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From an underrated gem to one of the most visited cities in Europe: Lisbon is overflowing with tourists in 2024, from the once quiet hilly streets of Alfama to the harborside Praça do Comércio, now a bustling central square that is just as is as busy as the Piazza in Venice. San Marco.
Although it is a world-class cultural destination, it has officially become the capital of Portugal one of the top 10 destinations most ‘overwhelmed’ by tourism in Europe, with 11 tourists per inhabitant, as reported by the holiday rental platform Holiday.
If you’re wary of the crowds but still dream of seeing tiled Baroque churches and ancient Moorish fortresses, here are the 3 alternatives that are just as incredible (and much cheaper to visit):
Guimaraes
In northern Portugal, more than 220 miles from Lisbon, where first-time visitors rarely come, lies Guimarães, a beautifully cobbled old town that has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its stately palaces, ornate churches and several museums.
The French-inspired palace of the Dukes of Bragança is one of the most interesting to visit for its exhibition of centuries-old furniture and historical weapons, as well as the Santos Passos Church, a Portuguese Baroque project overlooking a lush garden with fountains.
For the best views of the city, head to the tallest tower in the center of the medieval Guimarães Castle, built at the height of the Middle Ages to defend a neighboring monastery from attacks by invading Moors and Normans (you won’t be disappointed become ).
Last but not least: you should not miss this top class Sights and highlights Walking tour of the old town, visiting the postcard-perfect Pombaline buildings, charming public squares and lesser-known oratorios for just $6.46.
Coimbra
Located in central Portugal, halfway between Lisbon and Porto, Coimbra is often bypassed by tourists commuting between the country’s two largest cities, but with its well-preserved historic centerimpressive bell tower and legendary institutions, it is definitely worth a stop.
In a sense it is The Portuguese equivalent of Oxfordhome to the oldest university in the entire country, built as a Hogwarts-like palace with a baroque library and a high concentration of medieval monuments that have stood the test of time, especially the 12th-century cathedral.
A former capital of Portugal – before Lisbon claimed the title several centuries later – Coimbra is a cultural haven of the first order, without the usual prohibitive prices: think lunch menu offers for $13, fado glasses with wine sampling from $16.40, and nights for less than $50.
A double room Stay Hotel Coimbra Centrowithin walking distance of all major attractions including the university (18 minute walk), this fall costs a surprisingly affordable $48 per night – for comparison, the average hotel price in Lisbon is $127, as seen on Budget your trip.
Évora
Portugal’s history dates back more than 2,000 years, and one of the best places to soak up all that intangible heritage and travel back in time is Évora, an often overlooked cultural getaway by train 1h39 southeast of Lisbon:
Home to approximately 53,000 residents, Évora is much more compact––and less hilly––than the capital, making it much easier to explore on foot: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center is completely pedestrian-friendly and all sights are within 3-15 minutes of each other.
For example from the Temple of Diana, one of the best preserved Roman ruins in Portugal it is only 3 minutes to the medieval cathedral; Meanwhile, it takes about 13 minutes to walk from the university, the country’s second oldest founded way back in 1559, to the Royal Palace.
In addition to the walking possibilities and the historic city center, we also love Évora for its wide choice of traditional restaurants: for the tastiest bacalhau––Portuguese style cod––if you ever try it, make sure you reserve a table Restaurant Dom Joaquim.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
