-
Torre Vasco da Gama
Shaped like the sail of explorer Vasco da Gama’s mighty caravel, this 145m-high, concrete-and-steel skyscraper was designed by architects Leonor Janeiro and Nick Jacobs. Sidling up to the tower is the slick five-star Myriad by Sana hotel, which opened in 2013 and bears the hallmark
-
Ponte de São Gonçalo
A symbol of the town’s heroic defence against the French (marked by a plaque at the southeastern end), the granite Ponte de São Gonçalo is Amarante’s visual centrepiece. The original bridge, allegedly built at Gonçalo’s urging in the 13th century, collapsed in a flood in 1763; this
-
Jardim do Passeio Alegre
A joy for the aimless ambler, this 19th-century garden is flanked by graceful old buildings and dotted with willowy palms, sculptures, fountains and a bandstand that occasionally stages concerts in summer. Listen to the crash of the ocean as you wander its tree-canopied avenues. Th
-
Aqueduto de Pegões
This impressive aqueduct, striding towards the monastery from the northwest, was built between 1593 and 1613 to supply water to thirsty monks. Its 180 arches, some of which are double-decker, are thought to have been designed by Italian Filippo Terzi. It’s best seen just off the Le
-
Ribeira das Naus
Lisbons recently regenerated waterfront revolves around this riverfront promenade between Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré. With broad views over the river, its a fine place for strolling, lounging, reading, cycling and kicking back with a coffee at the kiosk. This is the closes
-
Praia Formosa/do Arieiro
Anyone who says Madeira has no beaches should hop on bus 1 or 43 to the boulders and browny-black sand of this wild strand in Funchals western suburbs. Cafe-bars, a car park and other facilities are all here and the salt-white Atlantic surf crashing onto dark volcanic sand is a sig
-
Porta da Cruz
The furthest point heading eastwards you can reach on the north coast before mammoth cliffs persuade the road to head inland, Porta da Cruz is a picturesque spot nestling at the base of some seriously steep terraced slopes. From March to May the last working sugar mill on the islan
-
Boca da Encumeada
The Encumeada Pass sits between the two deep-cleft valleys that almost slice Madeira in two. From this dramatic point 1083m up, you can see both the north and south coastlines. Its also the starting point for several hikes and long-distance trails. A tunnel under Encumeada means 99
-
Igreja de São Francisco
Sitting on Praça Infante Dom Henrique, Igreja de São Francisco looks from the outside to be an austerely Gothic church, but inside it hides one of Portugal’s most dazzling displays of baroque finery. Hardly an inch escapes unsmothered, as otherworldly cherubs and sober monks are dr
-
Igreja de São Baptista
This 16th-century church has a remarkable Manueline portal. Set against the plain facade, it is a twisting, flamboyant bit of decoration, with carvings of knotted ropes, crowns and armillary spheres. Inside are some fine deep-blue and yellow 17th-century Sevillian azulejos . It’s j
-
Museu de Arte e Arqueologia
The 18th-century Palacete Barbosa Maciel bears witness to Viana’s affluent past. It houses an impressive collection of 17th- and 18th-century ceramics (especially blue Portuguese china) and furniture. Most impressive are three 2nd-floor rooms lined with azulejos, depicting scenes o
-
Castelo São Filipe
Worth the 500m schlep uphill to the west, the castle was built by Filipe I in 1590 to fend off an English attack on the invincible Armada. Converted into a pousada (upmarket inn) in the 1960s, its hulking ramparts afford precipitous views and its chapel is festooned in blue-and-whi
-
Aqueduto da Amoreira
It took an unsurprising 100 years or so to complete this breathtakingly ambitious aqueduct. Finished in 1622, the huge cylindrical buttresses and several tiers of arches stalk from 7km west of town to bring water to the marble fountain in Largo da Misericórdia. It’s best seen from
-
Elevador de Santa Justa
If the lanky, wrought-iron Elevador de Santa Justa seems uncannily familiar, it’s probably because the neo-Gothic marvel is the handiwork of Raul Mésnier, Gustave Eiffel’s apprentice. It’s Lisbon’s only vertical street lift. Get there early to beat the crowds and zoom to the top fo
-
Museu dos Terceiros
Downriver, the 18th-century Igreja de São Francisco dos Terceiros is now a rambling museum full of ecclesiastical and folk treasures, although the highlight is the church itself, with its gilded baroque interior. The Renaissance-style Igreja de Santo António dos Frades , once a con
-
Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto
When area vintners apply for the certification that ultimately christens their casks with the term ‘Port’, they bring vials to the labs set in this attractive relic just uphill from the river. The labs are off-limits to visitors, but you’re welcome to explore the lobby exhibits, an
-
Museu de Artes Decorativas
Set in a petite 17th-century palace, the Museu de Artes Decorativas creaks under the weight of treasures including blingy French silverware, priceless Qing vases and Indo-Chinese furniture. It’s worth a visit alone to admire the lavish apartments, embellished with baroque azulejos
-
Christo Rei
The upmarket village of Garajau hangs for dear life on the side of cliff, 6km as the crow flies from central Funchal. On an often blustery promontory below the village stands the Christo Rei, a late-1920s mini-version of Rios Christ the Redeemer statue, arms outspread, eyes gazing
-
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça
This small whitewashed church dates from 1570 and sits within the Sagres fortress precinct. It is a simple barrel-vaulted structure with a gilded 17th-century altarpiece. Take a closer look at the tiled altar panels, which feature elephants and antelopes. The bell tower was built o
-
Aqueduto das Águas Livres
The 109 arches of the Aqueduto das Águas Livres lope across the hills into Lisbon from Caneças, more than 18km away; they are most spectacular at Campolide, where the tallest arch is an incredible 65m high. Built between 1728 and 1835, by order of Dom João V, the aqueduct brought L
Total
723 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
21/37 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
