Portugal

Portugal – the country known for its wine, seafood, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthplace. My main draw to Portugal, though, is its 300+ days of sun!

Where we stayed:

While in Portugal, we spent most of our time here, and then 1 night here.

Both Airbnbs were great and located near the center, offering scenic views of Lisboa/Lisbon.

Getting around:

The main mode of transportation is, you guessed it, by foot. The cobblestone roads make walking (and dragging luggage) a little difficult, so make sure to wear proper shoes to prevent rolling an ankle. The roads are also very hilly, so you get quite the work-out in! I think I walked about 20,000 steps a day while in Portugal.

Fun fact: traditional cobblestone in Portugal is black and white

If you are traveling farther distances, taking an Uber or cab is quite easy. There is also public transport available: trams, trains, and buses are widely available throughout the country.

Note: Tram 28 is a huge tourist attraction, as it passes through Lisbon’s historic sites. It is a great way to take in the city on your first day!

Things to do:

Roam around Praça do Comércio

This is Lisbon’s main square, surrounded by beautiful architecture, cafes, restaurants, and retail shops. One of the main attractions of the square is The Rua Augusta Arch, which symbolizes the rebirth of new Lisbon. The arch truly captures the beauty and rebirth of Lisbon.
Then if you keep walking South, you will hit the Cais das Colunas Pier, which offers stunning views of the Tagus River. You will see both tourists and locals sitting and enjoying the sun here.

Live Music

There are a ton of swanky bars to check out in Lisbon. One of my favorites is Navigadoors Bar and Restaurant! This is the perfect place to get the night started, as it features live music in a great atmosphere! The musicians are incredibly talented and passionate, which makes for a pleasant experience! I cannot recommend this place enough.

One of the staff members from Navigadoors recommended we check out Pink Street, so that’s where we headed to next! It was absolutely insane when we got there – the streets were filled with people, and it was quite chaotic if I am being honest. Most people purchased drinks from inside the bars, and gathered outside in the streets to socialize. It’s kind of like a giant street fest, except it’s not just one weekend – it’s every weekend.

Sintra

Sintra is a very popular destination for travelers, as it offers majestic views of palaces, castles, parks atop mountainous terrain.

Some popular attractions to tour in Sintra are: Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, Palace of Sintra, among others.

Most tourists take an entire day in Sintra to tour these sights. However, since we had limited time we only got a chance to visit the Pena Palace, but it did not disappoint. The lavish and vibrant palace sits atop a mountainous hill. The architecture is stunning and offers breathtaking views of the rest of the city. Walking through Pena Palace feels like you are in a fairytale book.

Shopping

When it comes to shopping, Lisbon has it all – local boutiques, luxury stores, and vintage shops.

There are tons of shopping streets/malls you can check out in Lisbon, but my personal favorite shopping area is off the streets Rua do Carmo & Rua Garrett located in Chiado. Here you can find Pull&Bear, Zara, Stradivarius, Mango, and Footlocker.

If there’s one thing I would’ve done differently for this trip, its bring an empty suitcase and buy an entire new wardrobe in Lisbon.

Where to eat:

Paul café – A great chain cafe located in the main square. I recommend getting here early so that you can enjoy a cup of coffee before a ton of people start making their way to the square!

Pateo – Bairro Do Avillez: a Michelin star restaurant specializing in seafood. The ambiance here is unmatched, and the service is some of the best! To be honest, most restaurants in Portugal have extremely friendly staff which makes for an enjoyable trip!

O Tasco Do Vigario – The smallest restaurants are often the most pleasant experiences, and this traditional Portuguese restaurant is no exception. It is truly a hidden gem, located on a quiet and cozy street.

Weather

As mentioned, Portugal gets 300 (or more) days of sun a year which really does positively impact your mood! Additionally, Portugal is one of the warmest countries in Europe, so if you’re planning a trip to Europe in the colder months, I recommend spending some time Portugal!