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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Portugal

155 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Portugal

Updated January 12, 2024

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Braga
  2. Coimbra
  3. Colares
  4. Évora
  5. Faro
  6. Funchal
  7. Lisbon
  8. Porto
  9. São Miguel
  10. Sintra
  11. Tomar
  12. Viana Do Castelo
  13. Vila Nova De Foz Côa
  14. Vila Nova De Gaia

Unusual Attractions in Portugal

See All 155 Things To Do in Portugal

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Portugal

See all 10 Places to Eat in Portugal
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Lisbon

In the homeland of explorers, your best bet is to keep looking.

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Explore Portugal

History & Culture 15
Museums And Collections 14
Sacred Spaces 13
Geology 13
Art 11
Ruins 10
Churches 10
Architectural Oddities 9

Portugal Leaderboard

Recent Portugal Activity

Stories About Portugal

Mafra Palace Library is home to a colony of itty-bitty bats that keep its many historic volumes safe from pests.

5 of Our Favorite Podcast Episodes About Wildlife in Unexpected Places

Life finds a way, from the bats that haunt and hunt in a majestic library to a bird sanctuary in one of the most dangerous places in the world.
by The Podcast Team
Dom Pedro's 224-year-old, 20-pound heart was sent from Portugal to Brazil for the 200th anniversary of the country's independence.

Why a 224-Year-Old Human Heart Is Touring Brazil

This piece of Dom Pedro I, who declared Brazil's independence, is causing controversy in two countries.
by Dania Rodrigues
Father Rui Sousa in the parish orchards.

The Priest Who Resurrected an Island’s Cider Tradition

Father Rui Sousa saw opportunity in the parish orchards.
by Rafael Tonon
So sweet and adorable, you almost forget it's based on an ancient bloodsucking sea creature.

Meet the Sweet Sea Monster of Portuguese Christmas

Lampreia de ovos comes loaded with sugar, eggs, and the long history of glorifying a most peculiar parasite.
by Dania Rodrigues
The team mixes salt and seawater to make brine.

The Team Resurrecting Ancient Rome's Favorite Condiment

Making umami inside 2,000-year-old ruins.
by Rafael Tonon

Podcast: Mafra Palace Library Bats

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
The bakers use copper pots and antique instruments used specifically by nuns for convent sweets.

At This Portuguese Bakery, the Recipes Were Written by Nuns Centuries Ago

The owner of Alcôa has devoted decades to recovering lost pastries.
by Dania Rodrigues
Medieval manuscripts were illuminated with folium, and one bore the instructions for recreating the ink.

The Mystery of a Medieval Blue Ink Has Been Solved

Turns out it was hiding in plain sight by the side of a Portuguese road.
by Isaac Schultz

Lists Featuring Portugal

Covão dos Conchos.
A roof for eternity.
Opening to a cave at Boca do Inferno.

16 Hidden Gems to Visit in Portugal

From bone houses to library bats, here are some of the most unique Portuguese locales that Atlas Obscura users want to visit.

17

Including Covão dos Conchos, The Village of Monsanto, and Livraria Lello

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