Belém is associated with Portugal's golden age of exploration. In the 15th and 16th centuries, intrepid navigators set sail from the shores of this Lisbon suburb on long and perilous voyages to chart unknown waters and map new territories.

In 1498, one of these mariners, Vasco da Gama, discovered the sea route to India, and King Manuel I commissioned a monument to honor his achievement, which became a lasting symbol of the country's amazing era of conquest and expansion. The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is now one of the country's most beloved and revered structures, and it is a must-see for all visitors.

The church and monastery encapsulate the spirit of the era and contain some of the finest examples of Manueline architecture in the world.

The church and monastery encapsulate the spirit of the era and contain some of the finest examples of Manueline architecture anywhere in Portugal; the South Portal's ornate decoration is breathtaking.

The beautiful cloister is equally exuberant on the inside. The tomb of Vasco da Gama and other national figures, including Lus de Cames, Portugal's greatest poet and chronicler of the discoveries, are appropriately housed in the church.

• Location: Lisbon

Lisbon's oceanarium, which is arguably Portugal's most popular and family-friendly visitor attraction, was brilliantly designed to highlight the world's diverse ocean habitats. This oceanarium is one of Europe's best and largest, with a diverse collection of fish and marine animals.

The ecosystems of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans are recreated in four different seascapes. A massive central tank, visible from various levels, is teeming with sharks, rays, and other finned wonders and deep-sea denizens. Smaller tropical species housed in separate aquaria set around the main tank appear to be swimming with their larger cousins thanks to the transparent plexiglass design.

The open-air landscapes, where penguins, sea otters, and other cute and cuddly birds and mammals co-exist in carefree harmony, complement this amazing spectacle.

• Location: Lisbon

Sintra's stunning location, nestled in the midst of a wooded mountain range, is reason enough to visit this charming, verdant town. Because of the beauty and significance of the collection of historic visitor attractions clustered in and around Sintra Velha, UNESCO has designated the destination as a World Heritage cultural landscape.

Sintra exudes romance and was a favorite summer retreat for the Portuguese kings and queens, as well as an enticing destination for many writers and poets, including Lord Byron and William Beckford. The old town is a maze of cobblestone streets lined with charming town houses painted in pastel pink, mustard, and lilac hues. The lovely Palácio Nacional de Sintra dominates the central square, which is surrounded by narrow streets.

Sintra's National Palace, easily identifiable by its massive conical chimneys, is Portugal's oldest surviving palace, dating from the late 14th century. The building is lavishly furnished and spread out over several levels, each with its own theme and décor. The magnificent Sala dos Brases, a gleaming domed hall adorned with the coats of arms of 72 noble Portuguese families, is a highlight.

• Location: Lisbon Coast

A rewarding maritime excursion is taking to the sea by kayak to explore the Lisbon coast. Paddling the coast not only adds to the sightseeing experience, but it also gives you an excuse to get some exercise in a salty, pristine environment.

Indeed, Lisbon's proximity to the sea allows for a variety of exciting water sports, and exploring the beaches, bays, and coves that run between the Portuguese capital and the resort town of Cascais is a fun-filled day out.

The crystal-clear waters off the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, which includes Setubal and Sesimbra, form a unique landscape of magnificent, ancient sea cliffs teeming with birdlife.

The majority of the coastline here is protected by a marine reserve, which includes the stunningly beautiful Ribeira do Cavalo beach.

• Location: Lisbon coast

The Torre de Belém, a Lisbon icon and one of Portugal's most popular historic monuments, is a symbol of the Age of Discovery and the exploration voyages of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The tower, which was completed in 1521 as a fortress to defend the approaches to the River Tagus, is considered a military architectural masterpiece. The façade is a confection of beautifully carved stone, typified by maritime motifs such as twisted rope and the armillary sphere, and was designed in the Manueline style by Francisco de Arruda. The decoration is enhanced by an impressive Renaissance loggia.

UNESCO has designated the tower as a World Heritage Site because of its cultural significance.

• Location: Lisbon

The Convento do Cristo, one of Portugal's most important historic sites, is protected by a mighty castle that towers over the charming riverside town of Tomar.

The Convent of Christ, founded in 1160 as the headquarters of the Knights Templar, is as awe-inspiring as it is mysterious, its masonic heritage tangible and beguiling. The medieval Charola, the original Templar church, is at its heart, richly decorated and replete with all the strange symbolism associated with the Order of Christ.

The 16th-century cloisters enchant visitors with Manueline flourishes and their hidden spiral staircases. The convent's magnificent Manueline window, designed by master sculptor Diogo de Arruda, is still one of Portugal's most architecturally appealing features.

• Location: Tomar

Bom Jesus do Monte, Portugal's grandest religious sanctuary, is located six kilometers east of Braga on a wooded slope and is one of the country's most important pilgrimage sites.

This magnificent complex includes a monumental Baroque Escadaria (stairway) and the church of Bom Jesus, as well as several chapels with sculptured scenes from the Passion of Christ, fountains at various points along the long ascent, and statues of biblical, mythological, and symbolic figures.

Climbing the lower section of the 116-meter ornamental granite staircase leads to a steep Sacred Way with chapels depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The white, interleaved Escadório dos Cinco Sentidos, located in the middle, depicts the five senses through finely carved statuary.

The Staircase of the Three Virtues, which leads to the church, is the final section. It represents Faith, Hope, and Charity. Your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. A vintage 1882 funicular whisks visitors to the top in just three minutes for the less active.

• Location: Braga

The Serra do Gerês is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range in northern Portugal's remote Minho region. The granite peaks that define the character of this vast national park, set within the glorious Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, one of the top places to visit in Portugal, are among the highest and most spectacular in the country.

The Gerês Mountains, one of Portugal's most popular natural attractions, attract walkers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts to one of Europe's last great wildernesses, a stark and rugged landscape known for its lush valleys dotted with shimmering lakes, a scattering of traditional villages, rare flora and fauna, and a way of life that has all but disappeared from the country's mountain regions.

Ancient granite trails crisscross the area, which are signposted for hikers to follow for a short stroll or a challenging day trek. The majority of the tracks are between 10 and 16 kilometers long and have varying grades.

• Location: Peneda-Gerês National Park

King Dinis founded the Universidade de Coimbra in 1290, making it Portugal's oldest educational institution. The historic buildings of the Velha Universidade, or old Coimbra University, surround a beautiful colonnaded central square, the Paço das Escolas, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The university's Alta and Sofia wings – a former royal residence – have a number of notable features, including the magnificent Biblioteca Joanina, a lavishly decorated library built in 1717 by King Joo V.

The tour also includes a visit to the opulent 16th-century Capela de S. Miguel. Climbers with a fear of heights can ascend the iconic 18th-century clock tower for a spectacular view of Coimbra, one of the country's most beautiful cities.

• Location: Coimbra

Lisbon is home to some truly world-class museums, including the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, which is one of the best. Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, a wealthy Armenian oil magnate who bequeathed his priceless hoard to the Portuguese nation upon his death in 1955, left the museum with 6,000 pieces, all of which belonged to one man: Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian.

Simply put, this is one of Europe's finest art collections. The exhibits span over 4,000 years, from classical and oriental Antiquity to early twentieth-century European art. No other museum has such a diverse collection of art from around the world, and visitors can spend hours poring over treasures like the 11 Roman medallions discovered in Egypt, 16th-century illustrated manuscripts, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Turner masterpieces, Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, and Rene Lalique's Art Nouveau jewelry.

The museum is surrounded by lush gardens, which are ideal for picnics, especially in the summer.

• Location: Lisbon