Portugal is known for its stunning beaches and incredible landscapes. But the cities are just as beautiful! But where are you going during your holiday? Below, you’ll find a selection of 8 of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. The cities have plenty of heritage, museums and culture. Some are located directly at sea, and others are historic inland cities. Some famous, and some lesser-known! Portugal is a unique destination, so let’s dive in!

Lisbon 

Let’s start in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. The city is filled with colourful houses, parks and many landmarks. Discover old neighbourhoods such as Alfama and Bairro Alto, where you can get a glimpse of the past. Both neighbourhoods are great for attending a Fado concert, too, and plenty of restaurants serve fantastic Portuguese dishes. Alfama is also home to the São Jorge Castle, Lisbon Cathedral and Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

Baixo is more modern, but here, you find highlights such as the Arco da Rua Augusta and the well-known cast iron Santa Justa Elevator. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower are must-see sights. Remember to visit nearby Sintra and Cascais, too! They are great day trips from Lisbon! You can explore the Sintra coast or visit Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, or Quinta da Regaleira.

Porto

Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, located on the Douro River. The city has many bridges, such as the Luís I Bridge, which connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. On both sides of the river are plenty of things to do! Porto is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal because it has many buildings plastered with azulejo tiles. Discover the Chapel of Souls, Igreja do Carmo, and the São Bento Station, for example! Also, discover the many viewpoints in the city that are great during the day and for sunset.

The Douro Valley is known for its wine, and a day trip to the vineyards is highly recommended if you have a chance. Often, a boat tour is included, but you can also sail on the Douro River in Porto. Enjoy some of these famous wines at WOW Porto or discover the many Port houses, such as Graham’s Port Lodge and Cockburn’s.

Coimbra

Between Porto and Lisbon, you can discover the city of Coimbra. Coimbra was once the Portuguese capital and oozes with history! It’s located on the river Mondego, and the university sits high on a hill. Coimbra University is, in fact, one of the oldest universities in the world, and it’s open to the public! Highlights are the Royal Palace, the St. Michael’s Chapel and the Joanina Library. You’ll need a ticket to see the university, but the botanical garden is free of charge.

The Old Town has many more sights, such as the new and old cathedral, many gates, and even an aqueduct. There are plenty of restaurants, and you can enjoy a Fado dinner at night. From the Mondego River, you have a stunning view over Coimbra, and on the other side, you’ll find even more sights! Visit the historic monastery Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha or go to the miniature theme park Portugal dos Pequenitos with kids.

Aveiro

Aveiro is a stunning coastal city just south of Porto. Thanks to the canals and colourful boats, it’s known as the Venice of Portugal. A boat ride in the barcos moliceiros is a must when visiting Aveiro! Other highlights are the Cathedral of Aveiro, with an enormous bell tower, or check out the Museu de Arte Nova for a dose of art. The Infante Dom Pedro Park is a beautiful city park with playgrounds for children.

Being so close to the sea, Aveiro also has some incredible beaches. Before spreading a towel in the sand, head over to the Aveiro salt flats and the lagoon. Many birds live here, and it’s a peaceful place to spend time in nature. Behind the lagoon, you´ll find beaches such as Praia da Costa Nova, Praia de São Jacinto, and Praia da Barra. The colourful beach huts complete the scene!

Braga

North of Porto, you can discover Braga, another city with tons of history! Enjoy a visit to the lush Palácio do Raio or visit the nearby 11th-century Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães. Another famous and important religious landmark nearby is Bom Jesus do Monte. It takes a while to climb the stairs, but it’s well worth it! Take a look at the gardens and inside the church. You can see the beautiful Palácio da Dona Chica just north of Braga.

If you prefer to stay in the city centre, check out the Sé de Braga. The architecture is mixed, and you can visit the cathedral inside. You can easily spend a day exploring the old town and discovering places like the Arco da Porta Nova, the Museum of Archeology, the Biscainhos Museum, and the Archbishop’s Court.

Guimarães

Guimarães is not far from Braga, and the UNESCO city has a ton of places to visit. The ancient city is known as the birthplace of Portugal, so there is enough cultural heritage to discover! You can start by exploring Guimarães Castle, including tombstones, St Michael’s chapel, and a statue of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques. The Ducal Palace of Guimarães is equally interesting, and you will see many beautiful rooms inside.

The old city is filled with architectural highlights and UNESCO World Heritage. Examples are the town hall and the medieval houses. Just by visiting squares like Praça de Santiago, you’ll get a great overview of Guimarães. After the city centre, you can take the cable car up to Penha Park. Here, you can see the Sanctuary of Penha and enjoy some incredible views!

Funchal

When visiting Madeira, you can discover the charming city of Funchal! It is the capital of the island and is surrounded by high hills. The city centre is pretty flat and easy to get around. Some highlights in the old town are Funchal Cathedral, Palácio de São Lourenço and the Varadouros Old Gate. Visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge for some unique and local Madeira wines! Or visit the colourful Mercado dos Lavradores, a market where you can find delicious fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Funchal also has many parks, such as Parque de Santa Catarina and the municipal gardens. But further uphill, you can find places like Quinta da Boa Vista or the Madeira Botanical Garden. Another must-do is a ride on the cable car to Monte Palace Madeira, which has Japanese shrines, flamingos, and colourful trees and flowers. You can ride back to the city centre on a fun toboggan ride!

Évora

Another UNESCO city is Évora in the Alentejo region. It’s the capital of the region, which is known for its delicious wine! A trip to a vineyard should definitely go on your itinerary! The history goes back hundreds of years, mostly visible at the Templo Romano, which dates back to the 1st century A.D. Next to the temple, you can visit the Cathedral of Évora and climb to the roof for a spectacular view.

Another not-to-miss church is Igreja e Mosteiro de São Francisco and the Chapel of Bones next door. It sounds a bit smoky, but the chapel is literally decorated with the bones and skulls of monks—very unique! Nearby, you can also discover the Royal Palace of Évora and the University. The old town is super colourful, and you’ll find some amazing restaurants around Praça do Giraldo.