Portugal has a variety of must-see historical and tourist spots for all tastes. If you think you’ve already seen all that Portugal has to offer, we recommend that you check out our list, you may be surprised by the treasures that still await you.
Alfama – Lisboa
The Alfama neighborhood is the oldest in Lisbon and therefore, the birthplace of many traditions such as Fado and the Santo António festivities. There, you will find the São Jorge Castle with a panoramic view over the city where you can enjoy the city’s traditional crimson roofs or the cerulean view that only the Tagus River can provide.
During this tour, be sure to visit the Fado Museum to discover the charming songs that swooned an entire nation for generations.
Created in a city famous for its seven hills, Alfama’s streets are full of ups and downs, ensuring that the best way to travel there is through a car rental at Hertz.
Lello Bookstore – Porto
With its wooden interiors, books that stretch from top to bottom and a neogothic staircase, the Lello Bookstore is a must-see in the city of Porto. Founded in 1881, the bookstore has amassed nearly 150 years of history and is often awarded as one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world.
Its classic and mysterious atmosphere has made it a meeting point for fans of the Harry Potter films, with the bookstore itself having embraced its newfound fame, creating events and days dedicated to J.K. Rowling’s saga.
The city of Porto is beautiful, vast and with many spots waiting to be discovered, luckily, it will always have a Hertz location near you.
Óbidos – Leiria
Switching now from a fantasy novel to a medieval village, Óbidos is a uniquely singular location in Portugal. Protected by centuries-old walls and guarded by its medieval castle, the town is genuinely frozen in time with all the beauty and charm that they provide.
The entire village is a living and palpable museum with its Manueline details preserved for future generations.
The village is a little out of the way for many, but luckily you will find a Hertz location in Leiria where you can rent your preferred car and head towards your new destination.
Old Town – Faro
The old town of Faro, also known as the surrounded city, refers to the millenary occupation of the city, first by the Romans, then by the Moors and finally, by the Algarvians.
All of it is surrounded by a high wall that has protected its residents for generations while still providing a beautiful view of the river and sunset that bathe it. You can also visit its many museums, restaurants and, of course, the wonderful City Cathedral.
Discovering the city of Faro is easy with Hertz, as you need to only make a small stopgap at one of our nearby locations.
Coimbra University – Coimbra
In the city of Coimbra you will find one of the oldest Universities in the world.
Founded in 1290, it has amassed over 700 years of history being often awarded not just for its high teaching standards, but also for its architectural and historical beauty.
To better appreciate the noble beauty of this historic monument, we recommend renting a car at Hertz. Fortunately, we have a location nearby in the city of Coimbra.
Costa Nova Beach – Aveiro
On the western side of Aveiro, we find the Costa Nova beach. This locale is adorned by the traditional fishermen's houses painted with vertical or horizontal stripes of different colors, creating a supremely unique view from any other beach in the country.
In more recent years, it has gained a reputation as an ideal place for water sports practitioners such as windsurfing or kitesurfing.
Whether you wish to spend a beautiful day at the beach or photographing the houses, the most direct way to reach it will be through a car rental at Hertz from the Aveiro location.
Roman Temple – Évora
Located in Évora, the Roman Temple (mistakenly known as Temple of Diana) is part of the city’s historic center, having been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It’s estimated that its construction was completed in the 1st century AD, indicating that it celebrates approximately 2,000 years of history. Visiting the temple is discovering the origins of Évora at a time when Portugal itself wouldn’t be conceived until a millennium later.
The best way to visit this historic landmark is by renting a car at the Hertz location in Évora.
Cathedral of Viseu – Viseu
Built in the 12th century, the Cathedral of Viseu is a historic site that underwent several changes until the 17th century, making it a unique edifice in the world as it now features a blend of several artistic styles including Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque.
Near the Cathedral, you will also find the Grão Vasco National Museum, founded in 1916. It details the works of renowned painter Vasco Fernandes, also known as Grão Vasco, who lived in Viseu during the 16th century.
The city of Viseu is filled with cultural spots to discover and we believe the best way to discover them all is by renting a car with Hertz at the Viseu location.
Biscainhos Museum – Braga
Created in 1978, the Biscainhos Museum is housed in a palace of the same name built in the 17th century, which served as housing for the Counts of Bertiandos, an important family of the Portuguese nobility.
The museum offers to the public several spaces that display the daily life of the Portuguese nobility between the 17th and 19th centuries. The palace also includes one of the most important Baroque gardens of the time.
Whether you wish to travel around the city or simply visit the museum, the Hertz location in Braga will always have the ideal vehicle for any occasion.
Monte Palace Museum Garden – Madeira
Occupying an area of 70,000 m² and housing an abundant collection of exotic plants from around the world, the Monte Palace Museum Garden is a unique destination in Portugal.
Promoting the union of diverse species of flora is an array of architectural structures, including a European-style palace, Asian pagodas and even statues inspired by the terracotta soldiers.
If you wish to visit this or any other cultural spot on the Madeira Island, do not hesitate to rent a Hertz vehicle.
These are just some of our recommendations for cultural places to discover in Portugal. If this list whetted your appetite for more must-see destinations, be sure to visit our reservations page.