Lisbon
Itinerary 1: Downtown
MAP TO HELP: Colour coded - Purple: to Visit; Red: To eat&Drink; Blue: It would be nice to visit
The station is quite cool! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossio_railway_station
PATH 1! (see the map)
If you would like to have some traditional fresh pastries to start the day before or after the station you could consider this:
This place exists since 1829 and kept the the interior, is quite beautiful.
Let’s have a look into the menu! https://www.zomato.com/pt/grande-lisboa/confeitaria-nacional-rossio-lisboa/menu
The first page is all about hot beverages. Cafetaria is for different types of coffee and hot chocolate and Cha is .. well.. Tea ;) This is certainly not cheap for Portugal. You could get some “Pasteis de Nata” here (the custard tarts) but this is not the original place. I would keep that for when you visit Belem.
Some petit savouries to try:
Rissol de Camarao (has shrimp)
Pataniscas de Bacalhau (has cod)
Pastel de bacalhau (has cod)
Sweets:
Why not go with Misto Sortido which should include one of each pieces. If you really want a single one why not go with something made of “ovos moles” (this is a egg yolk traditional sweet that is included in many sweets). Ask for it and they will know what is it ;)
Warning note… you might get dazzled by all the different pastries, cakes and tarts… just go for it!
If you are more into Brunch why not go with a traditional Prego! (beef on bread).
Nearby you have “Ginjinha”. Pass by for a small cup of ginja berries infused liqueur. They will ask you with or without the Ginja. I normally like to bite it but is up to you :) I would definitely recommend doing this but if you feel is too early for a tweak of alcohol you have a lot of things to visit around that will get you thirsty.
From this point you will walk :D
The places to have a look are on the Map but here are some pointers. These journey can start by entering a very peculiar church: igreja de sao domingos. Why is it peculiar.. Well go in and see.
Tt was built in 1241 to be a Convent, 2 earthquakes almost took it down, 1531 and 1755 and after being rebuilt a fire went on in 1959 and the damage is still visible.
As if this wasn’t enough to make it peculiar, a massive massacre happened against jews in front of the church in 1506. You can read more about it here.
Stuff to look around:
Teatro Nacional D Maria II - This is a beautiful National Theatre. I checked the website and .. no english version but you can get a guided tour around as long as you book it:
I have never took it but I just went through the local comments on tripadvisory and apart from not being able to take pictures everyone likes it: https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/ShowUserReviews-g189158-d245934-r229066545-Teatro_Nacional_Dona_Maria_II-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html
I would also walk on Rua do Coliseu, there are several restaurants (very touristy) don’t go for it, i have flagged on the map some that you can rely on.
Some unmissable places:
Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantra
Elevador de Santa Justa: http://www.carris.pt/en/elevators/ This is a very old lift that takes you to a great view
You should also go to:
Casa dos Bicos https://goo.gl/maps/ACKGk3ET3wR2
Get the tram 28 as it will go up the hill passing through Sé and then the S. Jorge Castle.A good place to stop by before getting to the Castle would be Miradouro das Portas do Sol. You can hang out a bit and then walk to the Castle.
Going down you can enjoy
Miradouro da Graça and then walk down through Alfama (really old school neighbourhood). A really cool museum is:
https://goo.gl/maps/umJMR21NG7o you know all the tiles we put on the front of the houses? This is the museum for it :D
More or less this Route: https://goo.gl/maps/SfyMgcumruM2
At Night I would wander around Bairro Alto and could eat Here (it’s an alternative place). There are always interesting things to do at Bairro Alto place and a lot of live music. Our national musical style Fado can be heard in a lot of places in Bairro Alto. For Example the Tasca do Chico where you can also eat a lot of different dishes.
Itinerary 2: Belém-Trafaria
Start your route at Pasteis de Belém. I do advise to go inside check the factory and also because it’s easier to skip the line and get a table. The place is huge. An alternative thing to try are the Pasteis de Cerveja. After pastries you can walk on the garden to the fountain. Go and see Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and then cross the road for Padrao dos Descobrimentos and Torre de Belem.
A very cool garden is the Jardim Tropical de Belem, you will find a lot of species from all the different colonies and places Portuguese people discovered. You also have a couple of nice museums here for me the best and more relevant for a Portuguese visit are:
You might feel hungry after all this… why not go to Restaurante o Pedroucos. Have some snails as an appetizer and some fish (the snails season is already open). OR Take the ferry to Trafaria. (one of my favorite routes). Here is the timetable:
You get the Ferry in Belem -> HERE, the ferry goes to Porto Brandao and then Trafaria. Get off at Trafaria, it’s a fisherman’s village with AWESOME restaurants, This ONE. Indulge on Seafood:
Ameijoas a Bulhao Pato as an appetizer
For main careful it’s really big plates but you can go with:
Polvo A Lagareiro or Arroz de Marisco or Cataplana and it’s all GOOD or even just ask of fresh fish. Just enjoy ;)
Then you can either return to Lisbon and go for example to Parque das Nacoes or if you feel like it just go to the beach!
Oceanario (The best aquarium in Europe.. really)
You can just walk around there are loads of gardens and the casino, the view is awesome and you can take the air cabins
A place to go at Night after all this that i really recommend: Frabrica do Braco de Prata (check the schedule as it depends on the day and btw you can eat there). You can also stay longer at Parque das Nacoes and eat there.. For example :
Itinerary 3: Surprise Tour!
There is a really good free walking tour: https://lisbonfreetour.blogspot.co.uk/ I know the guys and the places they pass by. Starts in Praca Luis de Camoes which is a really cool place to visit and passes by Baixa-Chiado and Bairro Alto. I think you guys would really enjoy it.
https://goo.gl/maps/zeLVHQYc6s52 (it’s a street and very well known store for salted dried cod fish)
And then through https://goo.gl/maps/Kp6Ge546zBn which is a theatre go up to the puppetry museum a very cool one and then walk on Rua das Janelas verdes to the museum.
You can then go to the Marine and have some food there. This is a good night spot and there is one even better just close by called LX Factory. If you go to LX Factory start by visit Ler Devagar it’s a very peculiar book store that stays open overnight and has events. There are several restaurants at LX Factory where you can either have a meal or just Petiscos (== tapas). I would finish it of at Rio Maravilha which has an incredible rooftop and is a great wine bar.
Itinerary 4: A different feel to the city
Jardim da Estrela and Basilica da Estrela which is nearby Campo de Ourique (really nice to walk around and go to the market). You can get there by tram. You can then go to Campo Pequeno and walk to Saldanha.
You have an Interesting Bakery on this route and you can also go and eat a Francesinha here or a lot of portuguese cuisine here but a bit more expensive. All this places are easy access because it has tube ;)
Around here you can walk: https://goo.gl/maps/45jiGdtrmry there is a very well known University around and you have a beautiful garden and exhibitions center here. You can miss that garden and go to an even better one by walking to Parque Eduardo Septimo and then go to Estufa Fria just be careful with the schedule. By the way just around the corner you have Marques de Pombal which is one of the most central places in Lisbon and it’s very busy.
Another Interesting place nearby
https://goo.gl/maps/Sv6qouxr8U82 Closed on mondays
Itineraries/Places at Night not in the itineraries:
Pensao do Amor + Pink Street it’s a really cool street with loads of little restaurants and clubs. Check this restaurant for food on the Pink Street.
Where to Stay:
http://booking.com/542a37ce70733 (Downtown)
http://booking.com/7e63504ba07299 (Downtown)
AirBNB wishList: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/wishlists/207044682/join?invite_code=RWBHJRFT&inviter_id=29404333
Sintra/Cabo da Roca
DO NOT MISS:
Visiting:
All of this places are huge and i don’t think you can do more than 2 per day. Do go by foot to any of them as you will get marvelled with the scenery and it’s a great hike. Don’t leave without basics such as water.
Nice places to eat:
Great food… so many good dishes .. just looked at the menu and went like .. i want to eat. These are the ones i find more traditional:
Secretos de Porco Preto Grelhados (Pork)
Iscas de Porco à Portuguesa (Pork Liver)
Posta de Novilho a Mirandesa (The best beef you will ever eat)
Açorda de Gambas à Apeadeiro ( these one has prawns but is a very very traditional thing made with bread and egg)
Polvo Grelhado à Lagareiro (grilled octopus)
Dourada Escalada na Grelha (Grilled Fish )
Robalo Escalado na Grelha (Grilled Fish)
Posta de Garoupa Grelhada/Cozida (Grilled or steamed Fish)
Cataplana de Peixes Mistos (2 pax) (big pan of fish)
O Lavrador I have heard a lot about this one but never been.
Cantinho de Sao Pedro -> one of my favorites… you can eat:
Or http://www.cantinhosaopedro.com/?foodmenu=bacalhau-c-natas or http://www.cantinhosaopedro.com/?foodmenu=dourada-grelhada
If you feel like meat i recommend:
And for dessert:
If you want some light food and alternative place to be (not really portuguese) go to Soul Food
NEAR SINTRA - Cabo da Roca
I wouldn’t dare go to Sintra and not go to Cabo da Roca…. But you need either a car or a tour bus.
Why? This is why:
A place to chill after going there:
A beach to go to and eat amazing seafood:
A beach to walk on:
A beach for hiking and climbing (no easy access):
NEAR Sintra - Cascais
I would recommend going and just walking around on the center. A special ice cream place is called Santini
It’s really well known in portugal
I would catch the train from cascais to lisbon, it’s a really good scenery and you can stop by Praia de Carcavelos to catch some sun, dive and eat. It has a nice fortress nearby.
You also have like a very very local place to eat…(eating nearby the beach can be very disappointing) i doubt they speak english but can be fun:
Where to stay:
Or stay in Cascais and go by day to Sintra (only if you have a car.. If not the travel can be quite bad)
If you had more time:
Arrabida
Sesimbra
Óbidos
Nazaré
Mafra
Alcobaça
