Portugal offers everything you could dream of for a perfect holiday—fairy-tale castles, sun-drenched beaches, charming cities, and scenic vineyards.

Although Portugal is no longer the hidden gem it once was, there are still plenty of quiet spots where you can escape the crowds. Lisbon may be the country’s star attraction, but its relaxed atmosphere and vibrant cityscape provide endless opportunities for discovery. To truly experience the essence of Portugal, however, you must venture beyond the popular spots and explore the serene beauty of the Portuguese countryside. Here are some must-see sights and tours to consider during your visit.

Ilha de Tavira

Ilha de Tavira is one of the stunning sandy islands off the coast near Faro. Known as one of the finest, the island’s main draw is its expansive beach at the eastern end. There are several cafés, restaurants, a campground, and water sports available. The island is particularly peaceful and remote (except during the busy July and August months), making it a perfect getaway. We recommend visiting Praia do Barril, which can be reached by a small train. The area is home to an anchor cemetery, where you’ll find anchors left behind by tuna boats that once fished in these waters. Aside from a few restaurants, the only thing that stretches before you is endless sand!

Wine Tasting Tours

Portugal has long been renowned as a premier wine region. A short trip south of Lisbon to Azeitao will immerse you in a region celebrated for both its wine and cheese, as well as its stunning and captivating landscapes. A wine-tasting tour here allows you to explore three well-known wineries—Jose Maria de Fonseca, Quinta de Alcube, and Lima Fortuna—while enjoying the breathtaking views of Arrabida Natural Park. You’ll also have the chance to sample some of the finest local wines. A wine-tasting experience is truly one of the top activities to enjoy in Portugal.

Insider Tip – Don’t forget to sample a liqueur that has been made using a 450-year-old recipe at Lima Fortuna.

Convento de Cristo

From the 12th to the 16th century, Portugal was heavily influenced by the Knights Templar, which explains the many mysterious, story-rich, and historically significant attractions scattered across the country. The Knights Templar played a pivotal role in funding the Age of Discovery, with their headquarters being the Convento de Cristo, established by the Templar Grand Master in 1160. One of the standout features of the convent is the 16-sided Templar church, Charola, which is said to be modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Unlike typical Portuguese churches, Charola has a unique circular design, allowing the Knights to attend Mass while on horseback. The upper choir is adorned with detailed decorations, and the western entrance is an excellent example of the Spanish plateresque style. The most captivating feature of the church is its western window, which appears to grow organically from the wall. This window is considered one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture and serves as a tribute to the Age of Discovery.

Insider Tip – For unparalleled views of the western window, go up to the roof of the adjacent Claustro de Santa Barbara. The experience makes you feel moved, fascinated and spellbound, all at once.

Dolphin Watching Boat Tours

Climb aboard a luxury boat and set off to explore the stunning coastline between Carvoeiro Beach and Albufeira Marina. This thrilling tour offers a unique opportunity to swim, unwind, and spot dolphins along the way. While dolphins are the main attraction, the boat ride through the caves and rock formations is equally exhilarating. Each tour is guided by an expert who shares fascinating insights and helps you capture the perfect photo moments throughout the experience.

National Palace of Pena

Lord Byron had once termed the village of Sintra as the most beautiful village in the world. Although many attractions have withered over the ages and lost their beauty, Sintra has actually managed to become even more beautiful. Despite its tiny size, it boasts of a vast flavor of attractions, some that are known to all, and some that can only be uncovered if you dare to venture off the beaten path. One of the biggest highlights of any trip to Sintra is the National palace of Pena, a colorful Romanticist palace that plays with your views from its position up the hill. The town and its fish specialties are brilliant, but the palace’s splendor is known to outshine even the best experiences that Sintra has to offer. Most people simply fall in love with the colors and the designs of this beautiful palace. Just think of it as a Disney attraction minus all the screaming and crying kids.

Segway Tours in the Natural Park of Faro

Segway Tours in the Natural Park of Faro let you feel in harmony with Mother Nature and explore beautiful natural attractions that usually feature high on the list of your most favorite experiences in Portugal. The tour starts close to Faro Island, and takes you to the most delightful destination in the area – The Ria Formosa Natural Park. The park extends all over the Algarve and offers views of untouched natural beauty and exotic migratory birds throughout its 15km stretch. Towards the end of the tour, you also visit the Quinta do Lago, a more beautiful version of the Beverly Hills.

Alfama

Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon, is located between the Castle of Lisbon and the Tejo River. It is one of those few areas that managed to withstand the devastating 1775 earthquake, and is certainly the best way to experience fado nostalgia. You are bound to get lost while in the area, but therein lies the beauty of exploration. Just arm yourself with a compass and you should be fine. Some of the top attractions to look forward to include the Lisbon Cathedral, hidden observation points that are known for their perplexing views and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Lisbon Sightseeing

Start off your Lisbon sightseeing tour in the Belem quarter, home to some of the most beautiful monuments from the 15th and 16th centuries, such as the Belem Tower (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Monument for the Discoveries. The next stop on your itinerary is the S. Jerome Monastery church, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is considered to be the ultimate Manueline masterpiece. The next part of your tour takes you along the river to Alfama, a historic district popular for its old world streets, handicraft shops and Port wine. Sample the delicious wine and head over to Baixa to gawk at some of the most important squares in the city, the Restauradores Square, Trade Square and the Rossio Square. Before ending your tour, drive down to Liberdade Avenue, popularly known as the boulevard of Lisbon.

Check out the following sightseeing tours in Lisbon.

Costa Vincentina National Park

If you’re desperate to add some romance into your visit, simply rent a car and head over to Cape St. Vincent. The place is famous for its spectacular sunsets and is considered to offer stunning views at any time of the day. The windy headlands rise to a height of almost 60m, which gives you the feeling of standing on the edge of the world. There are a number of beautiful bird species and stunning sea views as well.

Insider Tip – For some of the best sea views, head over to the lighthouse. The cape is also famous for its exuberant marine life, and the lighthouse is one of the best vantage points to check it out.

Lisbon Sightseeing (Hop-on, Hop-off)

The thing with hop-on, hop-off tours is that most cities offer a fixed line, which means that you can only explore the attractions that lie on that line. This works well when the best attractions are located close to each other, but doesn’t work at all, for a city like Lisbon, where everything is so spread out. To ensure that travelers don’t miss out on any of the attractions, the city of Lisbon runs hop-on hop-off tours on four different lines – the Belem Line, the Oriente Line, the Castle Line and the Cascais Line.

The Belem Bus Line covers 18 stops and takes you to monuments showcasing Portuguese discoveries. Some of the highlights include the Belem Tower, National Coach Museum and the Monument to the Discoveries.

The Oriente Bus Line is most suited for fun seekers which makes 19 stops and features attractions such as the Oceanarium, the Lisbon Zoo and the Park of Nations.

The Castle Bus Line is a shorter line which has just 8 stops and is dominated by the Castle of St. George and the Avenida de Liberdade.

Finally, the Cascias Line lets you discover the magnificent scenery of the Costa del Sol. It is perfect for nature lovers and those searching for sports or relaxation.

Azores

The paradise-like Azores is scattered all over the Atlantic and is famous for taking you to another realm that is dominated by dreamy villages, scintillating lagoons, enchanting valleys and fields overflowing with flowers. The natural beauty makes you forget about everything else, and the inspired folklore never ceases to amaze and excite. And if things become too monotonous, there are all sorts of traditional festivals to enjoy.

Rent a Jetski

Portugal tours are mostly about natural beauty, historic charm and world-class cities, but how about taking your Portuguese holiday to the next level by visiting the Dream Wave World. This tour lets you take the water head on in a Yamaha Waverunner Jetski and enjoy an entirely unique Algrave experience. This adrenaline-pumping soul-charging adventure is bound to attract adrenaline junkies and adventure maniacs, but can actually be enjoyed by all sorts of travelers. And even if you haven’t been on a jetski before, the safety briefing and necessary assistance ensures that it isn’t a hindrance to your adventure.

We really hope you got lots of input on what were some of the top best things to do in Portugal. Now it’s time to secure your tickets and seats. Why wait in the line when you can already now book the top things to do in Portugal from home?