Famous Landmarks in Portugal

Last Updated on: 30th December 2023, 06:12 pm

Portugal is home to many famous and iconic landmarks that highlight the history, culture and architecture of this beautiful country. Below are some of the top landmarks to see on a trip to Portugal.

Main Topics of Famous Landmarks in Portugal

Famous Landmarks in Lisbon
Sintra’s Most Famous Landmarks
Most Famous Landmarks in Porto
Most Important Landmarks in Algarve, Portugal
Famous Landmarks in Coimbra

Famous Landmarks in Lisbon

Always check the admission prices before you go. I might update this list of tourist objectives in Portugal from time to time, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep pace with all price adjustments.

This was not a busy day at Belem and still it was hard to take a photo of Torre de Belem without people around

1. Torre de Belem

– Location: Avenida Brasilia, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 6:30pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: This 16th century tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the Tagus River. It was once a defensive fortification and is now one of Lisbon’s most recognized monuments.

2. Jeronimos Monastery

– Location: Praca do Imperio, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 6:30pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)
– Ticket Price: 12 Euro
– Why Visit: Also a UNESCO site, this immense monastery is an excellent example of Portuguese late Gothic architecture. The intricately carved limestone is breathtaking.

Lisbon downtown panorama

3. Sao Jorge Castle

– Location: Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, Lisbon
– Hours: 9am – 9pm daily
– Ticket Price: 8 Euro
– Why Visit: This medieval Moorish castle on a hilltop has panoramic views over Lisbon. It’s an oasis of tranquility in the city.

Padrao dos Descobrimientos – I took this photo from the top terrace of Torre de Belem

4. Padrao dos Descobrimentos

– Location: Avenida Brasilia, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: This monument in the shape of a caravel celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Its concrete sculptures are quite impactful.

Find out more by reading my article about Belem District.

5. Praca do Comercio

– Location: Lisbon
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This expansive plaza offers excellent people watching and architectural sights like the Arco da Rua Augusta.

carmo convent rossio square santa justa lift

I took this photo from Rossio Christmas Market – you can see Santa Justa Elevator to the left and Carmo Convent to the right

6. Elevador de Santa Justa

– Location: Rua de Santa Justa, Lisbon
– Hours: 7am – 11pm daily
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: This neo-Gothic iron elevator provides views over downtown Lisbon from its observation platform.

One of the scenic miradouros in Lisbon – there are at least 10 scattered around the city

7. Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

– Location: Rua Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Lisbon
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This hilltop viewpoint has panoramic vistas over central Lisbon and its red rooftops.

8. Cristo Rei Statue

– Location: Almada
– Hours: 9:30am – 6:30pm daily
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: This huge statue of Christ overlooking Lisbon across the river is similar to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer.

Saint George Castle on the river sunset backdrop as viewed from miradouro da Senhora do Monte

9. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

– Location: Rua da Senhora do Monte, Lisbon
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: More amazing views and a tranquil park setting make this one of Lisbon’s best miradouros.

Check out my article about many of the Lisbon miradouros to find out their exact location and to see more sunset images.

10. Lisbon Se Cathedral

– Location: Largo da Se, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This impressively massive Romanesque cathedral dates back to the 12th century. Don’t miss the treasury museum.

11. Convento do Carmo

– Location: Largo do Carmo, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 4 Euro
– Why Visit: These Gothic church ruins contain captivating marble columns and arches. The Carmelite museum has religious art and artifacts.

Here’s my Carmo Convent article with photos from inside the museum.

12. National Tile Museum

– Location: Rua Madre de Deus, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 6pm Tuesday to Sunday
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: This museum is dedicated to the famous azulejo tiles seen everywhere in Portugal. It’s housed in a beautiful convent.

I found Nemo and his siblings! – Clown fish in the main tank of Oceanario de Lisboa

13. Oceanario de Lisboa

– Location: Esplanada Dom Carlos I, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 17 Euro
– Why Visit: This massive aquarium has global marine habitats with thousands of sea creatures on display. It’s very family-friendly.

Read my article about Oceanario de Lisboa to find out more and to see more photos of those lovely fish.

14. Lisbon Zoo

– Location: Estrada de Benfica 158-160, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 19 Euro
– Why Visit: Home to over 2000 animals, this zoo opened in 1884 and is known for its big cats, reptiles, and cable car.

15. Estufa Fria

– Location: Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: This greenhouse has lush vegetation, ponds, and a waterfall – perfect for escaping the city bustle.

16. Ajuda National Palace

– Location: Largo da Ajuda, Lisbon
– Hours: 10am – 6pm Thursday to Tuesday
– Ticket Price: 8 Euro
– Why Visit: This unfinished neoclassical palace offers a museum, botanical gardens, and impressive views over Lisbon.

Sintra’s Most Famous Landmarks

Check out my article about the Palaces of Sintra to find out more about them.

17. Sintra National Palace

– Location: Largo Rainha Dona AmÃ©lia, Sintra
– Hours: 9:30am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 10 Euro
– Why Visit: Used as a summer residence, this palace is full of beautiful architectural details like chimneys and conical towers.

The wonderful Pena Palace, amazing mix of architectural styles, one of the best places to visit in Sintra, Portigal

18. Pena Palace

– Location: Estrada da Pena, Sintra
– Hours: 9:45am to 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 14 Euro
– Why Visit: The bright colors and Romanticist style of this 19th century palace are striking against the Sintra Mountains. It’s a fairy tale come to life.

19. Quinta da Regaleira

– Location: Rua Barbosa du Bocage, Sintra
– Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 10 Euro
– Why Visit: This eccentric estate has extravagant gardens, fountains, grottoes, and a mysterious initiation well. It’s perfect for exploring.

The fortifications of the Moorish Castle are among the best vantage points of Sintra

20. Moorish Castle

– Location: Largo da Santa Cruz, Sintra
– Hours: 9:30am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 8 Euro
– Why Visit: The ruins of this medieval castle on a hilltop provide scenic views and a glimpse into Sintra’s Moorish past.

21. Park and National Palace of Monserrate

– Location: Rua Barbosa du Bocage, Sintra
– Hours: 9:30am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 8 Euro
– Why Visit: The exotic gardens and architecture make this an oasis of luxury and tranquility.

22. Convent of the Capuchos

– Location: Sintra
– Hours: 9:30am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 7 Euro
– Why Visit: This 16th century hilltop convent offers austere architecture and striking simplicity surrounded by forest.

23. Palace of Seteais

– Location: Rua Barbosa do Bocage, Sintra
– Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: Free (museum entry fee)
– Why Visit: An elegant 18th century palace with manicured gardens and scenic views over Sintra’s hills.

24. Convent of Christ

– Location: Largo Rainha D. Isabel no 2, Tomar
– Hours: 10am – 6:30pm daily
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: This convent founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century contains stunning Romanesque, Gothic and Manueline architecture.

25. Cabo da Roca

– Location: Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: Mainland Europe’s westernmost point provides dazzling ocean cliffs and panoramic views.

Most Famous Landmarks in Porto

26. Dom Luis I Bridge

– Location: Porto
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This double decker metal arch bridge spanning the Douro River provides one of the best views over Porto’s cityscape and harbor.

27. Clerigos Tower

– Location: Rua Sao Filipe Nery, Porto
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: The view from the top of this 18th century bell tower provides a stunning panorama of Porto and its historic center.

28. Livraria Lello

– Location: Rua das Carmelitas 144, Porto
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: The elaborate neo-Gothic architecture makes this over 100 year old bookshop a fascinating sight, with ornate wood carvings and stained glass.

29. Sao Bento Railway Station

– Location: Praca Almeida Garrett, Porto
– Hours: 5am – 1am daily
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: The entrance hall is covered in over 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history and transportation.

30. Stock Exchange Palace

– Location: Rua Ferreira Borges, Porto
– Hours: 9am – 6:30pm daily
– Ticket Price: 10 Euro
– Why Visit: The exuberant reception halls of this former stock market are densely decorated with carvings, giltwork and chandeliers.

31. Porto Cathedral

– Location: Terreiro da Se, Porto
– Hours: 9am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 3 Euro
– Why Visit: This imposing Romanesque cathedral contains a beautiful silver altarpiece and lovely cloister. Climb the towers for panoramic views.

32. Church of Sao Francisco

– Location: Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, Porto
– Hours: 9am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: The ornate Gothic church has a dazzling interior completely covered in gold carvings. It’s a real jewel box.

33. Foz Beach

– Location: Porto
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This popular blue flag beach offers golden sands and prime surfing conditions near the mouth of the Douro.

34. Cais da Ribeira

– Location: Porto
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: The colorful row of buildings along this riverside promenade in Porto’s old town provides postcard-perfect views.

35. Porto City Park

– Location: Rua Cidade do Cabo
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: These peaceful gardens right in the city center contain lakes, ponds, gazebos, sculptures, and various tree species.

Most Important Landmarks in Algarve, Portugal

36. Praia da Marinha Beach

– Location: Caramujeira, Lagoa
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This picturesque beach is known for its beautiful rock formations and clear blue waters.

37. Ponta da Piedade

– Location: Lagos
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: The breathtaking rock cliffs and sea caves here make it one of the Algarve’s most scenic viewpoints.

38. Benagil Sea Cave

– Location: Benagil, Lagoa
– Hours: Only accessible by boat tour
– Ticket Price: Around 20 Euro per boat tour
– Why Visit: This huge seaside grotto with a roof open to the sky is awe-inspiring, especially with sunlight beaming through.

39. Praia do Camilo Beach

– Location: Lagos
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A golden sand beach flanked by stunning limestone cliffs. Access is via a set of wooden stairs.

40. Praia da Falesia Beach

– Location: Olhos de Agua
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A 6km long beach with beautiful red and yellow cliffs as a backdrop.

41. Praia Grande de Pera

– Location: Algarve, near Albufeira
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A stunning beach over 2km long with golden sand and turquoise waters. Umbrellas and loungers available to rent. Gets very busy in summer.

Read my post about Pera and the natural reserve.

Sagres Lighthouse at Cabo Sao Vicente

42. Cabo de Sao Vicente

– Location: Vila do Bispo
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: The southwestern most point in Europe offers dramatic cliffs and powerful ocean views.

43. Forte de Sagres

– Location: Sagres
– Hours: 9:30am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 5 Euro
– Why Visit: This 15th century coastal fortress has sweeping views over the promontories of Sagres.

Here’s my article about Sagres, Portugal.

44. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao

– Location: Tavira
– Hours: 10am – 1pm & 3pm – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This church dating to the 13th century combines Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline and Baroque architectural styles.

45. Faro Cathedral

– Location: Faro
– Hours: 10am – 6:30pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 1pm Saturday
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: Dating back to the 13th century, the interiors of this historic cathedral contain chapels, tombs and azulejo tiles.

46. Praia da Rocha

– Location: Portimao
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: One of the Algarve’s most popular beaches, with golden sands backed by reddish cliffs. Lots of hotels, bars and restaurants nearby.

47. Fortaleza de Santa Catarina

– Location: Sitio do Cotolo, Portimao
– Hours: 9am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 2.50 Euro
– Why Visit: This well-preserved 17th century fort offers beautiful panoramic views over Portimao and the coastline.

48. Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceisao

– Location: Largo da Conceisao, Portimao
– Hours: 7:30am – 1pm & 3pm – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A lovely church dating from the 15th century with azulejo tilework and an impressive Baroque altarpiece.

49. Portimao Marina

– Location: Portimao
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: This modern marina has many yachts, lively cafes and restaurants with scenic views of the River Arade estuary.

50. Carvoeiro Beach

– Location: Carvoeiro
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A picturesque beach nestled between colorful cliffs with calm, clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

51. Algar Seco

– Location: Estrada do Algar Seco, Carvoeiro
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A dramatic rock formation of cliffs and caves along the coast. Can be viewed from the boardwalk above.

52. Centro de Artesanato, Carvoeiro, Algarve

– Location: Rua das Escolas, Carvoeiro
– Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A craft center featuring demonstrations and sales of traditional Portuguese handicrafts.

53. Praia Vale de Centeanes

– Location: Between Carvoeiro and Armacao de Pera
– Hours: Open 24 hours
– Ticket Price: Free
– Why Visit: A secluded, peaceful beach surrounded by stunning cliffs that can only be reached via a steep staircase.

Famous Landmarks in Coimbra

54. University of Coimbra

– Location: Paco das Escolas, Coimbra
– Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm daily
– Ticket Price: 2 Euro
– Why Visit: The baroque library and 18th century ceremonial hall of this historic university are richly decorated and breathtaking.

55. Old Cathedral of Coimbra

– Location: Largo da Sao Velha, Coimbra
– Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
– Ticket Price: 2 Euro
– Why Visit: Dating back to the 12th century, this national monument provides Romanesque architecture in its purest form.

56. Portugal dos Pequenitos

– Location: Rossio de Santa Clara, Coimbra
– Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
– Ticket Price: 9 Euro
– Why Visit: This miniature park contains small scale models of Portugal’s monuments and buildings. It’s whimsical and charming.

57. Convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova

– Location: Calcada de Santa Isabel, Coimbra
– Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
– Ticket Price: 3 Euro
– Why Visit: This elegant 17th century convent has beautiful cloisters and a Baroque chapel with azulejo tiles.

58. Monastery of Santa Cruz

– Location: Praca 8 de Maio, Coimbra
– Hours: 9am – 5:30pm daily
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: Founded in 1131, this national monument contains the tombs of Portugal’s first kings. The cloisters and chapels are magnificent.

59. Joanine Library

– Location: Largo da Porta Farrea, Coimbra
– Hours: 9:30am – 5pm daily
– Ticket Price: 12 Euro
– Why Visit: The Baroque library of the University of Coimbra has over 300,000 ancient texts and stunning 18th century architecture.

60. Museu Nacional Machado de Castro

– Location: Largo Dr. Jose Rodrigues, Coimbra
– Hours: 10am – 6pm Tuesday to Sunday
– Ticket Price: 6 Euro
– Why Visit: Housed in a former bishop’s palace, this museum offers Roman artifacts, medieval religious art, and sculpture.

I don’t know whether all of these landmarks in Portugal are famous, indeed.

Portugal is beautiful from every angle and everywhere you go.

I’m totally in love with the Algarve, where I used to live at some point in my life.

Do you want to bookmark this list of famous landmarks in Portugal? Pin it now!

Author
Recent Posts

Violeta Matei

Violeta writes for people who want to design, research and plan their own travel experiences. After two decades of working in advertising and marketing, she decided to pursue her two passions, to travel the world and to write about it. Since 2012, she authors and administrates a network of travel blogs.