When thinking about world travel, one of the first things to decide is a destination. Although this might seem easy at first, finding a destination that works for everyone’s needs is not always simple. Imagine spending your vacation days walking the streets of colorful cities, experiencing the beauty of the Spanish countryside or admiring ancient historical castles. The small country of Portugal is home to each of these different activities and is guaranteed to impress the most pessimistic traveler in your group. Because of its unlimited activity options and its beautiful history Portugal is not only a well-known tourist stop, but also the number one rated country destination in the world!
Portugal is a small, beautiful country known for its bright colors and intriguing history ("Why Visit Portugal?"). For those of you considering an international trip and for those of you who are just curious about somewhere other than home, this is for you!
Portugal is considered the best country to visit for a lot of reasons, today I will talk about some of its well-known attractions including its cities, its outdoor opportunities and its architectural structures.
Popular Cities
Although there are many tourist cities and towns in Portugal, two of the most popular destinations include the cities of Lisbon and Aveiro ("Why Visit Portugal?"). For travelers who love urban experiences, Lisbon is definitely the place to go. Lisbon offers tram rides which are not only exciting, but they also give tourists close up views of this historic city (Raes). As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is home to over 3 million people, making it a thrilling and fascinating place to visit ("Lisbon, Portugal Population").
The city of Aveiro is another popular destination point in Portugal. Aveiro is a town known for its water gondola rides ("Why Visit Portugal?"). Similar to the long boats in Venice, Aveiro offers its own version of canal rides. Also, while touring this historical seaport, travelers should visit the sea food market and experience firsthand the local trade ("Why Visit Portugal?").
Outdoor Destinations
In addition to its colorful cities, Portugal is a fantastic travel destination because it offers travelers both urban and outdoor activities. The Azores, in particular, is an area in Portugal that has experienced volcanic and thermal activity in the past ("Why Visit Portugal?"). Today it still offers spectacular views of volcanoes and visitable hot springs. Additionally, Azores is known as a world-renowned location for sea-life because of its ideal aquatic and geological conditions ("Why Visit Portugal?"). Depending on the time of year, whale watchers can hope to see many whales including but not limited to pilot, humpback, blue, and sperm whales ("Why Visit Portugal?").
Architectural Wonders
Some of the most popular sight-seer attractions are castles and architectural wonders. Portugal is home to many of these types of destinations such as the St. George’s Castle, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Palácio da Pena.
St. George’s Castle was constructed by Rome over 2,000 years ago (Raes). In America, the majority of historic sites and buildings are no older than four or five hundred years. On the other hand, in Europe the age of structures is often times so much older. St. George’s is a beautiful example of the history that has taken place in Portugal over thousands of years.
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument is a sculpture commemorating the Portuguese peoples’ contributions to the Age of Exploration (Raes). Although Christopher Columbus originally asked Portugal to sponsor his voyages, it was Spain who paid for them in the end. Eventually, with the leadership of Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese people were able to make discoveries along the African coast, and the Cape of Good Hope ("Voyages of Exploration: Portugal").
Another spectacular architectural wonder in Portugal is the Palácio da Pena. When traveling to Portugal, because of its spectacular beauty and convenient distance from Lisbon, this castle is a necessary stopping point. Also, to make it interesting for history enthusiasts, this several-hundred-year-old castle is a unique combination of several different building styles ("Why Visit Portugal?").
Conclusion
As the number one rated country destination in the world, Portugal is home to exciting cities, beautiful outdoor attractions and elaborate castles. So, as you plan your next adventure or dream about a future one, I hope you remember Portugal as one of the most fantastic Places To Go!
Comment below on your favorite place to visit in Portugal!
References
"Lisbon, Portugal Population 2024." World Population Review. worldpopulationreview.com/cities/portugal/lisbon. Accessed Feb. 2025.
Raes, Veronique. "25 Best Things to Do in Lisbon (Portugal)." The Crazy Tourist. 1 June 2022, www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-lisbon-portugal/. Accessed Feb. 2025.
"Travellers rank the top 10 best countries." Travel Weekly. 20 Sept. 2024, www.travelweekly-asia.com/Destination-Travel/Travellers-rank-the-top-10-best-countries. Accessed Feb. 2025.
"Voyages of Exploration: Portugal." Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2025, www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/voyages-exploration-portugal. Accessed Feb. 2025.
"Why visit Portugal? Here are 10 of the best reasons." South Explorers. 7 April 2020, southexplorers.pt/why-visit-portugal-here-are-10-of-the-best-reasons/. Accessed Feb. 2025.
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