Portugal is blessed with both cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value, including palaces, towers, historic centers, forests, gardens and more that attract many visitors annually. If you are interested in well-preserved fantastic architecture, Portugal’s World Heritage Sites are must-sees.
Laurisilva of Madeira (1999)
Covering an area of approximately 15,000 hectares, the Laurisilva (meaning ‘laurel forest’) on the Portuguese island of Madeira is the largest surviving relict of a virtually extinct laurel forest type that was once spread in Europe. With origins dating back around 20 million years ago, the forest is considered the center of plant diversity, with such rare and endemic species as bryophytes, ferns or flowering plants, also featuring rich fauna. This endemic type of humid subtropical laurel forest is also found on several of the Macaronesian islands of the north Atlantic, including the Canary Islands and the Azores. The Laurisilva of Madeira is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world and was selected in the World Heritage List on December 4, 1999 in Morocco.
Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)
There are places in the world when man and nature come together in a perfect symbiosis. The Cultural Landscape of Sintra is that kind of place that was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995 due to the romantic architectural developments in the 19th century. Located about 24km northwest of Lisbon – the largest city and vibrant capital of Portugal, Sintra is a magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful town boasting some of the finest architecture to be found anywhere in Portugal today.
The Cultural Landscape of Sintra includes:
- The mysterious Quinta da Regaleira – a fabulous assemblage of styles and constructions (fascinating gardens, lakes, wells, statues, towers, labyrinth grottos, etc.).
- Pena National Palace or in Portuguese Palácio Nacional da Pena is one of the greatest expressions of European Romantic in Portugal, nestled at the top of the rocky hill that is now a place of Portuguese government and president officials. The palace is surrounded by a large vast forest (200 hectares) and has lots of paths.
- The exotic Monserrate Palace is another work in the Romantic-Orientalist spirit, featuring a great circular tower, bulbous cupolas and fine decoration. There is also a park which is open to tourists, every day a week.
- The 18th century neoclassical Seteais Palace is another majestic building, notable for its interior that is decorated with fresco painting of the Pillement School and with mythological motifs. Today the palace is a stunning 5-star luxury hotel.
- Constructed by the Moors in the 8th-9th century, the Castle of the Moors is situated on two peaks of the Serra de Sintra, offering incredible views.
- Sintra National Palace dates back to the 15th and 16th century and is set in the heart of Sintra’s old town. The palace is built in a mixture of Gothic, Manueline and Moorish styles.
Alto Douro Wine Region (2001)
Alto Douro Wine Region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Portugal, recognizing the area around the Douro River, where wine has been produced by traditional landholders for the past 2,000 years. Its main product, port wine, has been world-renowned for its quality since the 18th century. Both fortified and non-fortified wine is produced, with the latter known as Douro Wine, and what concerns to the styles they range from light to Bordeaux style claret to rich Burgundian style wines.
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal are the Monastery of Batalha (1983), the Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém, Historic Center of Evora and the Convent of Christ in Tomar.