Things To Do

Lisbon - Hotels

Palacio Torel - https://www.torelpalacelisbon.com/en/ (on the smaller side, the grounds are small but beautiful and although central is very quiet). Casa do Principe -- super small but very good and very central too. It’s more a fancy guest house than an hotel. http://casadoprincipe.pt/ Memmo hotel - https://www.memmohotels.com/principereal/ - They have two locations in Lisbon and it’s a much more modern option with super clean design. Casa Oliver - https://www.guesthousecasaoliver.com/ - Super central and quite affordable (and very close to our place in Lisbon so if you choose it, come say hi!).

Lisbon - Food

Don’t miss Ramiro for seafood –It now takes reservations, so make sure you do so before going (or it’s a 30-45m wait) but in my modest opinion is the best seafood you’ll eat anywhere in the world - http://www.cervejariaramiro.pt/ Go to Mercado da Ribeira for Lunch - http://www.timeout.com/market/ Taberna do Mar - https://atabernadomar.negocio.site/ - This is one of my absolute favourite restaurants in Lisbon – Do the tasting menu. If you want a truly special meal, go to Belcanto - http://belcanto.pt/en/ ( it’s the only restaurant in Portugal with 2 michelin stars). Taberna do Calhau - https://portugalconfidential.com/taberna-do-calhau-alentejo-cuisine-lisbon/ - the food is fantastic and order the walnut pudding for dessert!

Lisbon - Do & See

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

Don’t miss the Gulbenkian Museum and gardens.

Oceanário de Lisboa

Riverfront Promenade

Have a drink around sunset in the new riverfront promenade.

Quinta da Regaleira

If you have the time, take a day trip to Sintra, it’s quite easy to access by train and it’s really worth the visit. ( if you do, don’t miss Quinta da Regaleira.

A Vida Portuguesa

For shopping, visit Vida Portuguesa in Chiado ( also next door is the oldest book shop in the world, also worth a visit).

Pastéis de Belém

Don’t miss Pasteis de Belem Factory – best custard cakes in the world and the shop is wonderful.

Porto - Hotels

The Palacio do Torel Porto – Like the Lisbon one, it’s beautiful, small and the service is excellent https://www.torelavantgarde.com/en/ Another option is the pousada de Portugal Porto - https://www.pousadas.pt/uk/hotel/pousada-porto Casa do Conto – It’s a much more relaxed boutique hotel but super nice - http://casadoconto.com/?lang=en Not in the city but about 45m is one of the best hotels in Portugal in the Douro region where Port wine is made (which is stunningly beautiful) and I would recommend renting a car and visit. The hotel - https://www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/douro-valley

Porto - Food

(I haven’t been in a while, but my local friends recommended these): zoo Flow - http://www.flowrestaurant.pt/flow/ Mistu - http://mistu.pt/en/ Muu Steakhouse - https://www.muusteakhouse.com/ Terra - https://restauranteterra.com/en/

Porto - Do & See

Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves

Museu serralves is quite beautiful and the grounds are very worth the visit.

Fonseca Port Wine Cellars

Going to the port wine cellars.

Douro River

Doing a boat trip up the river to the wine terraces (or driving there).

REST OF THE COUNTRY

Hotels

Pousadas de Portugal – they are usually historical buildings (castle, palaces, forts, etc.) there are several all over the country and as the management is done by a big hotel group, the service is fantastic. The website is here - https://www.pousadas.pt/uk?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrU8NfCcBUcgtiEyh1v7ydue1hhDJzgsslWHUQ3HLprYBEzrQvieUG4aAhdTEALw_wcB – and the Lisbon one is here - https://www.pousadas.pt/uk/hotel/pousada-lisboa

Algarve

I wouldn’t recommend going to Algarve in the Summer, everything is full of people (including the beaches), it’s hard to find restaurants that are not completely full, everything is more expensive too. If you’re really keen still I would recommend going to the east part of the region – Sagres, Lagos. These two hotels are quite good: The Memmo Sagres - https://www.memmohotels.com/baleeira/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrWnPZ0U89QMf4zi2bbxfuwiPSeLJvPAb_WTFxI900Zt0bbwNYyXuegaAvDDEALw_wcB Pousada de Sagres - https://www.pousadas.pt/uk/hotel/pousada-sagres?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrXFCSAtoai8l4FeYJG_Ob3YcUqTS-Nfu9atMQA0-GDfYwyyq7fnVywaAgDAEALw_wcB

Comporta

Other regions I suggest instead of Algarve for beaches and/country side: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/comporta-portugal-beach-holidays A great place to stay in comporta - https://www.sublimecomporta.pt/

Alentejo

If you want to explore the area around the hotel, I recommend going to Evora and eating at one of the following places: Taberna Quarta feira - https://finallylost.com/a-very-special-and-different-restaurant-taberna-tipica-quarta-feira/ Restaurante fialho - https://restaurantefialho.pt/ Another area that I really recommend is around the Alqueva lake in alentejo. It’s ideal for resting a few days. These two hotels are my favourite around there: Sao lourenco do barrocal - https://barrocal.pt/ Herdade dos Salgados - https://www.herdadedosdelgados.pt/