Tag Archives: portugal

I Heart Lisbon in One Day

Nestled amid rolling hills and along the Tagus River is Lisbon — the capital city of Portugal, and an ideal travel destination for anyone who enjoys history, art, Mediterranean cuisine, music, unique architecture, and a happy environment. Practically everything about the city is cheerful and bright, from the sunny skies to the friendly residents; and tourists quickly fall in love with their surroundings.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

There is plenty to keep you busy, but the first thing to do when you wake up in Lisbon is head to a local café and enjoy coffee with a simple breakfast of bread and butter or a tosta (a toasted sandwich of your choice). Few cultures bake bread better than the Portuguese, and the butter will have you salivating for more. Also, for around $3 (or less) how can you go wrong?

Literature lovers may opt to enjoy their morning coffee at Café A Brasileira, which was commonly frequented by writers and artists, including the famous Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa in the early 1900s. This charming spot is one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Lisbon.

iStock.com/Holger Mette
iStock.com/Holger Mette

One of my favorite things to do in Lisbon is meander through the neighborhoods on foot. There is so much to see and walking gives you time to absorb the sites. Plus, walking allows you to see half of the city streets that are connected with stone steps leading up and down the seven hills.

stairs lisbon portugal
Stairs through the Seven Hills in Lisbon neighborhood

Asking for the city center is a vague request, and a few neighborhoods are all considered central. Baixa-Chiado is one that attract droves of tourists for its shopping and proximity to other hotspots. There is also Avenida, known for designer stores and big name hotels, Bairro Alto, which is full of restaurant patrons by day and swarming with party animals at night, and the beautifully eclectic Cais de Sodré, famous for its Pink Street (Rua Cor-de-Rosa), colorful history, and sexually-charged burlesque shows and risque themed clubs.

Chiado Lisbon Portugal
Chiado neighborhood, Lisbon, Portugal

Freckled across these neighborhoods are parks decorated with gardens, statues, and benches, and crowned with lookout points that allow visitors to see across the city. Some have views of the river while others look over the city and toward the Moorish castle of São Jorge. They are the perfect locations for picnics and picture-taking.

castelo de sao jorge
Castelo de São Jorge

Though much of the city will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time, not everything is old and historic. When you need a modern setting, check out Parque das Naçoes, the site of the World Exposition 1998. Here you will find the aquarium, a theater, and plenty of restaurants, all settled along a boardwalk where people run, hang out, and walk their dogs along the river. This is also the location of Oriente train station, where trains connect travelers to other locations across the country.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Belem Tower | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

From Parque das Naçoes, visitors have a close view of the Vasco da Gama bridge, the longest bridge in Europe. South of the city you will find two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. Both were built in the 16th century and are worth a visit for a glimpse of Portugal’s traditional gothic-themed architecture mixed with the renaissance flair.

jeronimo monastery
Jeronimo Monastery | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

While exploring, you will get hungry, and Lisbon has no shortage of delightful restaurants and cafés to satisfy most palates. Like its history, the Portuguese cuisine is rich in maritime influences. Squid, clams, cod, sardines, mussels, and snails are a few examples of seafood you can find in a Portuguese dish. Other popular dishes include a variety of soups, pork-based sausages, and surf-turf blends.

Do you want to sit outside with friends and hear music? Visit Martim Moniz! The expanse of green lawn is lined with food vendors that reflect cuisine from the mainland as well as Madeira Island and the Azores, and almost always serenaded with concerts reflecting various music styles.

arroz de marisco
Arroz de Marisco (Seafood rice)

When dining in Lisbon, there is usually never a need to pay more than $20 per plate, and budget savvy travelers can eat well at dinner time for under $10. And don’t miss dessert! The residents of Lisbon, known as Lisboetas (pronounced leesh-bow-et-ash), have a sweet tooth; a fact that won’t be missed when looking through the windows of the bakeries and sweet shops. Pasteis de Nata, small custard cakes with egg cream filling, are a must-try that melt on the tongue. You should also sample the variety of cakes, puddings, cookies, creams, fried dough, and truffles available at every street and corner.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Pasteis de Nata | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Of course, there are times when we feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of city life, and the Lisbon district has the perfect getaway location. Hop on a train from Oriente Station and in under an hour later, you will find yourself in the enchanting, storybook town of Sintra, located in the mountains and with a view of the ocean. Surrounded by forest and dotted with castles, remnants that date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, and lavish gardens, this location will make you feel like you’ve traveled to the world where kings and queens still rule and fairies grant wishes.

Castle in Sintra, Portugal | Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Castle in Sintra, Portugal | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Azores: Europe’s Hidden Gem

Far off Portugal’s coast, roughly a third of the way to Boston lies a collection of islands that mesmerize. Called the Azores, the nine volcanic islands that stretch 250 miles east to west make up an autonomous region of Portugal that for decades was Europe’s hidden gem. That’s slowly changing as more and more people discover the archipelago of lush greenery, dotted with quaint historic towns surrounded by waters ripe with fish.

Settled two centuries ago the islands have emerged as leaders in sustainability and paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and even culinary tourists.  You’re going to want to visit the Azores before even more people unearth their charms.

 

What to do

All nine islands have their own vibe and while you probably won’t be able to visit all of them in one trip, part of the beauty of Azores is being able to create a tailor-made trip based on your interests.

 

São Miguel

Start your Azores adventure on São Miguel, the largest of the islands. Even those seeking nothing but nature should spend at least an afternoon in the capital of Ponta Delgada. Wander the streets, browsing menus until you find a tapas restaurant where you want to indulge. You can’t pick wrong. There are also art galleries to explore and live music in the evenings.  Agri tourists will want to visit the tea plantation in the town of Ribeira Grande. It’s the only tea plantation in Europe and the two nearby tea factories, Chá Porto Formoso and Chá Gorreana,  offer tours and tastings. Adventure seekers should head to the Parque Natural da Ribeirados Caldeiroes where you can explore the hiking trails and marvel at the waterfalls. You can even rent some of the small houses in the park. Before venturing off São Miguel soothe any lingering plane travel aches at the hot springs of Terra Nostra Botanic Gardens.

Sao Miguel. Tea Plantations. Credit Associação Turismo dos Açores
Sao Miguel. Tea Plantations | Photo: Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Terceira

Moving from southern island of São Miguel to the central islands, history lovers will want to spend at least one day on the small but charming Terceira. It’s main town, Angra do Heroísmo is the oldest on the Azores and Unesco World Heritage Center.

 Terceira.-Tipical-Houses-in-Terceira-Island.-Credit-Associação-Turismo-dos-Açores
Tipical Houses in Terceira Island | Photo: Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Faial

If you make it to the Azores March through October, on another one of the central islands, Faila, you’ll find some of the best whale watching and water sports.

Faial. Humpback tail Credit. Hans van Klinken:Associação Turismo dos Açores – Convention and Visitors Bureau
Faial. Humpback tail | Photo: Hans van Klinken, Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Flores

Moving to the western islands, Flores has to be seen to be believed. With less than 4,000 residents, Flores is a quiet retreat where in the spring blue and pink hydrangeas seem to bloom everywhere.  Along with the islands of Corvo and Graciosa, it is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

 

Where to stay

Places to rest your head at night abound in the Azores. Create your own itinerary while island hopping and you’ll find hostels in most of the towns, B&Bs in the countryside, and locals renting out homes or rooms through AirBnB and other services.  On the larger islands there are also many hotels. On São Miguel try Hotel Talisman or Quinta do Mar; on Pico, Baía da Barca; on Terceira,  Quinta do Martelo. Keep in mind that on some of the islands, accommodations are limited, especially in the busier months, so no matter your preference you should make reservations in advance.

Where to Stay. Flores - Aldeia da Cuada. Credit Credit Associação Turismo dos Açoresjpg
Flores. Hydrangeas | Photo: Turismo Açores

 

How to get there and when to go

Depending on where you’re based, getting to the Azores is either a snap or it’s own form of adventure. SATA airlines operates direct flights daily from Boston, as does TAP Air Portugal from London. While flights from Boston are only 4 and half hours, at upwards of $700 roundtrip they are pricey and no matter where you’re coming from you’ll want to give yourself at least a week on the islands. One you’ve arrived, travel between the islands can be its own challenge. SATA operates flights between the islands but the schedule is sporadic at best. There are also ferries between the islands. Remember you’re on vacation with (ideally) plenty of time; all the best places are often difficult to get to and the travel will be more than worth it.

For the best weather plan a trip between April and October as the rest of the year can be rainy. April and May will offer cheaper hotel and tour rates with decent weather.