On nine islands located in the center of the Atlantic, there is peace and quiet. There is no developed infrastructure here, but there are plenty of whales, dolphins and corals. Lovers of beach holidays, eco-tourism, diving and fishing go to the Azores Archipelago. There are healing geysers in the sulfur caves, and there is a volcano on the island of Pico.

Standing on the island of the Tagus River, the fort is one of the symbols of Lisbon. It was built in the first third of the XVI century, in honor of Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India, and was alternately used as a fortress, powder magazine, prison and customs. Nowadays, the tower is open to tourists.

The wine region of Portugal is the birthplace of port wine, which became world famous in the XVIII century. Wine has been produced in this area for the last two thousand years: this is evidenced by grape seeds found in the soil and production dating from the III-IV century. Today, both light (Bordeaux) and fortified (Burgundy) drinks are produced in the Douro River Valley.

Portuguese Venice was first mentioned in chronicles in 959. The river passing through the city with colorful algae collection trays floating on it gives Aveira an inexplicable charm. Local attractions date back to the Middle Ages. The city center consists of houses built in the Art Nouveau style.

The "medieval" Pena Palace, located above the city of Sitra, only at first glance seems old. In fact, it was built in the XIX century in the then popular romantic style, copying ancient architecture. The park around the palace contains plants from different parts of the world: Australian ferns, North American sequoia, Mediterranean cypress.

The longest bridge in Europe was opened in 1998. The quantum structure, which turns into a viaduct, stretches across the Tagus River for more than seventeen kilometers. The bridge consists of seven sections and six automobile lanes. Since 2008, entry via Vasco da Gama to Lisbon has been paid. It is allowed to reach speeds of up to one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour on the bridge.

Located one hundred and thirty kilometers from Lisbon, Evora preserves the cultural heritage of the ancient Romans and Moors. The oldest monument is the Temple of Diana (II-III century AD), the most unusual is the "Chapel of Bones", composed of the skeletons of ten thousand Portuguese Christians. Narrow streets, numerous squares with fountains and arches rising as if from the ground make Evora a real open-air museum.

Located a thousand kilometers from Portugal, on the west side of Africa, the island is famous all over the world for its clean air and balneological centers. There are practically no beaches in Madeira. Access to the ocean is carried out by special ladders. The main island activities are windsurfing, diving, golf, tennis, horse riding, tuna and dwarf shark hunting.

The Cistercian (Catholic) monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobasa was founded in the middle of the XII century. The heyday of the monastery fell on the XIV-XVI centuries, when two castles and thirteen cities fell under its subordination. The three-nave basilica of the abbey is built in the Gothic style. The facade of the cathedral has pronounced Baroque features.

The twenty-eight-meter statue of Jesus Christ, towering over the city of Almada, on a pedestal seventy-five meters high, was built on popular, mostly female, donations in the middle of the XX century. Cristo Rey – a request to the Lord to save Portugal from World War II. A successful request, since the country did not participate in it in the end.

One of the Seven Wonders of Portugal was built in the XII century on the site of ancient Roman baths. The quadrangular fortress structure was built in the classic for that time military style "Manuelino", combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish culture. After the Lisbon earthquake, the castle fell into disrepair. Since the XIX century, it has been functioning as an unofficial museum.

Huge blocks of stone (megaliths), which have come down to our days from the Neolithic (the last stage of the Stone Age), are the largest accumulation of menhirs (vertically mounted stones) on the Iberian Peninsula. Ten monoliths of Almendrish contain carvings. There are small round holes on four of them.

The bridge connecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia bears the name of the Portuguese King Luis I. The massive structure with a length of three hundred and eighty-five meters was built in 1886. The Don Luis Bridge is designed for road and rail transport. There is also a special pedestrian zone on it.

The palace and park complex of Baroness Regaleira consists of a four-storey palace built in the Neo-Gothic style, a Roman Catholic chapel and a multi-tiered park consisting of an "upper" wild forest and a lower, garden part. The Gothic turrets and gargoyles of the palace look organically surrounded by artificial grottoes and carved benches.

The tiny island of the Maydera archipelago is an ideal place for relaxation surrounded by golden beaches, emerald greenery and turquoise water. Despite its small size, Porto Santo can offer tourists a well-developed infrastructure and a lot of entertainment, starting with a attractionseeing tour of the island and ending with diving.

The tropical garden, laid out on the island of Madeira around the Monte Palace, consists of two artificial lakes, and a huge number of local and exotic plants brought from around the world. The garden area is decorated with numerous sculptures and square stones, lanterns and Buddha statues. On the paths of Monte, you can meet handsome peacocks and fighting Indonesian roosters.

The elite resort of Vilamoura is the main tourist recreation center of the Lisbon Riviera. Three large beaches with "blue flags", six golf clubs, ruins of ancient Roman baths, diving centers and art galleries side by side with coastal cafes and chic restaurants. The city has tennis and squash courts, bike paths, and a casino.

Cascais, which grew out of a fishing settlement of the XII century, is now a recognized center of youth leisure. During the day, the city lives a measured tourist life, they introduce vacationers to the historical and architectural ensemble of the center. At night, Cascais is illuminated by the lights of numerous discos and nightclubs. The local beaches are ideal for lovers of extreme water sports.

The medieval fortress, built in the middle of the X century to protect the nearby monastery, was used as a defensive structure for five centuries. Guimaraes Castle was then turned into a prison. Starting from the XVIII century, the structure, which was being destroyed from time to time, was gradually dismantled by local residents into stones. At the end of the XIX century, the castle was declared a historical monument, restored and opened to the public.

Located near the town of Carvoeiro, the beach is distinguished by both exquisite beauty and steepness, unsuitable for elderly vacationers and families with young children. Everyone else can descend to the Praia da Marina by a long, steep staircase, admire the changing shades of the water and explore the local coves, grottoes and caves.