Portugal Travel Tips: A Guide for Every Sassy Girl

Picks for your next holiday to Portugal

With its rugged crimson-tinged mountain scenery and historic stroll-worthy cities, all punctuated by olive groves, Portugal is one of the most laidback countries in Europe. With its captivating culture, undulating landscapes and delicious cuisine, there’s something to offer every type of traveller – so here are just some of our favourite places to visit in this wonderful destination.

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For the City Girl Who Loves to Party: Lisbon

Spread across seven steep hills, the Portuguese capital of Lisbon brims with colour and culture at every turn.

Where to Eat:

Lisbon offers some of the freshest fish in Europe, dished up in unpretentious restaurants like Cervejaria Ramiro – with its no reservation policy, make sure you arrive early to avoid long queues at this historic eatery. If ceviche is more your jam, hotspot A Cevicheria in the trendy Principe Real district will satisfy your raw bar cravings (its Pisco Sour is to die for). Meanwhile, for the ultimate in gastronomic journeys, try renowned chef, José Avillez’s restaurants, Belcanto and Mini Bar.

What could be better than soaking up Lisbon’s spectacular vistas with a cocktail in hand? Park Bar and Memmo Alfama Rooftop Bar offer drinks with a view – head over for a tipple or two while the sunset casts its pinky-orange hue across the entire city. When you’re ready to party, hit one of the clubs in Cais do Sodré.

Where to Play:

While most tourists will head straight to main sightseeing spots like Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, I highly recommend really getting to know the city by getting lost in its narrow laneways (try Alfama and Bairro Alto) or visiting one of its many viewpoints (like Miradouro das Portas do Sol, Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara or Castelo de São Jorge) to truly soak in the sights of Lisbon over a cheeky drink.

Other highlights include taking a day trip to the picturesque town of Sintra; its main sights include the National Palace, medieval Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) and fairytale-esque Pena Palace. Make time for a detour to check out UNESCO World Heritage Site Quinta da Regaleira or go join the locals for a sunny weekend break at the scenic coastal town of Cascais.

Where to Stay:

For a stylish stay to remember, check out Memmo Alfama or Memmo Principe Real – design hotels located in some of Lisbon’s coolest neighbourhoods.

For the Creative Soul Who Loves Good Wine: Porto

It’s hard not to like Porto, thanks to its stunning beaux-arts architecture, baroque azulejos, hip boutiques, chic coffee shops, laidback vibes… and of course, its famously excellent port wine.

Where to Eat:

You’ll find several great restaurants located along Rua dos Caldeireiros; for lunch, grab a quick sandwich at A Sandeira or try the standout pork loin sandwich at Caldeireiros. Nevertheless, a visit to Porto is incomplete without trying the francesinha, aka “heart attack on a plate” – a sandwich stuffed with ham, sausage and roast meats, covered with melted cheese, tomato and beer sauce, and served with fries on the side.

Where to Play:

Most people arrive at Porto by train (it takes around three hours from Lisbon Oriente Station) – doing so means that you’ll have no excuse not to take some time to admire the beautiful tiles that adorn São Bento train station.

Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore this hilly city. Stop by Igreja de São Francisco, one of the country’s finest Gothic churches with incredible interiors decked in gold leaf. Potterheads should be sure to check out Livraria Lello, an ornate bookstore believed to be an inspiration for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series; it’s very touristy, so buy your ticket a day in advance and visit around lunchtime to avoid the queues.

Cross the Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge to soak up the colourful views of the Baixa district or take the teleferico (cable car) and slowly fall in love with the sights of Porto all around you. Don’t forget to head to one of the city’s port producers in Vila Nova de Gaia and sign up for a tour to learn more about this famed wine – I highly recommend Taylor’s Port.

Where to Stay:

For a bit of indulgence, stay at the luxury wine spa hotel, The Yeatman; set amidst the Port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, it overlooks Porto and the Douro River. If you’re looking for a more casual but trendy base, you can’t go wrong with Rosa Et Al Townhouse or The White Box House.

For the Nature Lover Who Craves Off-the-Beaten Path Adventure: São Miguel, Azores

Often known as the Eden of Europe or Hawaii of the Atlantic, the idyllic but previously relatively unknown Azores Islands are slowly beginning to wake up to tourism. An autonomous region of Portugal, this volcanic archipelago is rich in natural beauty, with paradise-on-earth style landscapes that will leave you quite simply awestruck. First-time visitors should head to its main island, São Miguel – an incredibly scenic land resplendent with lush greenery and picture-perfect lagoons.

Where to Eat:

With such a high cow count on the island (fun fact: there are more cows than humans here), São Miguel is the place for tender beef, fresh milk and quality cheese. The Azores’ location in the Atlantic Ocean also means it has access to an abundance of fresh seafood – try the tuna steak at A Tasca in Ponta Delgada.

If you’re visiting the area of Furnas, be sure to order the cozido, a traditional Portuguese stew that is prepared by lowering a pot full of meat and vegetables into a hot spring heated by volcanic steam; you’ll find that the ingredients get seasoned by the slight taste of sulphur… in a good way, I promise!

Where to Play:

Hiring a car is the best way to explore São Miguel and soak up the island’s breathtaking landscapes; the jewel in its crown are the twin lakes of Sete Cidades – no pictures can do this stunning place justice. Head to the Miradouro da Boca do Inferno viewpoint for another sight you’ll never forget: sprawling spectacular views across the entire island.

Make another stop at Vista do Rei to see another view of the island’s legendary twin lakes. The Lagoa do Fogo crater lake near the centre of the island is also well worth a visit, for a sublime moment of total serenity amidst a wild and fascinating landscape.

On the eastern side of the island is the active volcanic complex of Furnas. Follow the smell of sulphur to the Caldeiras das Furnas and admire the many boiling water and steamy mud springs; make sure to take a dip in the geothermal hot springs at the famous Terra Nostra Garden too. There are also plenty of other immersive activities on offer at São Miguel, including whale watching, scuba diving, surfing and hiking.

Where to Stay:

The new Starwood-affiliated Azor Hotel is located in the island’s main city, Ponta Delgada. Inspired by the surrounding nature, this hip hotel celebrates the property’s remote location whilst also boasting some seriously wow-worthy modern design.

What are you waiting for? Your adventure awaits…

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