While anyone would be happy spending time in Lisbon or Porto, as both cities have so much to offer, Portugal shines when you venture beyond the major cities into smaller towns. During my vacation, I planned two side quests to historic destinations ripe for exploration – one to Sintra, and the other to see Braga and Guimaraes.

SINTRA

A quick 35-minute drive northwest of Lisbon sits Sintra. Known for its picturesque landscapes, Sintra is home to iconic landmarks like the red and yellow Pena Palace complex. Originally a monastery in the 12^th century, the complex was transformed into a royal summer residence in the 1830s by King Ferdinand II.

Be sure to visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Pena and seek out the unique stained-glass window of Ferdinand holding a miniature palace in his hand. Afterwards, take the “Wall Walk” around the palace to admire the beautiful views of the Morish Castle on a neighboring hill dating back to the 8-9^th century.

No trip would be complete without experiencing the Initiation Well of Quintada Regaleria a few minutes away. Designed for ceremonial purposes, the spiraling well symbolizes the nine levels of hell and is one of the site’s most intriguing features.

The Regaleria estate, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, may look old, but it was actually constructed in the early 1900’s. The property includes a palace, chapel, and gorgeous grounds, in addition to the well and grottos.

BRAGA

From Porto, we traveled about 45 minutes North to visit Braga, Portugal’s third-largest city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. At the top of a large hill sits Bom Jesus do Monte, a church with an iconic stair system 577 steps high. Keeping with the typical pilgrimage, we climbed the hill, admired the view of the valley below as we caught our breath, and then explored the church. We leisurely walked around the downtown area and grabbed a cappuccino before meeting our guide under the main arch.

GUIMARAES

Less than 30 minutes southeast of Braga lies Guimaraes, the last stop of our day-trip. Our guide arranged a local lunch including green (young) wine, cod fish croquettes, fried cod fillets, roasted chicken and pork, and multiple local desserts. My favorite was a yellow squash pie, which was simply delicious.

With full bellies, we walked around the local medieval castle and then explored the historic town square. The entire city is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Every street and building radiated old-world charm worth experiencing.

If you travel to Portugal and have a free day or two to explore smaller cities, these locations are sure to keep you engaged and not disappoint.