Highlights of Portugal: from Lisbon to Porto

A culture-lovers magnet, Evora radiates history in every corner. This town's origins date to Roman times starting off as a humble village. Under the Moors and the medieval era, Evora was transformed into a fortified city where its first important buildings started to arise. It then enjoyed a golden age from the 15th century when Portugal's monarchy chose the town as a residence, becoming the second most important city in the country. This is a town that smoothly blends its architectural styles turning itself into an open-air museum. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, you name it, Evora has it and it's all packed in its UNESCO-listed historic centre. Discover the heart of the town – Praça do Giraldo. This mosaic-paved cobblestone square is surrounded by whitewashed buildings an elegant church and a fountain perched in the centre. Locals love taking a stroll through its picturesque archways and enjoying a coffee at one of the cosy cafes, ideal to embrace the laidback atmosphere.

Huddled around a 14th-century castle, the quiet town of Alter do Chão is a true hidden gem. In between whitewashed houses lies a handful of churches, an art gallery, a museum and a library. Life is slow and relaxed here, typical of Portugal’s Alentejo region. The area is also known for its agriculture and in particular, horse breeding, which happens at a large farm on the town’s outskirts. Sat on the banks of the São Teotónio river, Alter do Chão’s most popular nearby attraction is Alentejo River Beach – considered one of the prettiest in Portugal.

Caped college students rushing to class, Coimbra stands out from the rest. A town steeped in history, Coimbra is home to ancient universities, gothic cathedrals and prestigious libraries. Culture radiates in all corners of the city. Visitors spend days in this town uncovering its local heritage. Discover the UNESCO-listed Universidade de Coimbra. Founded in 1290, this age-old university proudly displays its pebbled courtyard and medieval clocktower, ideal to poke around for a few hours. A stone's throw away from the university is Biblioteca Joanina. This eye-catching library boasts baroque facades, towering bookshelves and striking frescoes housing more than 40,000 books.

Nestled between terracotta rooftops and medieval alleyways, Porto’s cityscape is a maze of architectural wonders, from the intricate azulejo-adorned facades of traditional buildings to the contemporary designs that shape its evolving skyline. Wandering through the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, the heartbeat of Porto, reveals a plethora of narrow streets lined with cosy cafes, traditional taverns, and eclectic boutiques.