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A trip to Portugal allows you to take in historic sites that have stood for centuries, including ones listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation’s World Heritage list. With its rich history in Manueline architecture, many of the monuments feature intricately carved stonework. From the Belem Tower to the Fortress of Sagres, you’ll find plenty of things to see in Portugal.

Belem Tower

On the scale of London’s Big Ben and New York’s Statue of Liberty, the Belem Tower is one of the most famous monuments in Portugal. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage monument, the tower dates back to 1515 when it served as the fortress guarding Portugal’s harbour. The monument features the work of Francisco de Arruda, who designed the building in the Manueline style. He incorporated stonework motifs and sculptures of historical figures like Saint Vincent. The tower also hosts Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a statue looking out over the harbour as a symbol of protection for voyagers.

Jeronimos Monastery

King Manuel I, petitioned for the development of the Jeronimos Monastery in 1496. Built along the Tagus River, construction began in 1501 and featured the Manueline style of architecture, which combined Gothic and Renaissance elements with symbols representing the natural world, the king, and Christianity. Named after the order of monks who lived in the monastery until 1833, the Portugal monument stands as a representation of the country’s history. The site has several statues dedicated to the apostles, prophets, saints, and other religious figures.

Batalha Monastery

King Joao I, commissioned the Batalha Monastery and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary after the 1385 battle of Aljubarrota ended in a victory for Portugal. The monument is the home for the tombs of King Joao, Queen Philippa, and their family. One of the things to see in Portugal is the Chapter House at the monastery. It has one of the highest vaulted ceilings without central support.

Fortress of Sagres

The Fortress of Sagres is dedicated to Prince Henry the Navigator. Prince Henry built the fortress in the 15th century for use as his home. Restored in 1793, the Portugal monument has a monastery and is home to an unusual wind compass. The Wind Rose, or Rosa dos Ventos, has 40 segments whereas most other compasses from the era have 32. Close to the fortress is another historical site: Prince Henry’s school of navigation. Historically the school brought together some of the most famous explorers, astronomers, ship-builders, mariners, and cartographers of navigational sea charts.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s Alfama can only be explored on foot. Take the tram just below the gates of Castelo Sao Jorge and explore its ramparts for views of Lisbon. Then make your way down to the river through the winding streets of the old Moorish city, where you’re almost certain to pass a fado club.

Sintra

Sintra has so many charming sights that it’s best to make a day of it (not Monday, when everything is closed). Visit the two royal palaces — preposterous Pena Palace on its hilltop and the Palacio Nacional in the centre of town. Then walk a short way to the marvellous hillside gardens at Palacio Regaleira, with their fanciful grottos and winding paths. Good cafes and restaurants are plentiful, as is shopping.

Obidos

Obidos is a fairy tale town, surrounded by walls. Its castle sits at the far end, and the narrow streets are lined with old homes, little restaurants, and a few shops selling local crafts. The castle is a pousada, part of Portugal’s national system of transforming historic buildings into inviting hotels.

Batalha

Batalha is a wonderland in cut stone. The abbey was built by King Joao I in thanksgiving for the victory that freed Portugal from Spain, and no amount of effort was spared. See the royal tombs, the magnificent sacristy, the cloister, and the astonishingly delicate unfinished chapels.

Evora

Evora is a city completely surrounded by nearly three miles of intact walls. Inside are beautiful churches decorated with Medieval and Gothic stone carvings, frescoes, and carved wood covered in gold from Brazil. Its most bizarre attraction is in the church of Sao Francisco ñ an entire chapel lined with human bones set in precise designs.

Tomar

Tomar was the seat of the Knights Templar, and later of their successors, the Order of Christ. Their castle crowns the hilltop above the small town, which also has a fascinating old synagogue. On one wall of the Templar church is a fantastical window considered the archetypical example of the Manueline decorative style, found only in Portugal.

Ponte de Lima

Ponte de Lima was the historic gateway to the north. The long Roman and Medieval bridge still spans the river, which is lined by beautiful parks. One of these features different theme gardens each year, and another shows authentic gardens from each of the city’s historic periods. Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella still pass through, as they did in Medieval times. The city is renowned for its restaurants and for lodgings in the ducal palace and manor houses that surround it.

Coinimbriga

Coinimbriga continues to emerge from the ground, an entire Roman city with homes, shops, a forum, theaters, and luxurious villas. One villa’s gardens and intricate mosaic floors are almost completely intact and have been restored with fountains and plants.

The Douro Valley

The Douro Valley, home of port wines, cuts a vertiginous, winding route through northern Portugal. Steep terraced hillsides are covered in vines, and towns cling to the riverbank and mountainsides above. Frequent cruises show the river off, but a train line and roads also follow its scenic shores.

Monaco

Monaco overlooks the Spanish border from a steep rocky crag. It is an entire walled city with a quintessential castle. Walk the castle walls at any time of day or night for wide-ranging views and a sense of this townís long history. A pousada is set in three old homes within the town walls.

Portugal’s golden age of exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries brought tremendous wealth and renown. Much was invested in building magnificent churches, monasteries, and monuments.

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