Obrigada, Portugal!
- colleenjcolvin
- Jun 13, 2022
- 7 min read
We spent spring break in this stunning country, surrounded by lovely sites and even lovelier people.
Disclaimer: There is just so much to do in Portugal. We made the most of our trip by focusing on the Southern Coast (the Algarve Region) and Lisbon. Use the Table of Contents to find what is most helpful to you!
Table of Contents
Travel Info
Flights: We flew on Portugal's premier airline, TAP Portugal, and had absolutely no complaints! Now I know this isn't everyone's story, so do your research, but we flew directly from Chicago into Lisbon. If you are able to get a direct flight from your destination, TAP might be your move!
Stays: The first leg of our trip was in Lagos, Algarve (the southern coast of Portugal). We stayed at a simple AirBnB that was perfect for us right on the water: river view, less than 10 minute walk from Old Town, full kitchen. Here is the link.
We stayed in Lisbon for the second part of our trip. Our AirBnB was in the Alfama neighborhood and was truly fantastic. Here is the link.
Rental Car: We chose to rent a car for flexibility and it was so worth it. Renting a car in Portugal is relatively easy, since they drive on the same side of the road as we do in the US! We found a good deal from CarRentals.com through Alamo. When you rent a car in Europe, make sure you get an automatic transmission, unless you know how to drive manual.
The Algarve: Activities & Sights
While we stayed in Lagos, we explored much of the Algarve Region (and left much unexplored!). Here are some hot spots we highly recommend, in no particular order:
Ponte de Piedade
If in Lagos, you can't miss these amazing cliffs, rock formations, caves, and a beautiful lighthouse! It's a must-see if you're in the area.
Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
One of the most popular hikes in the area! It is 7 miles in length, but you can choose to do the entire trail, or just hop on for a section of it. Along the trail you will come across amazing views and the Alfanzina Lighthouse.
Additional Info: Start the trail at either Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Old Town Lagos
Exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Town Lagos was surprisingly one of our favorites things to do. After a full morning of exploring, we'd head back to our stay to shower and change. We would walk to Old Town for drinks and tapas, followed by meandering through the pastel colored buildings, trying to decide which gelato spot to hit up.
Silves
My husband planned an entire day in Silves, a small mountain town just inland about 45 minutes from Lagos. We parked in town and walked to the old Moorish castle. It was absolutely unreal to walk in and around a castle from the 5th century! We spent awhile there and then headed to the Cathedral, another beautiful and historic landmark. The town is full of quaint cafes and shops to enjoy after your tours as well.
Additional Info: The tour of the castle was €2.50.
Algar Seco Hike
The infamous Algar Seco includes caves, rock formations, and holes all accessible through a hike that starts in the picturesque town of Carvoeiro. From the beach in town, you can hike up some stairs to a boardwalk, following it all along the cliffs. At various points, you can pause your hike to explore the intricate caves and magnificent views. We highly recommend this hike!
Benagil Cave Kayak Tour
Despite the heavy winds, we decided to test our athleticism and sign up for a kayak tour of the legendary Benagil Cave. This was a definite highlight of the trip for me! (My husband didn't enjoy it as much...something about the kayak needing a backrest) If you want to explore Benagil, the absolute best way is in a kayak, in my humble opinion. The tour was small - probably 8-10 couples max and two tour guides. We kayaked to a number of beaches, stopping at various points to learn about the significance of the amazing rock formations jutting out from the sea before us. Our tour ended on the beach inside Benagil Cave (a luxury only available to those who kayak in). It was breathtaking and unreal and definitely worth the windy kayak excursion.
Additional Info: We went through Secret Algarve and couldn't recommend them enough. It cost less than €75 total for two people.
Lisbon Area: Activities & Sights
We only devoted about two and a half days to Lisbon (we are much more coastal people, not city people), but we found the city a magical place. Here are a few of our favorite things we experienced there:
Sintra
We started off our central Portugal explorations with a stop in Sintra, a town just north of Lisbon. Sintra is famous for its stunning castles, like Pena Palace, pictured here. We highly recommend paying extra for the interior palace tour. You learn so much history and see the most intricate rooms and furniture!
Get Lost in Lisbon
Okay, this was somewhat unintentional. We wanted to find an antique jewelry store, and in doing so found ourselves a couple miles from our stay. However, in our wanderings, we came across some famous Lisbon sites including the Santa Justa Lift, Arco de Rua Augusta, and the Lisbon Cathedral. The streets are littered with beautiful pastry shops selling Pastel de Nata (custard tarts), which made my travel partner very happy!
Tuk Tuk Ride
We try to stay away from most tourist traps when traveling, but this one really got us. We
had limited time in Lisbon and weren't really sure where to begin. Near our stay there was a beautiful view of the city where tuk tuk drivers would hang out and talk to tourists. (If you aren't sure what a tuk tuk is, think a three wheeled bike with a sort of golf cart exterior). Long story short, we struck up conversation with our new friend Gonçalo, and he took us around the city for 2 hours! We told him we wanted to see local spots, not just touristy sites. We had such a blast getting to know him and hear about his life, while seeing parts of the city (the Roman theatre, National Pantheon, and the "best view in Lisbon", to name a few). This is one tourist trap that is well worth it.
Coffee & Cafes
Black and White - Lagos
Coffee shop in Old Town Lagos with absolutely delicious oat milk lattes. They also have a variety of vegan pastries to enjoy! Perfect for grabbing a cup of fuel for a walk around town or bringing a book to read at a cafe table (we did both)
The Coffee Studio - Lagos
Honestly this place was tough to find. The location on Apple Maps did not lead me to the right spot. A little overpriced in comparison to some other places, but the location in Old Town makes it appealing.
Jomar - Carvoeiro
Authentic Portuguese cafe close to the beach in downtown Carvoeiro! We fueled up here with some delicious breakfast and espresso before the Algar Seco hike.
Abigail's - Lagos
Great coffee and smoothies! When we were there they had odd hours, but we assume that's because we went in late March, so it wasn't prime tourist season yet.
Good Eats
Eating was truly one of our favorite things we did in Portugal! Every meal felt like an experience. We enjoyed not only the delectable food, but the ambiance and the wonderful people we met at these fine establishments.
Dear Breakfast - Lisbon
We wandered into this spot weary after a long day of travel and jetlag...and we ate like kings! Their breakfast included a coffee drink of your choosing, a smoothie, yogurt parfait, toast, and eggs. It was absurd - in the best way possible.
What you should know: Amazing menu, brunch served all day
Cost: Meals ranging from €8 - €14. Coffee & other beverages differ.
O Stop - Carvoerio
You just have to go here if you are in the area. We seriously went THREE times during our trip. The food is honestly fine, but this restaurant is literally ON THE SAND. It is sublime to enjoy an appetizer and afternoon drinks on the water. And if you're brave, go for a swim afterwards! After all, it's only like 20 feet from the water...
What you should know: I expect during tourist season (June - August) this place is super busy. Go during non-peak hours for a prime table on the sand.
Cost: You pay for the view. I'd recommend not eating an entire meal here, but it's worth it for a mid day snack!
Casa do Prego - Lagos
Such a delicious meal! This restaurant is upstairs in a building in Old Town Lagos.
What you should know: Really great food, limited seating. Make sure you get there a little earlier than typical European dinner time to ensure you get a table. This was one of our favorite meals in Lagos!
Cost: Beer was cheaper than water. Enough said.
Mangi
Must. Eat. Here. We stopped into this adorable spot for some tapas and drinks while we waited for our table at another restaurant. We ended up chatting it up with our waiter and the manager for two hours, completely missing our reservation! We had the most delicious chickpea and chorizo tapa as well.
What you should know: It is a tapas bar and deli, so no full entrees. But that's the Portuguese way to eat, anyways!
Cost: Very reasonably priced. None of their tapas were more than €10, from what I remember.
O Prego - Lisbon
Not to be confused with Casa do Prego, mentioned earlier. This neat burger joint offered me a fantastic salmon burger that really won me over!
Altar Restaurante - Lisbon
Another one of our favorite meals, hands down. We're talking sweet Brazilian cocktails (caipirinha), flaming chorizo, and bread baked in a brick oven in front of you. Yes, please.
What you should know: Service takes awhile, so go when you have lots of time to enjoy your delicious meal.
Quase Cafe - Lisbon
Fantastic breakfast. This spot was literally right in front of our stay. They offer coffees, acai bowls, toasts, and even vegan pancakes!
What you should know: Very vegan friendly!
Piri Piri Chicken - Lisbon
Chicken piri piri is a Portuguese specialty. It's kind of like a street food in Lisbon - you can find it all over the place, so don't feel like there's one specific restaurant you must go to.
Hit It or Miss It
If you can't tell by now, all the spots listed above are major "hit its", meaning you should definitely try them out! However, there are a few places we "vetted" for you, so you don't necessary need to try them. You're welcome.
Miss It #1: Poke Lagos
We ate here on our first night in Lagos because we were starving and grumpy and it was right outside our stay. I would describe it as "fine". Not bad, but not a lot of flavor, and a little overpriced in my opinion. Go ahead and miss it.
Miss It #2: The Green Room - Lagos
We tried a few spots before this one but they all had a wait. The Green Room is not bad by any means and we actually had great service there. It just didn't stick out as an awesome meal when so many others did, so if you have to bump a spot from your list, make it this one.
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