Have you already been to Lisbon and want to discover something else of Portugal, or would you like to use your stay in Lisbon to visit cities other than the capital?This article is for you!
Indeed, Portugal has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, as diverse as they are spectacular, andthe cities that make up the country are no exception.
Each has a particularity, a history and a culture that are a pleasure to discover when you have time to devote a few days to them in your itinerary! Some require at least 3 days of exploring; for others, a single day is enough.
What are our 3 favourite cities in Portugal after Lisbon?
1 – Our favourite: PORTO
This city is the logical continuation of your trip.Porto is a true jewel of architecture, culture, gastronomy, discovery, exchange, local life, etc…Smaller than Lisbon, it enjoys a very particular atmosphere: to us it representsthe very definition of the word “saudade”, which has no literal translation in English (or in any other language), but which can be likened to “nostalgia”.
Indeed, the atmosphere there, the gentle way of life mixed with the simplicity of the inhabitants, the traditional cuisine of the north of the country, the attachment to the land and to one’s roots… partly explain thisfeeling of a cocoon, of well-being when you discover Porto. A few days are needed to visit the city, between 3 and 5 depending on what you like to do on holiday and your pace.
You’re in luck,Voyage à Lisbonneis going to openVoyage à Portoin 2019!We’re preparingexceptional and unforgettable experiences: personalized travel programmes in the same vein as those offered for Lisbon (respect for the local ecosystem, focus on discovery and exchange, sustainable tourism, etc…).
We advise you to visit our upcoming website:www.voyage-a-porto.comfor any travel project in this magnificent city!
2 – The hidden treasure: ÉVORA
From the houses built under the city’s Aqueduct, to the open-air Roman temple, the largest cathedral in Portugal or the old town with its colourful houses,the city of Évora is rich in culture and history.
In just 1 day of visiting, your eyes are already full!
This city, considered the capital of the Alentejo region in Portugal, is laden with architectural testimonies of its past, and many speak of a “museum city”. It’s also a city thatleaves a mark with its welcome, its beauty and its tranquillity.
The cuisine there is local and delicious, and you can discover unusual places: the Chapel of Bones, a megalithic site about ten kilometres from the centre, vineyards, etc…
Definitely worth seeing!
3 – The gem: Guimarães
Little known to tourists for now, and yet elected European Capital of Culture in 2012,this former fortified town is a gem in the middle of Portugal’s northern lands. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in the region, and it has managed to preserve the traces of its history.
And its origin is incredible: Guimarães is the first city of Portugal. Political and military events took place there that led to the creation of the Kingdom of Portugal, which would gradually expand to give Portugal as we know it today…
This town is very precious because it’s very small and magnificent. You can admire cobbled squares amid thousand-year-old houses, a grand avenue leading to the town’s main church, the castle ruins, the palace of the Duques de Bragança (of whom Dom Afonso, 1st King of Portugal, is the head of the line), the cable car leading to the Penha mountain (the town’s highest point), and the Citânia de Briteiros, made up of ruins dating back to the Iron Age…
In short, a true jewel to which the origins of the founder ofVoyage à Lisbonneare intrinsically linked, and which we strongly advise you to visit!
