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.

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.

Alcobaça Alcobaça Monastery 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