With 3000 hours of sunshine per year and 850 km of the most fantastic beaches, Portugal is a wonderful holiday destination. But in addition to the many beaches, this southern European country also has a few surprising and less well-known cities. We list them here.
1. Coimbra, the student city
Coimbra is the origin of the state for the Portuguese and a treasure trove of history for the Portuguese. This student city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was founded in 1290. Today, students are still recognizable in the streets, because they still wear traditional clothes. The university library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The adjacent botanical garden and museum are also worth a visit. Coimbra has two cathedrals:the old (from the Romanesque period) and the new, founded by the Jesuits. You can take a look at the history of the country in 'Portugal dos Pequenitos', where various Portuguese architectural styles have been recreated on a small scale.
2. Évora, city of monasteries
Evora is also home to many students. Yet visitors mainly come for the historical sights, such as the Roman temple from the second century. It is dedicated to the goddess Diana and the Convento de Lóios, a fifteenth-century monastery that now serves as a luxury pousada. The guests spend the night here in the cells and dine in the cloister. The fountain stands out in the main market. The marble predecessor of this current version was the first to receive water from the city's aqueduct. But the most special thing about Évora is a visit to the bone chapel in the São Francisco Church. This seventeenth-century chapel contains the bones and skulls of five thousand monks.
3. Braga and the 116 meter high staircase
Braga Cathedral is considered the oldest in the country. Braga used to be the center of trade and religion. Religion is still very important in this city and you can see that especially during important holidays, such as the Semana Santa (holy week before Easter) and the feast of São João Baptista. Just outside Braga is the Bom Jesus do Monte, a huge sanctuary in Baroque style. To get to the church of this sanctuary, there is an impressive staircase 116 meters high. For tourists who (literally) dread this, a cable car has also been built.
4. Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal
Aveiro is also known as the Venice of Portugal. It owes this nickname to the various canals that run through the city, which are used by colorful gondolas (moliceiros in Portuguese). Between the Canal das Piramides and the Canal de São Roque are still the authentic white houses.
5. Sintra and the Colorful Palaces
Sintra was the city of kings and nobles in ancient times. Today it is still teeming with palaces and castles. The city is therefore on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Definitely worth a visit are the colorful Palácio da Pena, the Palácio Nacional with towers in the shape of milk bottles and – slightly outside the city
6. Lagos, maritime history and dolphin watching
The city of Lagos is located in the south of Portugal. The city wall, which was still made by the Moors, runs right through the old center. The wall has no fewer than nine towers. In the old fortress you can learn about the maritime history of the city. Various boat trips are organized from the harbor. You can then visit caves or spot dolphins.
