April 19, 2018
Dive into the Portuguese culture and discover our Top 10 Portuguese World Heritage sites! From the North to the South, Portugal is a unique place to visit if you are looking for a cultural trip. You have to visit them once in your life (at least!), but we assure you this trip is mandatory.
Among sites, landscapes and cultural heritage, these are the best UNESCO World Heritage that one can find!
Imagine a gothic Manueline style monastery of the 16th Century resting by the Tagus River, in Lisbon. This monastery took a hundred years to be completed and is now one of the major symbols of the Portuguese capital. Visit it like a museum and discover one of the biggest legacies from the Portuguese empire! The unique Portuguese Manueline style will dazzle you while you walk through this huge monastery. One of the most beautiful experiences you could have while in the monastery is to visit the cloisters. History with a kick of soul. Breathe the Portuguese culture!
If you’re visiting the Jeronimos you’re probably seeing the Belem Tower peaking. Belem Tower is placed in the bank of the Tagus River and was once a defence mechanism. Now it is known as one of UNESCO World Heritage but also one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Besides its notable Manueline style, it had a great importance during our History. Nowadays you can visit a bit of it by entering the tower and have a panoramic view over the city and, of course, the beautiful Tagus River.
Sintra is a matchless place in the world. In the 19th Century its old monastery was converted by the king into a hybrid castle with Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles. And, of course, his hybrid castle needed an equal crazy and astounding beautiful garden. Exotic trees and rare plants, fountains and watercourses… all tangled in a magical ambient. What are you waiting for?
Looking for something a bit older? The Monastery of Alcobaça is dated from the 12th Century. A Gothic masterpiece in the centre of Portugal. This will take you back in time and make you dream about an epic medieval fantasy story. Once you step inside, you’ll find yourself in another world. You have never seen something like this. We promise you!
What do you do when you win a battle? Why not to build a huge monastery to commemorate? A two centuries job one. A complex infrastructure with a beautiful design and magical ceilings. Imagine stepping into a chapel in which the King John I and his wife have a tomb among their children. How meaningful and jaw dropping is that moment?
A city full of History splashed with an incredible architecture. Its history goes back to the Roman Empire, when they call it Portus as in port. And nowadays it lives with the permanent connection with its river and with the urban side. There’re buildings from the 12th century and a railway station from the 20th century. A mixture of different periods and cultures living in a modern city.
Talking about Romans, Évora is all about the roman heritage. One of the best well-preserved roman temples dedicated to the goddess Diana is located there! But you’ll find Visigoth and Moorish influences too. Convents and palaces. Streets and universities. Évora breaths culture and passion.
The largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world is located in Elvas. If you want to travel to Portugal, you can’t miss this unique construction and its beauty. Castles and medieval streets paint the landscape and its city fortification is a complex structure (if you see it from above, it’s look like an intricate star). An authentic trip to the Portuguese culture!
Known as the Portuguese cradle, Guimarães was a feudal land where Portugal was born. Its medieval streets and so well-preserved centre made it a UNESCO World Heritage, as well as the mixture between centuries (from the 12th Century until now). There’s no other better romantic destination in Portugal… Guimarães is the soul of the country and Portugal World Heritage at its best.
If the 12th century isn’t old enough for you, maybe this prehistoric site will overwhelm you. In the banks of the Côa and the Agueda Rivers, historians and archaeologists discovered hundreds of ancient draws carved on stone. Well-preserved and unique, seeing the draws of pre-historic men will make your chin drop!
And if you love to discover the most important UNESCO World Heritage in Portugal, book our private (and best-seller!) trip. Travel with an exclusive guide and explore our World Heritage Tour: don’t miss a thing of an immersive trip to the Portuguese culture.
Patrícia is Portuguese bookworm and TV series addict who loves to share her passion about travelling.
@Patrícia Caetano Read more posts written by Patrícia Caetano
