Portugal, My New Home Away From Home

Portugal - September - October 2021

I've fallen in deep, deep love with Portugal! 

Portugal has turned out to be one of my top 3 destinations to visit in the world. It’s beautiful, affordable, a playground for foodies and the people are super friendly. Also, the weather is spectacular. 

Whether you decide to go with a group or alone or to just stay in Lisbon or take time to visit Porto or Sintra or the Algarve, there is so much to see and do. I recently spent 2 months in Portugal and could’ve stayed another 2 with plenty more to experience.

Here is a list of what I did and saw and hopefully you’ll have the chance to visit Portugal and experience it for yourself.

I would go back in a heartbeat and relive so much of what I already experienced. 

Lisbon 

Stayed:

Hotel Chalet D’Avila – I stayed here for 2 weeks and really enjoyed this place. It’s cozy for singles or families but not large groups. https://sites.google.com/view/chalet-dvila-guest-house/inicio

Airbnb- Libset Studio – I stayed for 2 weeks and this was hands down the best place to stay in Lisbon

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22338356?source_impression_id=p3_1634993373_CuAia3HoLEdlrY7A&guests=1&adults=1

Airbnb- Charming apartment in Alfama district –1 week; clean and convenient I would never stay here again though too noisy and too small

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/plus/17168808?source_impression_id=p3_1644005041_rZuqqTYYCd59GEaE

Eat:

Time Out Market- A must visit; tons of restaurants to choose from

https://www.timeoutmarket.com/lisboa/

Ramiro Seafood – pricey and crowded but worth it! Bourdain and Zimmern approved

https://www.cervejariaramiro.com/

Airbnb experiences- Food Tour with Sylvia or Samuel

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/175317

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/2053138

                                                                

 

charcuterie platter at TimeOut market 

burger at TimeOut market 

Pasteis de Belem- for the original pastel de nata

https://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/

Mantengiara for Pasteis de Nata when you’re in downtown Lisbon

Mozambique restaurant

http://cantinhodoaziz.com/

Dear Breakfast

https://www.dearbreakfast.com/

pasteis de nata 

Do:

Visit the Tile Museum (Casa do Azulejo)

Visit the Gulbenkian museum

Visit St Jorge’s castle (built by the Moors)

Visit Belem for Half the Day

 

                                                                        Museo de Azulejo

Take a tile painting class

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/503358

African Lisbon Walking Tour

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/20863

Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/567003

Dinner & Fado Show

Sunset cruise around the Tagus

Have a day at the beach Praia de Carcavelos (25 min train ride)

Day trip to Sintra – for Castles and history and traditional food for lunch

 https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/159020

Day trip to Porto – for wine tasting at wineries/Douro Valley and restaurants

Day trip to Nazare – for beaches, seafood restaurants and shopping

(contact same guy from Sintra trip above)

Day trip South to Lagos – gorgeous beaches!! And the slave church (a must see!) where African slaves were shipped out to the Americas

                                                                    Castles at Sintra 

Ramiro Seafood restaurant 

                                                               grilled langostine in butter 

                                                                  kayaking adventure group tour 

Kayaking group 

grilled snapper 

Cooking Class - Tradional Portuguese Food 

                                                                                              

codfish casserole 

drunken pears 

Day at the beach (Praia de Carcavelos) 

                                                                      Monument of Discoveries 

Tower of Belem 

Atop St. Jorges Castle