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Castelo de Sao Jorge
City/Region: Lisbon
The walls of Saint George's Castle, sitting atop a hill guarding the Tagus, date from the Moorish occupation in the 10th century, but the site has been a fortress for centuries, possibly since the 5th century. The castle is regarded as the cradle of Lisbon, and today it provides a panoramic view of the River Tagus and the Alfama medieval district, which is spread out below it. Visitors can walk the esplanades and climb the ramparts. A multimedia show is available during the day which brings alive the history of Lisbon. The castle grounds are planted with olive, pine and cork trees and provide a pleasant spot to relax.
Phone Number: 218 800 620
Email Address: castelodesaojorge@egeac.pt
Website: www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt
Transport: Bus 37 or tram 12 or 38
Hours: Daily 9am to 9pm (November to March) and 9am to 9pm (March to November)
Admission: EUR5, concessions available

Alfama
City/Region: Lisbon
The oldest part of Lisbon, the Alfama quarter sprawls down the hillside from below the Castelo de Sao Jorge, retaining much of the traditional color and atmosphere from the days when it was the ancient seat of the Saracens. Along the narrow cobblestone alleyways are taverns and street markets, interspersed with close-packed houses still occupied by stevedores, fishmongers and sailors. At the edge of the Alfama, Lisbon's renowned flea market, the Feira da Ladra, is held in the Campo de Santa Clara every Tuesday and Saturday. The Alfama is also full of historic buildings and churches, which are well worth exploring. Some of the buildings display fading coats of arms, which bear testimony to the fact that the Alfama was once home to aristocrats. At night the Alfama takes on a more mysterious aspect with street lanterns throwing shadows on the medieval walls, and it is advisable to avoid the area after dark in favor of the Bairro Alto café and nightclub district.

Sé (Cathedral)
City/Region: Lisbon
Although this cathedral in Largo da Se in the Alfama district is not outwardly appealing, it was the first church in Lisbon, built on the site of a Saracen mosque after the city was captured by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Inside, this ancient church features some treasures, like the font where St Anthony of Padua was baptized in 1195, and numerous notable relics, images and icons.
Phone Number: 21 886 6752
Transport: Tram 28
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sunday and Monday 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
City/Region: Lisbon
Gulbenkian was an Armenian oil magnate who died in 1955 having put together one of the world's finest private art collections. The collection is now housed in a modern center where the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation sponsors a host of cultural and performing arts projects, and has a rotating exhibition of works by Portuguese and foreign artists. The Gulbenkian collection itself covers Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Islamic ceramics and textiles, Syrian treasures, Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints and lacquerware and European medieval illuminated manuscripts. The collection is so vast and varied as to be breathtaking. Among the paintings are two Rembrandts, a Rubens and a Renoir.
Address: Avenue de Berna 45A
Phone Number: 21 782 3000
Website: www.museu.gulbenkian.pt
Transport: Bus 16, 726, 56, 718, 742 or metro to S. Sebastião or Praça de Espanha stations
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.45pm
Admission: EUR5; concessions available. Free on Sundays

The Bairro Alto
City/Region: Lisbon
The Bairro Alto district (literally the Upper City) is, like the Alfama, an historic enclave dating from 1513, which is reached in a novel way via the Santa Justa Elevator (a structure reminiscent of the Eiffel tower in Paris) from the lower city. The colorful district resounds to the calls of vendors and fishmongers, and the windows and balconies are festooned with laundry and bird cages. At night the area comes alive with some of the finest fado cafes in the city, along streets lit by Victorian lanterns. Fado is the famous brand of music and dance brought to Portugal by African slaves in the 19th century, characterized by songs of sadness and despair, and there is no better place in Portugal to experience this musical genre than in the Bairro Alto of Lisbon.

Monument to the Discoveries
City/Region: Lisbon
One of the most famous sights in Lisbon is the imposing monument, situated on the riverbank in the Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem, designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Belem, where the Tagus meets the sea, is the point from which the maritime explorers of yore set forth in their sailing ships to discover the world. The monument was unveiled in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1460, the monarch who was largely responsible for Portugal's role in world exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries. The massive monument takes the form of a caravel with Prince Henry at the prow, backed by images of renowned mariners, royal patrons and others who participated in the golden age of discovery.
Phone Number: 21 303 1950
Transport: Bus 27, 28, 43 or 49
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5pm (September to June), 9.30am to 9pm (July and August)

Tower of Belem
City/Region: Lisbon
The famous Tower of Belem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of Lisbon's most photographed landmarks because of the decoration on its exterior. The outer walls are adorned with a stone-carved rope and beautiful openwork balconies, along with Moorish watchtowers and battlements shaped like shields. The tower was built in the 16th century to serve as a fortress in the middle of the River Tagus.
Address: Avenida de Brasilia
Phone Number: 21 362 0034
Website: www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/english/index_torre.html
Transport: Bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 or 51; tram 15
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (October to April), 10am to 6.30pm (May to September)
Admission: EUR3 (adults) and EUR1.50 (youths). Concessions available

Parque das Nacoes
City/Region: Lisbon
Lisbon's exhibition park was upgraded and renamed for the Expo '98 world exposition, which revitalized the city and brought international tourists and interest flooding in. The site is now worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisbon Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science center, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.
Address: Avenue D. João II, Lote
Phone Number: 21 891 9333 or 21 891 9898
Email Address: info@parquedasnacoes.pt
Website: www.parquedasnacoes.pt
Transport: Buses, trains and the metro go to Oriente Station
Hours: Oceanarium: daily 10am to 8pm (until 7pm in winter)
Admission: Oceanarium: EUR10.50 (adults), EUR5.25 (children 4-12)

Fatima
City/Region: Lisbon
In 1917 the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared above an oak tree and spoke to three peasant children in the valley of Cova da Iria, 88 miles (142km) north of Lisbon. The children claimed to have seen the apparition on five different occasions, and the spot has now become one of the great pilgrimage shrines of the world, known as Fatima. Between May and October the 13th day of every month is pilgrimage day, when hundreds of the faithful gather in a square twice the size of St Peter's in Rome before the Chapel of the Apparitions. The original oak tree is gone, but has been replaced by a simple white column inside a basilica, which is flanked by statues of the saints.

Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis
City/Region: Oporto
This extensive art museum opened in 1840, and is today dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto. The gallery also houses a foreign art collection which includes works by the Dutch, Flemish, Italian and French masters. There is a large collection of Portuguese 19th century works, including those from the Porto school, and exhibits of ceramics, glassware, gold and silverwork and furniture.
Address: Palacio dos Carrancas, Rua de Dom Manuel II
Phone Number: 223 393 770
Email Address: mnsr@ipmuseus.pt
Transport: Bus 3, 20, 35, 37, 52 or 78
Hours: Tuesday 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR3; free on Sundays

Igreja de Sao Francisco
City/Region: Oporto
On the Oporto waterfront stands the church of St. Frances, dating from 1383, which, while not very imposing from the outside, has a lavishly Baroque decorated interior that was created in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pillars and columns within the vault are festooned with gold-gilded cherubs and flower garlands, entwined animals and fruit cornucopia. This feast for the eyes is set off by wide Gothic arches made of marble, which soar into the roof.
Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique
Phone Number: 222 062 100
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm (March, April, September, October); daily 9am to 7pm (May to August), daily 9am to 5pm (November to February)

Solar Vinho do Porto
City/Region: Oporto
Visitors come to Oporto for the port wine. The place to head for samples of every port produced in the region (and also the rest of Portugal) is the Solar Vinho do Porto in the Quinta de Macieirinha. Inside the rose-bedecked villa is a relaxed, upmarket tasting room, staffed by knowledgeable hosts who offer glasses or bottles of port, along with some complimentary snacks and information on the port-making process. Also in the villa is a small museum containing a collection of 18th century furniture and some paintings.
Address: Rua de Entre-Quintas 220
Phone Number: 22 609 4749
Email Address: solarporto@ivp.pt
Website: www.ivp.pt
Hours: Monday to Saturday 2pm to midnight

Vila Nova de Gaia
City/Region: Oporto
This suburb of Oporto lies on the south bank of the River Douro on the site of an ancient fortified village. Today it is home to more than 50 wine companies who operate their 'lodges' in the winding narrow streets flanked by red-roofed buildings. Most of the lodges welcome visitors for tours and tastings. Among the best known are Sandemans, housed in a former 16th century convent, and Taylors. The suburb also features a 16th century monastery that has interesting circular cloisters and a terrace where the Duke of Wellington planned his attack on the French in 1809.

Frederico de Freitas Museum
City/Region: Madeira
Named for the Madeiran lawyer who amassed the fascinating collections on display as a hobby, the Frederico de Freitas Museum in Funchal houses a vast array of decorative Turkish, Moorish and North African tiles, as well as about 2,000 mugs, trophies and vases. Besides these highlights the de Freitas collection also includes Madeiran artifacts, porcelain pieces, religious sculptures, ancient sacred paintings and Chinese and North African metal and woodwork. The museum is a treasure trove for antique lovers.
Address: Calçada de Santa Clara, 7
Phone Number: 91 220 570
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 12.30pm, and 2pm to 6pm

Sao Vicente Caves
City/Region: Madeira
Beside the river at Pe de Passo are the Sao Vicente Caves, a series of lava tubes left after an eruption that occurred about 400,000 years ago. These volcanic tunnels extend for about 3,281ft (1,000m) and can be explored on a 30-minute tour. The caves feature formations like lava cakes, volcanic stalactites and erratic blocks and give a sense of walking through the bowels of the earth.
Phone Number: 291 842 404
Hours: Daily 9am to 9pm (until 7pm in winter)
Admission: EUR8 (adults), concessions EUR6

Cable Car
City/Region: Madeira
One of the favorite diversions in Madeira's capital, Funchal, is to ride the cable car from the Parque Almirante Reis in the old part of the town up to the scenically beautiful village of Monte in the mountains above the city. The journey takes about 15 minutes and ends at the cableway station near the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Address: Caminho das Babosas
Phone Number: 291 780 280
Email Address: info@madeiracablecar.com
Hours: Open daily from 10am to 6pm
Admission: Single fare is EUR10 (adults), EUR5 (children), concessions available

Cathedral
City/Region: Madeira
In the heart of the historic part of Funchal stands the Cathedral, or Sé, which is the most impressive of Madeira's religious edifices. From outside the simple rough white stucco and brownish basalt is not all that impressive, but after entering through the Gothic portal there is plenty to admire. The ceiling, for instance, is Moorish carved cedar inlaid with ivory, and behind the Baroque altar are paintings by Flemish and Portuguese artists.
Address: Rua do Aljube
Phone Number: 291 228 155
Hours: Monday to Saturday 7am to 1pm, and 4pm to 7pm; Sundays 8am to 8.30pm
Admission: Free; donation suggested

Whale Museum
City/Region: Madeira
On the East coast of the island of Madeira, in the little fishing village of Canical, the Whale Museum chronicles the rise and fall of the whaling industry that was a vital part of the island's economy for many decades, right up until 1982. The exhibits include photographs, hunting implements, a life-size whale model, a fishing boat, and objects carved by local fishermen from the bones and teeth of whales.
Phone Number: 91 961 407
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 12pm, and 1pm to 6pm
Admission: EUR2 (adults). Children up to 18 years old and pensioners, free

Porto Santo
City/Region: Madeira
Madeira's sister island, Porto Santo, lies 24 miles (39km) northeast of its larger sibling and was actually discovered before Madeira itself. In 1418 Portuguese mariners Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira stumbled across it while running from a storm. Unlike Madeira, Porto Santo is rather bleak and barren, but its southern coast is bordered by a lovely five-mile (eight km) stretch of beach fringed with soft golden sand, which, together with its temperate climate, has turned it into a popular holiday resort. The main town on the island is Vila Baleira, which was visited by Christopher Columbus. There is a scenic park in the town, some cafes and pretty cobblestone streets lined with stucco houses.
Transport: Several regular daily flights to and from Madeira, or ferry from Funchal harbor

Setubal
City/Region: Lisbon
A popular touring destination 25 miles (40km) south of Lisbon is Setubal, one of Portugal's oldest cities, renowned for producing the most delicious muscadel wine in the world. The city is also the center of Portugal's sardine industry, and has been a fish-salting center since the 1st century. White mounds of sea salt drying in the sun are a familiar part of the local landscape. There are some outstanding beaches near the city and some pretty countryside dotted with orange groves, orchards and vineyards.
Phone Number: 265 539 120 (Setubal Tourist Office)

Coimbra
City/Region: Oporto
The central Beiras region of Portugal is dominated by its provincial capital, Coimbra, situated about 73 miles (118km) south of Oporto. Coimbra is one of Europe's oldest university towns, and its students swarm the streets in traditional black capes, with colored ribbons affixed to indicate which faculty they belong to. The majestic university building, founded in the 12th century, overlooks the city, which is a medieval wonderland of cobbled alleys, archways and stairways. Coimbra was the birthplace of six of Portugal's kings and the country's first king, Afonso Henriques, lies in a carved Gothic sarcophagus in the Monastery of Santa Cruz. Other sights in and around Coimbra include several beautiful medieval churches, the Machado de Castro museum (one of Portugal's finest), and Conimbriga, southwest of the city, which is a fascinating Roman archaeological site.

Guimaraes
City/Region: Oporto
This historic town is regarded as the birthplace of Portugal, because it was here in 1128 that Afonso Henriques became the first king of the country, which was still largely under Moorish control. The town has many medieval buildings and fortifications, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the main attractions is the tiny Romanesque church where Afonso was allegedly baptized, and the imposing Palace of the first Duke of Braganza, built in the style of a French chateau. There are numerous other Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque delights to discover in walking around the town. There are also two excellent museums: The Museu Alberto Sampaio, south of the castle, contains religious art and relics and is housed in a monastery, while the Museu Arquelogico Martins Sarmento displays the finds from a nearby Celtic hill settlement.

Braganca
City/Region: Oporto
In the remote northeast Portuguese province of Tras-os-Montes lies traditional farming country where rural communities provide a getaway destination for those who enjoy exploring off the beaten track. The small provincial capital, Braganca, lies close to the Spanish border and is slowly being discovered by tourists, mostly because of its fine local museum and the small medieval village and castle on a hillock overlooking the town. The interesting feature of the castle is the pillar beside it that rises from the back of a carved granite pig ('Porca'), which is believed to be a fertility idol from prehistoric times. Between the medieval citadel and the cathedral is the garden of the Museum do Abade de Bacal, containing not only tombstones but also numerous representations of the 'porca' idol. The museum itself houses a collection of sacred art and watercolors painted by Alberto Souza. In the medieval citadel is the Domus Municipalis, a pentagonal 12th century civic building which is unique in Europe.


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