Best Cities to Visit in Portugal (Other Than Lisbon)

Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal. Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash

It’s fair to say that Lisbon is Portugal’s biggest tourist destination. This comes as no surprise considering that it’s the largest city in the country and its capital. However, suppose you have already visited Lisbon or are just looking for a great experience in Portugal with fewer crowds. If that’s the case, you should definitely consider checking out the following cities as well.

Porto

Situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, like Lisbon, Porto is considered one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destinations. The city is filled with all sorts of tourist attractions, with the most prominent being its Old Town, which was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Other things that might impress you are the city’s beautiful beaches, stunning bridges, museums, and theme parks.

Sintra

Sintra is actually just 15 miles from Lisbon, so you can visit it as part of a day trip. However, we recommend making it a focal point of your trip. Tourists have long appreciated the city for its picturesque architecture, grandiose castles and palaces, and inviting green spaces. On top of that, Sintra has one of the largest ex-pat communities in the country and regularly gets voted as the country’s best place to live.

Evora

Evora is a perfect destination for history buffs. Thanks to 5,000 years of history, the city is home to an impressive amount of archeological sites, notable monuments, and important landmarks. This includes the Temple of Diana, the Roman temple from the 1st century, the Cathedral of Evora from the 13th century, and the Royal Palace of Évora, which served as a residence for several Portuguese kings.