Lisbon (and Portugal) Tour!

Lisboa: Cidade das Sete Colinas (City of the Seven Hills)

Touristic Plans (divided by days)

1st Day (first half of a day)
● Walk around the old town: Baixa and Chiado!
● Praça do Rossio (Rossio Suqare)– good cafes are Pastelaria Suiça, Confeitaria Nacional
or Nicola.
● Go down Rua Augusta (Augusta Street, the most expensive street in the Portuguese
Monopoly version) from Rossio’s square to Praça do Comércio (also called as Terreiro
do Paço).
o This is a truly beautiful street in my opinion.
o Gipsy people seem to be selling you drugs but that’s just Oregano so the police
can’t do anything about them.
● When you reach the end of the street if you want you can climb an elevator to go to a
sort of belvedere (you need to pay so for Lisbon with so many belvederes it may not
be so worthy).
● Praça do Comércio / Terreiro do Paço: back in the days this was the market square.
The second name it is because from a certain time in history the king changed his
home from the Castel here.
o There’s a very typical restaurant there “Martinho da Arcada” – otherwise
check the next bullet
● If you’re in a sunny day, why not going until Mercado da Ribeira and grab something to
eat there? Brand new reconstructed place super “in”.
● Now go the way up to Chiado and check out Largo do Camões: Luís Vás de Camões
wrote the Portuguese epoch “Os Lusíadas” which tells the story of how the Portuguese
found the marine way to go from Europe to India (for commerce).
o Basically, the Portuguese people (Lusitanian) are the heroes like in Homero’s
Odyssey Ulysses is.
● Go upper (told you is the city of the 7 hills) and reach Convento do Carmo. It is rather
destroyed due to a fire (I think) but it is still precious. Right next to it you have an
elevator (must go place) Elevador de Santa Justa. You can go up the elevator and have
a magnificent view.
o Many claim a relationship between the engineer who planned it with Gustavo
Eiffel. After all isn’t it similar to Eiffel’s tower?
● Go the way down and you are back in Baixa. If you want just enjoy the amazing old
town. Otherwise, go to the 2nd point.
● Another idea is to get in a tuk tuk, you have a lot of them in the old town and
especially in Portas do Sol and you can go around the city with them. I advise going to
the best belvedere in Lisbon called: “Nossa Senhora do Monte”. Where you have a
view of 270 degrees over Lisbon.
● NOTE: you gotta drink Ginginha in “A Ginginha” close to Praça do Rossio! Also, if you
want a good bakery go to “A Padaria Portuguesa”.
2nd Day (second half of a day)
● Now it is time to go to the Castel.
● I suggest to climb the way up throw Sé Catedral so that you can see Lisbon’s Cathedral;
● After this make sure you pass in the belvedere of “(Miradouro) de Santa Luzia” and
after in Portas do Sol.
● Now you’re in Alfama: the only part of ancient Lisbon that survived the earthquake
and tsunami of 1755. The streets seemed so organized downstairs and now they are
not, right?
● Find you way to the Castle! Enjoy it there..
● Go down and if you have time go to Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon) where
many important people are buried such as Amália Rodrigues, the most iconic Fado
singer ever lived.
o Fado is the Portuguese music which is now UNESCO World Heritage.
o If you want to see a Fado concert in one of the Fado’s houses here is the place
to do it!
o You can lose yourself on these tinny streets. Just don’t lose yourself too much:
these streets can be very tricky and you can find strange people;
o NOTE: if you are in Lisbon on the night before the day of its Patron (St.
Anthony) on the 13th of June all these streets go crazy with party. It is not
dangerous at all, old people come to the streets and everybody open stands
with food and drinks.

3rd Part/ Day

● Belém!
● Go to Belém: by tram or train, you get in Cais do Sodré or by bus (check Google Maps);
o Yes, Lisbon and its famous trams: you can try to get one of those to go to
Belém. However, such trams are more used to make courses in Alfama or in
Bairro Alto due to their short capacity.
● Go to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos:
o Probably the most important monastery in Portugal;
o Here kings, Luís de Camões (mentioned above) and Vasco da Gama
(portuguese discoverer that discovered the way from Portugal to India by
boat) are buried;
● Go to Padrão dos Descobrimentos:
o Monument for the Portuguese discoveries;
o In front there is the father of the sailing in Portugal: Infante D. Henrique, who
started the sailing school in Sagres back in the beginning of the 15th century.
● Go to Torre de Belém (Belem Tower):
o Beautiful monument laying on the river;
o One of the most iconic places in Lisbon: it was where the French flag was
projected after the attacks in Paris in late November 2015.
● Time to go back, hungry? Go to Pão-pão queijo-queijo, which is a sandwich store with
really reasonable prices next to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
● MUST GO to Pastéis de Belém. If you don’t eat at least one of those I don’t know why
you came to Portugal ahah!
● If you are still up to something you can see the President of the Republic’s house
which is just right there. Consider that if you have the river on your back go to your
right after Pastéis de Belém. However, I don’t think it is that important.
4th Part/ Day
● Probably this you can fit somewhere when you go along the old town or just one
afternoon or if you are tired of walking but you should see it;
● Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue);
● I find it like Champs Elysée in Paris since it is where the expensive shops are.
o Good shopping!
● On top of it (yes it has a big slope) you have Parque Eduardo XII. A beautiful park.
● On top of that park you have one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon.
● Curiosity: that roundabout shows the architect who designed Lisbon’s Old Town after
the earthquake. This same roundabout is where Benfica or Sporting fans celebrate the
victory of their teams if they win the National Footbal League. It is also the busiest
roundabout in Lisbon and this is why they recently turned it into 2 roundabouts.

Day/ Part 5
● Sintra!
● Go to Sintra: by bus or train (Line of Sintra, not the line of Belem/ Cascais!!)
● In Sintra you should visit the city, which is really small but beautiful and eat the
Queijadas de Sintra (traditional sweets);
● Go to Palácio da Pena, recently considered one of the most beautiful Palaces in
Europe;
● After that you can also go to the Castle, but remember this is pretty much the same as
the one in Lisbon so if you are not so eager you can skip it.
● Now, if you have time you can go to Cabo da Roca, which is the western point in
Europe. Doubts whether going or not: why not searching for some pictures in Google?

Day/ Part 6
● Go to Cascais: go by Train (same as Belém line: Cascais line)
● Cascais is a beautiful place where all the posh/rich people who work in Lisbon live;
● If you find a way to go there go to Guincho which is a beautiful beach (super windy
though) next to Cascais.
o Probably it is easier by car.
o There are some fossils there if interested on that.
o Good for surfing.
● Go to the best ice cream shop of Cascais: Santinni! This is delicious: it was the first
stand, now they have in Lisbon.
● NOTICE: Cascais line is a line of beaches so if you want you can go to the beaches
around. Best beaches are:
o Carcavelos: longest but not with the best social environment;
o São Pedro: very short so it is risky;
o Estoril: nice beach and you have a beautiful Casino if you want to gamble;

Day/ Part 7
● New area of Lisbon: Parque das Nações (Nations’ Park)
● Go to Oceanarium!! One of the best attractions in Lisbon: they have otters and
penguins in outside parts and a huge aquarium with sharks and strange fish;
● If you like Science you can go to the Science Museum: Pavilhão do Conhecimento
(Knowledge Pavillion);
● Walk around the river, it is so beautiful.
● Take the cable car (Teleférico in Portuguese) if you feel like it;
● NOTE: this was a reconstructed area of Lisbon for the World Expo 1998 so many
people call it Expo, simply. Before it used to be Lofts..

Night out
● You can drink outside throughout entire Portugal so if you feel like it you make use of
it but don’t make garbage!
● So you can go to Bairro Alto (High Quartier) where there are tons of bars.
o There are many cheap bars but one of the best streets is Rua da Atalaia.
o Make sure you go to the belvedere of São Pedro (St. Peter).
● Watch out in Bairro Alto (Bairro) as a lot of people try to sell drugs. In Portugal it is
legal to hold drugs until some quantities since only dealers are to be prosecuted.
● Another super cool place which is relatively recent is “Park” in the old town on top of a
parking lot and, therefore, it offers one of the best views ever.
● Super “in” place right now: Rua Nova do Carvalho in Cais do Sodré, which is the Pink
Street!
o Go to “Pensão Amor” (Motel of Love);
● Other places to drink are Santos, but lately it has lost its charm.
● Disco clubs:
o Urban Beach;
o Lux Frágil;
o Main;
o If you are into something more alternative go to Cais do Sodré and to Rua
Nova do Carvalho.

Beaches
● There are 2 coasts of beaches close to Lisbon: Costa da Caparica and Linha de Cascais.
● I prefer Costa da Caparica but it is harder to reach by public transportation. There I
suggest one which is also harder to reach but if you have a car it is okay: Praia de São
João (St John’s Beach);
● Otherwise you can go to Cascais’ line for pretty good beaches too!

Eat out!
● You’re on the south of Europe so food is good!
● Restaurants are good in the entire old town but probably I would go more to Bairro
Alto;
● Dishes:
o Bacalhau!! Yes, we have 1001 ways of doing codfish;
▪ Bacalhau à Brás or Bacalha à Gomes Sá are good picks;
▪ Go to a supermarket to see the dry fish;
o Carne de Porco à Alentejana (pork and potatoes);
o Eat Seafood and Fish (sardines if you like, they are the symbol of Lisbon);
o Arroz de Pato (Duck rice);
o Arroz de Tamboril (Rice with Tamboril- big fish);
o Polvo à Lagareiro (special type of cooking octopus);
o Caldo Verde (soup)
● Desert:
o Baba de Camelo;
o Salame de Chocolate (chocolate salami, created by Portuguese&Italians);
o Arroz doce (rice with sweet cream)
o …

Extra in and Around Lisbon

● The ZOO: it will take half a day but you have a lot of animals, a birds’ show and a
dolphins’ show: also there is a sea lion that is super funny and gives you a kiss;
● Setúbal/ Troia Peninsula: this is a beautiful area and in fact in Troia peninsula it is
common to see dolphins as there is a community of them living there;
● Ribeira de Ilhas (Ericeira): beautiful beaches with very good surfing conditions;
● Peniche: where there is one stage of the World Surfing Tour, specifically in Supertubos
beach;
o If you are a diving enthusiast you have a beautiful archipelago in front of it
“Berlengas” with really good diving conditions;
o On the other hand, you might as well visit the Castle of Óbidos, also really
close.

Porto
● Second biggest city and truly beautiful;
● The old town is UNESCO, while Lisbon is not. It is totally worth to see it;
● See Avenida dos Aliados: the Center of Porto so as Benfica and Sporting fans celebrate
in the Marquês do Pombal roundabout when they win the Portuguese Football league,
Porto celebrates it here when it wins.
● Go to Casa da Música: super moder place for concerts with a strange design. Some say
the tour is worthy;
● Check Foz do Porto: beautiful area of Porto close to the ocean, with beaches but the
ocean is very cold and dangerous here;
● Check Ribeira: this is the area on the river which is full of bars and delicious
restaurants.
o If you cross the river by the magnificent Ponte D. Luís (this engineer did indeed
work with Eiffel) you can see a lot of wine caves where it is stored.
o In the river you will see small boats representing the boats that bring the wine
from the vineyards to Porto.
● Make a trip around Douro to see the vineyards. I never did it but if you are a wine
enthusiast you should do it: breath taking views and you can enjoy a delicious (and
strong) wine.
● Eat Francesinha (check first online because it is really big and heavy but Porto’s
landmark), the best places are:
o Capa Negra,
o Cúfera.
● If you have more time go to Palácio de Cristal: really nice Park.

Algarve
● First rule of Algarve: it is dead from the beginning of October until the beginning of
May.
o Very busy from the middle of July until end of August. Beast Disco clubs open
during this period.
o There are very calm places to chill and enjoy life but also places with huge
disco clubs and good beaches nearby full of tourists.
● Cities/ area of Algarve by type:
o Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira: beautiful beaches, a lot of tourists and big
nightlife.
o Vlamoura: prestigious area, with a really good beach (Praia da Falésia), a lot of
British people and good hotels, best marina in Portugal and very good
nightlife. Me and my friends usually come here as the beach is good, there are
supermarkets and there is a lot of things in the marina as well as bars and
discos. You have ZOO Marine nearby where you can be dolphins and play with
them (maybe swim?).
o Vale do Lobo: the most expensive area of Algarve, used for Golf, very beautiful
beach and it is basically a British colony during summer time. I also used to
come here with some friends. It is very comfortable area as it is very easy to
walk around but it is very small and I am not sure there are reasonable
supermarkets nearby since British people that go there do not care about
spending money in cafes and so on.
o Faro: capital of Algarve, it is more of a city and not beach destination.
o Tavira: beautiful area and much calmer. I used to go there as a child. It is less
busy than the above areas. You can enjoy Natural Park of Ria Formosa and go
to a place called “4 Aguas (4 Waters as 4 different channels meet)”.
● Around Algarve:
o ZOO Marine in Quarteira: to be with Dolphins;
o Quite some Waterparks around;
o Go to National Park of Ria Formosa;
o Rest by the beach of course;
o Eat fish!
o Summer beach football tournaments;
o Sand sculptures festivals during summertime in some beaches;
● Where to stay?
o You can rent a room in a hotel using the websites you normally use but usually
here it is more common to rent houses.
▪ www.booking.com
▪ www.trivago.com
o Websites to rent houses:
▪ www.airbnb.com
● Probably Air BnB is the best these days;
o Other but in Portuguese are:
▪ http://www.olx.pt/imoveis/casas-de-ferias/
▪ http://www.custojusto.pt/faro/lagoa-algarve/ferias?srbs=0

Around Portugal
● Nazaré:
o This is where the biggest surfed wave in the world rests;
o ATTENTION: there are only big waves between October and March!
● Guimarães:
o The birth of Portugal and as so the most important Castle: Castelo de
Guimarães!
● Do you want to make a roudtrip?
o Go down the Costa Vicentina (Vicentinian Coast) between Lisbon and Alrgarve
stopping in some of the most stunning beaches in Portugal;
o Carrapateira is a must;
This is also a very good coastline for surfers;
o Vila Nova de Mil Fontes is also a beautiful village with amazing beaches close
to it.