The Land of Discoveries

Lisbon loop, one day trip, one food anchor.

• Alfama wander plus viewpoints
• Castelo de Sao Jorge Tuk Tuk up, walk down
• Jerónimos Monastery in Belém
• Belém Tower Tagus river sentinel
• Pasteis de Belém the original Portuguese custard tarts
• Frangasqueira Nacional piri piri chicken counter
• Cascais beach town day trip

Lisbon area

• Alfama wander plus viewpoints
• Castelo de Sao Jorge Tuk Tuk up, walk down
• Praça do Comércio riverfront square and arc
• Rossio Square central plaza and transit hub
• Praça do Municipio civic square by city hall
• Belém Tower Tagus river sentinel
• Jerónimos Monastery in Belém
• Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium in Parque das Nações
• The Miradouro de Santa Catarina river overlook for late light
• Ride the Elevador da Bica short funicular climb
• The Church of Sao Roque gilded interiors, quiet lane
• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for top-tier city views
• Chiado and Baixa loop on foot
• LX Factory for shops and dinner
• MAAT riverside architecture stop

Sintra area

• Palacio De Pena take a TukTuk up to the palace
• The Moorish Castle ridge walls and wide views
• Quinta da Regaleira wells, gardens, stone theatrics
• Monserrate Palace romantic rooms and gardens
• Cabo da Roca the most western point of continental Europe
• Praia Das Macas beach, freshwater stream, cliffs you can climb

Porto area

• Ribeira riverfront district sunset walk
• Dom Luís I Bridge crossing on both decks
• São Bento Station azulejo tiles
• Clerigos Tower baroque climb for roofline views
• Porto Cathedral hilltop stone and steps
• Livraria Lello if you want the famous bookstore line experience
• Foz do Douro Atlantic edge promenade at sunset
• Matosinhos seafood strip by the water

Lisbon

• Alfama steep lanes and lookout drift
• Bairro Alto night lanes and late dinners
• Chiado shops, cafés, clean connective walk
• Baixa grid streets and quick crossings
• Belém Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Pasteis
• LX Factory warehouses turned shops and bars

Porto

• Ribeira riverfront sunset walk
• Vila Nova de Gaia port wine lodges and tastings
• Historic Center of Porto tiled streets and steep steps
• Rua Santa Catarina pedestrian shop lane
• Praça de Liberdade central square and axis walk

Coimbra

• University of Coimbra and Joanina Library
• Old town river walk and viewpoints

Aveiro

• Costa Nova beach and promenade

Lisbon views and loops

• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte top-tier city views
• The Miradouro de Santa Catarina river overlook for late light
• Alfama stair sets, corners, and lookout breaks
• Praça do Comércio river edge reset and long sky
• Chiado and Baixa loop on foot
• Ride the Elevador da Bica short climb, easy exit

Coast and cliffs

• Cascais beach town day trip
• Arrábida Natural Park cliffs and coves
• Cabo da Roca cliff edge west point
• Nazaré clifftop viewpoints when swell is up
• Ponta da Piedade limestone stacks and coves
• Lagos cliffs and coves
• Benagil sea cave by boat or kayak
• Sagres wind and wide horizon
• Cape St Vincent hard edge sunset

Madeira and Azores

• PR1 Vereda do Areeiro Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
• Pico do Arieiro sunrise viewpoint
• Levada walks high scenery, low traffic nature days
• São Miguel Furnas hot springs area

Lisbon

• The Museum of Sacred Art quieter collection, interior reset
• Gulbenkian Museum modern calm, high quality rooms
• MAAT riverside architecture stop
• Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium in Parque das Nações

Coimbra

• University of Coimbra and Joanina Library

Lisbon food and drink

• Pasteis de Belém the original Portuguese custard tarts
• Manteigaria some locals say this is better than Pasteis de Belém
• Dom Feijão favorite restaurant
• Marquês de Palma 2nd favorite
• The Mill great breakfast and coffee
• Largo do Corpo Santo street food everywhere
• Frangasqueira Nacional piri piri chicken counter
• Time Out Market concentrated food hall run
• Alfama night live fado in a small house

Sintra food

• Tascantiga basically Portuguese tapas
• Sintra old town pastries stop for travesseiros

Peniche

• Celeiro Cafe breakfast panini options
• Profresco fresh seafood, Atlantic views, seafood platter recommended

Aveiro

• Doce Infusao good brunch spot
• Krepes Tripas Portuguese crepes
• Subenshi Sushi supposedly the best sushi in Portugal

Porto food

• Manteigaria pasteis de nata
• Typographia Progresso cheese and Iberian ham plate
• Cafe Santiago F Francesinha sandwich

Food list to add anywhere

• Bifana pork sandwich
• Bacalhau à Brás
• Sardinhas assadas when in season
• Arroz de marisco seafood rice
• Polvo à lagareiro
• Caldo verde
• Leitão da Bairrada
• Ginjinha cherry liqueur shot in Lisbon

• Alfama night live fado in a small house
• Vila Nova de Gaia port wine lodges and tastings
• Ginjinha cherry liqueur shot in Lisbon

Day trips from Lisbon

• Cascais beach town day trip
• Óbidos walled medieval town walk
• Tomar and Convento de Cristo
• Arrábida Natural Park cliffs and coves
• Setúbal seafood and a quieter harbor town

Sintra extensions

• Cabo da Roca cliff edge west point
• Praia Das Macas beach, stream, cliffs

Peniche

• Berlengas Islands 45 min ferry, crystal clear water for snorkeling, wetsuit needed, pack snacks

Douro Valley

• Option 1 Fly into Porto, take train to Regua, take a cab to quintadovallado.com, profit
• Option 2 Start out in the City Center, work your way out towards the water, little restaurants along the waterfront area
• Pinhão river bends plus vineyard viewpoints
• River cruise plus quinta visit and tasting

Elsewhere

• Évora historic center
• Chapel of Bones stone room, short and intense
• Alcobaça Monastery paired with Batalha Monastery
• Nazaré clifftop viewpoints when swell is up
• Tavira calmer base and old town lanes
• Sagres wind and wide horizon
• Cape St Vincent hard edge sunset

• Sardinhas assadas when in season
• Nazaré clifftop viewpoints when swell is up