PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO PORTUGAL AND THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT
With beautiful weather, seafood, ocean, and a lot of surf, Portugal is the perfect place where to slow down and enjoy the slow rhythms of this fascinating land with a rich history behind. Very close to Spain, often underestimated compared to the nearby Iberian Peninsula, but nonetheless with so much to offer.
It has always been the perfect destination for surfers or those who want to get closer to this sport and a favorite for those who choose to live their retirement years on its sunny coasts, thanks to great weather and the fact of being one of the cheapest European destinations. After almost two years without getting on a plane or leaving Italy; finally this year my choice fell on this nation thanks to its proximity to Italy and the fact that the Portuguese government has loosened several restrictions (regulations and restrictions change continuously, I suggest you always check on the government website before departing), but still very careful to safety and hygiene, which increase a sense of security of those who visit a new place for the first time during a pandemic.
Among the most popular itinerary in Portugal are Lisbon and its surroundings, the Algarve and its sunny beaches, and the two archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.
IMPORTAN INFORMATIONS BEFORE VISITING:
The currency used is the EURO
Portugal overlooks the ocean so its waters are always chill and its quite windy even in summer.
Everything is well connected and the roads are in very good condition, whether you take a highway or secondary roads.
If you decide to rent a car I suggest you carefully read the reviews of the agency from which you decided to book. If you want to move around, a car is essential. Driving in Portugal is an extremely nice experience; roads are wide, well-paved, well connected, the traffic flow unless you are in Lisbon. If you take the highway in Portugal you have to take into account the numerous toll booths; in some areas, you will not find a physical person to pay, but electronic tolls that will automatically record the license plate of your rental car. In this case, to pay you'll need to go to a post office or renting a small device, VIA VERDE, an electronic device to which your credit card will be associated and from which the cost of the toll will be automatically deducted. VIA VERDE has a fee, also keep in mind that the toll costs in Portugal are not so cheap. Personally, I chose not to rent VIA VERDE as I preferred to drive on secondary roads that went across small villages, driving through the Portuguese countryside; which may have added half an hour or so compared to the highway, but I was in no hurry and the landscape that lies ahead of you will pay off. All destinations are easily reachable without having to take the highways.
In Portugal, the best thing to eat is fresh seafood, especially crab and octopus, accompanied by an excellent Porto wine, of which Portugal is the largest producer.
It is also a great exporter of cork, they produce and create a lot of stuff made with cork that you can find in many souvenir shops.
Do not use a car in Lisbon. Finding parking is almost impossible and you must pay for most of them. Lisbon can be easily visited by foot or by bus and tram.
I left my car near the Tower de Belèm, in free parking, from there it resulted being the perfect starting point of my itinerary. However, you can find parking without fee by searching, "free parking in Lisbon" on Google to find the one that best suits your needs.
Portuguese people may seem at first very introverted and may not be among the most efficient people but once they start to open up they are extremely kind, friendly and try to help you as best as they can.
Portugal is the perfect surf destination, there are spots for every level; beaches are packed with surf schools, so whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced surfer, you can't leave Portugal without trying this sport at least once.
If you need to book a COVID-19 test, you can take one at Lisbon Airport, request one at the nearest hospital, or ask in a drug store.
I was in Portugal in September and spent about 20 days here. As a base for my trip I opted for a small town, facing the ocean, 50 minutes from Lisbon, in Porto Novo, a very quiet area where you can enjoy peace, quiet, sun, and an amazing ocean view.
I focused my itinerary around Lisbon, mostly the central part of the country, but with the same amount of days you could easily visit the entire country, north to south. But as always, I prefer to focus on visiting a few places rather than jump every day to a different place without fully enjoying it. The center of the country is the perfect mix between big cities like Lisbon, cultural sites, and relax on its beautiful and sunny beaches.
Landing in Lisbon, I moved to my base in Porto Novo where I spent the first days in complete relax, at the beautiful resort Promar Eco Beach Spa Hotel, culled by the sound of the ocean and its mesmerizing sunsets, accompanied by the surfers who fill these beaches.
Next, I rented a car (a must to move freely), thanks to the help of the hotel help I stayed in. To save up some money you can rent one before departure on many websites such as Skyscanner which collects all the rental car companies offering you the best price; it's an app I always use especially to find the best deals for my flights.
Let’s dive in the itinerary i did
OBIDOS:
A picturesque medieval town that seems stuck in time, you could expect to see people wearing medieval clothes, in fact in July you can attend and take part in the medieval fair where you will be catapulted back in time among harlequins, noblewomen, knights, and minstrels dressed for the occasion, all surrounded by a medieval atmosphere. The only rule?! Immerse yourself into the part!
Obidos is located at 8o km from Lisbon, once you arrive you can park in the proper parking lots. Obidos is perfect for a half-day visit spent among its cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants, and medieval buildings. If you do not suffer from vertigo, climb the walls that surround the entire town to admire the view from above and then enjoy a ginjinha, a specialty here (an alcoholic cherry liqueur served inside a small cup made of chocolate).
TOMAR- CONVENTO DE CRISTO:
In Tomar stands a Templar monastery dating back to the 12th century, which has become a UNESCO World Heritage site, and that honestly makes you feel like you've ended up in a Nicolas Cage's movie.
The architecture of the monastery leaves you speechless and even if you are not a history lover I suggest you visit this complex, embellished with decorations and sculptures. Walk in the silence of its corridors full of history, legends, and ancient treasures who lived and passed along these same corridors.
The frescoes inside the Charola, a circular Templar church, will leave you in awe, and then follow on, admiring the imposing sculptures of the facades in Manuelin and gothic style.
The monastery is easily accessible by car and has free on-site parking, while the cost of the ticket to visit the inside is 6 euros; the exterior and its gardens are free.
CABO DA ROCA AND BOCA DO INFERNO:
Cabo da Roca, "where the land ends and the sea begins", is the westernmost point of the European continent located in the natural park of Cascais, it is a promontory on the ocean whose homonymous lighthouse stands as the guardian of this place with a wild atmosphere thanks to the rocks overlooking the ocean where the power of the wind and waters rule over this piece of land.
Cabo da Roca is easily accessible by car, with easy access to parking.
It is worth a visit, which won't take you more than half an hour or an hour; it is one of those places that in their simplicity and wilderness retain a particular atmosphere that pushes you to admire the power of nature in absolute quiet and humbleness; it seems to preserve an ancient soul.
Driving down just 3 minutes from Cabo da Roca there are few restaurants where you can relax and enjoy some good seafood. I recommend the 3Gomes restaurant, really delicious.
20 minutes from Cabo da Roca, is found the chasm of Boca do Inferno, famous for its flamy sunsets that makes this spot so suggestive. When the ocean is particularly rough, the force of the water breaking on the rocks creates a loud sound similar to a groan. You can only be enchanted and intimidated by this natural show.
NAZARE':
Famous for its spectacular beaches, its maritime traditions, and the gigantic waves that every year attract the bravest surfers and bodyboarders. The huge waves that are created only here, in Portugal, are due to an underwater canyon formation; we are talking of waves that reach 30 meters high, real walls of water.
The best point from which to admire the waves is Praia do Norte where a small lighthouse is located from which to have a privileged position. But be careful, the giant waves are formed especially during autumn-winter when the weather conditions are better, and pay attention to the strength of these crashing waves. During the other months, you can enjoy the sun on its beautiful beaches and a visit to the town.
SINTRA:
About 30 km from Lisbon, I regret not having had at least two days to reserve to it, and once you arrive you will soon understand why; it was described by the famous poet and adventurer Lord Byron as "the garden of Eden" and the most beautiful city he visited. It seems to have come out from an enchanted forest, surrounded by castles and ancient buildings with magnificent and rich architecture, it is no coincidence that the magic of this place has made it enter the UNESCO heritage by right.
Lose yourself in its historic center and enjoy the atmosphere of the city, tasting a typical Portuguese dessert in one of the many cafes.
Do not miss a visit to the Palacio Nacional de Pena, its gardens, and the chalet of Countess Edla. The entrance fee to the palace and the surrounding gardens is 14 euros. To get there there are several options. The road to the palace is closed to private vehicles so I suggest you park your car in the center of Sintra and then continue by foot (it takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, that's what I chose to do), or take the bus 434 that depart every 15 minutes, or even one of the many tuk-tuks that reach to the top. You'll be surrounded by lush forests and ferns along the road.
The Palacio Nacional de Pena stands on a peak and looks like one of those castles you would expect to see in a Disneyland theme park, thanks to its fancy, bright colors, and extravagance, it is truly a fairytale structure both outside and inside, surrounded by about 200 hectares of gardens full of lush ferns and exotic plants, hidden ponds and viewpoints; it'll make you feel like a Lord or a lady strolling peacefully along the magnificent paths of this garden.
The entire palace is a riot of splendor, paintings, decorations, and views that will leave you with bated breath throughout your visit.
LISBON:
Capital of Portugal, it is an animated mix of all that has been seen so far, with its azulejos-paved palaces, street art, food markets, the narrow streets, and the picturesque 50s trams that go up and down the neighborhoods of Lisbon. It is a multicultural city that deserves to be visited and experienced in at least 3 days, but if like me you want to try to see as much as possible in a very limited time then this guide is for you.
I've spent a day in Lisbon, I've chosen as a starting point for my visit, the Belèm district, where I found free parking a few steps from the famous Belèm tower.
Having only a day for my visit, and being a food lover, there is no better way to discover a city through the flavors and traditions of its food that tell the people and places of Lisbon, that's why I opted for a gastronomic tour of this city that allowed me to see Lisbon under different eyes but still enjoy its neighborhood and streets full of life.
Starting from Belèm, my first stop is the famous Pastel de Nata, the traditional Portuguese pastry, at the famous and ancient pastry shop "Pasteis de Belèm" dating back to 1837. It is said that the shop contains the original and secret recipe invented by the monks in the early nineteenth century.
Let's move on to the eclectic LX Factory, a neighborhood born on the ashes of an industrial area, whose factories now renovated have become bars, restaurants, boutiques, art workshops, and art exhibitions; near the pillars of the 25 de Abril bridge, whose colors and architecture remind so much to the San Francisco bridge.
LX Factory is a real discovery, you turn a corner, and you find yourself catapulted into another scenario, it is one of those neighborhoods impregnated with an artistic and creative aura in which you can not get bored, a dynamic and youthful environment, with a steampunk touch thanks to its industrial and vintage style.
To eat there are plenty of choices, I opted for an excellent Mexican restaurant, MEX FACTORY.
A 30-minute walk from LX Factory is the famous Mercado da Ribeira, opened in 1882, is divided into two areas: one where a traditional fruit, vegetable, and meat market takes place; and one is the TIME OUT MARKET, a huge space, from Portuguese cuisine to Asian to French and much more. It pervades an urban aura, innovative and frenetic. As soon as you put foot in it you will be overwhelmed by a general frenzy typical of the markets and from a great variety of food and drinks, all gathered in a convivial environment.
I could not end my visit to Lisbon without getting on one of its famous Remodelado trams that rattle up and down the narrow streets of the city. The best way to visit Lisbon is to hop on one of them and get transported looking at the city from the window of one of these vintage trams. The most famous is tram 28 but be aware of pickpockets, who, due to the high number of tourists who take this tram, have made it their favorite spot. A good alternative and much less crowded one is tram 12 that makes a ring tour of 20 minutes passing through the Baixa and the Alfama district. Personally, I found it the best alternative to enjoy the last bit of the soul of this vibrant city, while comfortably sitting. The cost of the tram ticket is 3 euros for a single ride. Or you can opt for unlimited public transportation and many attractions by buying the Lisboa card
PENICHE:
My last stop in Portugal was Peniche, famous for its beaches and numerous activities related to surf. Here take place one of the stages of the world surfing championship. There are many schools and many spots for surfing, from the most advanced to those who want to approach this sport for the first time. Although the town has a scruffy appearance, do not be fooled, here you can breathe the authentic Portuguese atmosphere, enclosing some of the many things for which Portugal is famous, good food, beautiful beaches, lots of sun, lots of surfing and breathtaking viewpoints.
Save this guide for the perfect itinerary and i relly hope will be helpful for your next travel
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