Portugal from known to hidden gems
Tips for coming to Lisbon
Make sure to bring good walking shoes/tennis. The streets/pedestrian paths are cobblestoned.
A light jacket/windbreaker is a must especially for evenings in Cascais & Sintra.
English is understood and spoken quite well in most places.
For restaurants, always try to make a reservation. Use the website/app: The Fork for restaurant reviews and recommendations.
A lot of places do not accept International Credit Cards. Bring Euros!
You need coins for Public Transport.
1.Take a hop on-hop off bus tour especially the one that goes to Belem. Once in Belem, go to the former convent (Pastéis de Belem, https://pasteisdebelem.pt) where they have the best Pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg custard tart pastry = a local speciality) and good coffee.
2. Time Out Market (https://www.timeoutmarket.com/lisboa/en/) great atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants including local cuisine. This is also close to the train station (Cais do Sodré) which goes to Estoril & Cascais.
3. Organi Restaurant (https://organi.pt/en/) - really good vegan restaurant which is also a favourite with non-vegans. Seriously good food. Be sure to make a reservation.
4. Nicolau Cafe (https://www.ilovenicolau.com/en/) - this is particularly good for breakfast/brunch. Again a reservation is recommended.
5. Scoop ‘n Dough (https://www.scoopndough.pt) - a must for the sweet tooth! Good coffee and seriously spectacular doughnuts. Get there before lunch. They sell out fast. But they are open until very late (23h)
6. O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo (Lisbon City)+351 919 299 242 https://goo.gl/maps/JEjXTRwyGY7mpwPG6
It is on Av. Liberdade, a beautiful tree lined avenue. The avenue has a number of Kiosks (very continental style) with coffee/beer etc. I believe on Sundays there is music and people dance etc. (I have not been there yet but a friend has and recommended it.)
7. Take the train to Cascais but get off at Estoril. Visit the Estoril Casino and park. Afterwards walk towards the beach & along the promenade all the way to Cascais (about 2kms).
In Cascais, have lunch at Masala (https://restaurantemasala.pt), a terrific Indian restaurant in the center. Great value (often 20% off for lunch). Afterwards walk along the quays/port on the coastline in the the direction of Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth). Spectacular cliffs at the Ocean.
A little further on is the Casa da Guia (https://casadaguiacascais.pt). This is a lovely manor house with spectacular views over the Ocean. The house and gardens have an array of very good restaurants and a coffee house where you can sit and hear the ocean while enjoying (inexpensively) good coffee or a glass of wine.
It is also a great place at night because it hosts the restaurant “Palaphita Cascais’ (https://www.palaphita.eu) under its trees. Palaphita is a Brasilian restaurant and from Thursday nights on they have music. It is outdoors so it can be a little bit chilly - bring a jacket.
8. Sintra - Definitely need to put it on the visitor list. Sintra is a historic city with many world famous Palaces (last King of Portugal) and a Moorish Castle. If you only have time to visit one castle I recommend choosing “Quinta da Regaleira” (https://www.regaleira.pt/pt/) and buy your tickets beforehand online.
The most visited castle is “Palacio da Pena” (https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/) and it gets very crowded. “Palacio de Monserrate” and its park and gardens (https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/) are well worth a visit too.
It is easy to get to from Lisbon - take the train from Rossio direct to the last stop in Sintra and from there a "Tuc Tuc" car up to either Palace.
If you drive to Sintra, parking is a challenge and the traffic wardens are very keen to administer parking tickets. An option is to park your car at the Portela de Sintra (2nd last stop) train station (on the Forum side) for free. It will take about 15-20 minutes to walk to the old city and the “Tuc Tucs” for further transportation .
9. If you are looking for another day trip, then the city/town called Óbidos is a must. A complete medieval walled city.
10. Alternatively the city/town of Ericeira offers nice beaches and opportunities for surfing.
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