Ancient sites in Portugal

Discover 14 ancient sites in Portugal, including Alcalar Megaliths, Almendres Cromlech and Anta de Adrenunes, and more. Each has its story, photos, location and games to test what you learned.

14 sitesSee them on the map

Alcalar MegalithsCopper Age tombs of stone and earth above the Alvor estuary, where an Algarve community buried its dead for over a thousand years.
Almendres CromlechAbout 95 granite menhirs on an Alentejo hillside, raised and reshaped by Neolithic communities from roughly 7,000 years ago.
Anta de AdrenunesGranite boulders on a Sintra hilltop, listed as a dolmen in 1910, where no burial has yet been found and every reading is still open.
Anta do Olival da PegaTwo great Alentejo dolmens: one once thought Portugal's largest, the other later ringed by Copper Age beehive tombs.
Anta do TapadãoSeven granite slabs, some leaning inward, still hold up a single capstone about 4 meters across on a plateau in the Alto Alentejo.
Anta do Vale da Laje A five-sided stone chamber near Tomar, where Neolithic pots held the first direct traces of milk and dairy found in Iberia.
Côa Valley Prehistoric Rock ArtHorses, aurochs and ibex engraved on riverside schist, saved from a dam's reservoir in the 1990s, their age still debated.
Cromeleque de Vale Maria do MeioThirty-four granite menhirs in a horseshoe open to the east, on a low rise northwest of Évora, set upright again by volunteers in 1995.
Cromeleque do XarezGranite stones set in a square around a phallic menhir, moved from the Alqueva reservoir and rebuilt below Monsaraz in 2004.
Cromeleque Portela dos MogosSome forty granite stones in a double oval on an east-facing hill near Évora, a few carved with round-eyed faces.
Menir da BulhoaA broken menhir near Monsaraz carved with a rayed sun, a crook and wavy lines, its lost base once reused in a press.
Menir do OuteiroA 5.6-meter granite pillar with a carved phallic tip on the plain below Monsaraz, found fallen in 1969 and raised again.
Menir dos AlmendresA lone egg-shaped granite menhir with a carved crook, standing where the midsummer sun rises seen from the Almendres Cromlech.
Rocha dos NamoradosA mushroom-shaped granite rock in the Alentejo, its cap heaped with pebbles thrown by women asking when they will marry.

More to do in Portugal

Natural places

Algarve Sea Caves
Kayak through the stunning Benagil Cave and discover golden limestone arches along the dramatic southern coastline.
Azores Islands
Discover volcanic crater lakes, hot springs, and whale watching in this remote Atlantic archipelago.
Douro Valley Vineyards
Cruise the terraced Douro River valley, a UNESCO site producing wine for over 2,000 years.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Portugal's only national park with ancient oak forests, granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and wild Garrano horses.
Ria Formosa Lagoon
Explore the barrier island system with flamingos, seahorses, and pristine sandy beaches accessible only by boat.
Madeira Levada Walks
Hike along ancient irrigation channels through laurel forests, past waterfalls and dramatic volcanic cliffs.

Active tours

Lisbon E-Bike Hills Tour
Conquer Lisbon's seven hills effortlessly on an e-bike, gliding through Alfama, Graça, and the miradouros with panoramic views.
Porto Tuk Tuk Adventure
Zip through Porto's narrow medieval streets in a tuk tuk, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge and exploring Ribeira's waterfront.
Algarve Coastal Bike Trail
Cycle the Ecovia do Litoral along the southern coast, passing through fishing villages, salt flats, and golden cliff-top paths.
Sintra E-Bike Forest Ride
Ride an e-bike through the enchanted forests of Sintra, passing fairy-tale palaces and moss-covered stone walls.
Belém Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour
A guided tuk tuk ride through Belém's monuments: the Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
Aveiro Canal Bike Tour
Pedal through the "Venice of Portugal", cycling along colorful canal-side Art Nouveau buildings and salt marshes.

Historic landmarks

Belém Tower
Visit the iconic 16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of the Age of Discovery.
Jerónimos Monastery
Marvel at the ornate Manueline architecture of this masterpiece monastery, built to celebrate Vasco da Gama's voyage.
Sintra Palaces
Explore the fairy-tale Pena Palace and the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation wells and hidden tunnels.
University of Coimbra
Walk through one of the oldest universities in the world, featuring the stunning Joanina Library with its gilded Baroque interior.
Tomar's Convent of Christ
Discover the Knights Templar headquarters with its famous Charola rotunda and Manueline window masterpiece.
Batalha Monastery
A Gothic masterpiece commemorating the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota, with its stunning Unfinished Chapels open to the sky.

Food and wine

Pastéis de Belém
Taste the original Portuguese custard tarts at the legendary bakery that has been using a secret recipe since 1837.
Port Wine Tasting in Porto
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia and sample world-famous port wine in centuries-old cellars.
Time Out Market, Lisbon
Graze through Lisbon's Time Out Market with stalls from top chefs serving everything from ceviche to Alentejo pork.
Alentejo Wine Route
Tour family-run estates in the Alentejo region, tasting bold reds among cork oak plains and medieval hilltop villages.
Seafood in Setúbal
Feast on choco frito (fried cuttlefish) and grilled sardines in the fishing port town, paired with Moscatel dessert wine.
Bacalhau Experience
Discover Portugal's national dish: salt cod prepared in 365 legendary ways, one for each day of the year.

Coast and surf

Nazaré Big Wave Surfing
Watch (or ride) the world's biggest waves at Praia do Norte, where surfers tackle 80-foot swells beneath the lighthouse.
Ericeira Surf Village
Europe's only World Surfing Reserve: a charming fishing village with world-class breaks for all levels.
Cascais Coastal Walk
Stroll the seaside promenade from Cascais to Guincho beach, passing dramatic cliffs and the Boca do Inferno sea cave.
Lagos Boat Trip
Sail along the Algarve coast from Lagos, exploring grottos, sea arches, and hidden beaches from the water.
Costa Vicentina Trail
Hike the wild western coast's Rota Vicentina, one of Europe's most beautiful long-distance trails with untouched beaches.
Peniche Surf Lessons
Learn to surf at Supertubos beach in Peniche, home to the WSL Championship Tour and perfect barrel waves.

Sites in Portugal

More to do in Portugal

Natural places

Algarve Sea Caves

Azores Islands

Douro Valley Vineyards

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Ria Formosa Lagoon

Madeira Levada Walks

Active tours

Lisbon E-Bike Hills Tour

Porto Tuk Tuk Adventure

Algarve Coastal Bike Trail

Sintra E-Bike Forest Ride

Belém Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour

Aveiro Canal Bike Tour

Historic landmarks

Belém Tower

Jerónimos Monastery

Sintra Palaces

University of Coimbra

Tomar's Convent of Christ

Batalha Monastery

Food and wine

Pastéis de Belém

Port Wine Tasting in Porto

Time Out Market, Lisbon

Alentejo Wine Route

Seafood in Setúbal

Bacalhau Experience

Coast and surf

Nazaré Big Wave Surfing

Ericeira Surf Village

Cascais Coastal Walk

Lagos Boat Trip

Costa Vicentina Trail

Peniche Surf Lessons