Tourist attractions: Portugal is renowned for its magnificent southern coast, the Algarve, one of the main destination of European tourism. The World Heritage Douro valley, the charms and history of Porto, Lisbon the Portuguese capital, blessed with natural beauty and steeped in fascinating history. Madeira is a refined and sophisticated island destination, set in a spectacular landscape with a wonderful climate. Porto Santo, a golden island lapped by the turquoise blue sea with a magnificent gold sand 9 kilometres long. The Azores are nine different islands of volcanic landscapes with lush green countryside and colourful flowers, volcanic phenomena such as crater lakes at the bottom of “caldeiras”, plus mysterious caves, rock clefts and tunnels and, in the case of Pico island, a majestic mountain.

Unesco has inscribed 13 Portuguese sites in the World Heritage List: Alto Douro Wine Region (2001), Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (1983), Convent of Christ in Tomar (1983), Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995), Historic Centre of Évora (1986), Historic Centre of Guimarães (2001), Historic Centre of Oporto (1996), Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (2004), Monastery of Alcobaça (1989), Monastery of Batalha (1983), Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983), Prehistoric Rock-Art Sites in the Côa Valley (1998), Laurisilva of Madeira (1999).