🇵🇹 Lisbon, Portugal
Only have 5 days in Portugal? I got you covered.
It’s not like Cris and I need an excuse to travel, but when my old nyc roomie invited us to her wedding in Portugal, we knew we had to go. We just so happened to have another wedding in France the weekend after, so it ended up working out perfectly (more guides to come on that). This trip was quick and to the point, but we ended up seeing and eating A LOT, considering the amount of time we had in this gorgeous country. Here are the deets!
Time to go:
We went at the end of August and it was HOT HOT HOT (but still enjoyable). If you are looking for cooler weather, try to avoid the summer time.
Transportation:
We took Ubers everywhere in Lisbon which were super affordable, as is everything in Portugal. Outside of Lisbon, we rented a car and drove south to Lagos. This was not too expensive and allowed us to stop at a bunch of beachy towns on the way down.
Currency:
A euro goes a long way in this country. Our first night we had a huge steak dinner with wine, sides and dessert, and the bill was only $40!
Language:
Most people spoke English in Portugal, but Spanish was way more common. Luckily I had Cris with me, so we were able to communicate very easily with the locals.
eat —
Cafe De Sao Bento:
This was our first meal in Lisbon which we ate at 12:30 AM, hello jet lag. We were both craving steak, and boy did this place satisfy.
Lapo:
Trendy & casual, with really great tapas and beer on tap.
Rebel Rebel:
An adorable wine bar in a cute neighborhood.
Queimado:
Located in Barrio Alto, this restaurant is great for dinner and cocktails.
Pharmacia:
Go for the authentic Portuguese cuisine, with gorgeous outdoor seating area.
Manteigaria:
For your obligatory Pastel de Nata and coffee.
Poise Cafe:
An artsy cafe that is perfect for breakfast or lunch.
shop —
Cork & Co:
Cork is one of Portugal’s most important & largest export. You will find cork souvenirs all over the city, however this shop prides themselves on intersecting great design, with sustainable materials.
Livraria Bertrand:
This is the oldest book store in the world, and is definitely worth checking out.
Loja das Conservas:
When in Lisbon, eat sardines. You can pop into this store which has over 300 varieties of tinned fish.
39a Concept Store:
This urban lifestyle shop has a variety of unique souvenirs and gifts.
Nomad Goods:
Another creative home goods shop/cafe with funky pillows, ceramics and clothing.
stay —
Airbnb:
There were a ton of Airbnb options in Lisbon.
Booking.com:
We stayed at this property through booking.com, however it was an apartment that was part of another company called Feels Like Home Lisbon. While the apartment was stunning, and had a gorgeous balcony with water views, I would not recommend this company/apartment to anyone.
The apartment was on the 6th floor of a building with no elevator, which was not mentioned anywhere in the listing. The air conditioning was also broken upon arrival, and it took the company the entire time we were there to get it fixed, ergo, we did not have AC. In Europe. In August. Needless to say, I would have paid a little more to stay at hotel where this would have been a non-issue, especially for the short amount of time we were there! That said, booking.com had many other options you could choose from.
Eurostars Museum:
This was the hotel that most of the wedding guests stayed at. It was very beautiful, on the water, and in a great neighborhood!
Road Trip to Lagos, Portugal
Cris and I had heard that there were a bunch of historic, beachy towns on the way to down to Lagos, so we planned our drive accordingly. It takes about 3 hours to get from Lisbon to Lagos, so we left early Monday in order to spend the whole day stopping in these iconic villages.
Stop #1 – Sesimbra (40 km south of Lisbon):
Sesimbra is a small fishing port with beautiful beaches, and is great pit stop on your way down to Lagos. Stop at the Castelo de Sesimbra on your way in or out for some stunning views. Sesimbra is know for their super fresh seafood, so eat at Portofino to get your fix.
Stop #2 – Odeceixe (about 200 km from Sesimbra):
Odeceixe is a super tiny town with a few shops and restaurants. Check out Altinho Tapas for lunch, which is an amazing tapas bar. Check their hours to make sure they are open when you visit. About 4 km from the town center, you can visit the beach, Praia de Odeceixe which is less crowded than most of the beaches in the Algarve Coast. If you need another option for food in this tiny town, Restaurant Chaparro is suppose to be amazing.
Stop #3 – Praia Do Amador:
This beach is 100% worth a stop. If you are into surfing, you can surf here year round. There are a couple little cafes to grab a bite or a cup of tea.
Stop #4 – Sagres (Furthest most point in Portugal):
Visit the Fortaleza de Sagres and pay the $5 bucks to get in. The views are stunning, and it’s a nice, long walk around the whole fort. Once you are done here, you are only another 30 minutes to Lagos!locals.
eat —
Nah Nah Bah:
A funky bar/restaurant with amazing burgers and a great happy hour.
Beats & Burritos:
Exactly what the name suggests, great beats and even better burritos.
Croissanteria 29:
Great spot for breakfast featuring homemade, Portuguese style croissants.
Mimar Cafe:
An authentic Portuguese cafe with great seafood.
Bora Cafe:
Healthy cafe with fresh juices.
The Garden:
A cute, bohemian restaurant with a gorgeous garden.
stay —
Tivoli Lagos:
This is the hotel that we stayed at, and it was really great. They had a beautiful pool and the rooms were pristine.
do —
Lagos Nightlife:
Lagos is know for it night life, so if you are into cheap drinks and loud music, there is a bar for you.
Hiking:
You can take gorgeous hikes by the ocean, all the way up the coast. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Praia do Pinhao:
One of the smaller beaches in Lagos, but beautiful.
Praia do Camilo:
After a long walk down some wooden stairs, you will hit one of the most iconic beaches in Lagos.
Kayak Tour:
Cris and I booked a kayak tour which was 100% worth it. They take you & 10 kayaks out on a boat around the coast. Then you get into the kayaks and paddle through all the different caves and beaches. This was about $30 bucks a person.
Explore the City Center:
Lagos is a beautiful, old European city and the city center reflects just that. Get lost in the alleyways buying ceramic tiles & cork!