39 Beautiful Photos to Inspire Your Portugal Trip

Dreaming of traveling to Portugal? These stunning photos will inspire your trip to Portugal!

Portugal is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It has a rich history and culture, which is evident in its architecture and food. Portugal is also known for its beaches and coastal towns, such as Cascais and Porto.

If you’re looking for a beautiful European destination to travel to, Portugal should be at the top of your list!

To help add to your vision board, I’ve compiled a list of 39 stunning photos to inspire your Portugal trip. From the vibrant streets of Lisbon to the stunning coastline, these images will have you dreaming of your next vacation.

This is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. Lisbon has been compared to San Francisco because of its hilly landscape and the red bridge that looks very similar to the Golden Gate Bridge.

However, the streets of Lisbon are lined with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. Its architecture and food are indicative of its Portuguese roots.

As one of the best places to visit in Portugal, add Lisbon to the top of your bucket list!

Read Next: 31 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Lisbon [Tips for First-Timers]

---

• The stunning views from the Castelo de Sao Jorge, a castle located in the heart of the city and was once used as a royal palace. If you’re visiting Lisbon, make sure to add this stop to your itinerary!

---

• The Praca de Commercio is a large plaza in Lisbon that is located right by the Tagus River. It was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest plazas in Europe. The plaza was once used for commerce, which is where it gets its name from. These days, it’s a popular spot for tourists to take photos and relax.

• The Rua Augusta Arch is located at the end of the Praca de Comercio. It was built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. If you walk through the arch, you’ll find yourself in the Baixa, or downtown, area of Lisbon. This is a popular shopping area with lots of cafes and restaurants.

---

• The beautiful azulejos, or tiles, are seen all over Lisbon and throughout Portugal. These tiles were not originally meant for exterior decoration, but rather to prevent the humidity from the ocean to get into the houses since there wasn’t very good insulation.

• When you walk through Lisbon, you’ll find many buildings that have varying designs of these decorative azulejos.

---

• The iconic trams wind their way through the city streets. This was the Gloria Tram that can take you up to a beautiful miradouro, or viewpoint, to get panoramic views of the city.

---

• One of several monuments in Lisbon. This one is located in Restauradores Square in Lisbon.

---

• The street art from the Alfama District in Lisbon will brighten up your day. This area used to be very dangerous to enter unless you lived there, but the city wanted to make it a safer place, especially for tourists. They started adding street art to encourage viewers to enter this district.

---

• The Santa Justa Lift is an elevator located in the Baixa district of Lisbon that goes up to Carmo Square. It was built in 1902 and is a popular tourist attraction. The lift has an iron frame and was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who was an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel.

• Although this is a popular tourist attraction, I would highly recommend skipping the ride. Take a photo of it and continue your exploration of Lisbon. The views are beautiful, but might not be worth standing in long lines!

---

Belem is a district in Lisbon that is known for its beautiful architecture and delicious pastries.

The district is named after the Belém Tower, which is located in the district and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India.

The most famous pastry from Belem is the Pasteis de Belem (or Nata), which you can find at the Pasteis de Belem bakery. My favorite Pasteis de Nata was from Belem, but you can find them anywhere in Portugal!

The architecture in Belem is stunning, and you can find several monuments and parks in the area.

Read next: Is Belem Worth Visiting: 7+ Best Things to Do in Half a Day

---

• The Tower of Belem is one of the most iconic landmarks in Lisbon. The tower was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India. The tower is an iconic landmark in Lisbon and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

---

• The Jeronimos Monastery is another UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Belem district of Lisbon. The monastery was built in the early 16th century and is a beautiful example of Manueline architecture, which is characterized by its intricate designs and motifs.

---

• The Monument of Discoveries is a monument located in Lisbon, Portugal, that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery. The monument was designed by Portuguese architect Francisco de Oliveira and was built in 1992. It features a statue of Prince Henry the Navigator, who was instrumental in the Portuguese Age of Discovery.

---

Cascais is known for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous homes, and charming streets. It’s a popular destination for tourists and is a great place to relax and soak up the sun. The best way to get to Cascais from Lisbon is by taking a quick train ride.

• The Atlantic ocean from Cascais. Cascais is a coastal town located just outside of Lisbon. Taking those stairs will bring you right to a small sandy beach where you can swim if you’d like!

---

• Santini’s Gelato – the best gelato in Cascais. You’ll need to pay for your ice cream first and then you can go and choose your flavors (the English names are listed on the other side of the wall – not the first board you see when you walk in).

---

Sintra is a charming town located just outside of Lisbon. It is known for its fairytale palaces and gardens like the Quinta da Regaliera, and it’s a popular destination for tourists. If you’re looking for a day trip from Lisbon, be sure to add Sintra to your list!

Read Next: The Complete Guide to Quinta da Regaliera

From Sintra, you can also visit Cabo da Roca (Cape Rock), which is the westernmost point in continental Europe.

---

• The Pena Palace is a fairytale castle located in Sintra, Portugal. It was originally built by King Ferdinand II for his wife. The king loved the arts so he expressed his joy with a colorful facade in the design of the palace.

Note: This picture is not mine, but I thought you needed to see some of its beauty. The day we went to visit Sintra, it was pouring rain so all my pictures are very foggy and is not a good depiction of the castle.

• The inside of the Pena Palace has a Moor design, which is what you see here: a large open-air square in the middle with beautifully tiled arches.

---

• Cabo da Roca (or Cape Rock) is located at the westernmost point of continental Europe and is a popular tourist destination. The views from the cliffs are stunning and it’s definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area. be sure to bring your camera!

---

• Portugal is known for its delicious seafood, and one of the most popular dishes is the octopus. After having tried this octopus dish, I can honestly say that it’s delicious! We went to Tascantiga in Sintra.

---

Porto is a city located in the northern region of Portugal and is also referred to as the Venice of Portugal. It is the second-largest city in the country and is known for the Douro River, port wine tasting, and beautiful views. The city also has some of the most stunning architecture in Portugal.

The food scene in Porto is one of the best in Portugal. We found some of our favorite Portuguese dishes and restaurants in Porto! Here, you can find something for every taste and budget.

We loved Porto just a little more than Lisbon so I would highly recommend adding Porto to your list!

Read Next: 2 Days in Porto – The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

---

• The Luis I Bridge is the most popular of the six bridges that are found at the Douro River. The bridge was built in the early 1900s and connects the city of Porto to the other side of the river. The bridge is a beautiful steel structure and looks very similar to the Eiffel Tower. This is a must-see when visiting Porto.

• This view is from Vila Nova de Gaia, which is the small town opposite Porto on the Douro River.

• The Douro River runs through the city of Porto. You can purchase a ticket to take a river cruise right on the Douro. Boat rides usually take about 50 minutes with helpful and factual commentary.

---

• The Porto Cathedral, also known as the Sé do Porto, is a Gothic cathedral located in the heart of the city of Porto. The cathedral was built in the late 12th century and is the oldest building in the city. The cathedral has undergone several renovations and additions over the years but still retains its original Gothic style. You are free to enter the cathedral and see the stunning interior.

---

• The Chapel of the Souls is a beautiful chapel located in the old town of Porto. The chapel was designed by Eduardo Leite and was built in the 18th century. The chapel is dedicated to the memory of those who have died and has beautiful artwork in its tiles on the exterior.

---

• The Clerigos Tower is one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks. It’s about 76 meters tall and you can climb the 270+ steps to view Porto from above. But as you can see, we chose to view it just from below.

---

• The Sao Francisco Church is located in the historical center of Porto and is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. The church was built in the 18th century and is known for its baroque architecture and stunning interior. If you only have time to visit one church, this is the one!

---

• The city of Porto not only has beautiful architecture but also gorgeous street views and peaceful gardens. This particular garden is called Jardim de João Chagas or Jardim da Cordoaria and has these stunning (and different-looking) trees.

---

• Random street art found in Porto. This was very close to the Steak and Shake, while we were on our way to dinner at a local Portuguese joint, Casa Guedes.

---

• I love eating food. I travel mainly for food. And Portugal did not disappoint. I ordered the Pernil sandwich with cheese from Casa Guedes. Pernil means “roasted pork” and I believe this cheese was sheep – it was delicious!

• We also had several Pasteis de Nata – this restaurant Castro, in particular, had cinnamon to top it off! The Pasteis de Nata originated from Belem and can be found all over Portugal. They are made with puff pastry, eggs, sugar, and cream. The cream is what gives the pasteis its unique flavor and texture. It’s best to eat them warm!

---

• We found a lucky spot in the shopping mall right behind our hotel. What a true statement that was!

---

Braga is another little town located in the north of Portugal and is often referred to as the “Rome” of Portugal. It is known for its beautiful churches and religious roots.

Because Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal, you’ll find some amazing gems here, such as the Braga Cathedral, Cafe Vianna, and even more!

Of course, we chose to visit Braga because we saw the amazing structure of the Bom Jesus do Monte cathedral – and it was indeed stunning! What’s even more amazing was we were there while there was a service and witnessed beautiful worship.

Read Next: How to Spend One Day in Braga, Portugal

---

• We took a day trip from Porto to Braga and loved our time in this charming city! Here we were sitting in front of the Saint Mark Church. We loved how Braga stood with Ukraine, representing their blue and yellow colors.

• The Saint Mark Church, or Igreja de São Marcos in Portuguese, is one of the oldest in the city. The door to the left is a working hospital today and the door to the right has been turned into a hotel.

---

• The Bom Jesus do Monte is a popular tourist spot in the city of Braga and is known for its stunning architecture. The cathedral is located on a hilltop and is a beautiful Baroque structure. The stairway leading up to the cathedral is also very well known and is often photographed.

• Behind the Bom Jesus do Monte is a garden area with this stalactite structure and a pond full of turtles.

---

• The Jardim de Santa Barbara is a beautiful park located in the city of Braga, Portugal. It’s beautifully manicured and sits behind the Archbishop’s palace.

---

• The Raio Palace is a beautiful palace located in the city of Braga. The palace is known for its stunning azulejo tile work. The tiles are bright and colorful and are definitely worth a visit when in Braga. Today, it’s a museum you can tour.

---

There are even more great places to explore in Portugal that we didn’t have time for, such as the Douro Valley, Coimbra, Evora, Algarve, and the islands!

What do you think about these photos of Portugal? Are you feeling inspired to take a trip today? Get started here!

---

Liked what you read? Share it on Pinterest!