Portugal: A European "Must See"
Just a few years ago Portugal may not have been on your list of European "must sees". However, in recent years, Portugal has skyrocketed in popularity, Lisbon especially. The rich history, beautiful architecture, and stunning views make it easy to see why this is happening. It's also one of the more affordable Western European countries. So, if you're trying to stay within a budget, you may want to consider adding Portugal, over say, Spain, to your Euro tour.
While Lisbon rightly deserves a spot on your itinerary, Portugal has so much more to offer than this one city! If you have the time, try to explore some of the other beautiful places within this tiny, but beautiful, country!
Not sure where to prioritize? We've done some of the homework for you! Peruse the destinations above to help you decide.
Lisboa...
a city to discover
Why Lisbon?
Lisbon is the largest city in Portugal, as well as the capital. If you're visiting Portugal, there's no doubt that Lisbon will have a spot on your itinerary.
A little note - Lisbon is written & pronounced Lisboa in Portugal. That's how you'll see it identified across the country and on many Portugues booking sites - rest assured they're the same place.
Getting to Lisbon:
By Plane
Getting to Lisbon is easy! If you're traveling by plane internationally, you're more than likely to fly into the Lisbon International Airport. Getting to the city center is a breeze from there. You can hop on a bus, take the subway, grab a taxi, or even walk depending on which part of the city your accommodation is in.
By Train
If you're traveling to Lisbon by train, your starting destination is likely another city within Portugal, or Spain. Traveling to Lisbon via train is easy and relatively affordable. There's a daily direct train from Madrid to Lisbon with a fare price starting as low as $25 USD! You can buy your ticket ahead of time at Rail Europe. You can travel to and from Lisbon from pretty much any region within Portugal. Comboios de Portugal is the main line within Portugal and you can buy your tickets in advance on their site.
By Bus
It's super easy to get to Lisbon using the bus system. If the town you're visiting from doesn't have a convenient airport or train station, bus may be the choice for you! Nearly every city in Portugal has a bus station with a line for Lisbon. It's cheap and convenient. You can even get to Lisbon from Morroco via bus! The trip will cost you around $150 and take apx. 35 hours. This is about the same price as a one way plane ticket, but with the added bonus of some views! Of course you can get to Lisbon via bus from Spain as well.
By Car
If you're looking for more privacy and flexibility, then traveling to lisbon via car may be for you! Portugal has a convenient highway system that makes traveling between most cities a breeze. So feel free to rent a car and travel about! However, I would ditch the car once you're in Lisbon as parking is definitely a limited resource!
Lisbon Neighborhoods:
An important thing to consider when visiting Lisbon is which neighborhoods you'll want to stay in and visit. Lisbon has six distinct neighborhoods - each with a different atmosphere. Read below to determine which is best for you!
Baixa
Located in the heart of the city, Baixa is the most centralized neighborhood to visit. Avenida da Liberdade runs through this neighborhood, meaning there's no lack of restaurants or things to do. Other attractions here include the famous Santa Justa Lift, Rossio Square (where the central station is), and Praça do Comercio.
Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is probably the liveliest neighborhood, especially when it comes to nightlife.
Bairro Alto is often considered a more "alternative" neighborhood with its brick narrow alleys and graffiti buildings. Set on a hill, you'll also be able to catch some beautiful views of the São Jorge Castle & the Alfama area. It's a fun atmosphere with fun people. Looking for a good time? Come here.
Chiado
Chiado is arguably the most exquisite neighborhood in Lisbon with its art nouveau style architecture seen in places like A Brasileira cafe - where famed poet Fernando Pessoa frequented. Chiado is also home to many of Lisbon's notable landmarks, such as the exquisitely tiled Fernando Pessoa, featuring tiles representing Earth, Water, Science, Agriculture, Science, and Industry. Convento do Carmo, the 14th-century roofless church can also be found in this neighborhood. If you want to take a break from sightseeing, pop into one of the luxury boutiques or grab a snack at a cafe. Wherever you choose to visit in Lisbon, make sure you soak up some of the culture in Chiado.
Alfama
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon and largely survived the famed 1755 earthquake that devastated the surrounding region due to its bedrock foundation. In Alfama, you'll find medieval alleyways, narrow streets, and the São Jorge Castle (which by far has the best panoramic views in all of Lisbon). Alfama is also where the traditional Portuguese Fado music originates. When in Lisbon, it is a must to spend a night at a casa de Fado, which is otherwise known as a Fado Restaurant - enjoy a beautiful live musical performance while indulging in a traditional meal.
Belém
Belém is the westernmost neighborhood in Lisbon, meaning it's not the most convenient location if you're looking to be in the city center. However, this does not imply Belém doesn't deserve a spot on your agenda. This area of Lisbon is rich with history being the main shipyard of the city. During the 16th century the sailors who discovered Europe's main sea routes to East Africa, Brazil, and India set off from this area, which bought many riches to Portugal. In addition to its historical shipyard, you'll find two popular landmarks here: The Tower of Belém, which protected the city from enemy attacks on the seafront, and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The monastery took over 100 years to build, and once you approach the massive structure you'll understand why. History buffs will have a ball in this part of the city.
Parque das Nações
Now a lot of historical areas of Lisbon have been mentioned, however, Lisbon is also a city with modern marvels, and that's exactly where Park of the Nationals comes in. Built in 1998 for the Lisbon World Exhibition, this neighborhood hosts a marina, the Lisbon Aquarium (which is rated one of the best in the world!), a number of beautiful public gardens, and a plethora of restaurants. This part of the city looks quite different from the rest of Lisbon with its ultra-modern architecture but somehow does not seem out of place.
Sintra
Getting to Sintra:
Honestly, the best way to get to Sintra is by train. If you're coming from Lisbon this is an easy trip from the central station in Rossio Square and only takes about 45 minutes. The tickets are inexpensive and you won't have to worry about parking - which is scarce here!
What to see in Sintra:
The town is a Unesco World Heritage site and there is a lot to see - so plan to get here early so you can see as much as possible. The best way to get around and make the most of your time here is by hopping on a Tuk Tuk (make sure to get some cash for payment!). Most of the drivers are well-versed in the area and will share their knowledge with you along the way. Make sure to chat with them a bit before to ensure they speak your language enough to share their insights. Additionally, you'll pay for each attraction separately - you can buy at each location or from the tourist office, which is right next to the train station.
Quinta da Regaleira
This is my personal favorite destination in Sintra. The ceremonial well is like something out of a movie. There are many rumors about this well, but it seems like nobody quite knows the true story. One rumor is that is was a sect of the Illuminati. Once you make it down the well you'll weave through a series of tunnels that bring you to a gothic like mansion - this is a site you won't want to miss!
Palácio Nacional da Pena
This beautiful palace was built by King Ferdinand II for his wife, Queen Maria II. Its colorful exterior is truly a work of art. Unfortunately, Queen Maria never resided in the palace as she died before it was finished. King Ferdinand II built his second wife a home on the ground where she lived after he passed.
Palácio Nacional de Sintra
This palace was the main residence for most of the Portuguese royals until the Monarch fell in the early 20th century. The oldest portion of the palace is the Chapel - built in the 14th century. The palace was expanded throughout the years with each family adding their personal touch. The palace is in extraordinary condition given that it was regularly occupied up until the last 100 years.
Castelo dos Mouros
The oldest castle in Sintra, the Castle of the Moors, was constructed during the 8th and 9th centuries during the Muslim-ruled era of Iberia. The castle surrendered to Christian rule in the 1100s. The walled chapel was utilized until the late 15th century when protection of the walled city was no longer needed and people abandoned the castle for the Village of Sintra.
Gardens & Plant Life of Sintra
This isn't a destination in and of itself, but while visiting Sintra make sure to pay attention to the plants and gardens. Sintra resides in a microclimate, meaning the town can host unusual and exotic plants that wouldn't survive naturally elsewhere in Portugal. King Ferdinand II had an obsession with plants and turned the whole area into his garden, importing plants and trees from all over the world. You'll even find a Giant Redwood here - which is typically found only in the continental US!
While the above are definitely the "must-sees" of Sintra, they're not the only attractions to check out. If you're spending more than a day here look at the map below for some other destinations in the city.
More Coming soon!
Don't worry - I'm busy working behind the scene pulling together "must know" information for the top places to visit in Portugal!