Portugal Tourism

Tourism

When over wintering in Portugal you will not have to be bored for a moment. Portugal offers a wide range of museums and sights. We will list a number of them for you here so that you will not miss out on the most beautiful and fun places in Portugal during your winter vacation there.
Oceanário de Lisboa
This Lisbon Oceanarium is the second largest aquarium in the world and was built on the occasion of Expo '98. The stunning structure most resembles a futuristic aircraft carrier. You can visit this aquarium on the pier in the River Tagus. You can observe e.g. the rare angelfish and get a tour behind the scenes. You will be amazed at the size of the central tank.
National Museum of Ancient Art
The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, located in Lisbon, is the most important art museum in Portugal, but also an important one in Europe. The museum was founded in 1884 in the palace of the counts of Alvor and the old monastery of Santo Alberto. The monastery's chapel provides a beautiful representation of the 18th century Portuguese baroque art and architecture.
From paintings to textile, from furniture to drawings, every type of art from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century is represented here.
An absolute must-see is the collection of works from the Portuguese metal industry. The most striking work is the monstrance of Belem. The inscription on this work tells that the monstrance was made from the first gold that was brought from India to Portugal by Vasco de Gama, a famous explorer.
The most well-known work that this museum contains are the Saint Vincent Panels from before 1470. These panels were made by the court painter of Afonso V of Portugal, named Nuno Goncalves. They were some of the first collective portraits in European art.

World Heritage List
In Portugal you can also visit during your winter holiday a number of monuments that have been placed on the World Heritage List. We will list them here:

• Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belem in Lisbon

• Monastery of Batalha

• Convent of Christ in Tomar

• Historic Centre of Evora

• Monastery of Alcobaça

• Cultural Landscape of Sintra

• Historic Centre of Oporto

• Prehistoric Rock-Art Sites in the Côa Valley

• Laurisilva of Madeira

• Alto Douro Wine Region

• Historic Centre of Guimarães

• Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture - Azores.