These Are the Dreamiest Places in Portugal

[Celerity]

Plan your trip around beach caves, cliffy islands, and medieval towns.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-places-to-visit-in-portugal-lisbon



As you (and 27.9 million other tourists) may have noticed, Portugal has seen a spike in popularity in recent years that can be described as no less than monumental. Even though the pandemic caused a brief pause in the hype, the canary yellow trams of Lisbon, medieval walls of Porto, and incredible countryside are ready for your eyes once again. IRL. With its staggering level of natural beauty (beaches!), culture (forts on beaches!), and fun (cities by rivers and beaches!), Portugal should top the list on your next jaunt out to Western Europe. To help convince you, here’s what to know about traveling there now and the jaw-dropping places to plan your trip around.

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See why Lisbon is worth the hype

Let’s start with the capital: Lisbon, home of hillside vistas, intricate tile architecture, and amazing seafood and pastries. Principe Real has a history of catering to the city’s elite and you’ll still find 19th century mansions that nod to this past, but it’s since become a popular shopping destination and hub for LGBTQ nightlife. EmbaiXada is a plaza with an assortment of shops housed in an ornate palace. There you’ll find children’s clothes, swimwear, jewelry, and more. Principe Real Square is just across the street, where you’ll find even more local vendors and a cozy kiosk for bites and wine while you people-watch. Global hotel chain Mama Shelter just opened a tile-clad property in the neighborhood, with an eighth-story rooftop that provides one of the best views in the city.

You can’t visit Lisbon without getting serenaded at a fado bar. Translating to “destiny” or “fate,” fado music is thought to have originated in the port districts of Alfama, Mouraria, and Bairro Alto in the early 19th century. Today, you can climb these winding hilltops (or take a cable car) to find any number of fado bars where you can knock back shots of Ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur, or babysit a refreshing glass of vinho verde. A couple of our favorites include A Tasquinha Canto do Fado in Mouraria and Clube de Fado in Alfama. While in the neighborhood, visit the 11th century Castle of the Moors and gothic-style Lisbon Cathedral, before capping off your education at the Fado Museum, where you’re able to rent a set of headphones queued up with a range of fado songs to complement the visual elements of the exhibit. Then don’t pass up the National Tile (Azulejo) Museum, which is a lovely place to see the role tiles play in Portuguese art and architecture.











Given its position off the Atlantic Ocean, seafood is a must while in Portugal. During the summer, sardines are grilled on the streets in a sort of citywide barbecue—the small fish have a lingering scent that makes them impractical to cook indoors, but balmy Mediterranean summers are perfect for these fresh-grilled, al-fresco feasts. You’ll also find sardines (and other seafoods ranging from octopus to salmon) canned in oils and available everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants. For a sit-down experience that gives insight into Portugal’s canning industry, try Can the Can. Cod is the other fish of significance in this region, with Bacalhau a Bras—a traditional casserole with salt cod, shredded potatoes, eggs, and cheese—representing one of the most popular dishes. Try it at Casa do Bacalhau (House of Cod), a romantic restaurant that feels like you’re dining in a medieval wine cellar. There’s also Pastel de Bacalhau, a codfish cake filled with Serra cheese that you can purchase from street vendors or at national chains like Casa Portuguesa (which has a convenient location just steps from the Castle of the Moors). Sample the best of Lisbon at the Time Out Market, a food hall featuring some of the most popular restaurants and bars in the city (and where you can meet other travelers if you’re going solo). There you’ll find locally sourced seafood, addictive cheese-filled Pasteis de Nata pastries, burgers, sushi, pad thai, and traditional Portuguese plates.

Pour it up in Porto........

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[bronxiteforever]

1. Kick & recommend. Beautiful

[CrispyQ]

2. So lovely!

A friend just returned from the Portuguese Camino de Santiago & says it was a life-changing experience. She was there for six weeks & shared amazing photos of her experience, many similar to the ones above.

Thanks for sharing!

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. I've seen it top various lists for places for US citizens to retire abroad as well (nt)

[lark]

4. Yes!

I have read that the Algrave region has a lot of English/American expat. My daughter and SIL just got back from a 14 day trip to Portugal and they said the south is wonderful and they think we would love it there. Now, we have to save money to go there and see what we think of it.

[Emile]

5. Never been to Portugal. I been to Spain

a few times and absolutely loved Barcelona. I would imagine Portugal would be just as fun.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. I really like Portugal, but the language is a killer for a person to learn.

[RipVanWinkle]

7. I speak Spanish. I tried once to learn Portuguese.

I gave up on learning Portuguese.