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  • Europe
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    • Belgium
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      • Portugal
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  • Portugal
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    Explore
    • Lisbon
    • Estremadura and Ribatejo
    • Coimbra and the Beira Litoral
    • Beira Alta and Beira Baixa
    • Porto and the Rio Douro
    • The Minho
    • Trás-os-Montes
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      • The Algarve
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  • Things not to miss
Lisbon’s favourite beach retreat – and a noted surfers’ hangout. The country’s liveliest and most colourful market shows that rural traditions are alive and well. The capital’s finest museum, and one of Europe’s greatest treasure chests of art and applied art. Portugal’s most photographed church, reached up a grand ornamental stairway. Many of the medieval houses in the fortified hilltop village of Monsaraz have been converted into atmospheric guesthouses. Tomar’s extraordinary “Convent of Christ” is the former headquarters of the Knights Templar. Float through the canals and lagoons of fascinating Aveiro. A golden-stoned university town complete with Roman temple, Moorish alleys and medieval walls. The crowning glory of Manueline architecture, the “Battle Abbey” is one of Portugal‘s most triumphant buildings. Portugal’s third-largest city boasts its oldest and most prestigious university. The first capital of Portugal is a beguiling place of cobbled streets and historic buildings. The hilltop retreat near Lisbon is one of the most scenic in the country, surrounded by opulent palaces and country estates. Contemporary art in a wonderful building remodelled by Portugal’s leading architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira. Explore this superb fortified town, located on Portugal’s northern border with Spain. Dazzling white houses, winding streets, cobbled squares and lush gardens add up to one of the country‘s most alluring small towns. Picture-book walled town that was once the traditional bridal gift of Portuguese kings. There are superb views from the hilltop basilica over the northern resort of Viana do Castelo. This barely visited monastery in the north is one of the oldest and most atmospheric buildings in the country. Great walking in remote, unspoiled countryside dotted with traditional villages. The sculpted tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro dominate this glorious twelfth-century Cistercian monastery. See the vivid mosaics at the most important Roman site in Portugal. The historic riverside bairro of Ribeira is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These delicious flaky custard tartlets have been made and served for over a century at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém. The capital’s big night out – touring the bars, clubs and restaurants of the funky Bairro Alto neighbourhood. Take a train ride or boat trip from Peso da Régua up one of the loveliest river valleys in Portugal.