Places to See
Lisbon
No visit to Lisbon is complete without a walk through the historic suburbs of Alfama and Mouraria, which tumble down the hillside below the castle. Head for Casa de Fados in Mouraria. Formerly the home of 19th-century singer Maria Severa, it’s one of the best places in town to listen to the soulful sounds of fado. The local custard tart, with its addictive mix of sweet custard and flaky pastry, is a Portuguese tradition that never gets old. A pilgrimage to Pastéis de Belém and Manteigaria are on most people’s list. Southwest of the city centre, the pretty riverfront Belém district is defined by its landmarks: the Manueline-style Jerónimos Monastery, the 16th-century Belém Tower and, since 2016, the futuristic facade of MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology.
Sintra
Sintra, with its cool, lush hills and proximity to the Atlantic coast, is where Portuguese royals used to spend their summers. Eighteen miles from Lisbon, these former regal estates and equally fanciful gardens has turned this UNESCO World Heritage site into a popular day-trip destination (we will be recommending a stop en route from the Quinta to the Algarve). Our advice: do take time to tour La Quinta Da Regaleira. The private residence of a coffee tycoon who commissioned the flamboyant estate from an Italian architect and opera-set designer. Though the neo-Manueline house are outstanding, the real highlights are found in the whimsical gardens, which feature hidden tunnels, grottoes, and strange mystical symbolism.
Algarve
Lagos offers pristine beaches, bumping nightlife, fresh seafood and access to the region's highlights within a stone's throw. For the athletes, there are a rich selection of golf courses, cliff-side hiking trails and a tubular surfing spots. For the history buffs, there are the ruins of the Moorish kingdom and the imposing fortress of Sagres, where Prince Henry the Navigator planned voyages onto the edges of the known world. For everyone else, there are spectacular beaches both busy and hidden dotted along the rugged red-cliffed coastline.