adminPortugal has a long and rich history and this is reflected in the quantity and quality of historical sites in Portugal, several of them on the UNESCO World Heritage list. There are many castles, churches, convents, cathedrals, and archeological and historical sites spread across the Portuguese territory and visiting them all is not possible in a single trip to Portugal. That is why it is essential to make a selection of historical sites in Portugal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MUST-SEE HISTORICAL SITES IN PORTUGAL
Here is our list of 10 historical places in Portugal not to be missed.
1. Batalha Monastery, one of UNESCO heritage and historical sites in Portugal
Constructed in fulfilment of a vow by King João I to commemorate the victory over the Castilians at Aljubarrota (15 August 1385), the Dominican Monastery of Batalha is one of the absolute masterpieces of Gothic art, and one of the historical sites in Portugal absolutely not to be missed. It is one of the most beautiful monasteries and architectural examples in Portugal and a place where it is possible to discover the History of Portugal live and in color.
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The greater part of the monumental complex dates from the reign of João I (1385-1433), when the church (finished in 1416), the royal cloister, the chapter-house, and the chapel, where you can find the enormous medieval tomb of João I and his wife, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, were built. But the Monastery of Batalha was also, for more than two centuries, the great workshop of the Portuguese monarchy, and it is possible to find here the most characteristic features of both the Gothic and the Renaissance periods of Portuguese art.
Book your guided tour of the Monastery of Batalha.
Book your accommodation in Batalha.
2. Castle of Guimarães
Guimarães Castle is closely linked to Portugal’s independence struggles and is surrounded by a very pleasant garden where you can have a picnic in the summer, surrounded by children and young people who run and play surrounded by History. It is one of the places in the city of Guimarães that its residents are most proud of. Right next door is the church of São Miguel (where some say Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king was baptized) and the Paço dos Duques, one of the official residences of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic. One of the historical sites in Portugal not to be missed.
Book your Braga and Guimarães Full Day Tour with Lunch from Porto.
3. Monastery of Alcobaça, one of UNESCO heritage and historical sites in Portugal
The Monastery of Alcobaça, located in central Portugal, is a beautiful monastery and one of the must-visit historical sites in Portugal. The founding of the Monastery of Alcobaça is closely associated with the beginning of the Portuguese monarchy as Alcobaça was given King Afonso I to the Cistercians in recognition of their support to the conquest of Santarem (1152). with the understanding that they would colonise and work the surrounding lands.
Laid out similarly to Pontigny Abbey in Burgundy (France), besides its artistic value, the monastery was the kingdom’s most important monastic school and a center of political influence. Inside, you can also find the famous tombs of Inês de Castro and Dom Pedro (Peter I), commissioned by the king himself, after one of the most romanticized episodes of Portugueses history, when Inês de Castro (a Galician noblewoman, lover and later wife of Peter, posthumous queen of Portugal) was assassinated in Coimbra on the orders of King Afonso IV, and Peter carried out a terrible revenge on the murderers, worthy of a Hollywood screenplay.
Book your Fátima, Batalha, Alcobaça, Nazaré and Óbidos Private Day Tour from Lisbon.
4. Moorish Castle in Sintra
Located in the heart of Sintra’s Cultural Landscape, the Moorish Castle is partially in ruins but its outer wall is truly impressive. From the castle, on a rocky outcrop, there are fabulous views over the Pena Palace and the town of Sintra, which extend to the Atlantic and the Portuguese coast. The castle is a beautiful place to explore and have a picnic during the heat of summer.
Skip the lines and book your Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket.
The Moorish Castle might be of Visigothic origin but it was certainly used in the 9th century, during the Moorish occupation. lt was finally abandoned with the successful Reconquista of Portugal from the Moors. Now in ruins, the remains of its barbican, keep and walls still constitute one of the most beautiful Portuguese castles and one of the historical sites in Portugal not to be missed.
5. Castle of Almourol
At the gates of Lisbon, the Castle of Almourol is one of the most beautiful castles in Portugal. Its location, on a rocky island in the middle of the Tejo river, transports us to medieval imagery. The Almourol castle dates back to the 10th or 11th century, but little is known about its construction. One thing is for sure, its history is closely linked to the presence of the Templars in Portugal, and to visit it is a great way to find out more about that chapter of portuguese history
Book your Knights Templar Day Tour from Lisbon to Tomar and Castle of Almourol.
6. Convent of Christ in Tomar, one of UNESCO heritage and historical sites in Portugal
What a beautiful example of the History of Portugal! The Convent of Christ in Tomar is stunning, dominating the entire Tomar region from the top of a hill, and surrounded by the walls of the Castle of Tomar. It belonged to the Order of the Templars, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, grand master of the Knights Templar and it became the home of the Order of Christ in Portugal in 1356. Originally designed as a monument symbolizing the christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Convent of Christ came to symbolize just the opposite during the Manueline period, that is, the opening up of Portugal to other civilizations.
Book your Knights Templar Day Tour from Lisbon to Tomar and Castle of Almourol.
Built over the span of five centuries, the Convent of Christ is a testimony to an architecture combining Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque elements. But the Manueline influence was, as at Belem in Lisbon, decisive and it was under King Manuel that the combining Gothic and Moorish influences gave rise to the most accomplished expression of Manueline decorative style, such as in the famous “Manueline window”. One of the historical sites in Portugal absolutely not to be missed.
Book your Knights Templar Self-Guided Audio Tour in Tomar.
7. Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon
Sao Jorge Castle, in the heart of the Castelo neighborhood in Lisbon, is located on one of the seven hills of the city and is one of the most beautiful Portuguese castles and one of the must-see historical sites in Portugal . The castle was built by the Moors in the 11th century and it was there that the Muslim elite took refuge during the Christian Conquest of Portugal. The castle has always played a determining role in the construction of nationality and, although the Arab elements of the castle have been practically removed, its history is marked by the Arab and Christian presence.
Book your Sao Jorge Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guide.
8. Roman Temple in Évora, one of UNESCO heritage and historical sites in Portugal
The Roman Temple of Évora (formerly known as the Temple of Diana, given the similarities with the homonym in Mérida) is one of the historical sites in Portugal not to be missed, specially because the city of Evora is itself a must-see destination. Despite already existing as a settlement in pre-Roman times, the city of Evora is recognized as having been elevated to a municipality under the name of Ebora Liberalitas Julia, an honorific title granted by Julius Ceasar, having been integrated into the Province of Lusitania by Emperor Augustus in beginning of our era.
Check out our post with all the tips to visit Evora.
Located at the highest point of the Roman acropolis, the Roman Temple of Évora is what remains of the Roman city’s forum, displaying Corinthian columns, with bases and capitals of marble. It was part of a huge complex and was consecrated to Emperor Augustus in the 1st century AD. It is a unique example in Portugal, one of the best preserved on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the historical sites in Portugal which is a must.
Book your Évora Private Walking Tour.
9. Clérigos Tower in Porto
Next to Avenida dos Aliados in Porto, there is the Clehurch, built by Nicolau Nasoni, but it is the church tower, the Clerigos Tower, that dominates the area, with its 75 m high and robust appearance, but beautiful and fragile at the same time. It is one of Porto’s most iconic attractions but also one of the must-see historical sites in Portugal. Built for the Clerigos Brotherhood by Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect and painter responsible for a large body of work in the north of Portugal during the 18th century, construction of the church began in 1732 and was finished around 1750.
Check out our post with all the tips to visit Porto.
Don’t forget to climb the monumental Clerigos Tower for panoramic views across the entire city, and an up-close view of its most symbolic attraction. Then, go to the exhibition space in the Clerigos Building to admire the Clerigos Collection, where you can see pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, including furniture, paintings and vestments.
Book your Clerigos Tower Entrance Ticket.
10. Castle of Bragança
Bragança Castle is located on the bank of the Fervença River, in the heart of the city of Bragança and is one of the most beautiful Portuguese castles and one of the must-see historical sites in Portugal. There appear to be traces from the Neolithic period, from the Roman and Arab periods, prior to the construction of the medieval castle. The castle was built in the 12th century, when the Portucalense County was created and the Guimarães region was repopulated. The castle played a decisive role in defending the border line with Spain, at the time Castile and León. The Keep, the Princess Tower and the Gothic-style windows are some of the castle’s ex-libris. From the castle the views are wonderful and, on a clear day, you can see the mountains of Montesinho, Sanabria, Rebordões and Nogueira.
Book your accommodation in Bragança.
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