Lisbon. Explore the largest city in Portugal. Visit Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, wander the streets of Alfama and Bairro Alto, photograph the city from its elevated viewpoints, and ride or photograph historic tram 28.

Sintra. Sintra is the place to go to explore whimsical castles and palaces, with Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, the National Palace of Sintra, the Castle of the Moors, and the Palace of Monserrate topping the list. You can also visit Cabo da Roca and few stunning beaches.

Porto. Famous for its port wine production, Porto is a gorgeous city in northern Portugal. Go port tasting in Gaia, stroll across Dom Luis I Bridge, visit the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and try Porto’s local foods.

Douro Valley. This terraced region is where port wine originates. The Douro Valley can be visited on a day trip from Porto, but wine lovers should plan a few days and nights here, to immerse yourself in this stunning region of Portugal.

Algarve. The Algarve makes up the southernmost portion of mainland Portugal and it is famous for its beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs and pillars, and sea caves. Beach lovers can easily spend a week here and never run out of things to do.

Óbidos. This walled, hilltop town is a joy to explore and looks and feels very much like a hill town in Tuscany, Italy.

Nazaré. Famous for its monstrous waves, Nazare is one of the world’s top surfing locations. The best time to visit is November through March, when the largest waves make an appearance.

Coimbra. This city is famous for its university, the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world.

Guimarães. This lovely town, with its charming historic city center, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located near Porto.

Braga. In Braga, visit the oldest cathedral in Portugal and climb the steps of Bom Jesus do Monte. Like Guimaraes, it is located near Porto.

Monsanto. This is another hilltop village in Portugal. In Monsanto, stone houses are sandwiched between and under colossal boulders, making this one of the most unique villages to visit in Europe.

Évora. Located in Alentejo, this small city is dotted with ancient historic buildings, including a Roman temple, making it another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Portugal.

Castles of Portugal. One of the best things to do in Portugal is to explore its long list of castles, which can be found in the country’s largest cities, dotting the hillsides of eastern Portugal, and dotting the coastlines.

Fátima. Fátima is an important pilgrimage site in Portugal. Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three children reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The Chapel of Apparitions stands on the place where this occurred. Also in Fátima are the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.

Batalha Monastery. This Dominican convent was constructed between 1386 and 1517, in commemoration of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota. It later became a burial church for Portuguese royalty. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Alcobaça Monastery. The Alcobaça Monastery is a Gothic monastery that was built by monks of the Cistercian Order in 1178. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Azores. The Azores are an archipelago that sit in the Atlantic Ocean. Hiking, whale watching, relaxing in thermal pools, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing all top the list of things to do here. The Azores are still on our bucket list.

Madeira. Sitting off the coast of Morocco, this archipelago is famous for its Madeira wine, forests, and wildlife. It is a year-round destination, staying warm through the winter months. Madeira is still on our bucket list.