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Convento de São Francisco
This 400-year-old former convent, across the Ribeira de Oeiras, 500m southwest of Largo Vasco da Gama, has been owned since 1980 by Dutch artist Geraldine Zwanikken and her family. In a true labour of love, they have gradually transformed the ruins into an extraordinary place, most
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Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto
Stretching north from São Jacinto, between the sea and the lagoon west of Aveiro, is this supremely peaceful 6.7-sq-km wooded nature reserve, equipped with trails and birdwatching hides. A meandering 7km loop trail with information boards runs through the pines and dunes and can be
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Fortaleza
Dominating the south of the peninsula, Peniche’s imposing 16th-century fortress was used in the 20th-century as one of dictator Salazar’s infamous jails for political prisoners. By the entrance where prisoners once received visitors – the stark booths with glass partitions are pre
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Around the Sé
North of the cathedral along Rua Silva Gaio is the longest remaining stretch of the old town wall . To the east, across Avenida Emídio Navarro, is another old town gate, the Porta dos Cavaleiros .South of the cathedral beneath the Passeio dos Cônegos (Curates Walk, on part of the o
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Mosteiro de São João de Tarouca
The stunning, massive yet skeletal remains of Portugal’s first Cistercian monastery, the Mosteiro de São João de Tarouca, founded in 1124, stand eerily in the wooded Barosa valley below the Serra de Leomil, 15km southeast of Lamego. There is beauty in the decay, as a stream bisects
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Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Founded in 1459, this Franciscan convent was the location for the romance between a nun and soldier that inspired Letters of a Portuguese Nun .Indeed a romantic setting, it’s a delicate balance between no-nonsense Gothic and Manueline flights of fancy. The interior is lavish – amaz
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Fisgas de Ermelo
Just north of the town of Ermelo, on the N304 between Vila Real and Mondim de Basto, is a turn-off to the dramatic Fisgas de Ermelo waterfalls. From this junction, the road climbs 4km to an overlook with picture-perfect views of the falls and the rugged terrain surrounding them. To
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
One of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites, this twin-towered 18th-century church has a trim blue-and-white stucco interior with a sky-blue rococo ceiling and a gilded altar. The church, however, is quite overshadowed by the zigzagging monumental stairway that leads up to
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Templo Romano
Once part of the Roman Forum, the remains of this temple dating from the 2nd or early 3rd century are a heady slice of drama right in town. Its among the best-preserved Roman monuments in Portugal, and probably on the Iberian Peninsula. Though its commonly referred to as the Templ
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Aqueduto da Água de Prata
Jutting into the town from the northwest is the beguilingly named Aqueduto da Água de Prata (Aqueduct of Silver Water), designed by Francisco de Arruda (better known for Lisbon’s Tower of Belém) to bring clean water to Évora, and completed in the 1530s. At the end of the aqueduct,
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Palácio da Brejoeira
On the N101 toward Arcos de Valdevez, this grand neoclassical palace built in the early 19th century has been opened to the public since 2010, even though the current owner, a 95-year-old heir, still lives inside. Visits are by guided tour only, which run every 30 minutes. You can
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Castelo de Almourol
Like the stuff of legend, 10-towered Castelo de Almourol stands tantalisingly close to shore but just out of reach in the Rio Tejo. The castle is 5km from Constância. Boats (€2.20, five minutes) leave regularly from a riverside landing directly opposite the castle. Once on the isla
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Castelo de São Jorge
Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the hilltop fortifications of Castelo de São Jorge sneak into almost every snapshot. Roam its snaking ramparts and pine-shaded courtyards for superlative views over the city’s red rooftops to the river. These smooth cobbles have seen it all – Vis
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Mosteiro de São Gonçalo
Founded in 1543 by João III, the Mosteiro de São Gonçalo and Igreja de São Gonçalo weren’t completed until 1620. Above the church’s photogenic, Italian Renaissance side portal is an arcaded gallery, 30m high, with 17th-century statues of Dom João and the other kings who ruled while
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Old Town & Judiaria
By the castle is a small judiaria – the former Jewish district. A sizeable community of Jews settled here in the 12th century, then larger waves came in the early 15th century after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. At first they didn’t have an exclusive district, but Dom Pedro
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Museu Luso
On a charming cobbled lane in the old town, you’ll find the country’s best-preserved medieval synagogue. Built between 1430 and 1460, it was used for only a few years before Dom Manuel’s convert-or-leave edict of 1497 forced most Jews to do the latter. The synagogue subsequently se
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Cromeleque dos Almendres
Set within a beautiful landscape of olive and cork trees – unfortunately the dirt road almost impinges onto the site – stands the Cromeleque dos Almendres (Almendres Cromlech). This huge, spectacular oval of standing stones, 15km west of Évora, is the Iberian Peninsula’s most impor
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Fóia
The 902m Fóia peak, 8km west of Monchique, is the Algarve’s highest point. The road to the summit climbs through eucalyptus and pine trees and opens up vast views over the rolling hills. On the way are numerous piri-piri pit stops offering spicy chicken. Telecommunication towers sp
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Royal Palace & Torre das Três Coroas
At the top of the upper town is the stark, glowing-white, fortress-like former royal palace, now the Pousada de Santa Rainha Isabel. Dom Dinis built the palace in the 13th century for his new wife, Isabel of Aragon. After her death in 1336 (Dinis had died 11 years earlier) it was
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Antigo Paço Episcopal & Around
Facing the cathedral is the severe Antigo Paço Episcopal. Begun in the 14th century and enlarged in the 17th and 18th centuries, it’s now home to university offices and the municipal library. A heavily carved, painted and gilded ceiling looks down on the library’s computer room; th
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