square. You will know it as soon as you see it thanks to the massive round chimneys that sprout from the top.
The palace dates from the 14th century and has the claim to fame of being the oldest palace that still stands in Portugal.
It spans several ornately decorated floors, each of which have a different theme. One of the signature features is the Sala dos Brasoes which is the main hall topped with a sparkly dome.
Also make sure you check out the 72 coats of arms on display here if you enjoy your heraldry.
Torre de Belem
Located in the Belem district in Lisbon is this iconic tower which was built in 1521.
The aim of the fortification was to guard against an invasion via the River Tagus. The building is considered a master class in how to build a successful fortress.
The tower is designed in the Manueline style and is covered with a picturesque facade.
Make sure not to miss the maritime touches carved into the stone such as ropes and an armillary sphere.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site which tells you everything you need to know about its beauty.
Ribeira District
If you visit Porto then make sure to come to the old quarter of the city which is also known as the Ribeira District.
The area looks out over the scenic River Douro and it is known for its dining and nightlife scene.
The main road of the Ribeira District is called Cais da Ribeira and you will find bars, restaurants, cafes, and pretty monuments like fountains.
If you want to party into the small hours, then this is the place to do it. If you happen to be here for the Festival of St. John on June 23 even better.
This is a large celebration that involves revellers hitting each other on the head using toy hammers made of plastic.
Algarve Beaches
Do you know that some of the world’s best and most beautiful beaches are to be found in the Algarve?
There are so many lovely interesting sandy beaches in the Algarve that you will find amongst them a good selection.
Along its 200-kilometre coastline, these beaches vary from the small sheltered coves to broad endless stretches of sea washed sand. The entire coast enjoys a Mediterranean-style microclimate temperatures that vary from 15º C in winter through to 30º C in summer.
Hardly surprising then that the region is a favourite for sun-seekers coming from the most diverse locations.
The Vatican City is actually its own state within Italy and is the smallest in the world.
You can’t come to Rome and not visit one of the most famous attractions in the world, the mighty Coliseum.
Just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum lies the fantastic ruins of Rome’s ancient Forum.
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as being designated as a national park.
The gorgeous Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic spots in Italy. If you want to experience as much of it as possible then consider taking a boat trip along the shore line.
If you are going to visit charming Sicily as part of your travels, your first stop needs to be the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
On a visit to Sicily you absolutely can’t miss the chance to climb at least part way up Stromboli, a still active volcano. If you are looking for an easy trek, you can walk 400 meters up the sides of Stromboli by yourself.
Verona is home to what is said to be the balcony of Juliet, the character made famous in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet.
Pompeii is famous for the events that took place here in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the town in ash.
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous mountains in the world. Trueof its famous eruption that covered the unsuspecting town of Pompeii in volcanic ash.
Lake Como in Lombardy spans an amazing 146 square kilometres and is the perfect place to get out on the water and explore Italy by boat.
The city of Siena is often overlooked in favour of Florence. Although this is unfair as there is a huge amount to see and do here. Parts of the city are as pretty as its neighbouring rival.
Venice has a range of peerless attractions although perhaps the most famous of these is Saint Mark’s Basilica.This is located on the famed Piazza San Marco or Saint Mark’s Square.
The Grand Canal in Venice is one of the most famous waterways in the world. There are a variety of ways that you can enjoy it.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa is a fluke of architecture. When the tower was constructed it immediately started to sink into the marshy ground beneath it.
One of the premium sights in Capri is the Blue Grotto, also known as the Grotta Azzurra.
