Portugal has come a long way. How long, you may ask? Well, the OLDEST human skull ever discovered was found in the Cave of Aroeira in Almonda, Portugal. With such age-old civilisations come age-old traditions that are exemplified in the arts and culture evident in the daily lives of the Portuguese. 

Cristiano Ronaldo and the old humble egg tarts have more in common than you’d think. Besides both sporting healthy golden glow to their skins, they both hail – proudly – from Portugal. 

Many countries today speak her language after centuries of conquests all over the world, and now it’s time for hungry travellers to conquer Portugal for her rich history, arts and culture.  

 

1. Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena)

 

It’s hard to miss this one. The Palacio Nacional da Pena, otherwise known as “Pena Palace”, is a vividly painted Romanticist castle that sits atop a hill in Sintra town of Portugal. If the jarring colours remind you of a child’s fantasy castle fixed with Lego bricks, you’re not exactly wrong. 

In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired an old Manueline monastery and constructed an extension, with an idea to build a summer home for the Portuguese royals. He had the old monastery painted red and the new wing yellow, and built a wall around the structures that is decorated with purple azulejos tiles of a Moorish geometric pattern. Pena Palace was hence built with Egyptian, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, a harmonious representation Portugal’s past and present. 

It was subsequently abandoned and neglected to the point where the exterior reds and yellows faded to a grey. But in 1994, it was repainted and restored to its former glory.

 

 

Pena Palace was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 and is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. 

Price:
€14.00 (~S$22.22) (for the park, palace terraces and staterooms)
€7.50 (~S$11.90) (for park and palace terraces)

Opening Hours:
(Summer) Park: 9.30AM – 8PM, Palace: 9.45AM – 7PM
(Winter) 10AM – 6PM

 

2. Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)

 

A short walk away from the Pena Palace is the Moorish Castle, or Castelo dos Mouros, a partially restored medieval fortress from the 9th century. 

Built during the Muslim Iberia period, the Moorish castle transferred hands a few times throughout the centuries – first to the Christians, then the Jews. Today, the Moorish Castle is visited by many tourists who make their way to the top for magnificent panoramic views of Serra De Sintra. 

 

 

Price:
€8 (~S$12.69)

Opening hours:
(Summer) 9.30AM – 8PM
(Winter) 10AM – 6PM
Last admission 1 hour before closing time.

 

3. Sanctuary of Christ the King (Santuário de Cristo Rei)

 

Compared to the previous two age-old architecture, the Sanctuary of Christ the King statue is significantly younger, built only in the 20th century. Nonetheless, it is quite a hallmark when it comes to icons of Portugal.

The statue was constructed as a form of gratitude on Portugal’s neutral stance and having been spared the destruction of World War II. With its arms extended out, it forms a cross facing the city of Lisbon, as if to embrace the city. 

 

 

You’re not wrong if you find Cristo Rei bearing an uncanny resemblance to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, as that was the inspiration for the statue’s designer, Francisco Franco de Sousa. 

Price (for viewing platform):
€6 (~S$9.43)

Opening hours:
(Summer) 9.30AM – 6.30PM (Mon–Fri), 9.30 AM –7PM
(Winter) 9.30AM – 6.15PM

Getting there: Take a ferry (€1.25; ~S$1.96) from Cacilhas ferry terminal followed by bus 101 to the entrance of Christ the King.

 

4. Quinta da Regaleira

 

The Quinta da Regaleira is what I’d call a display of culture through art.

Within the compound, there’s a palace, a chapel, a park with lakes, grottoes, exquisite sculptures, and mysterious initiation wells. The wells never held any water but were used for ceremonial rites linked to Tarot mysticism instead. 

 

 

The spiral stairs of the well are said to connect the earth below and the heavens above, which symbolically, represents death and rebirth. 

Seen as a sacred site to many Portuguese, Quinta da Regaleira is a definitely not to be missed. 

Price:
€6 (~S$9.52)

Opening Hours:
(Summer) 9.30AM – 8PM
(Winter) 9.30AM – 6PM

Getting there: Take bus 435 from the town of Sintra

 

Arts & Culture

5. Azulejos (Porto Tiles)

 

Azulejos are tin-glazed ceramic tilework found in Portugal – you can spot them in churches, palaces, schools, and even railway stations! 

Aside from its obvious decorative purposes, these ceramic tiles also act as temperature regulators by keeping the indoors cool during hot summer days! You’re sure to spot azulejos tilework all around Portugal, but for the best representation of both art and cultural, head to the São Bento Station. 

 

 

The São Bento Station in the city of Porto is one of the most beautiful train stations in Portugal. Its interior is lined with approximately 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting historical events of Portugal. 

If you’re interested in making an azulejo tile, there’s a tile-making class available conducted by a local.

 

 

6. Livraria Lello 

 

Sporting a Neo-Manueline façade, Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal is recognised as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. 

This bookstore is also said to be frequented by JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, and it’s also where she was largely inspired. Inside the bookstore, you’ll notice the beautifully painted plaster on the ceiling and interiors. 

 

 

Today, the bookstore is no longer a hideout for bookworms, but a photography spot for curious visitors coming in from all over the world. After all, who doesn’t want a piece from the world’s most beautiful bookstore?

Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 7PM
Address: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Entrance Fee: €5 (deductible with purchase of books)

 

Food

7. Pasteis de Belem (Portuguese Egg Tarts)

 

Portugal egg tarts (a.k.a Pastel de nata) are possibly as ubiquitous as Singapore’s kaya toast, and you must have it at least once if you visit Portugal. To ease your headache of finding where sells the best Portuguese egg tarts, here’s where you should get your egg tarts.

 

 

Pasteis de Belem is perhaps the most famous pastel de nata store in Portugal, where patissiers at the old-time bakery churn out sweet custardy eggs tarts of a secret ancient recipe from the Monastery of Jeronimos. Best eaten with cinnamon powder sprinkled on top!

Price:
€1.10 per tart

Opening Hours:
8AM – 11PM (Oct 1st – June 30)
8AM – 12AM (July 1st – Sept 30)

Address: Rua Belém 84-92, 1300 085 Lisboa, Portugal

 

8. Bolinhos de bacalhau

 

Bolinhos de bacalhau are savoury finger food made from a mixture of potatoes, cheese, bacalhau (codfish), eggs, parsley, and onions.

 

 

Commonly referred to as "salt cod fritters/croquettes", bolinhos de bacalhau are deep-fried often served before a meal as an appetiser. You might want to try both hot and cold versions for yourself to see which you prefer! If you’re in Porto or Lisbon, you can buy a bacalhau from Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau.

Opening Hours:
10AM – 10PM 

Address: R. Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 108, 4050-367 Porto, Portugal

 

9. Francesinha

Another national dish of Portugal is the Francesinha – a sandwich made with bread, meat patties, ham, sausage, linguiça (smoke-cured sausage), and fully covered in melted cheese. This hot sinful soul food of a heart attack is served with fries and topped with a runny sunny side up. 

 

 

For the best Francesinha, head to Cafe Santiago in Porto. This place gets crowded, so get there early (right when they open) or go during off-peak hours, like 4pm.

 

Opening Hours:
12PM – 11PM

Address: Rua Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto PORTO, Portugal

 

10. Douro Valley

 

If you’re able to name port wine aside from egg tarts as a Portuguese specialty, you must not miss this. 

Duoro Valley, the oldest wine region of the world, is the only producer of port wine. Unbeknownst to many, Duoro Valley is also a UNESCO site recognised for its gorgeous vast landscape. It also makes for a great day trip out of Porto. 

 

 

Never had port wine? Visiting the wine estate at Duoro Valley is also a great way to learn more about the rich and sweet wine. You can book a tour to and around Duoro Valley with getyourguide at S$145.44 per person. 

So now you know, Portugal is not just about egg tarts. It’s a country that’s rich in art and culture, and the perfect wander destination for foodies and history buffs!