Picturesque Portugal: Beautiful Places to Visit and See

From historic cityscapes to rustic beach scenes, Portugal certainly is picturesque! In this article, we’re looking at where our tourists are taking their favourite pictures to help you decide precisely where you want to stay during your next adventure in Portugal. Featuring scenes from cities and seasides alike, Portugal really does have it all:

LISBON

As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is certainly a popular tourist destination for those looking to experience the heart of Portugal’s city-culture. There are plenty of important landmarks for you to stop by in Lisbon, but at the top of your list should be the Rua Augusta Arch – a stunning piece of architecture framed by bright yellow buildings.

If you’re planning a lot of family pictures for Lisbon, be sure to pack a suitcase filled with vibrantly coloured outfits so you can stand out against Lisbon’s brilliantly coloured features. We have a variety of hotels in Lisbon for you to consider, including both inner-city and seaside.

SINTRA

Pena Palace in Sintra is famous for fairy-tale features. If you’re looking for a magical experience to showcase your holiday on social media, then Sintra is an important place for you to visit. We’re also quite sure that any young ones travelling with you will get a lot of enjoyment from the magnificence of this castle.

Our closest Pousada to Sintra is the gorgeous Pestana Sintra Golf; a luxury four-star hotel in easy reach of Lisbon. Enjoy a restive holiday journeying between the golf course, spa, bar, restaurant and local cultural hotspots such as Pena Palace.

PORTO

We love Porto, home to the eponymous Portuguese alcohol, ‘Port’. Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal and is often referred to as the capital of the North, but it couldn’t be more different from Lisbon. Porto is the gastronomic individual’s dream, but Lisbon is better for architecture and museums… that is unless you prefer to tour churches – in which case, you should go to Porto.

We have a few hotels in Porto, but if you’re looking for a little class then we heartily recommend the Vintage Porto Hotel, a world heritage site with stunning views that you’ll enjoy on every day of your stay. Nearby, there are the famous port wine lodges, the classy Douro river and even a casino for a different side of Porto.

GUIMARAES

Lisbon and Porto are fairly busy cities, so Guimaraes by contrast is fairly laid back. Located in the Braga district there is plenty of architecture that is distinct to the region, such as the 10^th-century castle. Like most sites of interest, this castle has a rich history sure to thrill and astound visitors.

Guimaraes has both quaint and impressive architectural feats to visit during your stay, not to mention the various cafés and restaurants to refresh yourself with throughout your journeys. All of this history is at your fingertips when you stay at our Pousada Guimaraes.

SAGRES

At the southern-most point of Portugal is Sagres where you’ll find beaches, cliffs and plenty of sunshine. We have two Pousadas in this location to feature as your touchstone for a fantastic beach-based holiday.

Below, is the gorgeous Costa Vicentina which is where you’ll find a more relaxed, rural way of life. This coastline is protected by very strict environmental laws which means that there are very few developments to come between you and your desire for complete peace.

BELMONTE

If you fancy a visit to the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela, then we recommend staying in our Hotel Convento de Belmonte. The renovated convent in which you will be staying is elegantly designed and still contains many of its original features, including the amphitheatre you can find in the surrounding architecture.

The Pousada Belmonte has only 24 rooms, with free internet access in all of them, room service, and an outdoor pool. For more information regarding our hotels and where to visit, we recommend perusing the rest of our blog or booking with us to experience Portugal firsthand.