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We suggest a four day Lisbon city break in Portugal should be spent taking in all the sights and sounds, that the city has to offer.
Youtube link to the JustRetired50Plus recommended Lisbon, Portugal tour Video:-
To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/hb7NTRkyAXA
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Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city a vibrant city, with an historic maritime backbone
For a four day city break, Portugal cannot be recommended enough. It is the most westerly capital city in mainland Europe. The city is one of the least expensive European capitals, draped over a series of hills facing the Tejo estuary. Its west coast position facing the Atlantic Ocean, gave it the opportunity to become the centre of a historic maritime empire, stretching from Brazil to Indonesia. Lisbon oozes history and tradition on foot of this maritime dominance. Its city streets are both memorable and vibrant, lined with ample cafes and restaurants. Along with its quaint old trams and cobbled streets, it sports eye-catching modern architecture, giving the visitor a unique destination to visit.
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A sense of Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese is the language of Lisbon, however, the vast majority of the cities population speak very good English.
During our visit to Lisbon we choose to spend four days staying in an AirB&B letting, on Rua Garcia de Orta. It was a very large letting covering the complete top of a house, in one of the stately old four storey properties, on the old tram line near to the Basilica de Esrrela. It was a short tram ride from our accommodation to the old town and the main pedestrianised shopping area, including Rua Augusta, and within easy walking distance of the cobbled alleyways of the Baixa shopping and cultural quarter, which is a nice place to wander around during the day and “do lunch” in one of its many lovely traditional and quirky restaurants. There are a multiplicity of coffee shops and bars, in which to relax, when retail therapy gets too much.
Lisbon remains a safe city relative to other European cities, provided of course that you take common sense precautions.
Following our four day day in the city we moved out to the western coastal town of Cascais for another three nights stay.
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Recommendations for Lisbon, Portugal
A great way to spend four days in Lisbon, in our opinion, would be something along the following:
Day 1: Explore the City of Lisbon - get a ticket online and do the hop-on hop-off double-decker yellow bus tour of Lisbon, taking in all the sights, be sure to get off the bus for a bit of history at Torre de Belem, with its decorative embattlements, now stands on the waters edge. The land has been reclaimed. Torre de Belem originally stood on an island as a protective tower for shipping. Take in the position of the near-by Waterside nightclub area - for those interested in returning there for after dark nightclubs.
Day 2: Do the Christ the King statue tour and take in the multiplicity of shops in the downtown shopping district on your return to the cities old town.
Day 3: Take the trip around the Moorish era of “Castelo de Sao Jorge” overlooking Alfama, this is a great place to wander around. Like most labyrinthine medieval quarters it is quite small.
Day 4: If you are interested in cultural attractions, take in the Museums, particularly “Museum Nacional do Azulejo”, “Palacio Nacional de Queluz” and the “Calouste Gulbenkian” museums.
As the city rests on a series of hills, be sure to take the public lifts, where available, between the different elevations. It will save your feet as there is quite a bit of walking to be done during your visit to Lisbon.
I suppose all good things come to an end. So its time to pack up. If your flight is in the evening, it should be possible to leave your luggage in your AirB&B letting or your hotel’s designated luggage room and perhaps hit the shops for the last minute gifts, or you can always linger on a bar stool with your glass of preferred wine or beer……………..”What’s not to like about that !”
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Our must see recommendation for a trip to Lisbon, Portugal:-
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Take a one day city guided food tour, around the heart of the city with a knowledgeable native guide, dropping off in different eateries to savour the local culinary delights.
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Do the Torre de Belem tour and take in the Christ the King statue tour.
(3) Strolling around the Alfama medieval quarter.
The average cost per person / per week is €500 (depending on type of hotel/ accommodation selected)
All of the tour tickets are available over the web where some savings can be made.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”
Our experience and observations following four days visiting the tourist attractions that Porto, Northern Portugal has to offer.
Link to video image montage of our entire Porto visit:-
Link to video image montage of our Porto, Portugal visit:-
To be uploaded
Porto, Northern Portugal 2023
In considering a four day trip to Porto in Northern Portugal, we decided to do a self directed tour, visiting the highlights that Porto has to offer.
Portugal’s second largest city makes a very pretty vista. Medieval townhouses are stacked above the Douro River, not too unlike the coastal towns of the Italian Cinque Terra. You’ll find a cavalcade of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Classical architecture. Porto is full of Baroque churches. They wear their exquisite azulejo tiles, for which Porto is famous, both inside and outside.
A rich history of stately bridges, azulejo-covered churches, and an attractive riverfront provide travellers with lots of interesting things to do in Porto.
It is quite easy to come to like Porto. Porto does not have the big city vibe of Lisbon but it is full of character. Narrow meandering lanes, smiling people, a growing culinary scene, and the age-old wine culture, all make Porto a very attractive European city destination.
Clérigos Church is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Porto. Its bell tower called Torre dos Clérigos is the tallest in Portugal. This means you can get stunning views of the city and the Douro river from the top. Locals joke that its clock runs slightly slow which resembles a very Portuguese attitude to life.
The church and tower, both built in the 18th century, have a lot to offer to history lovers too. Built by an Italian architect, Nicolau Nasoni, the church has a heavily-decorated Baroque facade. The monumental tower is often considered the symbol of Porto.
Our recommendation of the order of importance by which you should visit the sights:-
Palacio da Bolsa
Palácio da Bolsa or the Stock Exchange Palace is an impressive neoclassical monument located in the historic centre of Porto. The exterior isn’t as spectacular as its interiors. So, make sure you take a tour.
You can only do a guided tour of Bolsa Palace. Self-guided tours are not allowed.
Build-in 1842, it has a fascinating history and is a beautiful example of Portuguese architecture at the time. Enjoy the 1 - 2 hour tour wandering through the luxurious rooms. Once inside, you can appreciate the beautiful glass-domed Hall of Nations (Pátio das Nações). Move onto the even more splendid Arabian Hall (Salão Árabe) inspired by Alhambra in Spain. Moorish designs and gilded gold embellishments are a joy to behold. The entrance door has a deliberate mistake, in line with the Arabic belief that only Allah can achieve perfection.
Cais da Ribeira
The stunning riverside area of Cais da Ribeira is the scene that most people think of when they imagine Porto. Coloured townhouses line the banks of the River Douro, with bustling restaurant terraces, and street musicians.
There’s no doubt that this is the beating heart of the city, lively at any time of the day or night. Enjoy a port wine while you overlook the river and the majestic Dom Luis bridge, before exploring the charming hillside streets.
Take the Cable Car Ride in Porto Gaia
A cable car ride in Porto is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of Porto. Known as Teleférico de Gaia, the cable car is a fairly recent addition to the Porto skyline. The ride takes you on an aerial trip of the Porto district. You can peek below for some stunning views of the river, the bridge, and the Ribeira district across the river.
Escada Guindais
Porto’s hilly scenery means there are plenty of steep climbs and amazing views to be found. Steep sets of steps are a common occurrence, and the Escada Guindais is the main stairway leading away from the Ribeira neighbourhood. Walk up the stairway and admire all the old-fashioned houses and watch the locals as they about their daily routines.
On your climb to the top, you can also see the old medieval walls. The climb will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Douro River and the Dom Luis bridge.
Alternatively, take the funicular across the road from the Dom Luís Bridge, which takes you to the top of the hill.
Porto Funicular Railway
Start your day with a trip on the Porto Funicular railway. The railway climbs the steep hill between the Ribeira and the Batalha neighbourhood, saving your legs from another steep hike upwards. Take the railway uphill and enjoy beautiful views of the city.
Porto Cathedral
Set in the middle of a huge open square, the Porto Cathedral dominates the city. Although its stone facade is impressive, its beauty really happens on the inside.
Inside, you can discover impressive hallways, arches, and the token blue and white detailed Porto azulejos tiling. It is also built at the city’s highest point, so afterward, make sure to wander around the Batalha district and discover the best views in the whole of Porto.
Dom Luis Bridge
For the best views of Porto, walk over the iconic Dom Luis bridge. This huge steel structure was once the largest bridge in the world and is unique for its two levels. The top level for pedestrians and the metro, and the lower level for cars and pedestrians. Wander down the hill to the bridge around sunset to see the sky burst into colour.
Sao Bento Station
Sao Bento Station is located in the historic centre of Porto, now a UNESCO world heritage site. The building is not only a functioning station, but it celebrates the history of Porto and the stunning ‘Azulejos’ blue tiles that the city is famous for.
Built-in 1900, the Sao Bento station showcases beautiful ceramic azulejo tiles (added between 1905 – 1916). They depict the history of Portugal’s Kings, Queens, wars, and the country’s transportation legacy.
Livraria Lello Bookstore
If you are a Harry Potter fan then this is exactly where JK Rowling spent a good bit of her time when she was writing her first book. This is becoming one of the most popular activities for bookworms to do in Porto.
A sense of Porto, Northern Portugal 2023
Established by the Celts on the mouth of the Douro River, it was occupied by the Romans followed by a Moorish Muslim invasion. It was ruled by a Portuguese King and subsequently invaded and ruled by the Spanish and then the French. Following the end of the rule of the dictator Salazar in 1974, Porto’s infrastructure was greatly improved and that construction continues to the present day. All of these very different cultures have left their mark on the Porto that exists today.
The topology of Tuscany is mainly hilly.
Porto has its own airport, with international flights arriving from many destinations. However, more flights go into the capital city of Lisbon. From Lisbon there is a direct train to Porto. It takes around 3 hours.
The historic centre of Porto was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
Leixões, principal port serving the city of Porto and northern Portugal. It is an artificial harbour on the Atlantic Ocean, within the town of Matosinhos, 9 km northwest of central Porto. Porto is prevented by a sandbar from having a deepwater harbour of its own.
Porto has a high population density, and overcrowding is common. Large-scale planning and residential development improved conditions beginning in the latter part of the 20th century.
Now, nearly half of the Portuguese population live in Porto and the surrounding north west. The region produces consequently nearly 50% of all Portugals exports. Tourism income is a very large contributor to the city of Porto.
In recent years, Porto and NW Portugal have seen an economic revival, driven mainly by growth in tourism and foreign investment.
Once you’re in Porto, the city is small, and all the sights can be walked. The city is very hilly, so wear good shoes, and buy a pass for the trams and funicular railway if you get tired. Alternatively, you can use Uber to get around quickly and easily. Remember when using trains, that you must validate your ticket before boarding the train. You can do this by inserting you're ticket into one of the green and red machines on the platform or in the station. Failure to validate your ticket could result in a fine.
The best time to visit Porto is between May – September. Weather is pleasant and the city is home to several festivals. June is probably the month with the highest number of festivals. For the price sensitive, the least expensive months to visit are May and September.
During our time in Porto we did both the Hop On Hop Off tour bus and the Tuc Tuc tour of the old city. Based on our experience, we would recommend the Tuc Tuc tour ahead of the bus tour.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to Porto, Northern Portugal 2023:-
(1) Take a two hour Tuc Tuc tour around this UNESCO heritage old city, to initially get your bearings.
(2) Our second choice would be a Douro river cruise, to get a great perspective from the river.
(3) Our third would be strolling around the narrow city streets just soaking up the very Portuguese atmosphere.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”
Our experience and observations following six days visiting the Silver Coast and hinterland of Portugal.
Link to video image montage of Portugal’s Silver Coast
To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/elQXurQOHo8
The Silver Coast, Portugal 2023
In considering a six day trip to Portugal’s Silver Coast, we decided to do a self directed tour, visiting the highlights that the region from Peniche to Nazaré has to offer. This is a region of immense diversity, famous for surfing along the Atlantic coastline, to visiting medieval villages and towns to golfing on world class golf courses. Also possible to arrange a visit to one of the many vineyards for a wine tasting session. We visited the renowned Quinta Do Sanguinhal vineyard, had a wonderful tasting experience and a tour of the gardens and vineyard.
During our time there, we based ourselves in the Marriott Hotel in Praia D'el Rey as a central location from which to take daily excursions by car. This is a beautiful hotel, ideally located on the cliff front with access to a lovely sandy beach, excellent service and a challenging links course for the avid golfer.
The most common day trips from Lisbon or Porto, include Sintra, Cascais, Costa da Caparica and Obidos, From our experience, we feel a few days visiting Peniche and its environs should be added to this list.
Our recommendation of the order of importance by which you should visit the sights:-
Óbidos
Óbidos is situated about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Lisbon in Central Portugal. The region of Óbidos, historically extended from the Atlantic to the interior via rivers and lakes. Located about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, it makes for a great day trip. Small but mighty, Óbidos packs a wonderful array of attractions into a very small footprint.
The historic town of Óbidos is not a World Heritage Site, the town is a UNESCO City of Literature.
Once you’re in region, the area is quite spread out, however, it is well serviced with a good rural road infrastructure.
A settlement, constructed by early Celt tribes and settled overtime by the Romans and the Moors, today displays an array of architecture. Located on the Atlantic Ocean coast, the municipality is bounded in the northeast and east by Caldas da Rainha, in the south by Bombarral, in the southeast by Lourinhã and in the west by Peniche.
Today this picturesque Medieval hilltop village is land locked and is made up of cobbled streets, white cottages covered in colourful wallflowers, and a still-intact outer castle wall.
Óbidos’ historic centre is completely encircled by its medieval castle walls. You can walk the entire route along the walls for a distance of 1.5 kilometres. Walking along the castle walls is completely free and completely at your own risk. There are no handrails or fences, merely a stone wall on one side and sheer drops on both sides.
Rua Direita is lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and attractions, and makes up the heart of Óbidos’ shopping district. Porta da Vila is the main gate to Óbidos, decorated with azulejos tiles dating to 1740 that depict the Passion of the Christ, this magnificent balcony is a must see in Óbidos.
Head outside the town centre to visit the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra. Dating back to the mid-18th century, this massive baroque-style church sits surrounded by farmland, just outside of the historic centre of Óbidos.
The town makes an excellent day trip from Lisbon, either on its own or combined with other nearby destinations like Peniche, Nazare, Baleal, Praia D’el Rey and more.
It’s definitely a touristy place, but if you simply go off the busy main street and you may find yourself transported to a different time while you wander this perfect little capsule of old Medieval Europe.
Only after you walk the castle walls, be sure to try a shot of the local ginjinha, a cherry liquor that originates in Óbidos and is sold in many cafes along the narrow streets. In Óbidos the shot glass is typically made of chocolate.
Obidos is also famous for its bookstores, selling new, old and second-hand books.
Although it is possible to reach Obidos from Lisbon by train or alternately via a Tour Bus trip, we recommend car hire as it is relatively cheap and gives the traveller the most flexible option. The region is spread out and there is such a lot to see.
Peniche & Baleal
The small seaside town of Peniche is a lovely place to visit on Portugal’s Silver Coast. Besides having a small fortress and a few small sights in town, Peniche is a major surfing hotspot, from beginners to advanced surfers.
Thanks to being on a small peninsula, there are often good waves on at least one or the other side. There are numerous surfer camps, schools, and boutique hostels in Peniche and the nearby Baleal.
Baleal is a lovely small beach resort with two beaches, one on either side of a sandy causeway out to the town of Baleal. There are numerous lovely sea-side restaurants offering a range of local cuisines and wines at affordable prices
Berlengas Archipelago
This is a natural reserve with a colony of puffins and rich marine life in the water and can be reached via ferry or small boat. This fantastic tour includes the 30-minute boat trip from Peniche, hiking and exploration of the cave. If you prefer to just take the boat to Berlengas round trip, then this is the ticket you need.
The rocky cliff scenery is perfect for stand-up-paddling and kayaking trips, and the Berlengas are known as the best place in mainland Portugal for scuba diving (wet suits required as the waters are icy cold).
There’s a gorgeous fortress on the island, the Fort of São João Baptista, which now serves as a basic pousada (hostel) where you can stay the night.
Overall, Peniche is a lovely place to visit for a day or two. It’s a short drive from Lisbon on a well-maintained comfortable toll road or on back road. Peniche and Baleal are definitely worth checking out when you are in Portugal.
Nazaré
This typical coastal town slash beach resort turns into a truly sensational place in winter when the waves crashing into its bay reach truly dizzying heights.
It’s Nazaré that recorded the world’s biggest wave ever surfed — you can see some marvellous videos of this 24.38m tall wave.
Nazaré has a nice beach backed by some dramatic cliffs that make it a nice summer destination on the western coast. But it’s especially worth catching the dramatic surfing competitions that take place between October and March, depending on the waves and weather conditions.
Praia D'el Rey
Almost the entire coastline between Peniche and Nazaré is known for its surfing potential. Along this coastline backdrop, you will find the golf courses of Praia D'el Rey and others.
Dotted all along this coastline are charming villas and elegant resorts. The expansive beach with its powdery sands and clear waters run right along the entire length of this Atlantic western boundary to this area of central Portugal.
It is the perfect place to spend a beach day strolling the beach or to take a cliff coastal walk taking in the majesty of it all from a higher vantage point.
A sense of Central Western Portugal 2023
The region was established by the Celts on the prominent Atlantic coastline, it was occupied by the Romans followed by a Moorish Muslim invasion and then it was ruled by a Portuguese King. All of these very different cultures have left their mark on the region that exists today.
The best time to visit this region is between May – September. Weather is pleasant and the region is home to several festivals. July and August are probably the month with the highest number of festivals. For the price sensitive, the least expensive months to visit are May and September.
The topology of this region of Portugal is mainly hilly. It is an agricultural region of great importance to the food supply and economy of Portugal
Lisbon airport is the closest access point, with international flights arriving from most destinations. The region lies only one hours drive north from Lisbon.
This region of Portugal has a very low population density. Tourism income is a very large contributor to the local economy during the spring-summer months of the year.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to the Silver Coast, Portugal 2023:-
​(1) Take a day to visit and enjoy the medieval walled town of Óbidos.
(2) Visit both Peniche and Baleal to soak up their unique surfing culture and dine in a local restaurant.
(3) To stroll along the expansive coastline just soaking up this very unique Portuguese Atlantic coastal area.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”