My husband Jason and I just packed in a long weekend in Portugal and besides maybe staying a day longer, I have no regrets! We spent a few days in Lisbon and then drove up the coast with some friends to Porto stopping at Obidos, Alcobaca, and Nazare.
We flew into Lisbon from JFK on an overnight flight arriving in Lisbon at 8am. Thankfully our room at H10 Duque de Loulégave gave us an early check in.
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a vibrant and historic city that offers visitors a wide variety of things to see and do. From charming neighborhoods to stunning architecture, there is something for everyone in Lisbon. Here are some of the best places to visit in this beautiful city.
One of the must-see places in Lisbon is the historic neighborhood of Alfama. This charming neighborhood is the oldest in Lisbon and is known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and beautiful views of the city. Visitors can take a stroll through the streets and take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant neighborhood.
Another must-see destination in Lisbon is the Belem Tower. This iconic monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its stunning Manueline architecture. The tower offers visitors a panoramic view of the city and is a great place to take in the sights and sounds of Lisbon.
We loved taking the train to Sintra for the day to see the palace. The palace is beautiful and worth seeing. It’s easy to take the train and be back by late afternoon. It is alot of walking but worth it.
For those interested in art and culture, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a must-see. This museum features an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world and is known for its impressive collection of Egyptian and Roman artifacts.
For a more modern experience, visit LX Factory, a trendy shopping, dining and cultural area, with a focus on design, fashion and creativity. It’s the perfect spot to discover local brands, enjoy some street art, or have a drink or a meal in one of its many bars and restaurants.
For a unique experience, take a ride in one of Lisbon’s iconic trams. The city has several historic trams that travel through the streets, offering visitors a unique and charming way to see the city.
No visit to Lisbon would be complete without visiting one of the city’s many high viewpoints. These viewpoints offer visitors stunning panoramic views of the city and are a great place to take in the sights and sounds of Lisbon.
My favorite thing about Lisbon, is of course the food. To get a taste of everything I highly recommend visiting the Timeout Market. This large food hall is the best way to get a taste of Lisbon.
A few of our other favorite restaurants.
By The Wine-Wine and Tapas Bar
Sea ME-Seafood
Kabuki- Michelin Star Sushi
Palacio Chiado
We left Lisbon in a rental car and headed to Porto. Our first stop was Obidos. We took about an hour to walk around the midievil town and see one of the oldest castles. grabbed some espresso and a snack. It’s defiantly worth seeing.
We continued driving north and made a quick stop in Alcobaca to see the Monastery. Hopped out to take a quick photo and continued on. I’m sure you could spend more time there but we still had some more stops to make.
Our next stop was my favorite, Nazare. This is a famous beach town, known for having some the largest waves in the world. I could have sat and watched the surfers for hours. We grabbed lunch at Rosa dos Ventos, which I highly recommend. You can pick your own fish before they grill it, and everything was so fresh.
We then continued on and make a quick stop in Aveiro. We had planned on arriving in time for a boat ride but sadly we missed the last one for the day. So we settled for some chocolates and walked around quickly.
We finally arrived in Porto at the cutest hotel, PortoBay Flores
We spent the next few days exploring Porto. We hopped on some scooters which was fun and of course went to a Porto tasting. It was a little boring but educational. We also enjoyed dinner at Flow and brunch at Lazy Brunch Club.
You could really get lost just walking around Porto but everything was beautiful and the people are even better.
