Stunning Places You Shouldn’t Miss in Portugal

For such a small country, Portugal packs a lot of breath-taking hidden gems. It offers you everything from medieval villages, out-of-the-way towns, cosmopolitan cities and otherworldly beach resorts and national parks. If you’re looking for ways to get the most out of this summer, then Portugal should not miss from the priority list. As you know, Portugal occupies a piece Iberia and shares its border with Spain and an alluring coastline with the Atlantic Ocean, a reason why many refer to Portugal as the sun-kissed corner of Western Europe

In case you’re avid to experience an epic beach scenery, you would be surprised to find out that Portugal ‘s southern region is renowned for its golden sand beaches with incredible cliffs and rock formations ideal for surfers, sun-seekers or seafood lovers. Meanwhile, the country interior offers a richness of contrast: from broad rivers, deep and verdant valleys and remote mountain range ideal for all voyagers.

When it comes to Portugal’s historical part, we find an amazing collection of historic buildings and monuments, many of them being under UNESCO recognition as World’s Heritage Sites. But what really brings personality to this country is its hospitable, friendly, and open locals who won’t hesitate to show you vibrant and full of flavor and color is their beautiful country. Thus, if you’re planning to give Portugal a chance this summer, here are some destinations that are totally worth it.

Wander around Braga

Famous for its monuments, gardens, fountains and historical buildings, Braga is an amazing city in the heart of the Minho region where lots of churches and symbols of faith lies in contrast with the otherworldly hustle and bustle of a modern city completed with roaming restaurants, bar and an animated nightlife.

Braga is Portugal’s third-largest city and is known as an elegant, laced down with fascinating narrow streets closed to automobiles, strewn with plazas and wide array of baroque churches. What makes Braga that fascinating for many travellers is its constant chiming of bells as a reminder of Braga’s old-age devotion to the world of spiritualism. Here you’ll find plenty of religious festivals such as Semana Santa or Holy Week particularly famous throughout the country. However, don’t expect only a good piety example from Braga since its ritzy old center is always roaming with tourists, students, vivid cafes and some of the finest restaurants Portugal has to offer.

Explore Amarante

Located in the north of the country, Amarante is an amazing place where you can explore some of the histories of this enchanting region. This dreamy town from the upland countryside has given Portugal many important writers and artists, especially in the early 20 where their most valuable works can still be found in the superb municipal museum. Ideal for those impatiently waiting to explore picturesque mountain villages, Romanesque churches and numerous hiking and cycling trails to diving into the natural richness of the Serro do Marao and Tamega Valley.

Amarante is a great place for explorers, so make sure you don’t miss the gorgeous arched bridge of Ponte Sao Goncalo and stroll along the riverside where plenty of independent cafes and restaurants line up the route.

Experience Lagos and Algarve

When thinking about Portugal, the first thought that enters your mind is about its numerous gold beaches. One of the most wanted resorts in Portugal, Lagos and Algarve is a much-preferred destination for thousands of tourists that wander the country’s south every year.

Algarve has a mild climate throughout the year, so if you’re looking for unforgettable maritime experiences in the Atlantic Ocean, Algarve is the right place to start. Both Lagos and Algarve beaches are known for the fabulous beaches that border the city either side of its international marina and are home to some captivating rock formations, sandstone cliffs with a series of sea caves and unearthly grottoes.

If you’re able to lure yourself far from the sand, these natural monuments can easily be visited as a part of a fun-filled sightseeing cruise along with other maritime activities such as delphine and tortoise watching. Melding a vivid character with a long-cherished seafaring tradition, Lagos worth its reputation as one of southern Portugal’s favourite destinations. Simply put, you won’t have time to get bored in this region since you’ll find everything from a cheerful and young vibe to the wealth of the historic attractions and many other facilities and places worth seeing this summer.

Visit the Medieval Village Sortelha

Sortelha is also known as the medieval village that time forgot. Built upon a granite massif near Serra de Opa, this charming village is surrounded by the walls of a majestic castle following the irregularities of the land. Ideal for history nerds, Sortelha is an outstandingly reconstructed historical settlement which provides you with all the charm of a medieval Portuguese fortress.

The highlight of your trip in Sortelha has to be the castle itself. Since it’s known to have some of the most ruined castles in Portugal, this village allows you to freely roam the walls at your own risk.

Much of this country is the perfect combination of rocky and scenic landscape coupled with alluring stretches of a Mediterranean landscape. Portugal is the best choice for this season if you want to find picturesque coves, breath-taking beaches, old-fashioned villages and fruitful cultural scenes such as in Lisbon. Moreover, thanks to its numerous beaches with wild waves and friendly locals, Portugal is a famous destination for surfers all around the world, so if you’re dreaming about riding your own wave this summer don’t skip Portugal.

Portugal offers a plentitude of islands for you to enjoy, such as Madeira which is also called by many the Garden Isle thanks to its abundant vegetation or the sheltered and quiet Azores archipelago. However, no matter where you choose to spend your summer this year, Portugal will never disappoint, thus you’ll be astonished at how much you can learn and do in this small but exciting country.

Cynthia Madison is a young blogger and economics and marketing graduate. She writes about home, lifestyle and family topics and is a senior contributor to popular niche publications.