Portugal is known for its golden beaches, historic cities, and pastel-colored towns, but beyond Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve resorts lies a country full of unexpected, off-the-beaten-path places. From surreal gardens and secret islands to dramatic cliffs and villages carved into stone, this guide highlights the most unique places to visit in Portugal.
Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a longer road trip, these destinations are perfect if you love discovering hidden gems in Portugal and traveling a little differently.
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At a Glance: Unique Places in Portugal
| Best for Culture & History | Joanina Library (Coimbra), Conímbriga, Chapel of Bones (Évora), Monsanto |
| Best for Nature & Islands | Berlengas Islands, Praia da Samouqueira, Armona Island |
| Best for Coastal Scenery | Nazaré, Costa Nova, Alentejo Coast |
| Best Literary Stops | Livraria Lello (Porto), Joanina Library (Coimbra), Óbidos for the literary festival |
| Best Day Trips from Lisbon | Óbidos, Évora, Berlengas Islands, Nazaré, Évora |
| Best for Photography | Marvão, Costa Nova, Buddha Eden Gardens |
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, the university, and Fado music in the air, you will be swept away by its charm.
Joanina Library
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.
Why it’s unique: A baroque masterpiece where bats are still used to protect the books from insects.
Good to know:
- Entry is limited; book tickets in advance
- Combine with a full Coimbra old town visit
Conímbriga and the Palace of Bussaco
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.
Why it’s unique: An immersive look into Roman life rarely seen elsewhere in Portugal.
Best for: History lovers and slow travelers.
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.
TIP: You will need a car to get to both of these sites unless you take a guided tour.
- From Coimbra: Conímbriga Ruins and Roman Heritage Tour
- Luso, Buçaco Palace, Cruz Alta: The magic of Buçaco, a full tour
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 Airbnb 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. You can take a tour through Lousã from Coimbra. It is a full-day tour, but you can see Talasnal and Gondramaz.
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 Cerejeirasnext door.
You can take a tour of Óbidos and Buddha Eden from Lisboa or Cascais.
Why it’s unique: It’s the largest oriental garden in Europe — a surprising contrast to the surrounding vineyards.
Good to know:
- Best visited in spring or autumn
- Easy stop on a Lisbon–Porto road trip
Beach Towns and Island Day Trips
Benagil Caves
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 Benagil 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. You can even take a tour from Lisbon! It’s a long day, but well worth it.
Nazaré
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.
You can take a day trip from Lisbon or check out a walking tour to see the beautiful village.
Why it’s unique: Home to some of the biggest surfable waves on Earth.
Best time to visit: October to March for big waves; summer for beach town vibes.
Costa Nova
Off the Atlantic Coast, close to Aveiro, is the lovely coastal town of Costa Nova. What sets this area apart from other coastal towns is 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.
Why it’s unique: One of the most photogenic seaside towns in Portugal.
Don’t miss: Sunrise walks, local fish restaurants, and nearby Aveiro canals.
Take a day tour from Porto and see Aveiro and Costa Nova.
Berlengas Islands
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! We did and loved it!
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.
Why it’s unique: One of Portugal’s wildest island experiences — reachable by ferry in under an hour.
Tips:
- Book ferries in advance (limited daily visitors)
- Best visited between May and September
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 Capela dos Ossos or the Chapel of Bones.
The Capela dos Ossos in Évora is both haunting and fascinating. Its walls are lined with thousands of human skulls and bones.
Why it’s unique: A powerful reminder of life’s impermanence, unlike anything else in Portugal.
Combine with: A full day exploring Évora’s Roman temple, old town, and local restaurants.
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.
Why it’s unique: A literary landmark rumored to have inspired parts of Harry Potter.
Good to know:
- An entry ticket is required and redeemable against book purchases
- Visit early or late to avoid crowds
You will have to buy timed tickets in advance in order to get in (or otherwise you will have to 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.
Practical Travel Tips
Crowds: Avoid August if possible
Car rental: Highly recommended for reaching hidden gems
Best seasons: Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October)
FAQ: Visiting Unique Places in Portugal
Are these places suitable for first-time visitors? Yes — especially when combined with Lisbon or Porto.
Can I visit without a car? Some places are reachable by public transport, but renting a car offers much more flexibility.
More unique places in Portugal to visit coming soon!
The ones 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 are in 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 or tag us on Instagram @wandering_worksforus
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Shelley is a full-time traveler, writer, and podcaster based in Portugal, where she lives with her wife and their beloved bulldog, Scoot. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Shelley is a former history teacher who swapped the classroom for cobblestone streets and passport stamps. These days, she explores Portugal and Europe in search of fascinating stories, unforgettable sights, and local flavor—then shares it all through her blog and podcast, Wandering Works for Us, where curiosity meets adventure (and sometimes wine).