Portugal can be a bit of a nightmare when it comes to places that attract tourists. Portuguese cities and beaches are overcrowded as tourists seek out the best known and most beautiful places in Portugal. However, Portugal is a diverse and beautiful country that offers many different activities outside of the typical tourist spots. If you want to experience Portugal off the beaten path and are looking for a quiet place, we can help you with activities off the beaten path.
We’ve headed off the beaten path in Portugal to find great destinations and alternatives to the main tourist spots, so you can get off the tourist trail and enjoy sunny days a little quieter and more peaceful. It’s time to discover Portugal’s off the beaten path with our picks of 9 unique places to visit in Portugal in 2024.
Which areas of Portugal have the fewest tourists?
Portugal is full of beautiful areas that are less touristy than the more popular destinations like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. The country is full of alternative areas full of history, culture and charm without the crowds that often accompany the more touristy areas. Here are our picks:
Depart Sintra and head to Viana do Castelo.
Famous worldwide for its colorful castles and unique palaces, Sintra is one of the country’s jewels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and just 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Lisbon. Summer is Sintra’s busiest season.
But what you may not know is that there’s another, perhaps equally beautiful, town in the north of Portugal: Viana do Castelo. This town is one of the less-visited parts of Portugal and is home to some incredible architectural treasures. The most striking building in Viana do Castelo is the 20th-century Byzantine Church of Santa Luzia. It overlooks the city from its hilltop location, offering sweeping views of both the city and the coast. For the best views, visitors can climb the steps to the church or take the cable car for a scenic round-trip ride. If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, be sure to check out the unique gold jewelry made in the region.
Go to the Azores instead of the Algarve
If you’ve ever been to the Algarve, you know that its beaches are stunning, but packed with sun-soaked tourists and locals during the summer months. In 2024, swap this famous summer destination for a stay in the wonderfully quiet and much less populated Azores. Made up of a total of nine islands, even the largest, São Miguel, is full of tranquil towns and peaceful paradises that are the true definition of alternative Portugal.
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores boast stunning natural beauty and a serene atmosphere. Packed with adventurous things to do in Portugal, from hiking to volcanic crater lakes to exploring lava tubes to swimming in natural hot springs, the Azores offer plenty of outdoor activities and the chance to immerse yourself in untouched nature.
Another advantage of the Azores is that food and accommodation costs are much cheaper than on the mainland, so by planning your trip in advance you can find great deals and enjoy affordable accommodation and dining options without the high costs usually found in the most touristy areas of the Algarve.
Another treat in the Algarve: discover Praia da Luz or Sagres
If you do want to visit the Algarve, there are some options outside the most crowded beaches. It’s also a good idea to get away from the main tourist and expat areas like Albufeira and Lagos and try somewhere new.
For example, Sagres and nearby villages such as Praia da Luz in the Vila do Bispo district offer popular local surfing schools, rugged coastlines, rolling waves and natural forest scenery, perfect for outdoor activities. Give the Algarve a chance in the summer of 2024 and discover a new, less touristy side of Portugal.
Visit Lisbon and Porto, but don’t miss Coimbra
Lisbon and Porto are must-visits for getting to know Portugal, but if you want to experience an authentic Portuguese city, be sure to also visit the city of Coimbra.
Coimbra is often said to be one of Portugal’s underrated cities. Did you know it was once the country’s capital? With charming medieval cobblestone streets and historical heritage such as the burial site of Kings Alfonso I and Sancho I at the Santa Cruz Monastery, Coimbra is also home to Portugal’s oldest university (one of the oldest in the world) and a landmark renowned for its history, unique traditions and beautiful Baroque library (Biblioteca Joanina).
Fado is just one of the many surprises that await you in Coimbra. Fado is a traditional Portuguese musical genre known for its melancholic melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Lisbon is the most famous place to experience fado, but the city of Coimbra has its own style. You’ll find intimate fado performances in small bars and restaurants all over the city.
Buy books from Livraria Academica instead of Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello bookstore is one of Porto’s most famous tourist attractions, not only for its unique Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Gothic interiors, but also for the bragging rights of having inspired author JK Rowling while writing the Harry Potter books.
Although charming, this touristy store, with its entrance fee and frequent queues that stretch the length of the street, may not be the best place to buy books in Porto for lovers of classic literature – we recommend heading instead to Porto’s Académica Library, where you can immerse yourself in classics and rare books without the noisy crowds.
Exploring the Portuguese countryside
When most people think of Portugal, they immediately think of cities and beaches, but the countryside doesn’t get much attention. To get truly off the beaten path and have a different experience, consider hiking through rural landscapes, trekking in the mountains and tasting authentic local cuisine in a traditional restaurant.
If you love wine, you should visit one of Portugal’s many vineyard regions: taste the local Sweet Port (the country’s famous dessert wine) in the Douro Valley, sip refreshing Vinho Verde wine in Minho, or visit the rustic vineyards surrounded by cork trees in the Alentejo region (where a wide variety of red and white wines are produced).
Portugal has many hidden gems in its vast countryside and inland. Many villages have been recognised by UNESCO as having played a role in defending the country against invasions, and their fortifications have remained as monuments and become unforgettable landmarks. Monsanto, Almeida and Castelo Novo are just some of the historic villages in Portugal that are definitely worth a visit.
Visit the Convent of Christ instead of the Jeronimos Monastery
With links to the Age of Discovery and known as the birthplace of pastel de nata, the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon is hugely popular and is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal. But before you wait in long lines and pay hefty entrance fees, consider whether you can fit the Convent of Christ in Tomar into your itinerary.
The Jeronimos Monastery is undoubtedly an incredible landmark, a magnificent architectural masterpiece that took 100 years to build. But the Convent of Christ in Tomar (Santarém) is equally impressive and was once the headquarters of the Portuguese Knights Templar. Walk through the castle, church and gardens where this mysterious group once lived, organised and changed their identity to the “Order of Christ”. The entrance fee is almost half the price of the Jeronimos Monastery and you’re much less likely to encounter crowds of tourists.
Have you been to Nazaré yet? Head to Figueira da Foz
If you’ve ever been to Nazaré, a pretty fishing village in central Portugal, you know how busy it can get, especially in summer. The beaches here are packed with surfers from all over the world who come to try their hand at the gigantic waves found in one of Portugal’s best surfing spots.
For those looking for tranquility in Portugal, Figueira da Foz is an attractive town with vast beaches and gentle waves that exude a serene atmosphere. Besides the gentle coastline, surfing enthusiasts will find tours and championship opportunities. In addition, the town has an extensive promenade perfect for jogging and cycling, as well as charming seaside eateries serving delicious local seafood. Figueira da Foz is an attractive option for a refreshing summer holiday in Portugal in 2024.
Shop at Mercado Livramento instead of Mercado Ribeira
Mercado da Ribeira is Lisbon’s most famous food market (since 1892) and has been transformed by Time Out Magazine into a food court, complete with remote working space upstairs.
Lisbon’s Time Out Market offers a unique experience, sampling authentic Portuguese cuisine from numerous food stalls, some of which are run by Michelin-starred chefs. The only downside is that the market is almost always packed with tourists and a little pricey, but there is an equally satisfying alternative: Setubal’s Mercado do Livramento, about 50 km (31 miles) away, is well worth the drive.
Considered one of the best in the country, this market is a major draw for people from all over the region, with its rows of fresh fish and produce, as well as a fantastic selection of cheeses, sausages, olive oil and other local delicacies to whet your appetite. The market is housed in a beautiful building, with a vibrant orange and red façade that’s hard to miss. The traditional azulejo (tile) mosaics inside add to the grandeur of this traditional Portuguese gem.
