What more could anyone possibly ask for? Here I would like to give you my top and most inspiring recommendations for Portugal on what to see, where to go and whats hot. Now you may already have your whole trip to Portugal planned out but if you're still unsure of where to stay, go and what to do here are my top recommendations for Portugal:
Where to go - Lisbon (Capital)
Quite right that Lisbon is Portugal's capital and is home to a wide range of stunning attractions including Gothic Cathedrals, grand monasteries, unique museums and a variety of exquisite restaurants and bars. Once you have seen all the captivating points in Lisbon, put down your map and get wanderlust in its quirky backstreets where you will find hidden boutiques, shops, bakeries, art galleries, ice cream and coffee parlours, jazz, rock and reggae bars and much more. Whether you're sitting outside a restaurant patio with a glass of red wine sampling their dishes and enjoying the beautiful scenery and people passing you by or you're on your own adventure making your way to each attraction and sight in Lisbon, I can guarantee you will feel completely content in this fabulous city.
Sights and attractions - Mosterio dos Jeronimos
Whether your religious or not, one can still appreciate the beauty of magnificent architecture and structure as well as rich and gripping history which the Mosterio dos Jeronimos has. This Unesco-listed monastery is completely breathtaking and spectacular with its spiderwebs of stone and tree-like pillars that tower and climb up into the ceiling. This incredibly detailed church glows in a soft honey coloured light from its great windows and has been used not only for prayer and religion but also a a school and orphanage. However this is not a free attraction but is still very cheap at 12 euros or 16 euros which will include the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia.
Depending on how you like to see things and go about you travels there are plenty of different tours in Lisbon to choose from. One I have found which seems to be the cheapest is the hop on hop off tour with 4 different routes and tram included from £11. The four different bus tours included in this super saver are the Tagus tour, the Olisipo tour, the Belem tour and the Hills Tramcar tour which allow you to see Portugal's capital from all different points of the stunning city. You can simply hop on and hop whenever you like (in the same day), you get a free map and a headset to hear your guide as well as a discount book for the restaurants and museums! What a deal!!
If you didn't see enough from your hop on hop off bus tour then Park bar is the best place to go, by now I can also imagine your thirsty. Probably one the strangest yet most unique bars in all of Portugal as you have to climb to the top of a multi-storey car park to reach this spectacular roof top bar which has breathtaking views. Get yourself a delicious cocktail and chill out in this cool quirky bar whilst listen to jazz and house tunes.
Where to stay - The Algarve
Quite right that Lisbon is Portugal's capital and is home to a wide range of stunning attractions including Gothic Cathedrals, grand monasteries, unique museums and a variety of exquisite restaurants and bars. Once you have seen all the captivating points in Lisbon, put down your map and get wanderlust in its quirky backstreets where you will find hidden boutiques, shops, bakeries, art galleries, ice cream and coffee parlours, jazz, rock and reggae bars and much more. Whether you're sitting outside a restaurant patio with a glass of red wine sampling their dishes and enjoying the beautiful scenery and people passing you by or you're on your own adventure making your way to each attraction and sight in Lisbon, I can guarantee you will feel completely content in this fabulous city.
Sights and attractions - Convento de Cristo
In you're a big fan of history or you appreciate it like me you will want to visit this magnificent attraction called Convento de Cristo which is the Knights Templar that was founded in 1160. Over the centuries this enormous stone masterpiece has been added to with chapels, choirs and cloisters by Kings and Grand Masters. The overwhelming Charloa is a 16-sided Templar church which is like no other in all of Portugal and is believed to have been inspired by the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. You can take a guided tour which will show you all of the Convento de Cristo including the impressive Charola, Church, Claustro de Cemiterio & Claustro da Lavagem and the Claustro Principle or walk yourself round with a map and take in the incredible sights that are rich with fascinating history. I don't want to spoil too much for you by giving you all the interesting facts but if you would like to know more Lonely Planet have plenty.
Picture sourced from Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pin/12807180164844141/
Sights and attractions - Mosterio dos Jeronimos
Whether your religious or not, one can still appreciate the beauty of magnificent architecture and structure as well as rich and gripping history which the Mosterio dos Jeronimos has. This Unesco-listed monastery is completely breathtaking and spectacular with its spiderwebs of stone and tree-like pillars that tower and climb up into the ceiling. This incredibly detailed church glows in a soft honey coloured light from its great windows and has been used not only for prayer and religion but also a a school and orphanage. However this is not a free attraction but is still very cheap at 12 euros or 16 euros which will include the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia.
Picture sourced from Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pin/347199452494658265/
Tours - Lisbon Hop on Hop off
Depending on how you like to see things and go about you travels there are plenty of different tours in Lisbon to choose from. One I have found which seems to be the cheapest is the hop on hop off tour with 4 different routes and tram included from £11. The four different bus tours included in this super saver are the Tagus tour, the Olisipo tour, the Belem tour and the Hills Tramcar tour which allow you to see Portugal's capital from all different points of the stunning city. You can simply hop on and hop whenever you like (in the same day), you get a free map and a headset to hear your guide as well as a discount book for the restaurants and museums! What a deal!!
Where to eat - Belcanto
Belcanto is a two-star Michelin restaurant and is highly regarded for its exquisite dishes and elegant service. If you like enjoy great tasting food you need to give this restaurant a try with mouth watering meal including sea bass with seaweed and bivalves, yum! You will need to make a reservation here though, they are very busy!
Where to eat - 100 Manerias
Now even though Belcanto is my first pick, you may not be guaranteed a table if they're really busy so this is my second choice. Its really cool this place, they have a 10 course tasting menu which changes everyday and every course is a surprise! Obviously if you have and food allergies best giving the chef a heads up. Make a reservation here too guys, not always as packed as Belcanto just still very popular.
Entertainment - Park
Where to stay - The Algarve
The Algarve is the most popular and visited destination in all of Portugal as it offers warm sun, sandy beaches, beautiful coastal locations, great cliffs and scalloped bays, activities, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Go surfing for the day, climb a cliff, go swimming, play beach volleyball, take a walk along the beach and strip, hire a boat out or try one of the trilling water sport activities on the beach. Whatever you're into The Algarve will exceed your expectations and that's what I love most about this destination, no matter what age you are you will have fun and you will fall in love.
My Holiday in Portugal - The Algarve
I happened to jump on my mum and dads holiday about two weeks prior to the date they were going as originally my sister was going with my little niece but she couldn't make it so I unselfishly took her place, quite right. I also managed to get my friend a place on the same flight and as the accommodation was already paid for she jumped at the chance as well. So there we had it, me, my mum, dad, niece and best friend all going to The Algarve in Portugal.
The two bedroom apartment we stayed in was lovely, recently refurbished but still kept its original Portuguese style and character and it also had a pool, get in! We spent our day swimming in the pool and playing on the beach, we even managed to get my little niece on a pedalo boat with a slide which she absolutely loved. In the evening we would sample all the different restaurants that was on offer, I have to say the fish bars by the beach were my favourite, so delicious! Although every night we found ourselves in the same ice cream parlour, it was seriously yummy and the waiters were very cute. Me and my friend one night went to the strip which was really fun, however the next day wasn't as you can imagine! After a fantastic and lovely week sadly it was our time to come home, but I would most definitely go back again and I would recommend this to any family or couple. Below are some of fun and happy photos, enjoy!
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