Portugal is more than its bustling capital and surfer-ready coasts. Its central regions -- like the town of Obidos -- are rich with activity.
Obidos —
Portugal is more than its bustling capital and surfer-ready coasts. Its central regions -- like the town of Obidos -- are rich with activity.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
It may not look austere, but the medieval Alcobaca Monastery was meant to reflect the frugal lifestyle of the Cistercian monks who once inhabited it.
Alcobaca Monastery —
It may not look austere, but the medieval Alcobaca Monastery was meant to reflect the frugal lifestyle of the Cistercian monks who once inhabited it.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
Nazare is a surfing mecca, but it also has a beach that's welcoming to those averse to mountainous swells.
Nazare —
Nazare is a surfing mecca, but it also has a beach that's welcoming to those averse to mountainous swells.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
The Batalha Monastery commemorates Portugal's 1385 victory over Spanish invaders. Nice trophy.
Batalha Monastery —
The Batalha Monastery commemorates Portugal's 1385 victory over Spanish invaders. Nice trophy.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
The six-day Festas dos Tabuleiros festival takes place every four years -- the next one is July 2015 -- and attracts upward of 600,000 visitors. The elaborate headdresses worn by local girls are loaves of bread decorated with flowers.
Festas dos Tabuleiros —
The six-day Festas dos Tabuleiros festival takes place every four years -- the next one is July 2015 -- and attracts upward of 600,000 visitors. The elaborate headdresses worn by local girls are loaves of bread decorated with flowers.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
Coimbra is home to one of the world's oldest universities. Students can still occasionally be found here ignoring their studies in favor of more traditional academic pursuits.
Coimbra —
Coimbra is home to one of the world's oldest universities. Students can still occasionally be found here ignoring their studies in favor of more traditional academic pursuits.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
The Renaissance and baroque buildings at the University of Coimbra are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
University of Coimbra —
The Renaissance and baroque buildings at the University of Coimbra are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
After a day of visiting historic buildings, it's possible to spend the night at one. The Bussaco Palace is a hilltop castle commissioned as a romantic retreat by King Carlos I in 1888.
Bussaco Palace —
After a day of visiting historic buildings, it's possible to spend the night at one. The Bussaco Palace is a hilltop castle commissioned as a romantic retreat by King Carlos I in 1888.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal
Aveiro is known as Portugal's Venice because of its network of canals.
Aveiro —
Aveiro is known as Portugal's Venice because of its network of canals.
Courtesy Ben Radford/Getty Images
The Serra da Estrela mountain range offers spectacular scenery year round.
Serra da Estrela —
The Serra da Estrela mountain range offers spectacular scenery year round.
Courtesy ARPT Centro de Portugal