6 Gorgeous Wedding Venues in Portugal, from a vow coach and ceremony officiant

Imagine a country absolutely bursting with color and buzzing with the gentle noise of the city. Where you have the choice between crisp countryside air and the rich smells of cultural cuisine. Where you can’t tell if it’s the crash of the waves you’re hearing, or history itself whispering to you.

That country is Portugal, a place with a storied past and many gorgeous features to show for it, from sprawling castles to lush gardens. This makes it a perfect place to celebrate your love, with many unique venues to choose from. Here are six of the most splendid, in my opinion as a vow coach and ceremony officiant.

Palacio de Queluz – Sintra

The Sintra region houses many of my favorite venues, and looking at this first exquisite palace, it’s easy to see why. Is that the sound of your shoes echoing through the endlessly spacious throne room, or is that the 18th and 19th centuries calling to you through the Rococo architecture?

The venue offers endless options for your ceremony, including the sprawling gardens, featuring accents of traditional Portuguese tilework. For your reception, you’ll have your pick of three splendid rooms: the throne room, with a capacity of 200, the music room with a capacity of 80, and the ambassadors room, with a capacity of 60. Each room has its own unique character and storied past, along with different features, such as access to the gardens.

Penha Longa Resort – Lisbon

Travel with me to this venue just outside of Lisbon, nestled into the Sintra mountains. This lush resort, complete with a private chapel, sprawling gardens, and a long list of amenities — including a spa, wellness club, Michelin Star dining, and a golf course ranked in the top 10 in the country.

For your ceremony, you can choose between the 16th-century chapel or the Sala dos Arcos — once the stables of the 14th-century monastery. For your reception, you can celebrate in the former chambers of the royal family: Salão Nobre or the Coroa ballroom. The largest of these spaces can host up to 700 people. With splendid views, an experienced venue team, and no shortage of activities, this resort is one of Portugal’s finest.

Quinta da Bella Vista – Funchal

For any lovers of English literature, this venue is sure to catch your eye. Formerly the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his son, Adrian, this venue has since been a hotspot for heirs and actresses alike. In my opinion, this is no surprise, especially considering the truly inspiring scenery and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

This venue boasts multiple indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and reception, making your nuptials completely customizable (and able to accommodate up to 800 people). For just one example, you can host your reception in the Victorian Greenhouse, which can host up to 150 guests. The venue’s suites and rooms are capable of accommodating up to 36 guests for your stay — and with all it has to offer, you’ll never want to leave.

Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais – Sintra

Speaking of accommodations, this venue has everything you could ever dream of. Most suitable for an afternoon or evening wedding, it offers spouses and guests exclusive use of the 18th-century palace from 3 p.m. on the day of their arrival until Noon the following day, in addition to its 30 hotel rooms.

As such, for your ceremony and reception, you have free reign of the palace, which can accommodate up to 120 guests in its halls or gardens. That’s not even touching all of the places you and your spouse can explore on the property. Share a moment beholding the gorgeous frescoes, taking photos under the arch, or appreciating the Portuguese landscape. It’s all entirely up to you.

Pestana Palace Lisboa – Lisbon

This venue is the epitome of all things tropical and charming, absolutely ideal for a summer wedding. And better yet — it’s right in the heart of Lisbon, which makes it just a short ride from the Estoril Coast and its iconic beaches. 

For your celebration of love, the venue offers many rooms (with banquet capacities ranging from 10 to 320), the gardens, and the exquisite Valle-Flôr restaurant. I can’t imagine anything better than strolling through a lush tropical garden with my new spouse, hearing both the ocean and the city call to me, and knowing that I am in my own little haven in the middle of it all.

Quinta Da Penalva – Sintra

Of course, we’re ending our journey back in Sintra. This region’s venues never cease to impress me, and this one is no exception. Located ideally close to both Lisbon and Cascais, a top destination on the Portuguese Riviera, this venue provides privacy to boot while still being in proximity to everything Portugal has to offer.

Perfect for an intimate wedding party, the guest house can accommodate up to six people. However, that’s not to say that there are any limits to your celebration. This venue’s potential is as vast as the gardens, which seem to stretch on for infinity, so far that it’s hard to tell where they end and the rolling hills of Sintra begin. Here, you can let the Portuguese landscape work for you, and let nature celebrate your love right beside you.