What to do in Penha de Franca

Activities, attractions and tours

A kitchen with blue and gold tiles, hanging pots, and a copper distillation apparatus.
A cobblestone street with a fire hydrant, potted plants, and a green fence.
An ornate church interior with rows of pews, detailed frescoes, and a central altar.
An ornate church interior with gold detailing, wooden pews, and religious paintings on the walls and ceiling.
A grand hall with ornate blue and gold decorations, a large wooden chest, and a red rope barrier.

Penha de Franca Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Penha de Franca has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Penha de Franca is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Penha de Franca to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Penha de Franca Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Penha de Franca.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Penha de Franca attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

The remarkable Pena Palace

Sintra-Cascais-Pena Palace 8-People Small Group Tour from Lisbon

CA $96
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Sintra-Cascais-Pena Palace 8-People Small Group Tour from Lisbon
Castle in Lisbon

Day Trip to Sintra & Cascais with Admission to Pena Palace and Garden Walk

CA $129
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Day Trip to Sintra & Cascais with Admission to Pena Palace and Garden Walk
Belem Tower

Tour Lisbon: Belém Tower, the Cathedral & Parque das Nações

CA $115
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Tour Lisbon: Belém Tower, the Cathedral & Parque das Nações
Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais Full Day Tour from Lisbon

Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais Group Tour

CA $113
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais Group Tour
Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour

Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour

CA $127
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour with Optional Bus Tour Combos

Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combos

CA $45
per adult
Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combos
From Lisbon: Fatima, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour with Hotel Pickup

From Lisbon: Fatima, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour with Hotel Pickup

CA $135
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
From Lisbon: Fatima, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour with Hotel Pickup
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Top places to visit

1. Rossio Square

Officially named Praça Dom Pedro IV, this centrally located square is much more commonly known simply as Rossio. Come here at any time of the day to find the square abuzz, as people gather to socialize at cafés around the square’s edge.
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A plaza with patterned pavement, a fountain, and historic buildings in the background.

2. Belém Tower

Belém Tower is an impressive structure on the shore of the Tagus River in Lisbon. The ornate fortification was built here over 500 years ago to fight off any hostile craft that came up the river. Gaze straight across the river from the top of the Tower Terrace to see St. Sebastian’s Fort, another fortification on the opposite shore. With the two towers in place, enemy warships could not achieve success in attacking the city.
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A historic stone castle by a river, with a wooden bridge leading to it.

3. Santa Justa Elevator

The Santa Justa Elevator connects the hilltop neighborhood Bairro Alto with downtown Baixa. The gothic, iron structure rises up from the neoclassical architecture of downtown. The elevator has been in operation since 1905 and was originally operated by a steam engine. Today it’s powered by an electric engine and is a great way to enjoy views over the city. Visit the elevator’s rooftop café.
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A historic bridge with ornate metalwork and a view of a cityscape with red-tiled roofs.

4. Commerce Square

Commerce Square, or the Praça do Comércio, is a meeting place for locals and a great spot to bask in the sun along the riverfront. This was the site of the royal palace for many centuries, until the Great Earthquake of 1755. The palace was remodeled into an elaborate stone monument that marks the point of entry to the city. Today the square offers many places to sit and relax in between visits to the surrounding sites of the central Baixa district.
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A plaza with a statue, a large archway, and yellow buildings.

5. Lisbon Cathedral

The Lisbon Cathedral (the Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa) is a must-see for lovers of architecture. It is the oldest religious structure in Lisbon and has been modified several times, so it reflects many different architectural styles.
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A historic building with ornate architecture, a clock tower, and a tram in the foreground.

6. National Tile Museum

Visit the National Museum of Azulejos to view a collection of intricately painted tiles from throughout the ages. Visible all across Lisbon and beyond, these skillfully painted tiles are an important part of Portugal’s artistic heritage.
Learn more
An ornate church interior with gold detailing, wooden pews, and religious paintings on the walls and ceiling.

Recommended things to do in Penha de Franca

Number of things to do
1511
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Exciting Free Walking Tour: Explore Iconic Landmarks & Stunning Viewpoints: CA $2
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Penha de Franca

Stay near popular Penha de Franca attractions

National Tile Museum

See rare examples of an ornamental art form that has become synonymous with Portugal in this museum dedicated to azulejo ceramic tiles.
See properties

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Penha de Franca

A coastal cityscape with colorful buildings and a prominent white dome structure.

Lisbon

A coastal cityscape with terracotta-roofed buildings, a prominent white church, and a view of the sea and distant city lights.

Lisbon District

A street lined with multi-story residential buildings, a bus stop, and parked cars.

Areeiro

A city street with a green bike lane, parked cars, and a yellow bus.

Arroios

A brightly lit historic building with classical architecture, tram tracks, and a busy street scene at night.

Santa Maria Maior

A riverside promenade with cafes, trees, and buildings.

Santo Antonio

Frequently asked questions

Is Penha de Franca worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor adventures, there are loads of great things to do in Penha de Franca. Be sure to experience the area's mix of unmissable sights, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Penha de Franca?
Start your getaway adventures with a visit to the top attractions. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Penha de Franca while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Penha de Franca?
Plan your dream getaway by browsing our list of affordable adventures, family-friendly favourites and other fabulous things to do in Penha de Franca.
Is three days enough to stay in Penha de Franca?
Book an escape in Penha de Franca for three days and you'll have enough time to tick off its leading sights and get a taste for the local vibe. For the chance to see highlights in nearby areas and get off the tourist trail, consider hanging around for seven to ten days.
What are some activities to do in Penha de Franca with kids?
Deciding what to do in Penha de Franca with kids has never been so simple. Whether you have teenagers or little ones, there are loads of family-friendly attractions to keep them busy here.

What to do in Penha de Franca for adults?
Adults of all ages will find lots of things to do in Penha de Franca. Whether you're into culture, nature or just love discovering new destinations, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Penha de Franca?
You don't need to splurge to enjoy a memorable getaway here. There are loads of cheap things to do in Penha de Franca for the budget-conscious traveller. Stroll through the parks, soak up the vibes at free events and festivals or ask for ideas from a local tour guide.

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