2023 destination seems to definitely be Portugal. It is about time with the gorgeous beaches of crystal blue waters, unique historical architecture, red clay tile roofs and blue and white tiled walls. It’s officially time to add it to your list and book the flight. Time to get out the notes app, travel journals, screenshots, I’ve compiled all the good info to make the best guidelines for your trip. Don’t stress though, I’ve separated it in digestible sections.

Some general thoughts. I love a good walking tour in every city I go to. I am personally not a history nut and also don’t research a ton about a city before I go, so a walking tour is usually my favorite thing to do to orient myself when I first get there. Most cities have free ones offered through hostels or just googling, “city walking tour …” Tips are usually given at the end in euros cash. I almost always recommend doing this when first going to city, it really sets up all the different areas and will help organize your time better.

I organized my trip into three sections Lagos, Lisbon, and Porto. I worked my way up Portugal, starting at bottom of Portugal in Lagos, then went up to Lisbon, and finally ending in Porto. I took the train or bus to each city. It was less than 30 euros each trip and about 3 hours between each city. I bought the tickets the night before and had no problem with many options on different buses and departure times. Keep in mind, I went in April and do not know if summer peak season affects this. 

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting multiple cities and I thought the buses were a great affordable option. Flying almost seemed like more time including airport time. You also get to see more countryside Portugal and meet more people. 

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QUICK DETAILS:

Language: Portuguese, but English was spoken almost everywhere I went

• Good phrases to know: Obrigado/a (thank you: o spoken by males, a spoken by females), Olá (hi/greetings), Bom dia (good morning, greetings), Por favor (please)

Notable food items*:

• PASTEL DE NATAS (Please get a warm one-its the texture of a warm brownie out of the oven)
• Francesinha (Layered sandwich with great sauce)
• Port wine (No explanation needed)
• Bacalhau (Cod fish)

Weather: Think southern Europe and coastal. Mild year round, with 60s in the winter, 70s in the summer. My uber driver once said they have over 300 days of sun a year. (Reputable source okay).

I went end of April-the weather was amazing. I wore mostly shorts, tank tops, jackets at night. It rained once during the week and a half I was there. Walking shoes-THIS IS A STAPLE. NEVER FORGET THESE. You also will curse the gods if you are wearing your cute sandals up and down the plethora of hills Portugal seems to have.

Bring in the hot girl and boy walks, big time. Portugal is very walkable, things are not too far in Lisbon or Porto.  Get ready to be walking those hills though. If you need to get farther, there are easily accessible buses, trains, and uber is used frequently here.

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WHERE I WENT:

Hostel: Bura Surfhouse Lagos 

10/10: Seriously one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at.

• Included bar to casually meet people
• Family style dinners you can pay to join
• Outdoor pool
• Group activities including yoga and surfing
• Nicest hosts
• Only downside is a bit far from the city and beach, have to walk a bit to get to both
• I stayed in mixed dorm and felt safe

What to do: 

• Benagil Caves: Please do this. You will not regret it. I booked through Benagil Caves Kayaking experience and loved it. It was a bunch of young guides that lead you on kayaks through it. They were really good at their jobs, you definitely do not need to be an expert or have any kayak experience. I showed up solo to a double kayak experience and they were super nice to kayak with me. I also showed up 20 minutes late due to accidentally sleeping late (oops) and a laid back uber driver that did not speak English (shoutout google translate and him for speeding down the highway for me). I had to call them since the ETA was a bit later than expected, and they were so flexible and nice about it. Book for earlier mornings and do this in advance. It is so much less crowded and overall better experience. Benagil is out of the way, so plan on Ubering (30ish minutes from my hostel) unless you have a car. 
• Downtown for drinks: Tavern, The garden (very cute for drinks and dinner), Flamingo, Three Monkeys (more laid back)
• Carvoeiro: A town by Benagil, was a recommendation from my kayak trip by a Lagos native. I loved. Very local feel and was nice to walk around just exploring. Has a nice beach with great restaurants near.
• Hike: Seven Hanging Valley Trails: Incredible coastline beach views from cliffs, can see cave from the top. It is very dry and hot (bring water and sunscreen) and a long hike, but you can hike however long and in parts. 

Things I didn’t do, but heard good things:

• Faro: Heard good things about going out scene here, this is where the airport is if you are flying. I would still recommend visiting Lagos over it.

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Hostel: Home Lisbon Hostel

Extremely well reviewed, seemed like the place to stay at.

• Big range of ages and good mix of solo travelers, friends traveling, and couples
• Had separate dorm blocked off for females with separate key for this area and each door
• Mama’s dinner: family style dinner, such good way to meet people and food was amazing, small price to join
• Included bar and offered pub crawl through sister hostel almost every night
• Offered walking tours and day trips
• Felt very safe
  • Liked this a lot bc Lisbon felt more like big city vibes with the caution about pick pocketers and occasional pushy guys

What to do: 

• Santa Lúzia View Point: Beautiful terrace with amazing view for sunset or just in general. It does get busy but such nice pictures. We brought pizza/wine and watched sunset here; it was so nice.
• Mantegaria: PASTEL DE NATAS shop.
• LX Factory: Hipster and industrial-like shopping market. It is far from city, so you have to take the bus or Uber. It’s a good place for drinks and to hang out for a bit.
• Time out Market: Market with lots of food options, good place to try lots of local dishes.
• Alfama: Cute neighborhood to walk around with cute side streets, “European pic” opportunity.
• Cascais: Beach day trip. Stunning and very popular.
• Miraduoro das Portas do Sol: Great viewpoint of city and also amazing for sunset
• Street art in São Vicente is so beautiful, also great for understanding the culture
• Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge: San Fran type looking bridge, near Alcântara by lxfactory. Also has really nice benches by water and cute park 
• Belém: A town with monastery and half-day trip. MAKE THE TRIP JUST FOR THE PASTEL DE NATA THERE. Need to take the bus.
• Fado music restaurant: Such a unique experience. Google to find one, many in Santa Maria Maior area. It is a true cultural experience with the music filled with emotion and hardships. There is no talking usually allowed while the performer is singing.
• Santa Justa Lift: Fancy looking elevator in middle of city. Lines are absurd. Didn’t do because didn’t feel like worth it, but it may be your thing. Heard to be careful for pick pocketers here. 
• Tram 28: Yellow trolley that goes throughout the city. The line is outrageously long, so I never took. Cute picture opportunity though.

My Gem Brunch Places: 

• Dear Breakfast: Phone eats first. Sooo good and cute atmosphere. One in Alfama neighboorhood and one in Chiado. I went to Alfama one and loved.
• Nicolau: Another phone eats first. Very cute spot near Rossio square (main square in Lisbon) with outdoor seating and food was delicious. Seemed to always have a line though.

Things I didn’t get to, but heard good things:

• Sintra: A day trip from Lisbon with fairytale-like castle and beautiful nature. It was highly recommended and said to book tickets in advance so you can skip long lines. It was also recommended to not pay for tour groups; although you can do on own, as long as you book in advance, are okay with walking, and allow for the whole day.
  • I am absolutely going back for this because I heard such good things.

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Hostel: Hostel One Riberia

10/10: Geared towards young people, I highly recommend!

• Group activities all throughout the day
• Drinking games every night which is super nice to meet people and have night life without it being sketchy
• Family dinners every night for less than 10 euros
• Very easy to meet people and lots of activities being offered
• Hosts are usually also travelers and great connections
• Stayed in a mixed dorm and felt safe

What to do:

• Port wine: Literally anywhere on Villa Nova de Gaia. Do a tasting to try many different types.
  • Douro Valley Vineyards: Yes please. I didn’t have time for this one, but its a day trip into beautiful vineyards or sign up for an Airbnb or Google wine tour for transportation, meals, and all the tastings (Certified rec from some hostel mates). Better yet book accommodation there for a night.
• Gaia Cable Car: I actually really liked this one. Most times I feel these are a rip off, but it was actually a very convenient means of getting up or down the hill and the views were stunning.
• Livraria Lello: One of the coolest libraries I’ve been in. Book tickets in advance on their website because very long lines. Definitely a touristic spot and there is not actually any tie to JK Rowling (despite rumors). Still definitely worth it.
• Porto Cathedral & Paço Episcopal do Porto: Incredible architecture with broad ceiling arches and hidden blue tiling. On a hill in Porto with beautiful views that I could have sat up there for an evening. Go to the top of the cathedral for even more views on the roof.
• Old Prison and Court of Appeal of Porto Vitória: An old prison with very interesting stories here and beautiful photography. Take a tour or just go in and read the signs by each exhibit.
• Praia de Madalena: Nice beach not too far away. Great relaxing half-day activity.
• Dom Luis Bridge: I love this bridge so much. I walked across it many times just because. Be careful of the metro running through. The viewsssss. Make sure you go during the day and at night for different perspectives. 
• Dinner at any of the riverside restaurants near the Dom Luis Bridge: Bonus points if it is during sunset and it is not cloudy. If you are also a seafood eater, welcome to a slice of heaven.
• SUNSET ON VILA NOVA DE GAIA HILL: Go across the top of the Dom Luis Bridge and immediately to the right is grassy patch. This is a very popular spot during the evening, but the atmosphere and sunset here is so gorgeous.

My gem brunch places: 

• Do Norte Café: It is soooo good and lovely ambience. Make reservation if possible or be prepared to wait a bit for a table.

I didn’t get to, but heard good things: 

• Water taxi ride: If boating up and down a river is your thing, then this would be the place for it.
• Monastery: Was a recommendation for a very nice spot for sunsets. I heard mixed reviews on the actual monastery, but great things about the view.

Three different cities, and each one was worth making the visit. My whole trip was a week and a half, so I only spent a couple days in each place. Personally, I think Lagos could be a whole 3-4 days depending on much you love the beach and water activities. Lisbon felt like a typical European city to me, which is great, but I would stay overall for 3 days and only dedicate 1 day to the city and the others to day trips like Sintra. Porto-Oh, I adored this city. I would recommend 3 days to explore the city in a relaxing way and 1 day for wine tours. If wine is your thing, you could spend a week here.

Portugal is such a beautiful country with so much to do. You will definitely catch me back here, and as always, let me know if you want to join along.

*TO ALL MY FOODIE LOVES: Oh how I wish I could claim the foodie label, but in the nature of being real, I can’t. I love to try new things and eating such good quality food. But I am one of those travelers, who goes to restaurants for the experience over the food. These lists are based on my personal experiences which as mentioned are a tad limited (especially being a predominate plant eater) and from the recommendations of the people I travelled around. So by no means are they encompassing or including all the essentials. If you’ve got recs or suggestions, PLEASE drop a comment. I adore good suggestions since this isn’t my area. 

**Disclaimer: I have no affiliation or interest to any of the mentioned companies or accommodations. All reviews are based on my personal experiences and subject to change. Basically take everything with a grain of salt.