I decided to make a simple guide with all the places and restaurants I visited and I think they are worth it for those who are visiting Portugal. I also included the places I stayed since many asked me.
Many of the restaurants were tips from Portuguese friends who live in Portugal and know the most traditional restaurants. I also wanted to visit restaurants with a healthier or vegetarian footprint to see how this side of cuisine is in Portugal.
I put only what I really loved and it is worth remembering that the important thing is to explore the local food and the traditional items of the region. Hope you like it!!
It’s worth knowing (leg kick)
During my days in Portugal, I chose to have Lisbon as my \”base\” and during the day I took some tours around the region. A positive point about Portugal is that public transport is quite comprehensive and works very well, it is possible to travel using metro, train and buses! Below I will leave some tips for the places I visited and that were my favorites.
in Lisbon
St. George’s Castle: One of the most famous attractions in Lisbon! Through exhibitions it is possible to understand a little better of the history that formed Portugal as a nation. In addition to the entire cultural part, due to its high location, the castle has one of the best views of the city. A tip is to leave the visitation for the end of the day, in this way it is possible to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Bairro Alto: without a doubt one of the most popular and bustling neighborhoods in Lisbon. It has several options for restaurants, cafes and bars. For those from São Paulo, it is possible to compare it with Vila Madalena, which is famous for its nightlife. It’s really worth walking down the street and exploring the neighborhood on foot.
lx factory: It is an old and large industrial complex that was revitalized and gave space to several shops, restaurants, cafes, library and there are also shows at night. It’s a very cool place and worth visiting!
Neighborhood Príncipe Real: Until recently it was just a residential neighborhood and in recent years it has become a home for several cool restaurants and markets. In addition, there is a huge square, with lots of green and several stools and a very green and inviting lawn, which makes the place even more special.
sintra
A charming village located at the top of the hills and easily accessible for those who are in Lisbon. It is only 25km that can be traveled by car or by train (approximately 40min from Rossio station, in the center of Lisbon). The cool climate and the vegetation make the place even more interesting. The village is small and if you, like me, like to explore the places on foot, Sintra is a great opportunity to reconcile tourism with physical activity.
Pena National Palace: It is located in the upper part of the city and can be easily seen by its location and also by the flashy colors of its construction. You have the option to get there by bus, walking along the road or a trail. It is a somewhat exotic construction due to the many artistic and architectural references applied in its construction. In addition to the singular beauty of the place, the view is wonderful, on clear skies it is possible to see the sea.
Quinta da Regaleira: A palace with a huge garden full of mysteries and legends! It was without a doubt one of the places that most caught my attention! Among the constructions, the most curious in my opinion is an inverted tower, called the \”initiatic well\” and which was built inside the earth. During the visitation you can walk through the various tunnels that reach the bottom of the well or go down and up the tower. In addition, the details of the garden and the palace are beautiful and delicate.
high cross: It’s the highest point in Sintra, I enjoyed the beautiful day I was doing and made a hike to the viewpoint. The look is simply amazing, you have a privileged view of the Palace of Penas and the ocean in the background. I recommend going with suitable shoes and taking water and snacks to enjoy the walk with more comfort.
cascais
Cascais is a classic when it comes to Portugal! Its location close to Lisbon makes access to tourists a lot easier, it is 30km that can be traveled by car or train. The main attraction is the beaches and rocky walls, which are really wonderful! My tip is to explore the city on foot, that way you can enjoy it more and not to mention that the city also has several charming corners.
Ericeira
It is located 35 km from Portugal and I chose to arrive in the city by bus, which took a maximum of one hour. Despite being very touristy, it is much quieter than Cascais and is usually a right destination for surfers. I wasn’t lucky enough to catch a wave because the waves were huge, but it was super worth watching the gigantic waves. The look is simply wonderful and I was even more amazed by the 17-foot waves that were forming the day I was there!
where i stayed
Lisbon is a very touristy city and the accommodation options are diverse. As I really like to cook and maintain some habits even when I’m away from home, we chose to rent an apartment with a kitchen and utensils, this way it’s also easier to enjoy the local ingredients. we found this Apartment through Airbnb and it was an amazing experience! In addition to being an experience closer to the reality of what the daily life of people is in Lisbon, the atmosphere of a house is totally different from the tourist environment of the hotels. Of course this goes according to the taste of each person, and I have no problem staying in hotels, they are just different travel styles.
*Here Here’s another tip for an apartment we almost rented, also by Airbnb.
restaurant tips
Gordinni Terrace – My choice was a grilled sea bass with boiled vegetables in addition to a green salad with grilled apple and goat cheese. Henrique was made of octopus and it was wonderful too!
Location: Av. Marginal, 5579 S. João do Estoril 2765-603 – Cascais
Frei Contente Restaurant: A very traditional restaurant with typical Portuguese food. My choice was the classic cod with potatoes.
Location: R. São Marçal 94 – Lisbon
masstige: A restaurant with a modern and cheerful atmosphere. My choice was a cod with sweet potato chips and roasted Japanese pumpkin. In this restaurant I opted for dessert, a dark chocolate mousse to eat on your knees.
Location: Av. António Serpa 9A – Lisbon
time out market – Without a doubt one of the most popular places and sought after by tourists. The idea of the project is to bring together the best restaurants, chefs and artists in the same place. The place is usually busy but is well ventilated and very well structured. In the center of the food court there are workshops, it’s really amazing and worth knowing! But get ready and go with time for the ride not to become a stress.
Location: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 – Lisbon
Ourique field market – A little off the radar of most tourists This market is quieter and an excellent place to find fruits, vegetables and nuts. In addition, it has a food court with some varied options. My choice was a bowl with vegetables, olives, seeds, avocado and grilled salmon.
Location: R. Coelho da Rocha 104, 1350 – Lisboa
Maria Azeitona – Portuguese Food – A super cozy corner with several typical dishes. My choice was cod in a bed of cornbread, spinach and potatoes and it was amazing, the best cod I ate here! Also we ordered a goat cheese with red fruits which was wonderful!
Location: R. Alfredo Keil 16 – Amateur
Solar dos Nunes: A wonderful and super traditional restaurant, I highly recommend it! The atmosphere is very welcoming and intimate. My choice was a grilled sea bass with vegetables.
Location: Rua dos Lusiadas 68, 1300-305 – Lisbon
Coffee/Brunch Tips
Nicholas Lisbon: This cafe was an excellent tip from a follower. I started my coffee with an Almond Latte and then a pancake of oatmeal with carob and of course a super green juice. Henrique ate Eggs Benedicts with smoked salmon and it was amazing.
Location: R. São Nicolau 17, 1100-547 – Lisbon
fauna&flower: A super charming corner with flowers and plants everywhere, is an excellent option for a healthy coffee or brunch. My choice was chef Joana’s favorite dish: toast with avocado and eggs!
Location: Rua da Esperança 33, 1200-655 – Lisbon
Pastries of Belém: The traditional Pastel de Belém cannot be left out of any gastronomic itineraries of those who are in Portugal. In Belém it is possible to visit the traditional factory open since 1837 and enjoy freshly made pastries. The place is very popular but has a large number of tables, so just have a little patience.
Location: Rua de Belém nº 84 to 92, 1300 – 085 – Lisbon
My Mothers Daughter: One of the best restaurants I’ve seen during my stay in Lisbon, a pity that I discovered this little corner only at the end of my trip. Many vegan options with excellent quality ingredients, I felt practically at home. I started my brunch with a digestive tonic and a matcha latte and to eat my choice was a chickpea omelet with green leaves, sprouts, avocado and nuts. Finally, I ordered a vegan chocolate vegan pie.
Location: Largo de São Sebastião da Pedreira 49, 1050-010 – Lisbon
Enjoying the holidays with balance and without neuroses
Vacation should be a moment of rest and not of tension and guilt. Find your balance and enjoy your vacation in the best possible way! I always talk about options and balance, this is without a doubt the key to a light and pleasurable life. Here I made a post with some tips for traveling in a healthy way.
In addition, vacation does not mean leaving all the activities we do and it can even be a great opportunity to enjoy that physical activity you love more calmly and in time. When we are exploring a new place, we naturally move a lot and choose to explore the destination on foot or by bicycle can be a great way to include physical exercise in your vacation routine. In addition, a great option is to find local businesses that offer single classes of activities that you are already used to doing. During my days in Lisbon, I took the opportunity to do yoga and also trained jiu-jitsu at a Gracie Barra gym that has a branch here, everyone must respect their rhythm, but it works very well for me to maintain an active training routine.
I decided to make a simple guide with all the places and restaurants that I visited in Portugal and that I think it’s worth visiting! I hope it will help and inspire who is visiting Portugal anytime soon. i also included the link to the airbnb that i stayed at, as many of you have asked me about.
many of the restaurants were tips from my Portuguese friends who live in Portugal and know the most traditional restaurants. i also wanted to visit restaurants with a healthier or vegan/vegetarian approach to get an idea how’s portugal evolving in this area as well.
Above you will find the details of the places that I really loved. I would also like to remind you how important and fun is to explore the local food and the traditional items from the region you’re visiting! Hope you enjoy it!
places worth visiting
during my stay in Portugal I had Lisbon as my \”base\” and I explored the region by doing day trips around the perimeter by bus, metro or uber. A positive point about Portugal is that the public transport system is quite comprehensive and works very well, it is possible to travel around using metro, train and/or bus! Get Ready for Some Tips Of My Favorites Spots!
in Lisbon
St. George’s Castle: One of Lisbon Most Famous Attractions! Through the exhibitions it’s possible to understand a little better of the history that formed Portugal as a nation. In addition to all the cultural part, due to its high location, the castle has one of the best views of the city. My tip: plan your visitation for the end of the day, this way you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the hills.
Bairro Alto: undoubtedly one of the most trendy and bustling districts of Lisbon. It has several options of restaurants, cafes, and bars. For those who know São Paulo, it is possible to compare it with Vila Madalena, which is famous for its Bohemian Neighborhood. My suggestion: the best way to explore this area is to walk around the neighborhood on foot.
lx factory: it is an old and large industrial complex that has been revitalized and gave place to severe local shops, restaurants, cafes, and a library! There are often evening night shows. it is a very cool place and worth checking it out!
Príncipe Real Neighborhood: until recently it was just a residential neighborhood and in recent years has become an address for several trendy restaurants and cool markets. In addition, there is a park called the princes garden, which is a huge square with lots of green and several benches and a nice green grass, which makes the place even more special.
sintra
My favorite, by Far! A charming village located high in the hills and can be easily reach from Lisbon. It is only a 25 kilometers ride that can be traveled by car or train (approximately 40 minutes from Rossio Station, located in City Center of Lisbon). The cool climate and the vegetation make the place even more interesting. The village is small and if you, just like me, like to explore places on foot, sintra is a great opportunity to combine tourism with an incredible hike.
National Palace of Pena: It is located in the upper part of Town and Can Be Easy Seen because of its location and also by the Striking Colors of Its Construction. You have the option of getting there by bus, tuk tuk, walking along the road or by a trail. Besides the singular beauty of the place the view you get from there is amazing, on clear sky days its possible to see the sea on the horizon.
Quinta da Regaleira: The Quinta da Regaleira was to me one of the most surprising of all Sintra’s Monuments. Its a palace with a hug garden full of mysteries and legends! Among the buildings, the most curious in my opinion is an inverted tower, called the \”initiatory well\” and that was built inside the earth. during the visit you can go through several tunnels that reach the bottom of the tower or go up and down through the stairs. In addition, all the details of the garden and the palace are unique and delicate.
The High Cross: Its the highest point of Sintra! I Took Advantage of the Beautiful Blue Sky Day that I had during my visitation and did a hike to the viewpoint. The view is simply amazing: you get a privileged overview of the palace of Pena and the ocean behind it. I recommend going with proper shoes and dont forget to bring water and snacks to enjoy the hike with more comfort.
cascais
Cascais is a classic when it comes to Portugal! Its location near Lisbon makes it an easy and popular destination to tourists that are visiting the area! its located only 30 kilometer away from Lisbon that can be easily traveled by car or train. Cascais, which used to be a fishing village, is now a popular resort town with fully of beaches and rocky cliffs in the surrounding area, which are really wonderful! My tip is to explore the city on foot, this way you can get a better taste of cascais and not to mention that the city has severe charming little streets.
Ericeira
It is located 35 kilometers away from Portugal and I opted to get there by bus, which took me at most one hour. Depite being quite touristy its much Quieter than Cascais and is usually a destination for surfers. I wasnt lucky to catch waves because of the waves were huge, but it was well worth watching the giant waves. The look is simply wonderful and I was even more amazed by the 17-foot waves that were forming the day I was there! i recommend hiking throughout the coast.
accommodation
Lisbon is a very touristy city and accommodation options are fun. As I Quite Enjoy Cooking and Keeping My Routine Even When I Am Away From Home, We Have Chosen To Rent An Apartment with Kitchen And Utensils, That Way Its Also Easier To Enjoy the local ingredients. we found this Apartment through Airbnb and it was an amazing experience! Apart from being an experience closeer to what real life looks like in Lisbon, the atmosphere of a house is totally different from the touristic atmosphere of hotels. Of course this goes according to the taste of each person, and I have no problem staying in hotels, its just differents travel styles and occasions.
* here is another tip of an apartment that we almost rent, also by airbnb.
restaurant tips
Gordinni Terrace – my choice was a grilled sea bass with cooked vegetables and a green salad with grilled goat cheese and apple. Henriques Choice was Grilled Octopus and it was delicious as well!
Location: Av. Marginal, 5579 S. João do Estoril 2765-603 – Cascais
Restaurant Frei Contente: A very traditional restaurant that serves typical Portuguese food. My choice was the classic cod fish (cod) with potatoes.
Location: R. São Marçal 94 – Lisbon
masstige: a restaurant with a modern and vibrant atmosphere. My choice was cod fish with sweet potato chips and roasted pumpkin. In this restaurant I opted for a dessert and my choice was totally worth it: a dark chocolate mousse.
Location: Av. António Serpa 9A – Lisbon
time out market – undoubtedly one of the most popular spots for food in Lisbon and by that I mean that there are a lot of tourist around. The idea of the project is to bring together the best restaurants, chefs and artists in the same area. The place is always busy but is well ventilated and very well structured. In the center of the food court there is a space dedicated to workshops, its really incredible and worth visiting! Make sure you have enough time to eat and to appreciate the market otherwise it can become a stressful activity.
Location: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 – Lisbon
Ourique Market field – Off the beaten track of most tourists this market is Quieter and a great place to find fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. and also has a food court with a few good options. My choice was a bowl with vegetables, olives, seeds, avocado and salmon.
Location: r. Coelho da Rocha 104, 1350 – Lisbon
Maria Azeitona – Portuguese Food – a cozy little corner serviling typical dishes. My choice was cod fish on a bed of cornbread, spinach and potatoes and it was just amazing, the best cod ive eaten around here! We also ordered goat cheese with red fruits on top which was wonderful!
Location: R. Alfredo Keil 16 – Amateur
Solar dos Nunes: A Wonderful and Super Traditional Restaurant, I Highly Recommend Visiting! The atmosphere is welcoming and intimate. My choice was a grilled sea bass with vegetables.
Location: Rua dos Lusiadas 68, 1300-305 – Lisbon
Breakfast/Brunch Tips
Nicholas Lisbon: This coffee shop was an excellent tip from a Instagram follower. I started my breakfast with an almond latte followed by carob oatmeal pancake with and a super green juice. Henriques Choice was also delicious: Eggs Benedicts with Smoked Salmon.
Location: R. São Nicolau 17, 1100-547 – Lisbon
fauna&flower: A charming little corner with flowers and plants everywhere, its a great option for a coffee or for a healthy brunch. My choice was the favorite dish of the chef Joana: Toast with Avocado and Eggs!
Location: Rua da Esperança 33, 1200-655 – Lisbon
Pastries of Belém: its impossible to skip the traditional \”pastel de belém\” when visiting Portugal. in belem its possible to visit the traditional factory opened since 1837 and appreciate the pastries freshly baked. The place is quite busy but has a large amount of tables, just have a little patience and you will get a place to sit.
Location: Rua de Belém nº 84 to 92, 1300 – 085 – Lisbon
My Mothers Daughter: One of the best restaurants I went to during my stay in Lisbon and shame on me that I discovered this little corner only in the end of my trip. Many Vegan Options with High Quality Ingredients – I Felt practically at home! I started my brunch with a digestive tonic and a matcha latte and to eat my choice was a chickpea omelette with green leaves, sprouts, avocado and nuts. and to top it off i ordered a raw vegan chocolate cake.
Location: Largo de São Sebastião da Pedreira 49, 1050-010 – Lisbon
enjoying holidays with balance
Vacations should be a time to rest and not to be stressed or feeling guilty about what you are eating. I know things it can be challenging to get out of your regular routine, but it’s important to allow yourself to disconnect and have some extra indulgence. Find your balance and enjoy your vacation in the best possible way! I always talk about having flexibility and variety in order to have a sustainable healthy lifestyle. here I wrote a post with some tips for traveling in a healthy way.
Besides that, Vacation doesnt imply on leaving all the activities we are used to do Aide. It may even be a great opportunity to enjoy that practice that you love more calmly and not worrying about your next appointment.
Another positive point about exploring a new destination is that we naturally move around a lot more and by choosing to explore the destination on foot or by bike you will include some exercise in your holiday routine. In addition, a great option is to find a local businesses that offers activities that you are already used to do. during my stay in Lisbon I managed to do Yoga and I also trained jiu-jitsu at a Gracie Barra Gym. My Final Say: Each One Must Respect Its Rhythm, with me works very well to maintain an active routine while traveling.