Top vacation destinations and car rental providers in Portugal: The birthplace of the nation and where Portugal’s first monarch, Dom Afonso Henriques, was born in 1110, Guimarães was once the capital of the kingdom of “Portucale.” Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its collection of historic monuments grouped in and around the old town center, it is the Castelo de Guimarães that best symbolizes the role played by the town in defining the nation’s culture and tradition – it even appears on the Portuguese coat of arms. Originally built in the 10th century, but substantially extended by Henry of Burgundy two centuries later, the stronghold, on an elevated outcrop of granite, comprises a central keep – the Torre de Menagem – surrounded by massive battlements and fortified towers. Dom Afonso was baptized in the tiny Romanesque chapel of São Miguel, located just outside the castle walls, and visitors can peek inside the diminutive space to see the font. A walk along the ramparts is inspiring, but for the best views, climb the keep. If you are looking for a vehicle to travel between Portugal’s travel destinations you can read more details at car rental in Funchal Portugal

The city of Alcobaca is known for its important Portuguese landmark, the Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobaca, founded in the 12th century. Today it is not just an important historical monument, but also the largest church in Portugal. The abbey building is made up of 5 cloisters, a library, 7 bedrooms and an impressive sized kitchen. The finishing of the facade of the temple is a mix of several styles, for the reason that the building was completed in different eras. The Gothic door and the main circular window of the monastery, for example, are parts of the original church, while the flanking bell towers and the Baroque statues of saints were not added until the 17th and 18th centuries. As a whole, the monastery is a monumental architectural structure, 220 meters long, consisting of 3 parts – the Church itself, as well as the North and South wings.

Travel destinations and car rental services in Portugal with CarRentalinPortugal.com: Obidos Castle is an impressive structure that sits on a hill at Obidos, a small city that dates back to Roman times on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. The Moors built the castle sometime in the eighth century. It was remodeled around the 14th century and a keep was added. The castle today houses a luxury pousada hotel. A traditional medieval market takes place in the castle every July. Cais da Ribeira is a charming picturesque district in Porto, sometimes referred to as “the soul of Porto.” It’s made up of medieval streets that end on a square by the Douro River. Medieval buildings are filled with bars, cafes and restaurants, making Ribeira a popular place for eating and drinking. Ribeira is especially popular on feast days when townspeople flock there to see fireworks. There’s a bronze cube in the middle of the square. Nearby is the house where Prince Henry the Navigator was born in 1394.

One of Portugal’s best-loved historic monuments and a Lisbon icon, the Torre de Belém stands as a symbol of the Age of Discovery and the voyages of exploration undertaken in the 15th and 16th centuries. Completed in 1521 as a fortress to defend the approaches to the River Tagus, the tower is regarded as a masterpiece of military architecture. Designed in the Manueline style by Francisco de Arruda, the façade is a confection of beautifully carved stone, typified by maritime motifs, such as twisted rope and the armillary sphere. An impressive Renaissance loggia heightens the decoration. The tower’s cultural significance is such that UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site.

Holiday destinations and car rental services in Portugal right now: It is in Portugal where you can feel as far away from home as ever – at the very edge of the world, because the country is located at the westernmost cape of Europe, and further there is only the ocean, beyond which there are uncharted lands. No matter where you choose to spend your vacation or weekend in Portugal, traveling around the country is incredibly interesting. You will be accompanied by guides in Portugal who not only have an impeccable knowledge of history and traditions, but also a sincere desire to show tourists the beauty of their homeland. A true favorite among the medieval castles of Portugal can be considered the castle of Obidos, located on a hill, which offers a wonderful view of the surroundings of the city of the same name: vineyards, windmills, bright terracotta roofs of the surrounding houses.

Visiting Portugal is to discover a remarkably diverse destination. Inextricably linked with the sea, the country has more than 800 kilometers of enticing Atlantic Ocean coastline. Lisbon, the capital city, enjoys a stunning location near the mouth of the River Tagus. From here, trailblazing mariners set sail in the 15th and 16th centuries on epic voyages of discovery, and Portugal has nurtured a proud seafaring tradition ever since. Portugal’s interior melds dramatic northern mountain ranges with the vast rolling plains of the country’s sun-baked central regions. In the south, some of the best beaches in Europe flank picturesque coves and warm, shallow waters. Dotted throughout are stone-built villages, enchanting towns, and cosmopolitan cities where historic palaces and castles, museums, and monasteries are waiting to be explored. And traveling to Portugal can also mean a visit to the verdant, subtropical island of Madeira – the “Garden Isle” – or the isolated, but tranquil Azores archipelago. For more ideas on the best places to visit, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Portugal. See additional information on https://www.carrentalinportugal.com/.