A quiet alternative to busy coastal resorts, Almancil is by all appearances a typical Portuguese market town, though its proximity to two of the Algarve’s most exclusive resorts—Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo—give it an upscale edge. Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels, and championship golf courses can all be found nearby.

Backed by pine-topped ombré cliffs that fade from ochre to beige, Falesia Beach stretches for more than 3.7 miles (6 kilometers, making it one of Portugal’s longest beaches. It’s also one of the Algarve’s most loved strips of sand, with its colored cliffs and clear waters attracting strollers and swimmers alike.

This popular resort in the southern Algarve is named after Portimão’s main beach, Praia da Rocha, a spacious sweep of golden sand backed by amber-colored cliffs. By day, families gather on the beach to sun themselves, play in the sand, and splash about in the water, while at night, bars and clubs attract revelers looking for fun.

Forming an integral part of Porto’s historic center, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa) is a marvel of neoclassical architecture. The 19th-century palace has played host to royal guests, and today can be explored only as part of a guided tour.

A popular Baixa meet-up point, this spacious square commemorates Portuguese independence. Landmark structures such as the baroque-style Foz Palace, the art deco Teatro Eden, and the former Condes cinema building line its border, while a 98-foot (30-meter tall obelisk—the Monument to the Restorers—stands at its center.

Once a quiet fishing village, Quarteira has grown into a summer vacation hot spot. Its clean beachfront, tasty seafood restaurants, and family-friendly water park—as well as its proximity to golf courses, Ria Formosa Natural Park (Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and Faro’s atmospheric old town—attract visitors from Portugal and beyond.

Visible in the distance from any of Lisbon’s famous seven hills, the Tagus River is a lasting symbol of the city. Lisbon’s river port is one of busiest in Europe, and numerous container ships and cruise ships sail into town along the Tagus. Sightseeing boats and ferries also travel along the Lisbon riverfront.

When Columbus set sail for the New World in 1492, he did so on the Niña, the Pinta, and his flagship vessel, the Santa Maria. While the original Santa Maria did not survive the voyage, this recreation has been a highlight of Funchal and the Madeira region since its debut in 1998, and welcomes visitors aboard for sailing trips.

Nature lovers will find plenty to marvel at in the Azores, but the otherworldly volcanic landscape of São Miguel Island’s Sete Cidades is one of the archipelago’s most magnificent natural wonders. The massive caldera has two lakes: one blue and one green.

Located in the heart of Funchal’s Old Town, Armazém do Mercado is a commercial hub that combines traditional and contemporary Portuguese culture. Home to everything from art galleries and museums to boutiques and restaurants, the market provides an alternative to standard malls and souvenir shops.

One of Lisbon’s most iconic symbols, the yellow tram 28 rattles through the narrow streets and offers a unique perspective on the city. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon, for the sake of nostalgia as well as sightseeing: Highlights along the route include São Jorge Castle, the Sé Cathedral, and Jardim da Estrela park.

A testament to the region’s strategic importance in Moorish times, the imposing walls of Silves Castle have presided over the landscape for almost 1,000 years, although the town itself is much older. A trip to the castle is ideal to get a break from the beach and taste the area’s fascinating history.

Surrounded by steep mountains, the village of Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) seems like an impossible place to access when viewed from the Eira do Serrado lookout point. But its remote location is exactly why it was embraced by the escaped slaves and nuns who fled from pirates in Funchal.

Now the UNESCO-recognized centerpiece of Alcobaça, the 12th-century Alcobaça Monastery (Mosteiro de Alcobaça) was one of Portugal’s first Gothic buildings. Highlights include the elaborately tiled Hall of Kings and the stark and simple nave—the longest in Portugal—while the transept houses the tombs of several Portuguese monarchs.

A surprisingly humble interior hides behind the lacy stonework facade, looming gargoyles, and prickly spires of Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro da Batalha), the UNESCO-recognized resting place of Portuguese royalty. Explore the myriad chapels and cloisters, before watching sunlight pool through the statement stained-glass window.