UNESCO World Heritage Site: 17 places in Portugal that are amazing

Portugal is known across borders for its 940 km long coastline, but also for its welcoming people and, of course, for its UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, there’s much more to praise in this corner of the “planted seaside”,  which even has some of the funniest land names all over the world.

With a thousand-year history and a great diversity of culture and landscapes, the national territory has true world treasures.

From north to south, not forgetting the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, our country has unique characteristics.

Cities and historic centers, monuments, cultural and wine-growing landscapes, there is a lot to discover.

In other words, the 17 UNESCO Heritage Sites are really must-sees. 

Historic center of Porto

Our port was distinguished by UNESCO in 1996. This classification covers the Historic Center of Invicta, including the houses that can be seen on the hill going down to the Ribeira, next to the douro River, and the riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia.

The area classified by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site includes the urban fabric marked by its medieval origins, as well as some surrounding areas with identical or enhanced characteristics.

This includes Sé and Clérigos Tower, or the baroque churches, among other emblematic points.

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte

This one really is one of the good reasons to visit Braga.

Classified as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2019, the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary stands out for its architectural and landscape complex.

In this ex-libris of Minho you’ll also find other points of interest, such as the funicular – one of the oldest in the world, the lake and, of course, a breathtaking view over the city of Braga. Definitely not to be missed.

Historic center of Guimarães

A symbol of Minho and beyond, Guimarães has many reasons to go on a getaway until then.

In addition to your beautiful castle, the city’s historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

This place has an important symbolic value for Portuguese identity and language.

Côa Valley Rock Art Sites

If you want to travel back in time, few places on this list will take you as far back as the Côa Valley Archaeological Park. Listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1998.

It is an incredible open-air gallery of rock art, covering an area of 17 km. This is said to be one of the most important Upper Palaeolithic specimens in the world.

Alto Douro Wine Region

We have to highlight the Alto Douro Wine Region, or simply Alto Douro Vinhateiro.

Distinguished by UNESCO in 2001 in the category of cultural landscape, the vineyards that produce the famous port wine are the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

University of Coimbra, Alta e Sofia

Zeca Afonso sang Coimbra in his songs, but the city of the students had long had its place of prominence on national and international itineraries.

The University of Coimbra was founded in the 19th century. XIII. It is therefore the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest on the “Old Continent”.

In 2013, UNESCO highlighted two areas: Alta (with the Joanina Library, the Pátio das Escolas, the Chapel of St. Michael and the Clock Tower) and Sofia (in the city center).

Convent of Christ

Tomar is a place closely linked to the history of the Knights Templar in Portugal. In fact, this area has even been the subject of a number of foreign historical documentaries precisely because of this almost umbilical connection.

The Convent of the Order of Christ and the Templar Castle form a unique monumental ensemble. This is another of the sites that have been classified as a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1983 .

If you like the story of warrior monks, then you really must go to Tomar.

Batalha Monastery

This is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal. Since 1983,, the Batalha Monastery has had this name. However, it is still one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal”.

It is a very important monument, not only from an architectural point of view, but also from a historical and symbolic point of view.

It was built by King João I in thanks for the Portuguese victory in the famous Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.

Alcobaça Monastery

The central region of the country is rich in historical and religious heritage. In this context, one of the most outstanding monuments is the Monastery of Alcobaça, classified as a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1989.

Also known as the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, this building was founded in the 19th century. XII and is one of the most important examples of the Cistercian Order. It is also one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal”.

Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Tapada

O Mafra Palace and its construction were the subject of one of Portugal’s major literary works, “Memorial do Convento” by José Saramago (Nobel Prize for Literature).

However, since 2019, it has also been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Royal Building of Mafrain includes, of course, the Palace, but also the Basilica, the Convent, the Cerco Garden and the Tapada.

It is an imposing and historically important complex. An excellent choice for a weekend.

Sintra’s Cultural Landscape

Sintra is a destination worthy of a fairy tale; Portuguese and foreign tourists are enchanted by the cultural and architectural richness of this landscape, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

O Pena National Palace, one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal”, is just one of many reasons to visit the Cultural Landscape of Sintra .

A romantic destination, especially suitable for a getaway for two.

Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower

Further south, in the heart of the capital, there are two historical monuments that stand out for their grandeur, but also for being UNESCO Heritage sites since 1983: the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower.

These two are excellent examples of Manueline-style architecture. In addition, both monuments were also considered part of the “7 Wonders of Portugal” in 2007.

Évora’s Historic Center

In the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal, there is, of course, room for the Alentejo. The Historic Center of Évora received this distinction in 1986.

It’s a real city-museum with very ancient roots, dating back to Roman times. Also noteworthy are its whitewashed houses. 

The Frontier City of Elvas and its Fortifications

Located next to the border line, hence the famous verses “Ó Elvas, Ó Elvas… Badajoz in sight”, the Alentejo city is another must-visit in Portugal.

Called the Border Quarter City of Elvas and its Fortifications, it was classified as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2012.

But what’s so special about Elvas? If the images (see below) don’t surprise you, then consider this: this is one of the largest bastioned fortifications in the world, with a total perimeter of 10 km and an area of 300 hectares.

Are you convinced yet? In any case, Elvas deserves your attention.

Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo

Since 1983, the Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island (Azores), has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This classification is mainly due to its unique architectural ensemble.

Angra do Heroísmo was an obligatory port of call until steamships appeared in the 19th century. XIX.

But it’s not the only reason for interest. In other words, its imposing fortifications, more than four centuries old, are also worth mentioning.

Pico Island Vineyard Landscape

But the Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo is not the only Azorean site on this list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal. On the island of Pico we find another point of interest: the Landscape of Vineyard Culture.

UNESCO-labeled since 2004, this place is an incredible example of the transformation of a rocky area of volcanic origin into a stunning wine-growing landscape.

Madeira Island Laurissilva Forest

This list isn’t just about monuments, historic centers and wine-growing landscapes. There is also room for forest in its purest state, such as the Laurissilva Forest on Madeira Island.  

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Laurissilva Forest covers an area of 15,000 hectares, equivalent to 20% of the island.

It is a primitive forest that has survived five centuries of humanization.

For more information on this heritage you can consult the website.