Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos
This twin-towered baroque church was completed in 1719 under João V. The spectacular facade was completed after the 1755 earthquake. Brazilian gold paid for it, and the interior is gilded to the extreme. The numerous cherubs seem comparatively serious and sober, no doubt contemplat
Museu de Portimão
The modern Museu de Portimão, housed in a 19th-century fish cannery, is one excellent reason to visit Portimão. The museum focuses on three areas: archaeology, underwater finds, and, the most fascinating, a recreation of the fish cannery (mackerel and sardines). You can see former
Museu Municipal
This museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century almshouse near the former palace. Pretty hand-painted furniture sits alongside endearing, locally carved wooden figures (charming rural scenes by Joaquim Velhinho) and a collection of typical 19th-century domestic Alentejan items. O
Casa Museu Passos Canavarro
Right by the Portas do Sol and sharing some of the same privileged views, this is a unique place to visit for lovers of art and beauty. The historic house, once home to 19th-century liberal politician Passos Manuel, is stocked with artistic treasures and curios, from Japanese furni
Castelo
The castle at the southwestern end of the village was one in the chain of Dom Dinis’ defensive fortresses along the Spanish border. It’s now converted into a small bullring, and its ramparts offer a fine panoramic view over the Alentejan plains.
Cacela Velha
Small, enchanting and cobbled, Cacela Velha is a huddle of whitewashed cottages edged with bright borders, and has a pocket-sized fort, orange and olive groves, and gardens blazing with colour. It’s 14km east of Tavira, above a gorgeous stretch of sea, with a characterful local bar
Museu Grão Vasco
Adjoining the cathedral, the severe granite box of the Paço de Três Escalões (Palace of Three Steps), was originally built as the bishop’s palace. Its now a splendid museum featuring Viseu’s own Vasco Fernandes, known as Grão Vasco (the Great Vasco; 1480–1543) – one of Portugal’s s
Sé
Resplendent on a high rock is the 13th-century granite cathedral, whose gloomy Renaissance facade conceals a splendid 16th-century interior, including an impressive Manueline ceiling.Panoramas of Viseu’s historic centre are available from the upper gallery of the adjacent cloister.
Sé Velha
Coimbras stunning 12th-century cathedral is one of Portugals finest examples of Romanesque architecture. The main portal and facade are exceptionally striking. Its crenellated exterior and narrow, slit-like lower windows serve as reminders of the nations embattled early days, when
Aliança Underground Museum
Between Aveiro and Coimbra, in the village of Sangalhos in the Bairrada wine-producing region, this extraordinary place is part wine adega, part repository of an eclectic, enormous, and top-quality art and artefact collection. Under the winery, vast vaulted chambers hold sparkling
Roman Ruins
The sprawling Roman ruins (included in the admission fee for the towns museum) tell a vivid story. Their domesticity is obvious, with elaborate mosaics, heated baths and trickling fountains that evoke delightful, toga-clad dalliances. But smack through the middle of this scene runs
Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro
Recently reopened, this great museum is a highlight of central Portugal. Its fitting that it has become a real centre of the local community, with people gathering to admire the views from its patio and cafe, for its built over the Roman forum, the remains of which you can see. The
Mata Nacional do Buçaco
The aromatic forest is crisscrossed with trails, dotted with crumbling chapels and graced with ponds, fountains and exotic trees from palms to sequoias. Popular paths lead to the pretty Vale dos Fetos and the Fonte Fria , where swans swim beneath a grand staircase. Among several fi
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Belém’s undisputed heart-stealer is this Unesco-listed monastery. The mosteiro is the stuff of pure fantasy; a fusion of Diogo de Boitaca’s creative vision and the spice and pepper dosh of Manuel I, who commissioned it to trumpet Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in
Velha Universidade
In every way the city’s high point, the Old University consists of a series of remarkable 16th-to-18th-century buildings, all set around the vast Patio des Escolas , entered by way of the elegant 17th-century Porta Férrea , which occupies the same site as the main gate to Coimbra’s
Convento de Cristo
Wrapped in splendour and mystery, the Knights Templar held enormous power in Portugal from the 12th to 16th centuries, and largely bankrolled the Age of Discoveries. Their headquarters sit on wooded slopes above the town and enclosed within 12th-century walls. The Convento de Crist
Doing business & staying in touch while in Portugal
Portugal: Doing business & staying in touch
Portugal Weather, Climate and Geography
Portugal Weather, climate and geography
Portugal History, Language and Culture
Portugal History, Language and Culture
Portugal Travel Guide and Travel Information
Portugal Travel Guide
