Fado has been part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2011. The permanent exhibition at the Museu do Fado traces the history of this music from its origins in the 19th century to the present day. This makes fado a compelling introduction to Portugal’s cultural history.
World Heritage and cultural history
Portugal has 17 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These include the cultural landscape of Sintra and the Alto Douro wine region; Madeira’s laurel forest is also inscribed as a natural heritage site in Portugal. The Alto Douro wine region is considered the world’s oldest demarcated wine region.
The CĂ´a Valley offers a different kind of cultural heritage: a 17 km-long open-air gallery of rock art stretches across the area. In Coimbra, the university was founded in 1290. These two examples offer different historical perspectives, from the rock art in the valley to the long history of a university.
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo presents the history of azulejos in Portugal. Its collection covers Portuguese azulejo production from the second half of the 15th century to the present day. The museum is housed in the former Convento da Madre de Deus and is temporarily closed for renovation work.
Landscapes, geoparks and birdwatching
Portugal’s natural sites also tell the story of the country’s diversity. Peneda-Gerês National Park was established in 1971. Naturtejo Geopark has 17 geomonuments, while Arouca Geopark has 41 geosites. These figures refer to different geological categories and show the many ways in which the landscapes can be described.
Naturtejo Geopark includes Tejo Internacional Natural Park. The Tagus Estuary, 20 minutes from Lisbon, offers a different perspective on nature: more than 100 bird species can relatively easily be observed there in a single day. Around 330 bird species occur regularly in Portugal as a whole. The figures describe different scales—observations at the estuary in one day and species regularly found across the country. Which birds actually appear depends on the conditions for observation.
Trails and outdoor experiences
The Paiva Walkways run for 8 km through Arouca Geopark. Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark has around 180 km of hiking trails. These figures describe different scales: the length of the Paiva Walkways on the one hand, and the approximate extent of the hiking trails in Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark on the other. Operating conditions for the Paiva Walkways may change; check the latest notices before your visit.
The complementary circular routes of the Rota Vicentina cover around 263 km in total, between Santiago do Cacém and Lagos. Many Rota Vicentina trails were already known to pilgrims who set out from Cabo de São Vicente for Santiago de Compostela. Meanwhile, surfing and bodyboarding are popular at Almograve Beach. The options range from longer hiking trails to beach activities.
Wine, olive oil and food culture
The Mediterranean diet encompasses knowledge, skills, rituals, symbols and traditions related to growing, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, preserving, processing and cooking—especially the sharing and consumption of food. It is part of the identity of Portuguese gastronomy and is recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Portugal has six olive oil regions with protected designations of origin (DOP). In several municipalities in these regions, visitors can tour agricultural cooperatives and taste the olive oil produced there. At wine tourism establishments, visitors can discover vineyards and wineries and taste wines. It is also possible to take part in the grape harvest there in September and October; availability depends on the individual establishment.
Exploring the Douro
The Douro region can be explored by car, with visits to viewpoints and wineries along the way. A route along the Douro can link Vila Nova de Foz CĂ´a, the Alto Douro wine region and the city of Porto. The historic Douro train runs between RĂ©gua and Tua from June to October. Seasonal schedules may change, so check the timetable before planning your trip.
The Portugal Rail Pass allows travelers who do not live in Portugal to travel by train throughout the country without limits for three or seven days. It can be used within one month of the purchase date. Terms may change, so check the latest offer details before your trip.
When looking for a hotel in Portugal, the experiences on offer provide a useful starting point: World Heritage sites and museums, trails in geoparks, birdwatching or culinary discoveries each offer a different focus. Decide what interests you most and use that to guide your choice.
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