8 AMAZING LANDMARKS IN PORTUGAL

8 AMAZING LANDMARKS IN PORTUGAL, Portugal is celebrated for its golden flaxen strands, hidden bays and monumental castles. From its graded metropolises to thick timber, then are 20 notorious milestones in Portugal to see. So, snare a pastéis de nata( Portuguese custard courtesan) and plan your coming flight.

20 INCREDIBLE LANDMARKS IN PORTUGAL

LANDMARKS IN LISBON

1- TORRE DE BELEM

The Torre de Belem, or Belem Tower, was built in the early 1500s and became a world heritage site in 1983.

Photographing this Lisbon landmarks is one of the top things to do in Lisbon.

The tower itself is on the northern banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon and was designed to defend Lisbon from attack.

In later years, the tower would become a lighthouse and a customs building.

The tower has five floors, with spiral staircases connecting them, leading visitors to the roof terrace.

Visitors should look out for a rather unusual gargoyle on the western facade.

Carved to reflect the shape of a rhino, the gargoyle was designed after the first rhino arrived in Portugal from India in 1513.

2- TROIA

The Troia Peninsula is a beautiful resort town south of Lisbon.

The resort itself has many impressive hotels and casinos, but the true landmark of this area is its location.

Troia is at the end of a narrow spit of land, the majority of which is white sand beaches edging away from thick forests to the ocean beyond.

The land split was first settled by the Phoenicians and later became a Roman fishing town.

Fishing and fish salting was an important part of life in this area, and in the fishing community of Carrasqueira, you can see the traditional reed houses and narrow fishing boats moored on mudflats.

The area lies within the Reserva Natural do Estuario do Sado, a protected wildlife area famous for its birdwatching.

Landmarks in Europe:

NATURAL LANDMARKS IN PORTUGAL

3- PENEDA-GERÊS NATIONAL PARK

Peneda-Gerês National Park was created in 1971 in northern Portugal.

The main draw of the park is the dozens of granite villages that have stood there since the 12th century.

The villages here are not preserved as monuments and are still lived in by locals who follow the old ways.

One such village is Castro Laboreiro, located at 1000 meters above sea level.

This village offers spectacular views over the national park from the ruins of its castle. Wander closer to the Spanish border to find Portela do Homem waterfall, the most famous waterfall in the park.

The waterfall is in the Mata da Albergaria forest, a protected area of the park.

4- BERLENGAS GRANDE

Berlengas Grande is a tiny island within the Berlengas Nature Reserve.

The island is famous for its caverns, twisting rocky crags, 17th-century fort and the wildlife that calls it home.

The fort of St John the Baptist was constructed on the island from the ruins of an old monastery.

The fortress itself is connected to the island by a snaking walkway over the ocean.

Brave tourists can spend the night camping within its walls.

The best way to see all the islands have to offer is through a boat tour, which allows visitors to see the incredibly rich marine life, step foot on the islands, and hear many tales about pirates and smugglers.

5- BENAGIL CAVE

At first sight, the small fishing village of Benagil is simply another stunning place to wander for an hour or so or to grab some lunch at one of its beachfront restaurants.

Benagil, however, is more than a golden sandy beach with intriguing rock formations.

Benagil Cave, located around the corner from the beach, is an incredible natural landmark.

Accessible only by water, and it is recommended to use a paddleboard or kayak to reach it due to changing tides and strong currents, the cave is a secluded piece of paradise.

The cave itself features a small sandy floor beneath a natural sky-light opening in the cave ceiling.

Boat tours also often frequent the cave as part of their sightseeing tours of the Algarve region.

The cave is extremely busy during the summer months, so head here in late autumn or early spring to avoid the crowds.

After exploring the cave, head east to the smuggler’s cove of Carvalho, accessible only by climbing down a hidden staircase.

6- RIA FORMOSA NATURAL PARK

Set in the Algarve region of Portugal, Ria Formosa Natural Park is a coastal lagoon which constantly changes due to the tides and winds.

The park itself is home to many aquatic species of birds and is an important stopping point for birds during migration season. It is also home to the Portuguese Water Dog which is native to the region and was almost threatened with extinction in recent decades.

Stop by Forte do Rato, or The Fortress of the Mouse, to the east of Quatro Aguas to see the ruins of the 16th-century fort.

7- THE AZORES

For those wanting to escape the bustle of Portugal’s cities or who fancy a change of scenery from the breathtaking natural parks, a short flight to an archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic will land you on The Azores.

Referred to by some as the Other Eden, the Azores are a collection of Portuguese islands comprised of the tips of underwater mountains.

The landscapes here are truly a wonder of nature and a must-see landmark for keen travellers.

The islands offer visitors hidden caverns, grottoes made from molten rocks, crfystal clear blue lakes surrounded by lush forest and with a coastline that boasts the most incredible whale watching opportunities.

The islands themselves are primarily natural, with just 5% of the land developed for housing and infrastructure.

This allows the islands to be a paradise for protected areas and marine reserves, and be named the worlds top destination for sustainable tourism.

A day is not enough here.

 

Also read:

HISTORIC LANDMARKS IN PORTUGAL

8- BOM JESUS DO MONTE IN BRAGA

On the slopes of Mount Espinho lies UNESCO World Heritage Site Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga.

The sanctuary and the sacred mountains in which it is located has celebrated the Catholic faith here for over 600 years.

The Baroque style sanctuary consists of several chapels housing famous statues, fountains, sculptures and formal gardens.

The buildings themselves though are worth the visit alone; granite with whitewashed plaster facades, exposed stonework edgings, and stunning sculptures against an azure backdrop add to the tranquillity of this sanctuary.

A highlight of visiting the refuge is the Stairway of the Five Senses, a stairway leading to a chapel featuring more statues, fountains encapsulated in the Baroque style, and surrounded by lush woodland.