The Rough Guides, one of the leading publisher of travel in the world, selected their 2014 Best-Value Destinations and Portugal is one of the chosen countries.
For the Rough Guides, Portugal is:
"It’s a wonder more people don’t visit Portugal:
the coast is almost one continuous beach, the big cities are lively and full of
history, the wine is excellent and the mountains and rivers are as scenic as
those in neighbouring Spain. Buses especially are cheap, and it’s an easy
country to get around. Try Porto, centre of the port wine trade, for an
affordable city break in 2014."
Things not to miss in Portugal:
1- Ericeira
Lisbon’s favourite beach retreat – and a noted surfers’ hangout.
2- Feira de Barcelos
The country’s liveliest and most colourful market shows that rural traditions
are alive and well.
3- Museu Gulbenkian, Lisbon
The capital’s finest museum, and one of Europe’s greatest treasure chests of
art and applied art.
4- Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga
Portugal’s most photographed church,
reached up a grand ornamental stairway.
5- Monsaraz
Many of the medieval houses in the
fortified hilltop village of Monsaraz have been converted into atmospheric
guesthouses.
6- Convento de Cristo, Tomar
Tomar’s extraordinary “Convent of Christ” is the former headquarters of the
Knights Templar.
7 - Canal trip, Aveiro
Float through the canals and lagoons of
fascinating Aveiro.
8- Évora
A golden-stoned
9- Batalha
The crowning glory of Manueline
architecture, the “Battle Abbey” is one of Portugal‘s most triumphant
buildings.
10 -Velha Universidade, Coimbra
Portugal’s third-largest city boasts its
oldest and most prestigious university.
11- Guimarães
The first capital of Portugal is a
beguiling place of cobbled streets and historic buildings.
12- Sintra
The hilltop retreat near Lisbon is one
of the most scenic in the country, surrounded by opulent palaces and country
estates.
13 -Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Porto
Contemporary art in a wonderful building remodelled by Portugal’s leading
architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira.
14 - Valença
Explore this superb fortified town,
located on Portugal’s northern border with Spain.
15 - Castelo de Vide
Dazzling white houses, winding streets,
cobbled squares and lush gardens add up to one of the country‘s most alluring
small towns.
16 – Óbidos
Picture-book walled town that was once the traditional bridal gift of Portuguese
kings.
17- Monte de Santa Luzia
There are superb views from the hilltop basilica over the northern resort of
Viana do Castelo.
18 –Tibães
This barely visited monastery in the north is one of the oldest and most
atmospheric buildings in the country.
19 -Parque Natural de Montesinho
Great walking in remote, unspoiled countryside dotted with traditional
villages.
20 -Alcobaça
The
sculpted tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro dominate this glorious
twelfth-century Cistercian monastery.
21 – Conímbriga
See the vivid mosaics at the most important Roman site in Portugal.
22 -Porto’s riverfront
The historic riverside bairro of Ribeira is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
23- Pastéis de Belém
These delicious flaky custard tartlets
have been made and served for over a century at the Antiga Confeitaria de
Belém.
24- Bairro Alto, Lisbon
The capital’s big night out – touring the bars, clubs and restaurants of the
funky Bairro Alto neighbourhood.
25 - Rio Douro valley
Take a train ride or boat trip from Peso
da Régua up one of the loveliest river valleys in Portugal.
For more information please check the Rough Guides website here.
