The River: Take a stroll along the Douro River! Palacio da Bolsa: Take a tour of this palace-turned-stock-exchange. The inside is beautiful and it has some interesting history. Please note that tours in English only occur at designated times so do your research before arriving. Livraria Lello: The bookstore that inspired the Diagon Alley bookstore! The architecture inside is pretty cool, but be prepared to wait on line for a bit. Port Tasting: Take the Ponte de Dom Luis I (bridge) over to Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro River for some port tasting. Favorite port houses include Kopke and Graham's. Sao Bento Train Station: A train station with some of the most interesting azulejos in Portugal. Chapel of Santa Catarina: A church covered in traditional Portuguese azulejos.
Tascö: A small, classy restaurant in a quieter part of town. Definitely on the fancier side, but really yummy upscale Portuguese food. Flow: A Klein family favorite. Friendly staff, great food, and phenomenal wine. Casa Guedes Tradicional: We went here three times. GET THE PORK SANDWICHES. Make sure you go to Tradicional and not one of the other ones. A Cave Do Bon Vivant: A very good natural wine bar with an interesting selection, and food that is much better than it has to be. Meia-Nau Matosinhos: For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path option, this fish restaurant is outside of the city and is as authentic as it gets. Expect to eat fish filleted in front of you alongside a delicious glass of Douro wine, ordered off of a menu written entirely in Portuguese. Go walk along the beach after. It's worth it!
Pasteis de Nata: Try Portugal's national pastry! Our favorite spots are Pasteis de Belem and Manteigaria Miradouros: High points overlooking the city. Climb or take an Uber for some stunning views! Duque da Rua: A great spot to see traditional Fado! Be sure to make a reservation in advance Sant'anna: An azulejos store, if you are looking to buy some tiles. This is where we got our coasters! Sé de Lisboa: A beautiful cathedral in the middle of Lisbon for those that love architecture Carmo Archaeological Museum: An indoor-outdoor museum located in an old convent. This is a unique space and a great place to learn some Portuguese history Praca do Comercio: The main square in Lisbon, providing beautiful views of the sea and stunning architecture. There is also a large flea market in this square some days St. George's Castle: A historic castle with great views of the city and some Lisbon history Tropical Botanical Garden: For nature and animal lovers, this garden is really cool
Taberna Sal Grosso: Come here for delicious and authentic Portuguese food. But, be warned- this restaurant is not for the faint of heart. The staff is curt and the crowd is rowdy, but if they like you enough, you may be met at the end of your meal with five bottles of port dumped on your table and a cheerful "get fucked up!" from your waiter. Plano Restaurante: Recommended by the Michelin guide, this restaurant is for foodies looking to have a high quality experience at a relatively low price. Many credit this restaurant as the place where Rachel convinced Michael that spending a lot on food can be worth it, especially when on vacation. O Frade: Another Michelin guide recommendation, this restaurant is for those hoping to get up close and personal with their meal and with the chefs making it. Diners sit in a U-shape around the chefs while they prepare their food and chat about what they are making. O Frade is especially recommended for those looking to get out of the city center.
Incomum: A great restaurant for those looking to relax and have a yummy meal in a refined space. Sintra National Palace: The most underrated palace in Sintra! The architecture inside is stunning. Quinta da Regaleira: We promise, it's even cooler in person. Be prepared to walk a bunch- the grounds are what make this palace truly unique. Castelo dos Mouros: A military castle with great views of Sintra. If you are going with loved ones, please take the bus up, or be prepared for a moderate hike with proper footwear and water! This walk is known as the closest Michael and Rachel, who were both underprepared and cranky by the time they got to the top, got to breaking up. Monserrate: The architecture here is beautiful, and the botanic gardens are worth a visit! Please note, Palace of Peña is the most overrated palace in Sintra. Skip it or just go look at the outside without buying a ticket!
Infante Guesthouse: PLEASE stay here!! The best hotel experience we have ever had. Text Marek on Whatsapp at +351 911 990 984 to make a reservation and say we sent you. Sailing Cave Tour: This tour includes a great sail along the coast, some swim time in the middle of the ocean, and access to some really cool caves. Here is the TripAdvisor link: https://tinyurl.com/3p86r6v4 Ponta da Piedade Hike: A great way to see a large portion of the coast! Good for those looking to be active on vacation. Praia de Porto Mos: A beautiful beach for those that want a more curated beach experience. They have lounge chairs to rent but it is more crowded than other beaches around Praia dos Estudiantes: An edgier beach, with a more relaxed vibe Praia Dona Ana: Has beautiful views of the coast! Note that this is more of a viewpoint, than a beach for relaxing at.
Dos Artistas Restaurante: A Michelin guide restaurant and very good. Definitely on the pricier side for what you get, but worth it! A Petisqueira: A cute restaurant with really good seafood. Casa do Prego: Known for their steaks- they're really good! Mar d'Estorias: A cozy restaurant on the top floor of a shop. Come here for yummy tapas O António: Come here for fresh fish- and we mean fresh. Our waiter presented Michael with his uncooked fish, which was taken directly out of the tank, for his approval before it was cooked. Nah Nah Bah: We know what you're thinking- really? A burger place in Portugal? But it was actually pretty good. If you are looking for a break from seafood, this is your spot. La Focaccia: A cute little sandwich window in town. Perfect if you are looking for a quick lunch or some food to bring with you to the beach!