Google searches for “town near me” increased by 38% last month in Portugal, a sign that more and more people are looking for peacefulgetaways close to home.
To help you choose, photography experts at MPB analyzed 45 Portuguese villages and ranked the 10 most photogenic in the country, based on mentions in articles, Instagram hashtags , and Flickr posts.
Fátima, Portugal’s most photogenic town
At the top of the list is Fátima, with a score of 98.2 out of 100. In addition to its significance as one of the world’s largest Catholic pilgrimage centers, the MPB highlights the harmony of the city’s urban landscape—grand basilicas, spacious squares, well-maintained gardens, and tree-lined avenues—which makes it one of the most photographed settings in the country, with over 1.4 million associated hashtags on Instagram.
The candlelit processions, when thousands of lights illuminate the sanctuary at dusk, are cited as one of the most iconic moments to photograph.
Nazaré, the Portuguese coastal postcard
In second place is Nazaré, with 95.3 points. Internationally known for the giant waves at Praia do Norte, this traditional fishing village combines golden-sand beaches, whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and colorful fishing boats.
The viewpoints atop the cliffs, overlooking the Atlantic, are considered some of the most photographed scenes in Portugal.
Sintra rounds out the top three
With 94.5 points, Sintra rounds out the top three. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has amassed more than 359,000 Instagram hashtags, largely thanks to its fairytalepalaces, colorful architecture, and lush forest landscapes that have made it one of the country’s most photographed destinations.
Cascais and Almeida round out the top 5
In fourth place is Cascais (92.2 points), about 30 km from Lisbon: a former fishing village transformed into a sophisticated resort, with cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings with terracotta roofs, palm-lined promenades , and golden-sand beaches.
In fifth place is Almeida (89.3 points), in the district of Guarda, near the border with Spain—known for its star-shaped fortress, surrounded by 17th-century walls, and for its historic stone and granite architecture.
6th through 10th place:
- 6. Alte (Algarve) — 87.8 points
- 7th Tavira (Algarve) — 86.3 points
- 8th Belmonte (Guarda) — 84.0 points
- 9th Amarante (Porto) — 83.3 points
- 10th Monsanto (Castelo Branco) — 78.7 points
Methodology
Following a literature review, the goal was to analyze 45 villages in Portugal.
For these villages, the process involved using Muck Rack to analyze the number of articles that mentioned the word “beautiful” and the name of the town.
Instagram was useful in this process for quantifying the number of hashtags for each village. Flickr was also necessary for quantifying the number of photos of each location.
Each indicator was weighted equally to yield a maximum score of 100.
Three tips for photographing these destinations
The MPB experts also offer three tips for anyone who wants to take great photos of these towns this summer:
- Take photos early in the morning or in the late afternoon
- Use side streets or alleys to frame landmarks
- And don’t forget the little details
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