Mandatory sites in Portugal - a small country with a fantastic variety of landscapes
Relative to its size, Portugal is a very diverse place. The country is inextricably linked to the sea - with more than 800 miles of beaches along the enticing Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon, the capital city, enjoys a fantastic location on the mouth of the Tagus River, and from here, sailors and world-famous explorers set out for their heroic voyages in the 15th and 16th centuries. Portugal has cultivated a proud maritime tradition ever since.
And beyond the coastline, in the country, Portugal is characterized by a series of mountain ranges in the dramatic north, plains rolling in the solar center and some of the best beaches in the beautiful south with picturesque coves and warm, shallow water. Portugal is dotted with stone-built villages, magical towns and cosmopolitan cities with historic palaces, museums and monasteries waiting for visitors.
If you want to vacation in Portugal or you are interested or are unsure about studying in Portugal and want to learn where you can also travel to amazing landscapes, then Portugal is the place for you. By way of addition to the mainland, Portugal also offers magical islands such as the island of Madeira, also known as the "Green Garden", and the island archipelago, Azores, isolated and peaceful.
The capital of Lisbon
Lisbon has always been the most popular destination in the country. When traveling in Portugal, you should also spend some time on entertainment or sightseeing in Lisbon and then travel around the country. Two examples of mandatory sites in Lisbon:
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - Belém is synonymous with the age of Portuguese revelations. The monastery was built by King Manuel I in honor of the land explorer Vasco da Gama, who discovered the sea route to India in 1498 and became a symbol of the era of conquest and expansion of the country. Today, the monastery is one of the most admired and admired buildings in the country.
Oceanário de Lisboa - This is one of the most popular sites attracting children and tourists from around the world. The Oceanarium emphasizes the diversity of habitats in the oceans. It is one of the best and largest aquariums in Europe and contains a wide variety of fish and marine life.
Four separate regions restore the ecosystems of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctica. A substantial central container, seen from different altitudes, is infested with sharks and other fins lying in the depths. The transparent Perspex design allows small tropical species to reside in a separate aquarium built around the main tank so that the little fish swim together with the large species. The play is complemented by penguins, sea otters, unique birds and other animals that coexist in a complacent harmony.
The ancient monastery of Sintra - the Palácio da Pena in the apron is one of the best examples of the 19th century Romantic Revival in Portugal. The palace was built at the site of an old monastery and is the result of the similarity of Dom Fernando of Saxe Coburg-Gotha, who married Queen Donna Maria II in 1836.
The historic center in Porto - Porto, the northern gateway to Portugal - is also the city that gave its name to the world-famous wine known as Porto. It is the second largest city in the country and is located at the mouth of the Douro River. Its historic center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The University of Coimbra - about halfway between Lisbon and Oporto (Oporto) in the north, Coimbra was the capital of Portugal. The city is famous for its university founded in 1290 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Here you can see students all over the city who can be identified by the black robes they wear, and the colorful ribbons on their bags that identify the school they study.