Portugal: Highlights of Lisbon and Surrounding Areas

TOP 10 LISBON Sights, Tourist Attractions and Main Highlights - The BEST of Lisbon

With views over the Atlantic Ocean and Tagus river, Lisbon peeks through the seven hills with all its beauty and charm. You can follow my travel guide to visit Lisbon and surrounding area as it is or, if you prefer, instead of beginning your visit in the capital, you can go straight from the airport to Sintra and leave Lisbon for the last couple of days.

To have an idea of how these first days in the Portuguese capital can be, read my article and discover the amazing places to see in Lisbon in two wonderful days. Begin your third day of this travel guide to visit Lisbon and surrounding area by going to the beautiful Queluz National Palace , located 13 km away from Lisbon. This majestic palace in Baroque and Neoclassical style was built in the 18th century and was, for some time, one of the Portuguese royal family residences.

Apart from the wonderful building with amazingly decorated rooms and halls, you can also visit a unique library in Portugal: Outside, spend some time admiring the forest and the beautiful gardens decorated with statues. In the afternoon, drive west towards the amazing town of Sintra , one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, that seems to have come right from a fairy tale.

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Next, visit Sintra National Palace. This is one of the most visited palaces in the country and has an enormous historic value, having been one of the official residences of the Portuguese royal family up to the 20th century, when monarchy was abolished in Portugal. There are many hotels where you can spend the next couple of nights, however I have two great options for you to consider.

Located in the historic centre of Sintra, just a few metres away from Sintra National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, this is one of the favourite places for those visiting this town. Another amazing place to stay and close to several points of interest in Sintra is The Biester Charm House affiliate link. On this fourth day of the travel guide to visit Lisbon and surrounding area, I suggest that you continue exploring the amazing Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, this time further away from the historic centre of Sintra.

In the morning, leave the hotel and go to the ex-libris of this region and one of the most beautiful monuments in Portugal: We recommend that you stroll through this park before or after visiting the palace because it is an amazing place worth exploring. Next, discover a fairy tale palace. Built in the 19th century, where an old convent existed, this palace combines a variety of architectonic styles and was one of the favourite country retreats of the Portuguese royal family until the foundation of the Republic, in the 5th October At that time, this palace was listed as a Portuguese monument and is today one of the most visited monuments in the country.

In the afternoon and after your visit to the amazing Pena National Palace and Park, we suggest that you continue exploring Sintra, this time with a stop in another place of great beauty — the Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla. From here you can admire Pena National Palace from another perspective and you can also enjoy the natural beauty of this place; if you want, you can even enjoy a carriage ride and experience something different and unique.

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To finish your day, drive to another wonderful and unique place in Portugal, the magnificent Monserrate Palace and Park. Definitely a place to go when you visit Lisbon and surrounding area. The opening hours and the ticket prices can change depending on the time of the year so I suggest that you check the respective sites for more information.

Next, return to the hotel and enjoy your last night in Sintra, one of the most beautiful locations in Portugal.

Lisbon, sightseeing, activities and things to see

A beautiful rococo palace about 20 minutes away on the Sintra train line. It's a smaller Portuguese version of Versailles, with gardens that are just as impressive as the palace's interior. One of Europe's biggest palaces, reached by bus less than 1h30m away.

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Made famous by Nobel Prize author Jose Saramago's novel "Baltazar and Blimunda," it's also known for one of the finest libraries in Europe. You'll need a car but you'll want to join most Lisboetas at the beaches of this 30km-long coastline in the summer. Some beaches are crowded, others nearly deserted, some overdeveloped, others wild and pristine.

Travel guide to visit Lisbon and surrounding area in 7 days

The choice is yours. Although Nazare further to the north has all the fame for "the world's biggest waves," this traditional seaside village closer to Lisbon is the original surfing mecca. Just 1h30m away by bus, it was Europe's first designated surfing reserve. Those who don't surf, head here for relaxing days by the Atlantic in the atmosphere of a former fishing village with good seafood restaurants. Skip the long lines for taxis or the hassle of navigating public transportation when you arrive at the airport, and go straight to your hotel:.

Save time and money: Get FREE or reduced admission to most of Lisbon's attractions and ride the city's metro, buses, and trams for free with the Lisboa Card:. Search for the best prices and availability at all kinds of Lisbon hotels, from cheaper guesthouses, to boutique and design hotels in the center of the city: Its cloisters are considered among the most beautiful in the world and it has been listed as a World Heritage Site. Inside is a small archaeological museum and down the hill are a couple of terraces with perfect postcard views over Alfama, the city's medieval village-like neighborhood.

It includes a state-of-the-art aquarium, a casino, and a wonderful waterfront promenade. It's worth the visit for the beautiful church alone pictured above. The Chapel of St.