Feature photo by ►JOTA ENE◄. Photo above by Rhys Stacker.
While Lisbon and the Algarve coast are getting more and more popular, the rest of Portugal is wide open for novel travel experiences.
Before the World Expo 2000, Euro 2004, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal was one of Europe’s secrets. People looked at it as “that other country” in the Iberian peninsula, a mere appendage of Spain. And besides, most people had studied Spanish as opposed to Portuguese, its superior, arguably sexier, counterpart.
After these events, however, the rest of the world began to take notice of the Portugal. Lisbon was described as trendy, and the Algarve coast was heralded as the new European beach spot. A tourist avalanche ensued.
While Lisbon is a spectacular, cosmopolitan city, and the Algarve coast has world class waves and seafood, the rest of Portugal is relatively unvisited. Read on to find out about five fascinating alternatives in the land of Magellan, Camões, and José Saramago that are definitely worth your while.
Porto
Photo by vhf.
The Cidade Invicta is Portugal’s second largest city, and its cultural heart. Downtown Porto had been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and features a different architectural ambiance than Lisbon.
The Romans named the city Portus Calle, from which the name Portugal was derived. Porto residents are incredibly proud of their hilly, industrial city.
The ultimate way to experience Porto is to drink port wine, which is native to that region (now you know where Port wine gets its name). The locals wax lyrical about vinho do Porto, and with just cause.
The city also offers stunning scenery, amazing local cuisine, a thriving art scene, a thumping nightlife, and the Douro River, which is an attraction by itself. If you are a fan of the beautiful game, do take in a match of futebol at the city’s Estádio do Dragão, where FC Porto teaches other teams how to play the sport.
Peniche and Óbidos
Peniche and Óbidos are two small towns located within 30 minutes of each other, about an hour north of Lisbon, but worlds away. Already popular with French and German tourists, Peniche is one of the westernmost points in continental Europe.
It’s a town of fine, sandy beaches, impressive waves, an abundance of water sports, rocky cliffs, whitewashed buildings dotting its coast, and some of the most delectable seafood in the country. It is also a great place for whale watching.
Óbidos is a different animal entirely. A medieval village of winding, cobblestone streets, it is Old Europe at its finest. Most of the village is located inside the city walls, and a large castle offers protection from possible invaders.
The best part? You can actually sleep in the Castle, as it is part of the Pousadas de Portugal hotel network. (If you have a couple hundred Euros to spare, that is.)
Sintra
Photo by Ivy Dawned.
Ok, so technically Sintra is within the Lisbon District, but it is a town and municipality of its own. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra’s allure is its architecture, a testament to the Romantic influence in the region.
The city houses several historical palaces including the Palacio da Pena and a Royal Palace used by Portugal’s nobility until the 1910 revolution. Other attractions include the old Moorish Castle, hailing from the time that the Iberian Peninsula was a stronghold of North African Arab and Berber kingdoms. The city is great for walking and contemplating the 19th century architecture.
Évora
To truly understand Portugal’s history and its people, a visit to the Alentejo Province is in order. The region is far from the ocean and offers a way of life uninfluenced by the cultural exchange common in all port cities. The cultural center of this region is the ancient town of Évora, which has been there for over 2,000 years.
Naturally, it contains a Roman temple, several ancient cathedrals and palaces, and the lovely Lóios Convent and Church, which were built in the 15th century and are also part of the Pousadas de Portugal network. It is no surprise that this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo by Natália Tricô.
Coimbra
Coimbra houses one of the oldest universities in the world. With a population of over 30,000 students, 10% of them hailing from other countries, it is a given that Coimbra’s opportunities for night time debauchery are varied and intense.
Coimbra hosts two festivals in honor of its students, roughly in the beginning and end of each school year. The bigger of the two is the Queima das Fitas, an eight day long cornucopia of beer and entertainment.
Since Coimbra has been around for over a thousand years, it is another place where you will find a lot of Roman artifacts, as well as several imposing palaces, cathedrals, monasteries, libraries, and a stunning botanical garden.
[Author's note: Before going to Portugal, do brush up a bit on their three biggest soccer teams: Benfica, Sporting, and FC Porto. Pick an allegiance. Your knowledge of the sport will help you ease your way into any conversation. Also, the smallest effort to at least know some basic phrases in Portuguese will be appreciated. The Portuguese are proud people. I guess you would be too if Vasco da Gama was your compatriot.]
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If your trip to Portugal keeps you in the Algarve region, check out our Surfers’ Guide to the Algarve Coast, which offers advice about the best places to surf, sleep, and eat.
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14 Comments... join the discussion!
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I love the bits of humor thrown into this. Portugal is that Western European country I'm not sure why I haven't been to. What am I waiting for!? Thanks for highlighting these lesser-known destinations, and good luck with your Argentine visa. I hope to be in Buenos Aires by the end of the year, so maybe I'll see you there!
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Expo 98 was in Lisbon, Expo 2000 was in Hanover
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Great article and great tips for the backpackers around the world for a different view of the country, despite the growing interest in the "other Portugal" For more real lesser known Portugal I would add the stony villages in rural Portugal: ” target=”_blank”>http://www.flickriver.com/groups/14977297@N00/poo...” target=”_blank”>http://www.aldeiasdoxisto.pt/
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It wasn't Expo 2000, but 1998, in Lisbon.
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Many thanks for the feeback. Julie, I'm glad Sintra was such a good time for you, and am happy that you stayed at a pousada. Aren't they amazing?! Hal, please book the next available flight to Portugal, I dunno what you're waiting for either. And thanks for the luck because I really do think I need it! t3mujin, I actually visited Piodao when I was a child. It was breathtaking but I felt that I didn't fully appreciate it back then. We had lunch there and felt like we were in the world's most remote village. Thanks for the links man.
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claudio! great article! (and i appreciate your love for matadortrips.com) i was in portugal for the world expo and it has definitely opened the eyes of so many people! i also stayed in the pousadas which are gorgeous! if you havent been already you should also check out sagres – especially if you are into surfing! and did you hear?, obama is getting a portuguese waterdog!
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@ ivana: I didn't know the Obamas decided to get a Portuguese waterdog, but what a great dog they are! @ Claudio: Are there any books or films you'd recommend for armchair travelers interested in Portugal? I love Jose Saramago's work, but would be interested in learning about other resources, too.
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Haha Ivana, I heard about Obama's choice as well, and I had to google it to know what a portuguese waterdog looks like. I haven't yet been to Sagres but my brother has and loved it, even though he doesn't surf.
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Julie, the quintessential Portuguese read is "Os Lusíadas", written by Luis de Camões, Portugal’s greatest poet and one of its favorite citizens. It was written back in 1572 and glorifies Portugal's voyages of exploration. Another well known example of Portuguese literature is the novel "O Crime do Padre Amaro" by Eça de Queiroz. It has been made into a Mexican film starring Gael Garcia Bernal, and a Portuguese film which became its most successful yet (commercially). My favorite form of armchair travel is the musical variety, and I would recommend Madredeus. Check out the tracks "Haja o que Houver", "O Éclipse", and "Moro em Lisboa"
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Claudio this article was really good!!
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I've just written a brief guide to Portugal for the Auto Europe blog, and I also included Obidos and Sintra amongst the best places to visit. It's such a beautiful country with so much more to offer than a standard beach holiday. This time of year is perfect to explore. Not too hot, and before the crowds of the summer season.
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I visted Portugal last year when I went to Oporto, Braga Guimaraes, Viana do Castelo and Povoa do varnzim. I was absoulutely amazed by the food which was the best I ever had!! Wine was great too! Hope to Visit Lisbon this year!!
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I’m happy to hear that, Paul. I have been to pousadas in both Viana do Castelo and Guimaraes, and I loved both those cities. There is sooo much history in Guimaraes.
And what do you know, FC Porto is champions of Portugal again! I wasn’t lying
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