10 Beautiful Cities in Portugal to Live

Crowds from all over the world are eager to discover the fancy cities in Portugal. You might not count it as the largest country in Europe, but you can enjoy the charm and glamor of bright life of cities in Portugal. 

There are many beautiful cities in Portugal that are filled with historic streets, amazing restaurants, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and golden beaches. Once you visit the country, you will be overwhelmed by the diversity of activities and warmth across the cities in Portugal. 

A strange thing is that there are many of the most wonderful cities in Portugal that are not included in lists of the best places to visit in Portugal, yet they must be. So, there is a need to explore these cities in Portugal to bring something unique to your travel.  

What are the 10 Best Cities in Portugal?

The 10 best cities in Portugal are given here. 

1. Lisbon

Lisbon is on the top of the list of the fanciest cities in Portugal. It is the rocky capital city of Portugal that has colorful architecture and a wealth of lively neighborhoods.  

You can call Lisbon as the most poular Portuguese city of the cities in Portugal. It is the largest of the cities in Portugal and capital of the country. One speciality of Lisbon is its international airport and the bustling city is a key on any Portugal itinerary. 

There is a treasure of things to do in Lisbon. You could go to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as Belem Tower or Jerónimos Monastery. Moreover, spend a memorable time at the array of museums in this city, such as the National Coach Museum or the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.                                As an alternative, you can have fun just by walking around the city. You will get an aura for the neighborhoods of Lisbon, such as Bairro Alto, Belem, and Alfama. 

While walking through the streets of this historic city, you can capture the beauty and attraction of its architecture in your eyes. It is one of the cities in Portugal where you are not going to get bored at any cost. You would have a lot of things to do in Lisbon, whether you already have solid plans for your trip or not. 

2. Porto

Porto is a northern Portuguese city and of the second largest of the cities in Portugal. Among all the cities in Portugal, Portugal is popular and well-known for the production of port wine. You will find some of the best things to do in Portugal that are conveniently located in Porto. 

Once you go there, you would not want to move out of it without a having a trip and tasting at Caves Ferreira. Porto is one of the cities in Portugal that hold a pride for their historical significance. 

It has a glorious UNESCO-listed historic center and the 143-year-old Luís I Bridge. There are some special and rare things to do in Porto as well, like you can visit the gorgeous Livaria Lello. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, then you must never ignore having a trip to this area because it literally inspired JK Rowling to write the Harry Potter wizarding world.

3. Sintra

Sintra is a magical land that is completely surrounded by mountains with a series of splendid palaces and castles.

It is popular in the mountain cities in Portugal, of  that is one of the best day trips from Lisbon because it is located at the distance of only 30 minutes from the capital city. Even if it is very close to Lisbon, you will get an entirely different feeling in Sintra than in Lisbon. 

When you personally visit Sintra, you will notice the reason for this difference between these two cities in Portugal on your own. Sintra has broad grounds and vast fields full of greenery, and you will find different castles with unique styles and historical buildings repeatedly at some distance from each other. 

The land of Sintra is overflowing with the wealth of natural beauty. Once you plan your visit there, you will also have to plan a number of other activities because it has a lot of history and culture to explore. The city itself is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In Sintra, you can walk around fancy palaces like the Moorish Castle, the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, and the colorful Pena Palace, where the Portuguese Royal family once lived. 

4. Nazare

Nazare is one of the coastal cities in Portugal that is known for rich culture of fishing, versatile dining spots, and the most profound surfing seasides in the world. 

It is a quaint fishing village on the Atlantic Ocean and is among the top beach cities in Portugal. Nazare Beach and Praia do Norte are the two stunning principal beaches of the city because they have the largest waves ever surfed, and the latter is well-known worldwide. 

The best thing to do in Nazare is to pass all your day snoozing and relaxing on the beaches. After that, in the evening, have a dinner in the most popular and delicious restaurants of the city,, such as Pangeia and Bontà. A local fish market is also there, where you can get a sense of the local business right on this amazing beach area. 

5. Coimbra

Coimbra is a bustling Portuguese university city that is home to one of the oldest universities on the continent.

One of the oldest universities in the world is located in Coimbra, a significant university city in central Portugal. For 733 years and counting, the University of Coimbra has been educating the brains of tomorrow. Additionally, there are a ton of activities in Coimbra.

It is one of the cities in Portugal that are home to several  churches, such as Se Velha, as well as historical landmarks, such as the ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha. In addition, there are other beautiful botanical gardens, like Penedo da Saudade and Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas.  

6. Evora

Evora is among the most worth exploring cities in Portugal and the UNESCO- listed Medieval city that provides you with a variety of attractions.

It is a little city with cobblestone streets, a rich history, and roots in the Middle Ages. Even though it is small, there are plenty of fascinating sights to see that are all walkable.

A visit to the ruins of the Roman Temple, the Cathedral of Evora, and Aqueduto da Água de Prata can all be completed in one afternoon. Remember to see the Chapel of Bones, Evora’s most gruesome attraction, which is embellished with thousands of human bones. 

7. Setubal

Setubal is one of the laid-back cities in Portugal with pure natural beaches that are perfect for more sedate beach vacations. It is among the greatest cities in Portugal that are untamed and filled with natural beauty. 

You can find some of the nicest beaches of Portugal that is located into hidden coves within the national parks of Setubal. Don’t overlook Portinho da Arrabida, Figueirinha Beach, and Praia de Galapinhos.

Due to its coastal position, Setubal is also a seafood lover’s paradise. Particularly well-known is the fried cuttlefish, or choco frito, a delicacy unique to the area. Sem Horas, Xtoria, and Casa Santiago are some of the best restaurants in Setubal, especially if you’re looking to eat cuttlefish. 

8. Braga

A stunning city in the northern Portuguese mountains with a diversified architectural style.

The largest city in Portugal’s far north is Braga. It’s a charming little mountain town with stunning architecture and fascinating sights.

The sacred Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is the most visited attraction in Braga. With its steep rows of regal staircases going up to the main shrine, it’s a very unforgettable sight.

Braga is home to numerous more remarkable architectural achievements, such as the Garden of Santa Barbara, Palacio do Raio, and Arco da Porta Nova. It is also among the most reasonably priced places in Portugal to call home. 

9. Aveiro

Do you want to discover the central cities in Portugal? If so, then you must visit the charming city of Aveiro in Central Portugal and you will reach there in less than an hour from south of Porto. It is known for its winding canals, which are reminiscent of Venice.

Aveiro is characterized by a large canal that passes through the city, earning it the moniker “Venice of Portugal.” Boats in various colors transport passengers up and down these waters throughout the day.

Boat rides are widely available; however, to obtain the greatest deal, I’d suggest making your reservation online. For those arriving from Porto for the day, this Aveiro & Costa Nova Half Day Tour with Moliceiro River Cruise is an excellent choice.

Visitors can enjoy a plethora of shopping options at Forum Aveiro. Alternatively, visit the stunning Museum of Aveiro, which was founded an amazing 565 years ago, to learn about the history of the region.  

10. Cascais

It is a beachy paradise that is filled with amazing spots for surfing, delicious fish, and shopping.

Cascais is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal by a landslide. It is also included in the cities in Portugal that are located at a very short distance from Lisbon. 

Due to its beautiful beaches, the seaside city, which is less than an hour’s drive west of Lisbon, is a popular travel destination throughout Europe. Cascais is home to some of Portugal’s greatest beaches. At beaches like Praia da Rainha and Praia da Duquesa, you may expect an exceptionally beautiful ocean swim.

This is the spot to sample some of Portugal’s delectable seafood. Cascais has been a fishing district for a very long time, and their produce is excellent. Remember to see the city’s notorious Boca do Inferno, or Mouth of Hell in English, which is a natural cliff formation.  

Here is the living cost in the capital cities in Portugal