It is never unanimous. Each person has their own standard of romanticism and therefore, listing which places are most conducive to romance varies a lot. But here I follow two standards: those that have the most romantic hotels and inns in the country and those that are most popular in this regard among visitors. But of course, don't forget that the place is not the main thing, but rather the company that will make the chosen destination special. Discover four of the most romantic places in Portugal.
Sintra
Sintra is considered the most romantic town in Portugal, as there are many 'tools' to create a romantic atmosphere. The beautiful town is located in the famous Serra de Sintra, with bucolic roads and alleys full of mysteries. In addition to the lush nature, the architecture is beautiful and the palaces and mansions invite you to fall in love. Many of these buildings are hotels and guesthouses, some with spectacular views.
Being in the mountains, the climate is colder and it was precisely this slightly cooler climate that attracted Portugal's nobility and elite, who built exquisite palaces, extravagant residences and decorative gardens. The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful landscapes have established Sintra as one of the best tourist destinations, as well as the most popular complementary trip from Lisbon.
Aveiro
The Venice of Portugal is beautiful, with canals spread across the city and just a ride on a moliceiro (the gondolas here) makes the day more conducive to romance. Writer José Saramago described Aveiro as a “living body that connects the land to the sea like an enormous heart”.
The tip here is to stay in one of the several hotels on the banks of the estuary and board a moliceiro to travel along its canals, which, like roads of silver water, lead us through the city. Observe the Art Nouveau houses that decorate the banks or discover them in every detail, taking the guided walking tour organized by the City Museum.
Coimbra
No, you didn't read it wrong! The well-known Coimbra, famous for being the city of students, has a garden that puts it on this list. In addition to tourist attractions such as the university itself and the beautiful historic center, Coimbra is also home to the Quinta das Lágrimas gardens. They are home to the so-called Fountain of Loves It is Fountain of Tears.
The farm and its two fountains are famous for having been the setting for the love affair between Prince D. Pedro (the future Pedro I of Portugal) and the noblewoman D. Inês de Castro, the subject of countless works of art over the centuries. Being in this beautiful garden with company is a privilege, because in addition to its beauty, there is a sense of romance in the air.
Monsaraz
The medieval town of Monsaraz, almost on the border with Spain and in the Alentejo region and protected by its walls, is a small village with schist streets and whitewashed walls. With narrow streets full of nooks and crannies, it has as a backdrop a stunning view over the Alentejo landscape and the Alqueva reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Europe. Everything is ready for that moment for two!
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