15 Most Colorful Places in Portugal to Visit

1. Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega

This church in Válega, near Ovar, is known for its colorful tiled facade. The azulejos cover almost the entire front of the building, showing religious scenes in shades of blue, yellow, green, and red.

Make sure to step inside too, as the interior has more decorative tiles, a beautifully detailed altar, and gilded woodwork. It’s a little different from the churches you’ll find in most parts of Portugal and well worth a stop if you’re exploring the area.

2. Costa Nova

Costa Nova is famous for its colorful striped houses, known as palheiros. These traditional seaside houses are painted in different combinations of red, blue, green, and yellow, with white stripes in between. 

You’ll find them along the streets near the beach and the Ria de Aveiro, and they’re one of the most recognizable sights in this part of Portugal. Make sure to walk around the neighborhood to see the different colors and patterns.

3. Águeda

Águeda is best known for its Umbrella Sky Project, where hundreds of colorful umbrellas hang above the streets during the summer and other important celebrations. 

It’s a fun place to explore and take photos, especially when the installations are on display. If you want to see the umbrellas, check the festival dates before planning your visit, as they’re seasonal.

4. Pena Palace

Pena Palace in Sintra is one of the most colorful palaces in Portugal, with bright yellow and red facades, decorative towers, and unique architectural details. 

The different colors make it stand out against the surrounding green hills, and the palace looks quite different depending on where you view it from. You will want to read my Pena Palace guide when planning your visit.

5. Alfama, Lisbon

Alfama is one of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon to explore if you enjoy colorful streets. The narrow lanes are lined with pastel-colored houses, traditional azulejos, small balconies, and windows with flowers. 

My Alfama travel guide will help you cover the best of this neighborhood but don’t forget to wander away from the usual route and discover colorful side of Lisbon.

6. Ribeira, Porto

Ribeira is one of the most recognizable parts of Porto, with rows of colorful houses lining the Douro River. The buildings come in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and blue, creating the view Porto is so well known for. 

You can walk along the waterfront to see the houses up close, but I also recommend crossing the river to Vila Nova de Gaia. From there, you can see the colorful facades stretching along the riverbank.

7. Moliceiro boats in Aveiro

The moliceiro boats are one of the first things you’ll notice when visiting Aveiro. These traditional boats are painted in bright colors and decorated with illustrations on their bows, featuring humorous scenes or references to Portuguese culture.

Each boat has its own designs, so take a closer look when walking along the canals. They add plenty of color to the city center and are one of the most recognizable sights in Aveiro. You will love colorful houses of Aveiro as well.

8. Impérios of Terceira

The impérios are small, colorful buildings found throughout Terceira in the Azores. They’re associated with the island’s traditional Holy Spirit celebrations and are easy to recognize by their painted facades and decorative crowns above the entrances. 

Many feature combinations of red, blue, yellow, and green, with different designs from one village to another. If you’re planning a trip to Terceira, don’t miss my visual guide to the most beautiful impérios in Terceira.

9. Igreja de Santa Marinha de Cortegaça

The Igreja de Santa Marinha de Cortegaça, near Ovar, is known for its blue and white azulejo facade. The tiles cover the front of the church, with patterns and religious images decorating the walls from the ground up to the towers. 

The contrast between the blue tiles and white details makes the facade stand out, especially when you get a closer look at the detailed designs. If you’re visiting the nearby Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega, you could include both churches in the same trip.

10. Santana, Madeira

Santana is known for its traditional triangular houses with steep thatched roofs and brightly painted doors and window frames. 

The houses are usually white, with red, blue, and yellow details that make them easy to recognize. These buildings were once more common across Madeira, but only a limited number of traditional examples remain today. 

11. Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island in the Azores, has a historic center filled with pastel-colored buildings, traditional churches, and decorative facades. The houses come in shades of yellow, pink, blue, and white, often with contrasting details around their windows and doors. 

Some buildings also feature balconies and traditional architectural details that add character to the streets. My Angra do Heroísmo guide comes in handy when you are planning your trip to Terceira.

12. Azulejo covered churches in Portugal

Some of Portugal’s most famous azulejo-covered churches are in Porto. The Igreja do Carmo, Capela das Almas, and Igreja de Santo Ildefonso are among the best-known examples, each with blue and white tiles covering its facade. 

The tiles feature everything from religious scenes to decorative patterns, making these churches stand out as you explore the city. You can find more of them in my guide to the most beautiful places to see azulejos in Porto.

13. Pink Street, Lisbon

Pink Street, officially Rua Nova do Carvalho, stands out for its bright pink pavement in Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré neighborhood. The street is surrounded by bars and restaurants, but the painted ground is what makes it different from the other streets nearby. 

It’s a relatively small spot, so you won’t need much time to see it, but it’s one of the best photo spots in Lisbon with a touch of pink. Rua Verde nearby is another colorful alternative that most tourists miss.

14. Artesanato A Mó, Sagres

Artesanato A Mó in Sagres is worth a stop if you enjoy colorful Portuguese ceramics. The shop has a collection of hand-painted pottery and decorative pieces in different colors and patterns. 

It’s a good place to browse for traditional Portuguese crafts and see another side of the country’s colorful culture while exploring the Algarve.

15. Historic train stations in Portugal

Portugal has several historic train stations decorated with colorful azulejos. São Bento Station in Porto is one of the most famous, with thousands of blue and white tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. 

Pinhão is another highlight, with panels showing traditional scenes from the Douro Valley, while Aveiro, Santarém, Estremoz, and Marvão-Beirã also have decorative tiles. I want to highlight Vila Franca de Xira, Sintra, and Óbidos as well.

If you enjoy discovering these details, keep an eye out for historic stations as you travel around Portugal. They’re often decorated with scenes from local history and traditions that you won’t find anywhere else.