Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Portugal Tourism Information
Official Tourism Site
Other Sites

The Best of Portugal
Here is a break down of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit.
Alentejo
Évora (Aqueduto da Água de Prata, Roman Temple)
Almendres Cromlech
Marvão
Monsaraz
Elvas
Algarve
Faro
Lagos
Albufeira
Ponta da Piedade
AZOREs
Lago do Fogo
AZOREs
Central
Aveiro
Coimbra
Monastery of Alcobaça
Viseu
Obidos Walled Town
Fatíma
Nazare
Tomar
Lisbon – Sintra
Pena National Palace
Quinta da Regaleira,
Sintra National Palace
Castle of the Moors
Monserrate Park & Palace)
LIsbon
Jeronimos Monastery
Belem Tower
Tram 28
25 de Abril Bridge
Alfama
Santa Justa Elevator
Rossio Square (Pedro IV Square)
Monument to the Discoveries
Praca do Comercio
Museu Gulbenkian
Palacio Nacional de Mafra
Cristo Rei Statue
Cabo da Roca
Time Out Market
Castelo de S. Jorge
Madeira
Funchal
North
Braga
Bragança
Guimaraes
Douro River Valley
Viana do Castelo
Porto
Ribeira
Vila Nova de Gaia
Clerigos Tower
Dom Luis Bridge
Cais da Ribeira
Palácio da Bolsa
The Regions of Portugal…
Azores
- Islands: Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira
- Cities: Ponta Delgada
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Madeira
- Islands: Funchal, Porto Santo, Selvagens Islands
- Cities: Manchico, Santa Cruz
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Central Portugal
Beira Alta
- Districts: Guarda, Viseu
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Beira Baixa
- Districts: Castelo Branco
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Beira Litoral
- Districts: Aveiro, Coimbra
- Cities: Aveiro, Coimbra, Fatima
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Oeste (Estremadura)
- Districts: Leira
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Northern Portugal
Douro LItoral
- Districts: Porto, Villa Real
- Cities: Porto
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Minho
- Districts: Braga, Viana do Castelo
- Cities: Braga
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Trás-os-Montes
- Districts: Bragança
- Cities: Bragança
- Other Municipalities: Alfândega da Fé, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Miranda do Douro, Mirandela, Mogadouro, Moncorvo, Vila Flor, Vimioso, Vinhais
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Southern Portugal
ALgarve
- Districts:
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Alentejo
- Districts:
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Lisbon
Lisbon – For more detailed information go to our ➾Lisbon web page.
Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit. |
The Algarve Faro Lagos Portimão Ria Formosa Silves Aveiro The Azores Braga Cascais Coimbra Douro River Valley Évora Roman Temple ruins Fatima Guimarães Lisbon Alfama District Belém Tower Jerónimos Monastery Monument to the Discoveries Praça do Comércio Rossio Square Sao Jorge Castle Tram 28 25 da Abril Bridge Madeira Obidos Porto Cais da Riberia Palácio da Bolsa Sintra Castle of the Moors Pena Palace |