you’ve got the option to even camp nearby to make it a multi-day experience.

The UNESCO Site is the perfect spot for hiking, canyoning, climbing, and even white water rafting.

At the bottom is a golden sand beach with more blue waters and very few other people.

Rectory, Faculty of Law and Tower of the University of Coimbra

University of Coimbra in Portugal.Credit:Antonio Duarte/Getty Images

That’s where you’ll find Lagoa das Sete Cidades, located inside a dormant volcano.

The dual-colored lake is framed by emerald-green hills and rock formations, giving it an otherworldly vibe.

you could also get in the lake for an unforgettable paddle or swim.

Agroal river fluvial beach with a waterfall and water mill in Portugal

Agroal river fluvial beach with a waterfall and water mill in Portugal.Luis/Adobe Stock

The cave is only accessible by boat, making it all the more alluring.

But the waves aren’t always this big.

Of course, the town is more than just its beach.

The group of espigueiros (raccards or granaries lifted to be protected against rodents) crowned with crosses on the stone hill in Soajo settlement of Peneda-Geres national park

Denis Kabanov/Getty Images

Want to know more about this region?

Check out our story onwhere to stay, eat, and explore around the Douro Valley.

(Hot take: It’s better than the famedpastel de nata.)

Waves at Praia de Odeceixe, Algarve, Portugal

Rocky beach ofPraia de Odeceixe.Juergen Schonnop / 500px/Getty Images

Serra da Estrela

EunikaSopotnicka/Getty Images

Did you know it’s possible for you to ski in Portugal?

And with more than 44,000 acres to explore, you could be paddling for quite some time.

They can alsotake a relaxing dipin natural thermal baths.

Wind turbines drone aerial view renewable energy on the middle of Serra da Freita Arouca Geopark, in Portugal

Wind turbines on hills in Arouca Geopark.LuisPinaPhotogrpahy/Getty Images

Obidos

Find more history inObidos, another picturesque town frozen in time.

Just confirm to stop into a tavern to try the local stew.

Surrounded by well-preserved medieval walls, the town atop the hill offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

A Colorful castle

The colorfully painted Pena Palace.Sophia Kravets/Travel + Leisure

Berlengas Islands

Luis Fonseca/Getty Images

The Berlengas Islands make for a fantastic day trip from the mainland.

Just confirm not tomiss your boat back otherwise, you may have to walk the plank.

The monastery is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the early 1500s.

Praia da Ursa beach at the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, unspoilt and secluded wild beach with scenic rock formations.

Rocky beach of Praia da Ursa.Artur Bogacki/Getty Images

Panorama aerial view of Seven Cities Lake, Lagoa das Sete Cidades from Boca do Inferno viewpoint in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

dangrytsku/Getty Images

Beautiful Sea Cave Known as Grotte de Benagil “Benagil Grotto” on the Famous Algarve Coast in Southern Portugal

Bkamprath/Getty Images

Large waves in Nazare

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

View of rolling hills through a vineyard

Vineyards in Douro Valley.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Colorful striped buildings

Multi-colored vibrant striped beach houses in Aveiro, Portugal.Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Amazing old village with schist houses, called Piodao in Serra da Estrela, Portugal

Village on a mountain in Serra da Estrella.EunikaSopotnicka/Getty Images

White buildings and cobblestone street

White buildings in Evora, Portugal.Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal. September 17, 2022. Several people walk on the sandy areas of the Ria Formosa enjoying a day of pleasant temperatures. Some fishing boats remain docked.

People walking around the sand dunes of Ria Formosa Natural Park.Zu Sanchez Photography/Getty Images

Calderao geyser in town of Furnas, island of Sao Miguel, Azores, Atlantic ocean, Portugal.

Geysers in Furnas, Sao Miguel or Portugal’s Azores islands.Maya Karkalicheva/Getty Images

white buildings

White buildings in Obidos, Portugal.Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Views of the streets, churches and monuments of the town of Marvão in Portugal

White buildings and cobblestone streets of Marvao, Portugal.Javier Jimenez Lopez/Getty Images

Yellow-legged gull and two cubs on a rock on the island of Berlenga, with the blue sea and an islet in the background. Berlenga Grande Island, Berlengas archipelago, Portugal.

Seagulls on Berlenga island’s rocky cliffs.Luis Fonseca/Getty Images

Jerónimos Monastery

LUke1138/Getty Images