Now that Per Purr is arriving in Portugal, here are a number of cities that you should visit to
get to know a little more about the country of our Iberian brothers and sisters. Grab your
suitcase, your Per Purr travel kit, and let's take a trip together.
● Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, also known as "the city of 7 hills", due to its hilly
streets. Experience Lisbon’s charm when you take a ride on tram 28 that winds
through the center of the capital, visiting the Castle of São Jorge and the Sé
Cathedral. Don't forget to walk around Belém, visit the Tower, the Padrão de
Descobrimentos and Jerónimos Monastery, and finish the day with a pastéis de nata
(Portuguese egg tart pastry) and an espresso. A walk through the Baixa Chiado is a
must, with its typical shops and cafes. The café "A Brasileira"preserves its old-world
charm, where you can also find the statue of the famous Portuguese writer,
Fernando Pessoa. If you like nightlife, then Barrio Alto is your spot – it has many bars
and terraces that you can check out with your friends at night. The Rua Cor de Rosa
near Cais do Sodré is a street which, ages ago, was lined with bars for the sailors
who used to frequent them looking for prostitutes, but is now filled with nightlife, bars
and trendy restaurants.
● Sintra is a small village near Lisbon, which you can get to by car (be careful when
parking) or by train. Sintra is a city straight out of a fairytale, with its Palácio da Pena
at the very top (summer residence of the last monarchs of Portugal), which is worth a
visit just to see its rooms decorated as if people still lived there. A little further down,
you’ll find the Quinta da Regaleira, a magical property where you can get lost in its
gardens and mazes. Visit the village of Sintra and sit outside on a terrace to try a
Periquita pastry and coffee. You can also visit the Mouros Castle.
● Coimbra is one of the oldest and most important cities in Portugal, as it was the
residence of the first monarchs in the country. It was also the setting of one of the
best known love stories of the Portuguese court: the forbidden love between Prince
Pedro and the lady of the court Inês, who was executed by order of King Afonso IV, who
saw this romance as a threat of subjugation to the Castile kingdom. For a long time, the
city was the capital of the kingdom, but later became a renowned site of universities and
public schools. Here, you can visit the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in the
country and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Monastery of São Miguel,
you can visit the tomb of the first monarch of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, along with the
Monastery of Santa-Clara-a-Velha and the Cathedral of Coimbra. Check out the main
museum in the city, the national museum Machado Castro, and if you want to see the
garden of Inês and Pedro, visit Quinta das Lágrimas. For the little ones, Portugal dos
Pequenitos is a must see, with its replicas of the country's typical houses. End your day
with a boat trip on the Mondego River.
● Porto is a magical city, with its houses and streets near the Douro River. A visit to the
São Bento Station with its impressive architecture is a must, as is a walk to the
Cathedral and the Torre dos Clerigos. Wander down the infinite stairs and streets in
the center until you reach Ribeira, with its traditional restaurants and shops. If you
dare, take a boat ride on the Douro River and be amazed by the magnitude of the
bridges and the city. You’ll also find the famous Port wine cellars along the river,
some of which are open to tourists. Downtown is the home of one the most famous
cafes in Porto, the "Majestic" café, along with one of the most famous bookstores,
"Lello". Don’t forget to try one of the most typical Porto meals, the famous
"Francesinha".
● Serra da Estrela is one of the highest points of continental Portugal, which you can
enjoy during the cold and snowy winter months. During the spring, you’ll be dazzled
by its mountains and vegetation. Climb to the highest point of the Serra to find the
Tower and go skiing on one of its many slopes. Finish your day by enjoying cheese
from the Sierra on a slice of Seia bread.
● Óbidos, just 70 km from Lisbon, is a small fortified city that looks like something out
of a movie. Within its walls, you’ll find a small castle that was declared a national
monument, along with its typical medieval houses. Lose yourself in its narrow streets
and try the famous "Ginjinha de Óbidos" in a glass of chocolate.
● Berlengas is an archipelago, located 10 km from the city of Peniche. It is formed by 3
islands, but you can only visit the Verguenza Mas Grande. In the port of Peniche, you
can take a boat that brings you closer to the island, just a 45-minute ride away on the
Atlantic. These islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you’ll find nothing but
fauna and flora and small fishing houses. Here, you can visit the Lighthouse of the
Duke of Bragança, which is still functioning, and don’t forget to visit the Fort of São
João Batista on your trip. The island has a limited capacity, and no overnight stays
are allowed.
