Portugal Guide
Things not to miss
1 Évora • A UNESCO-protected university town complete with Roman temple, Moorish alleys and medieval walls.
2 Museu Gulbenkian, Lisbon • One of Europe's greatest treasure chests of art and applied art, ancient to Lalique.
3 Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês • Hikers and bikers won't want to miss the trails that wind through the country's only national park.
4 Monsanto • The ancient hilltop settlement of Monsanto seems to grow out of the very rocks it's built upon.
5 Bairro Alto, Lisbon • The capital's big night out – touring the bars, clubs and restaurants of the funky Bairro Alto neighbourhood.
6 Pegadas dos Dinossáurios • On the dinosaur trail in Estremadura – see Portugal's 175-million-year-old sauropod tracks.
7 Corgo train line • One of Portugal's great rides, the Corgo train line winds through spectacular gorges from Peso da Régua to Vila Real.
8 Ericeira • Lisbon's favourite beach retreat – and a noted surfers' hangout.
9 Valença • Explore this superb fortified town, located on Portugal's northern border with Spain.
10 Velha Universidade, Coimbra • Portugal's third-largest city boasts its oldest and most prestigious university.
11 Grutas de Mira de Aire • Daily tours explore the tunnels and caverns of the country's largest cave system.
12 Sintra • The hilltop retreat near Lisbon is one of the most scenic in the country, surrounded by opulent palaces and country estates.
13 Vila Nova de Milfontes • The Alentejo coast is a lot less developed than the Algarve, but every bit as attractive.
14 Coastline, Lagos • Explore the extraordinary shaped rocks and grottoes by boat from the historic Algarve port of Lagos.
15 Tibães • This barely visited monastery in the north is one of the oldest and most atmospheric buildings in the country.
16 Alcobaça • The sculpted tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro dominate this glorious twelfth-century Cistercian monastery.
17 Mosteiro Palácio Nacional de Mafra • With 5200 doors and 2500 windows, this lavish palace-convent nearly bankrupted the country when it was built in the eighteenth century.
18 Ilha de Berlenga • Tour the dramatic coastline by boat, or even stay the night – the Atlantic bird-sanctuary island is a real get-away-from-it-all destination.
19 Citânia de Briteiros • Step back to pre-Roman times at the magnificent Celtic hill fort near Braga.
20 Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga • Possibly Portugal's most photographed church, reached up a grand ornamental stairway.
21 Monsaraz • Many of the medieval houses in the fortified hilltop village of Monsaraz have been converted into atmospheric guest houses.
22 Feira de Barcelos • The country's liveliest and most colourful market shows that rural traditions are alive and well.
23 Óbidos • Picture-book walled town that was once the traditional bridal gift of Portuguese kings.
24 Convento de Cristo, Tomar • Tomar's extraordinary "Convent of Christ" is the former headquarters of the Knights Templars.
25 Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, Porto • Contemporary art in a wonderful building remodelled by Portugal's leading architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira.
26 Pastéis de Belém • These delicious flaky custard tartlets have been made and served for over a century at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém.
27 Porto's riverfront • The historic riverside bairro of Ribeira is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
28 Monte de Santa Luzia, Viana do Castelo • There are superb views from the hilltop basilica over the northern resort of Viana do Castelo.
29 Guimarães • The first capital of Portugal is a beguiling place of cobbled streets and historic buildings.
30 Parque Natural de Montesinho • Bucolic unspoilt countryside dotted with traditional villages.
31 Conímbriga • Vivid mosaics at the most important Roman site in Portugal.
32 Serra da Estrela • The highest mountains in Portugal conceal windswept uplands, remote villages and challenging hiking trails.