12 Portuguese Spots So Instagrammable, You'll Forget To Eat the Pastéis de Nata

Portugal is an Instagrammer’s dream destination with its historic landmarks, beautiful beaches, vibrant towns, and unique attractions. No matter where you go, you’ll come across breathtaking places waiting to be captured by your smartphone or camera and uploaded to your Instagram feed.

However, with so many fantastic photo spots, deciding where to visit and what to photograph first can take time and effort. Don’t panic, though; we’re here to help. To inspire your next Instagram post, we’ve compiled a list of 12 Instagrammable spots in Portugal. If you get the chance, you must photograph these places.

Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega, Aveiro

Instagrammable Spots in Portugal Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega, Aveiro — © Jürgen Reitz / Adobe Stock

The first Portugal Instagram spot on our list is a beautiful baroque-style church in the city of Aveiro on the Portuguese west coast. In all honesty, most of Aveiro could be on our list because the city is jam-packed with impressive sights and vibrant buildings. However, we believe Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega takes the crown.

Also known as the Parish Church of Válega, this 16th-century church is adorned with a characteristic Portuguese mosaic of tiles depicting religious scenes. The front of the church is mind-blowingly beautiful, as is the 18th-century altarpiece. The church also features a gorgeous bell tower and a colorful clock.

Sintra

Straight out of a fairy tale, Sintra is our favorite place to photograph in Portugal. This spectacular town in Portugal’s Lisbon district is a joy to behold, offering visitors breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant ancient castles, and stunning historic landmarks. In Sintra, you can capture excellent shots of the pine-covered Serra de Sintra mountain landscape and the town’s fascinating architecture.

Start by taking photographs of the colorful National Palace of Pena, Sintra’s main highlight. Standing tall above the town, this Romanticist palace will impress your followers, transporting them into their favorite storybook. Then, take photographs of other iconic Sintra landmarks, such as the Moorish Castle, Sintra Old Town, and Quinta da Regaleira.

Ponta da Piedade, Lagos

If you prefer to photograph natural landmarks, visit Ponta da Piedade along the Lagos coastline in the Algarve. Portugal is famed for its unique rock formations and impressive natural sights, and Ponta da Piedade is one of, if not the best.

Ponta da Piedade is a rocky headland with picturesque rock formations, hidden beaches, and bright yellow-golden cliffs. The sea and the wind have shaped the rocks here, so they also feature hidden caves and stone arches that rise out of the water. Some rocks around the headland reach 65 feet (20 meters) tall. You can take brilliant photographs of the headland from the clifftop or by boat.

The Drowned Village of Vilarinho da Furna, Terras de Bouro

One of the most surreal places to photograph for your Instagram in Portugal is the Drowned Village of Vilarinho da Furna, a former village in the Terras de Bouro district. Vilarinho da Furna was once a 2,000-year-old village built during the Roman era. However, it was sadly erased from the history books in 1972 when a dam was constructed nearby.

The reservoir built on the River Homen submerged the village, leaving behind a scene like something out of an apocalyptic movie. When the water level drops throughout the year, the ghost town emerges from the depths, revealing the town’s ancient ruins. You can capture the town on land or on a boat tour.

Praia dos Estudantes, Lagos

Another beautiful Instagrammable spot you can find in Lagos is Praia dos Estudantes. The chances are you’ve already seen this postcard-perfect place on your Instagram feed, so it’s time you got in on the action, too. Accessible through a rock tunnel, this small cove offers a lovely sandy beach, fantastic sunsets, and gorgeous scenery.

The highlight of a trip to Praia dos Estudantes has to be the bridge that connects two enormous rock formations. If you time your visit right, you can take a photograph between the two rocks and underneath the bridge with the sun setting behind you and emerald waters brushing against your feet. What’s not to like?

Grutas de São Vicente, Madeira

Instagrammable Spots in Portugal_Grutas de São Vicente, Madeira_ — © Kristian Muthugalage / Shutterstock

The next Portugal Instagrammable spot on our list is grutas de São Vicente on Madeira island. This is arguably the most mystical photograph spot on this list, so it’s the perfect destination if you like to fill your Instagram feed with unique locations. Believed to have been formed almost 900 years ago during a volcanic eruption, many chambers and tunnels exist to explore.

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Sadly, the caves have been shut for almost four years due to an earthquake causing damage. However, they are due to be reopened in 2024, so it’s time to start planning your visit. You can walk along a 2,297-foot (700-meter) long underground path to explore narrow chambers filled with golden-yellow rock formations, stalactites, and turquoise-green lakes.

Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga

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Photographers who prefer to capture shots of architectural and historical wonders will quickly fall in love with Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga. This breathtaking 18th-century site is an architectural masterpiece with a history that dates back to the 14th century when it featured a small hilltop chapel.

The impressive sanctuary we see on the hill today was constructed in 1722 with the support of the Archbishop of Braga, Rodrigo de Moura Telles. Today, we’re left with a fascinating complex with intricately designed stone sculptures, a 380-foot (116-meter) staircase, and a beautiful church building. We recommend taking photographs from the bottom of the stairs before snapping shots of the main church building from the top.

Elevador de Santa Justa, Lisbon

Surreal Places in Portugal_Elevador de Santa Justa — © Jozef Danyi / Adobe Stock

If you’re searching for the best Instagrammable spot in Lisbon, look no further than Elevador de Santa Justa. This photograph spot may sound underwhelming initially, but it’s easily the most spectacular panoramic viewpoint in the city. Better still, the landmark itself is worth taking a photograph of.

Sometimes referred to as the Carmo Lift, Elevador de Santa Justa is a unique elevator recognized across Europe for its architectural elegance. Standing proudly in the heart of Lisbon, connecting Baixa and Carmo Square, this Gothic and Neoclassical landmark spoils tourists with 360-degree panoramic city views. You can see many iconic Lisbon landmarks and the city’s vibrant orange-tiled roofs from the top.

Benagil Caves, Benagil

Benagil Caves is a picturesque grotto or sea cave in the fishing village of Benagil. It’s best known for its unique shape, which can be credited to the fearsome Atlantic waves that crash against the Algarve coastline. Portugal is famous for having many sea caves and grottos, but Benagil Caves is the most well-recognized because of its sheer size, spacious cavern, and unique opening.

This large opening allows light to enter the cave, making it much easier to capture an excellent photograph. If you time your visit right, you’ll even be able to catch sun rays shining through the cave. You can easily reach Benagil Caves by boat, so what are you waiting for?

Capela das Almas, Porto

Capela das Almas, otherwise known as the Chapel of Santa Catarina or the Chapel of Souls, is another beautiful church with a colorful and intricately designed exterior, like Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega. However, this chapel, which can be found on Rua de Santa Catarina in the city of Porto, is adorned with azulejos.

For those who are unfamiliar, azulejos are traditional blue and white ceramic tiles used throughout Portugal. They give a building a fascinating appearance, with Capela das Almas being a fine example. If you look closely at the chapel, you’ll realize the tiles depict scenes of various saints, including Francis of Assisi.

Livaria Lello, Porto

Another Instagrammable spot you don’t want to miss in Porto is Livaria Lello. Commonly referred to as Lello Bookshop, Livaria Lello is a stunning bookshop located in the parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória. Often dubbed the most beautiful bookstore in the world, it’s the perfect place to take photographs if you’re a bookworm.

Inside, you’ll find a labyrinth of floor-to-ceiling golden bookshelves, towers of the latest releases, and grand staircases begging to be photographed. The best way to take exciting photographs of the library is to simply get lost among the twisting chambers with your camera.

Belém Tower, Lisbon

Landmarks in Europe Belem Tower - Lisbon, Portugal — © PUNTOSTUDIOFOTO / Adobe Stock

The final Portugal Instagram spot for you is Belém Tower, officially called the Tower of Saint Vincent. This mesmerizing waterfront tower was once a significant fortress that served as a port for Portugal’s explorers. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a popular tourist attraction, and an excellent example of Portugal’s maritime and colonial power.

Construction of the tower commenced in 1514 and finished in 1519, making the tower more than 500 years old. Despite its age, the building is remarkably well-preserved. The best photographs of the tower can be taken from across the small bridge, but the views from the top are pretty special, too.