So you’ve already been to Lisbon and Porto and now you want to discover other destinations in Portugal. Maybe you’re looking for places that aren’t yet overrun by tourists. You’re in the right place. While I can’t guarantee some of these places aren’t crowded in the high season, you’ll definitely find a few spots where you’ll mostly come across Portuguese visitors.
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More than just Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve
I’ve lived in Lisbon’s historical center, Alfama, until very recently and I could tell the city’s tourism industry is flourishing. But after exploring almost every angle of the capital I thought it was time to see what else Portugal has to offer. And it turns out there is so much more than just Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. And don’t get me wrong, these are all amazing destinations and if you’ve never been to Portugal before, start with one of these. In fact, if you’re planning a trip to the south of Portugal, go check my article on the Algarve. But if you’ve got these covered or simply want to enjoy a more authentic Portugal (and definitely fewer tourists) then you might want to venture to some of the other places I’ll tell you about.
The country’s history is tangible in some of the destinations I’ll mention next, as well as its traditions and peculiarities. There are some unique and unusual places, rich with history, singular buildings or monuments. Places with character.
So here are 10 off-the-beaten-track destinations that you must see if you’re planning to visit sunny Portugal.
1. Serra da Lousã – Talasnal
If you want to escape civilization and get lost in nature, Talasnal is the place you’re looking for. From the Lousã castle, a 2 2-kilometer hike through the forest of Serra de Lousã will take you back in time to this tiny schist village. For those unfamiliar with the term, schist is a coarse-grained metamorphic rock with layers of different minerals. The rustic look of this material gives the village an old-timey feel. You can find the Aldeias de xisto, these historical Portuguese villages, mainly in central Portugal. Talasnal consists of probably 20 to 30 houses, with tiny colorful windows and lovely little terraces. All around you can see nothing but forest and only hear the chirping of birds.
The narrow streets of the village don’t allow cars to pass so you can easily walk around the village. If you want to stop for a meal O Retalhinho has a terrace with a peaceful view of the surrounding forest. But feel free to wander around, other places are just as nice and cozy.
Disconnect from the rest of the world, also because you have no choice: there’s little to no phone connection here. And if you have more time, you can find several other walking trails of the Serra de Lousã. Check them on the official website Aldeias de Xisto.
2. Évora
Discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site and member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. Évora is situated in the region of Alentejo and partially enclosed by medieval walls. Its history goes back around five millennia, as proven by the diverse architecture we can still see around the city. The most notable is probably the Roman Temple of Évora, also known as Templo de Diana. The Romans built this temple back in the first century and dedicated it to the cult of Emperor Augustus.
The Cathedral of Évora is the largest of medieval cathedrals in Portugal and a great example of Gothic architecture. Climbing to its terrace, you can enjoy a view of Évora from the highest point in the city. The sunset light from here covers the white houses with a golden glaze. I’m sure sunset lovers like me will appreciate the sight.
Another must-see is the slightly creepy Bones Chapel or Capela dos Ossos. You will find it in the church of São Francisco, not far from the Cathedral. Praça do Giraldo has plenty of cafés and shops and by venturing in its side streets you can find some great restaurants. A local specialty, among others, is porco preto, black pork cooked in several different ways, and migas which literally means bread crumbles and also comes in different variations.
3. Tomar
Tomar was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction and is situated in the Central region of Portugal. The Knights Templar was a Catholic military order founded in 1119 and active across Europe until 1312. The main places to visit are the Knights Templar Castle and The Convent of Christ. The latest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In the Portuguese Templar town, you can find several other landmarks related to the Order. Sete Montes Park is where supposedly the rites of initiation took place. On the other side of river Nabão, find the church of Santa Maria do Olival, founded by the Templars in the 12th century.
Even if you’re not a big fan of the Knights Templar, there’s more to see in Tomar. The simple medieval architecture of the historical center along with the quaint and relaxed atmosphere of this town seems to make the time stop for a while, as you can enjoy a walk through the narrow streets or along Nabão River and sit at one of the riverside cafés.
If you’re looking for local events, visit during the Festival of Trays or the Knights Templar Festival. The first one, Festa dos Tabuleiros in Portuguese, is quite unique and only happens every four years. The streets get filled with people as hundreds of women carry decorated Tabuleiros on their heads. Festa Templaria, on the other hand, allows you to witness Knights Templar parades, performing arts, and games.
You can also have a typical meal in a medieval tavern, Taverna Antiqua. This will definitely make you feel like you went back in time, with the stone walls and pottery plates and glasses on candle-lit rough wooden tables.
4. Batalha
Come here to visit the Monastery of Batalha, a Dominican convent known as the Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory. It is considered one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture in Portugal, with influences of the Manueline style. The monastery was built in honor of the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
The monumental building stands apart from the whole town in an immense square, along with the equestrian statue of Nuno Álvares Pereira. The latest was a Portuguese general and had a decisive role in the aforementioned victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians. The monastery took over a century to build and required the intervention of fifteen architects.
Set aside half a day for your visit as the monastery requires quite a few hours to enjoy fully. There are a few stops you definitely shouldn’t miss. The Founders’ Chapel holds the tomb of John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster. The Royal Cloister is considered the masterpiece of the monastery and it was only added later on. Its sober style is in contrast with the rest of the flamboyant gothic monastery.
I personally loved the Unfinished Chapels or Capelas Imperfeitas, maybe because as the name suggests they are not perfect. You can only access this part of the monastery from the outside. The open-air octagonal rotunda is surrounded by small hexagonal chapels with colorful windows. Take some time here to fully admire the beauty of this imperfect construction.
The Batalha Monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.
5. Ericeira
A fishermen’s village and famous surfing spot, Ericeira is a small town on the coast, north of Lisbon. This is a great spot for enjoying the beaches and the view of the ocean from the cliffs. You can also eat fresh local fish dishes and have a walk around the narrow streets in the old center. Notice the little white houses with unique colorful windows and doors. The charm of this town lies probably in its simplicity and imperfections.
Ericeira is a perfect location for an escape from the crowded Lisbon. You can go there just for a day trip or for a longer stay to relax by the ocean. Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach hosts one of the World Surfing Championship contests every year, usually in September.
Walking along the coast, you can follow a trail marked by poetry. The Caminho de Poesia starts in the Chapel of São Sebastião and ends at Praia do Sul, passing through North Beach and Fishermen’s Beach. At every stop, you can read a poem by Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa and enjoy the ocean view.
6. Sesimbra
Sesimbra is a small fishing town located in the Arrábida National Park. The surrounding beaches might not be as famous but have nothing to envy to the more famous ones in Algarve. One worth mentioning is Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo. You can only reach this hidden beach by walking down the cliffs or by boat. The hike is not easy but it’s worth it. Once you sweat your way through bushes and rocky trails, you reach a peaceful enclosed beach with rock formations and crystalline waters.
In town, you can still enjoy the sandy beaches and clear waters of Praia da Califórnia and Praia do Ouro. Right in between these two, pay a visit to the Fortress of Santiago. From here you can contemplate all of Sesimbra: the town, the beaches, and the harbor. Also, as in many of Portugal’s fishing villages, try the fresh seafood and typical dishes.
Within a 20-minute drive from Sesimbra, you can reach Cabo do Espichel. Here you’ll find the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo, the lighthouse, and a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Sesimbra is less than one hour bus away from Lisbon so if you’re around, it’s totally worth a day trip.
7. Guimarães
Situated about one hour north of Porto, Guimarães is known as “the cradle city” or the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality, proudly announced by the inscription Aqui nasceu Portugal (Portugal was born here) which can be found on the wall of the city in the main square. Guimarães was the capital of the County of Portugal and witnessed the battle that led to the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal, the Battle of São Mamede.
The historic town center of Guimarães is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a great example of a medieval settlement. And walking through this medieval city center truly brings you back in time. Explore the historical center along pebble stone streets and well-kept typical medieval houses. The history of the city is still tangible in its architecture. The testimonies of the passing time are the gothic buildings and ruins in many of the squares.
Right outside the city walls, visit the ancient castle of Guimarães. Located on top of Largo hill, the castle defended the city from Moors and Normans attacks. Guimarães is a great destination for a day trip to learn more about Portugal’s history and culture.
8. Braga
Located not far away from Guimarães, it is considered its rival city. If you talk to the inhabitants of these two cities, each will defend their own and claim it’s the most beautiful and historically important. Braga, back in the days Bracara Augusta, was capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia. At the time this included northern Portugal, Asturias and León, and later also the Suebic Kingdom of Gallaecia. Braga was chosen as European Youth Capital in 2012, to the dismay of the inhabitants of Guimarães.
It becomes obvious right away that Braga is quite a religious city, with its many churches, cathedrals, and sanctuaries. The most well-known and impressive one is Bom Jesus do Monte, just a little outside the city. You can reach it by climbing a monumental Baroque stairway that climbs 381 meters.
Among other sights in the city center you shouldn’t miss the main cathedral, Sé de Braga, considered one of the most important buildings in the country. Just a few streets away, Arco da Porta Nova is an arch of triumph built in 1502. The Arch was traditionally used to present the city’s keys to dignitaries and celebrities.
On Christmas Eve you might want to try the tradition called Bananeiro. This consists of eating a banana and drinking muscatel (Muscat wine) at Casa das Bananas. If you’re visiting any other time of the year you can still pay a visit to this place. They are not strict with the tradition and you can still experience the Bananeiro.
9. Aveiro
This city south of Porto is also known as “the Portuguese Venice” due to the canals and the gondola-looking boats floating along. But one peculiar thing about these boats, called moliceiros in Portuguese, is the drawings on them. You can find anything from religious figures to Cristiano Ronaldo’s face, going through several quite explicit drawings. Just make sure to take a closer look at them. I won’t spoil the surprise.
Take a tour along the Ria river on a moliceiro or just walk around as the city center is quite small. The main canal flows along rows of colorful, typically Portuguese houses and lots of cafés and souvenir shops.
You can try the typical sweet of Aveiro called ovos moles, literally “soft eggs”. The dessert consists of an egg and sugar cream put inside rice paper casings, usually in the shape of shells. It’s not for everyone but it’s worth a taste.
Not far from the city center the park Dom Pedro Infante is a good spot for a picnic or just a walk in the shadow. Visit the baroque cathedral of Aveiro and have a stop at the Fishmarket right in the city center in the appropriately named Praça do peixe (Fish square).
10. Óbidos
This little town located on a hilltop north of Lisbon and surrounded by a fortified wall hosts one of the most famous Christmas markets in Portugal. The whole town transforms itself into a Christmas village (Óbidos Vila Natal). It has a Santa’s house, ice skating, local food, and several attractions for children and grown-ups. This is probably the best time to visit Óbidos as the village is quite unique.
Nevertheless, Óbidos is a great example of medieval architecture, definitely worth a visit any time of the year. You can even climb and walk on the wall surrounding the town and enjoy a view from the top. Make sure to pay a visit to the well-preserved castle and simply wander through the tiny cobblestone streets. Don’t forget to try Ginja de Óbidos, also known as Ginginha. You might have heard about it as it’s the typical sour cherry liquor famous all over Portugal. Well, it is originally from this little town.
Óbidos has quite a long history, as it was settled even prior to the Romans’ arrival. The royal family then chose it to become a part of the Queen’s estate after King Dinis offered it to his wife, Queen Isabel back in the 13th century. Apart from the Christmas market, Óbidos hosts an International Chocolate Festival and a Medieval Market.
Getting around
Portugal is quite cheap to travel around and you can easily get to most places by bus. Also, it’s not that big of a country so you can easily travel almost everywhere within just a few hours.
Usually, with Rede Expressos you can get to most places. For the southern regions of Portugal, you can also try Eva transportes. And if you’re just traveling around Lisbon, TST is the transportation company for towns south of the Tejo River. You may also book some bus rides on Flixbus.
If you’d rather travel by train, a useful tip is to buy your tickets in advance. With Comboios de Portugal you can get a discounted rate when buying at least 5 days before your trip.
Staying there
My number one choice when looking for accommodation is Booking.com. You have a wide range of options, from hotels and hostels to rooms and apartments by privates and even unusual places. You’ll find any type of accommodation for any budget.
Travel Insurance
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before your trip. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance provides coverage in 175+ countries, and you have complete control over when your policy starts and stops at any time. They’ve recently expanded coverage to include adventure sports and electronics theft too. Get the details here.
Time to pack your bags
These are just some of the destinations you might want to consider if you want to really get to know Portugal. It might be a small country but there’s a lot more to discover. So pack your bags, get on a bus or train, and start exploring.
While you’re at it, you may want to check out this guide to the best miradouros in Lisbon and this Porto weekend trip itinerary.
Boa viagem! And don’t forget to pin this post!
