Portugal is becoming a very popular destination for tourists, travelers, and even digital nomads due to the D8 visa. But there is more to Portugal than the usual suspects regarding the top attractions. Portugal has a rich history with many historical sites, but if you are looking for something that is not usually on the attraction list, check out these unique places to visit in Portugal.
Unique Places in and around Coimbra
Coimbra is known as the home of Portugal’s oldest university and one of the oldest universities in the world. Situated in the middle of Portugal, it is a great place to stop on a road trip. Between the great restaurants, amazing architecture, and the university, and Fado music in the air, you will be swept away by its charm.
While in Coimbra, tour the Joanina Library (Biblioteca Joanina) at the university. It is the oldest library in Portugal built in 1717 and has over 70,000 volumes in its stacks. You can buy a ticket at the ticket house on campus, but the tours are timed, so go early if your time is limited. Pictures are forbidden inside the library, but trust me, it is worth the visit.
A short drive outside of Coimbra is the Roman Ruins of Conímbriga. It is one of the most well-preserved Roman archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula. There are remnants of baths, buildings, an amphitheater, and a forum. You can spend all day there if you wish. There is a museum and a cafe but take water and sunscreen. It gets hot and there is little shade.
Also just outside of Coimbra is the Palace of Buçaco. We stopped in and had lunch on our way to Braga and it was worth it. This palace is now a hotel, but the grounds are open for exploring and there are hiking trails all around. The restaurant at the hotel is pricey but delicious.
There is also a cafe, a small convent you can tour, and a lovely gift store.
The Schist Villages of Portugal
One of our favorite discoveries this year is the Schist Villages (Aldeias de Xisto). These historic villages were created during the Middle Ages but were abandoned when industrialization began. Now, they are being rebuilt and becoming tourist attractions with air B&Bs and Hotels.
Even though it may seem touristy, these places are not crowded, usually up in the mountains, and have the most beautiful breathtaking views we have seen. Villages such as Talasnal and Gondramaz have restaurants and cafes.
It is a great place to take a road trip and if you love the outdoors, there are lots of mountain biking and hiking trails.
Buddha Eden Gardens
Full of hidden gems, Buddha Eden is Europe’s largest Asian Garden. Located close to Bombarral in the Óbidos region, you can find 35 hectares of botanical gardens, walking trails, and sculptures placed all around the gardens. It is the perfect place to take a walk, meditate, or just enjoy the beautiful countryside.
As part of these beautiful gardens, there is also a place to do a wine tasting. The vineyards that grow next to the gardens are part of the Quinta do Loridos. There is a full-service cafe and snack bar available.
Also in Bombarral (close to Buddha Eden) is the Casa de Abel Pereira Da Fonseca which is a beautiful house that has been owned by generations of the Fonseca family. Now, you can take a tour of the house with a family member and do a wine tasting at the Quinta das Cerejeiras next door.
Beach Towns and Island Day Trips
Portugal has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and if you know where to look you can find them almost deserted. However, places like Benegil Caves in the Algarve Region are going to be super crowded, especially in the summer. But, the caves are a unique experience.
If you can get a good guide on a small boat, you can enter the cave. There are more restrictions on who can enter the caves now so do some research before you book your tour.
Beach towns like Nazaré will also be busy during the summer but from October through March, the biggest waves roll in making it a very unique place to visit. The waves coming into Praia do Norte can get up to 100 feet tall. It sounds impossible, but there are documentaries about it.
Off the Atlantic Coast close to Aveiro is the lovely coastal town of Costa Nova. What sets this area apart from other coastal towns are the beautiful beach houses. Lined up along the water, these houses are just adorable. However, that is about it. Costa Nova is a beautiful town with a nice boardwalk and the perfect place to get ice cream after dinner.
If you are up for some adventure, a day trip to Berlengas Island might just be what you need! Berlengas is located just off the coast of Peniche and requires a ferry to take you over. Beware that the boat trip can be a bit rocky. Take the catamaran!
Once you get to the island, there are trails to explore, beaches to lie on, and crystal-clear water to snorkel in. Just know that the hike to the fort where the famous pic is can take about an hour because it is straight uphill and then straight down. If you can, book a boat tour around the island and they will take you back to the main dock when you are finished.
For more info, check out our podcast episode!
Chapel of Bones in Évora
Among the olive groves and cork forests of the Alentejo region is the charming town of Évora. This medieval town used to host the royal family and even has some Roman Ruins that still stand in a public square and host concerts. But the must-visit destination is the Chapel of Bones.
The Chapel of Bones is located in the São Francisco Church. It is free to enter the naive, which is beautiful. The entrance to the chapel is to the right of the naive and costs about €6. It is worth every penny. The walls are covered with human bones from about 5,000 human bodies.
Lello Livaria in Porto
Lello Livaria is a popular destination in Porto as one of the most unique bookstores in the world. It is also one of the most crowded. But if you can get past the crowds you will find the architecture is quite remarkable.
You will have to buy timed tickets in advance in order to get in (or otherwise you wait for hours) and sometimes it is so crowded you can’t even move. If you go, go as early as you can so you can get good pics.
A few suggestions
There is a great deal of advice out there about what to visit when you are in Portugal. Most of it says the same thing and tells you to visit the same places. Instead, we have a few suggestions.
Instead of Jeronímos Monastery, go to the Convent of Christ in Tomar.
Yes, Tomar is outside of Lisbon and a day trip would require the whole day. But Tomar and the Convent of Christ are worth it. You will see more of the convent than you do at Jeronímos AND the line will not be as long. There is a line even for timed tickets for Jeronímos Monastery and sometimes it is up to two hours.
Also, Tomar is a charming medieval village that has lots of great restaurants, shops, and parks. We like to go just to visit. The convent is just a bonus.
Instead of Pena Palace in Sintra, try the Mafra Palace in Mafra
Pena Palace in Sintra is beautiful and conveys the fairytale vibe up on the mountain. But, you have to schedule your visit in advance, find a way to the top of the mountain (there is no parking), and then take a bus to the entrance. If you miss your timed entrance, they may not let you in, especially if it is crowded.
Instead, go to Mafra and visit the Palace. It is 35 outside of Lisbon, so the same distance if not shorter. The palace is huge and includes a hospital and a basilica complex. You can drive right up to it and there is rarely a line to get in.
Not a wine drinker? Instead of the Douro Valley do an olive oil tasting or take a day trip to Braga.
Now, don’t get me wrong–the Douro Valley is one of the most BEAUTIFUL places in the world and one of our favorite to visit. Nature lovers can spend a great deal of time hiking, kayaking, or mountain biking in the area. But most people go to drink the wine.
Lots of vineyards also offer olive oil tastings. Portugal produces the largest percentage of the highest quality of olive oil in the world. Most of these are in the Alentejo Region (which also produces amazing wines) and you can sign up with a tour guide to take you to one. We found one close to us in Rio Maior called Azeite Fonte da Bica. Loved the tour and the tasting.
Instead, you can take a day trip to Braga and visit Bom Jesus de Monte where the views are spectacular and the cathedral is quite amazing. Braga is also a great city to explore. There are lots of cafes and restaurants as the food is the best we have had in Portugal. The Santa Barbara Garden is a must-see as well as the Cathedral of Braga.
More unique places in Portugal to visit coming soon!
These listed above are all places we have visited and think are worth it. But there is so much more of Portugal we have yet to see.
For example, we have visited the salt flats in Rio Maior and Aveiro, but there are more in Castro Marim, Olhão, and other places in Portugal. The flats in Aveiro are beautiful, but the flats in Rio Maior have a small town with shops and restaurants.
We also have Monsanto on our list, the beautiful village built between boulders, and of course, there is a castle.
Marvão is also a small village we want to visit in the interior of the country, closer to the Spanish border.
As we travel around we will add places to the list. There are so many that have been recommended! If you have a recommendation, drop it in the comments.
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Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.