Top Cities to Visit in Portugal

The capital of the country, Lisbon is a proper European city that offers to the traveler a sense of history along with everything one expects from a modern city. Last year, Lisbon’s main square was restored; it now includes a new cultural center along with the classic Beer Museum, recommended to all and not only to the heavy drinkers, of course! Lisbon’s bridge is a landmark of the city - a city where the great explorer Vasco de Gama lived once. Indeed, Lisbon awaits to be explored in all of its multifaceted beauty.  

Located in the north of the country, Guimaraes might be less popular than Lisbon or Porto, but still, is undoubtedly a place worth discovering. The city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is there where the Guimaraes Castle is located. Built in the 10^th century, the castle stands out as a significant remembrance of Portugal’s long historical importance. The Portuguese Royal family once lived there. The whole city center, with its lovely cafes and restaurants in its narrow cobbled streets, is inviting you to explore the most of it before deciding to leave Guimaraes. Guimaraes, together with Maribor in Slovenia, was the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

Moving now to the south of the country we find beautiful Faro. Located in the Algarve region, Faro won’t disappoint the fans of the Mediterranean beauties. Algarve receives annually millions of tourists searching for the sea and the sun and Faro can be the ideal place from where to explore as much of Portugal’s magnificent coastline as you can. During autumn, the streets might look emptier, but that shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who wishes to avoid the big crowds that flood Algarve during the peak of the touristic season. Overall, Faro is an idyllic destination for family vacations and young people alike. Discover it! Love it!

We finish with Porto, Portugal’s second most famous city. José Mourinho, one of the best coaches in the world, left his mark on the city’s soccer fans. More than this, Porto is a worldwide famous destination. Porto’s center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with its many old buildings and historical sites. Gothic, baroque and Romanesque architecture are represented in the city’s old center, revealing Porto’s diversity of styles and influences.

If you are in Porto, you must try the world renowned port wine, one of Portugal’s most recognizable products. It is sweet and flavored and it is served as a dessert wine. Have a glass or two and then go on to live the city’s vibrant nightlife! Finally, in case you are in search for an authentic Portuguese experience, then try to find a bar with traditional fado music. Fado songs express Portugal’s soul and spirit and they can’t just leave you unmoved, trust me on this…