Europe
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal
Portuguese World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Portugal map · historical landmarks in Portugal
Portugal has 17 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 16 cultural and 1 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1983 and 2019. This map of UNESCO sites in Portugal covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Portuguese World Heritage Sites range from Alto Douro Wine Region onwards; Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores was the country's first inscription, added in 1983; Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) is the most recent, listed in 2019; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde. Start with Alto Douro Wine Region, Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores and Convent of Christ in Tomar, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 17
- Cultural
- 16
- Natural
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1983
Sites on the map
Loading the map…
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- LISLisbon4 sites
- OPOPorto3 sites
- VRLVila Real2 sites
- CATCascais2 sites
- BJZBadajoz2 sites
- TERPraia da Vitória1 site
Keep exploring
All 17 sites in Portugal
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto Douro Wine RegionAlto Douro Wine Region — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2001 | Cultural | Alto Douro Wine Region — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the AzoresCentral Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1983 | Cultural | Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Convent of Christ in TomarConvent of Christ in Tomar — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1983 | Cultural | Convent of Christ in Tomar — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Cultural Landscape of SintraCultural Landscape of Sintra — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1995 | Cultural | Cultural Landscape of Sintra — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its FortificationsGarrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2012 | Cultural | Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Historic Centre of ÉvoraHistoric Centre of Évora — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1986 | Cultural | Historic Centre of Évora — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros ZoneThe historic town of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12t. | 2001 | Cultural | The historic town of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12t. |
| Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do PilarHistoric Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1996 | Cultural | Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard CultureLandscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2004 | Cultural | Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Laurisilva of MadeiraLaurisilva of Madeira — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1999 | Natural | Laurisilva of Madeira — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Monastery of AlcobaçaMonastery of Alcobaça — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1989 | Cultural | Monastery of Alcobaça — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Monastery of BatalhaMonastery of Batalha — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1983 | Cultural | Monastery of Batalha — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in LisbonMonastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1983 | Cultural | Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega VerdePrehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1998 | Cultural | Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada)Royal Building of <i>Mafra</i> – Palace, Basilica, Convent, <i>Cerco</i> Garden and Hunting Park (<i>Tapada</i>) —… | 2019 | Cultural | Royal Building of <i>Mafra</i> – Palace, Basilica, Convent, <i>Cerco</i> Garden and Hunting Park (<i>Tapada</i>) — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in BragaSanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2019 | Cultural | Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| University of Coimbra – Alta and SofiaSituated on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra with its colleges grew and evolved over mor. | 2013 | Cultural | Situated on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra with its colleges grew and evolved over mor. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Portugal
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Portugal?
- Portugal has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 16 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Portugal?
- Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores was inscribed in 1983. Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Portugal?
- Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada), inscribed in 2019. Royal Building of <i>Mafra</i> – Palace, Basilica, Convent, <i>Cerco</i> Garden and Hunting Park (<i>Tapada</i>) — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which sites in Portugal are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 1 of the 17 listings is natural: Laurisilva of Madeira.
- Which UNESCO sites in Portugal are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Portugal.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Portugal?
- The 17 UNESCO-listed sites above are Portugal's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (1983). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Portuguese World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 17 Portuguese UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.