With its sea of rolling green hills, its whimsical palaces, and its its pastel houses, UNESCO-recognized Sintra is one of Portugal’s most enchanting gems.

The photogenic city entices visitors with its verdant setting and dreamy charm. Once referred to as a “glorious Eden” by Lord Byron, Sintra has become a popular day trip destination from Lisbon.

Home to some of the most beautiful castles and palaces in Europe, Sintra is chock-a-block full of places to visit. These colorful estates and crumbling fortifications lie hidden within the city’s forested hills—resembling the backdrop to a fairy tale.

DAY TRIP TO THE SINTRA PALACES

Sintra is located around 40 minutes northwest of Lisbon and 3 hours south of Porto, within the stunning Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais. Once the preferred summer destination for royalty, the picturesque hilltop town now attracts throngs of day-tripping tourists.

In my short whirlwind visit to Sintra, I did not have time to experience everything there is to do in the city.

But still, I was still able to get a sampling of the regal palaces that make it such an enticing place to visit.

• THE PENA PALACE IN SINTRA

The Pena Palace boasts a wacky amalgam of architectural styles. It is considered to be the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. For many, it is the top thing to see in Sintra.

The palace was built in 1854, at the request of King Ferdinand II. With its construction, architect Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege transformed a ruined monastery into an enchanting castle that includes elements of Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance design.

The Disney-like castle is an indulgent mix of open terraces, decorative archways and ornamental towers. Its exterior erupts in vivid shades of red, yellow and purple.

Inside, its eclectic rooms are equally unusual.

The Pena Park is a vast forested area that completely surrounds the colorful palace. It sprawls out over more than 200 hectares—concealing  statues, viewpoints, fountains, and the Chalet de Condesa d’Edla.

For fantastic views of the Pena Palace, hike to the top of Cruz Alta.

Entrance fees for the castle grounds cost €7.50. The tickets include access to the Pena Palace’s terraces and its resplendent gardens.

For a combination ticket that encompasses the palace’s interior and its grounds, the entrance fee is €14

• THE CASTLE OF THE MOORS

Soaring more than 400 meters above the Atlantic, the mist-shrouded Moorish Castle is among the most prominent Sintra landmarks.

Built during the 8th and 9th centuries, the Castle of the Moors stands atop one of the highest hills in the area. Its beautifully-situated ruins wind over two mountain ridges and provide stunning birds-eye panoramas of the city’s downtown,

Reaching the Castle of the Moors from downtown Sintra requires following Rua Marechal Saldanha for 2km.

Entrance to the castle costs €8.

• THE QUINTA DA REGALEIRA

The Quinta da Regaleira—a decorative 20th century palace situated near the town’s center—is another of Sintra’s iconic palaces.

Gothic pinnacles, gargoyles and towers adorn the structure’s ornate façade. Its architecture is believed to be laden with symbols related to alchemy, Masonry and the Knights Templar.

The Regaleira Palace grounds include lavish buildings and a luxurious park. They feature grottos, lakes, fountains and underground passages.

The Quinta da Regaleira’s most notable landmarks are a pair of wells that spiral deep underground. Resembling inverted towers, these wells were never used to collect water.

Rather, theories suggest that they were once intended for ceremonial purposes, including Tarot rituals.

• THE SINTRA NATIONAL PALACE

The Sintra National Palace, located in the center of town, is also sometimes known as Palácio da Vila. The white Medieval castle dates back to the 9th century. Its architecture is a mixture of styles, including elements of Medieval, Gothic, Manualine and Renaissance design.

The central palace became the official home of King João in the 14th century and was used by the Portuguese royal family until the end of monarchy in 1910.

Though I enjoyed photographing the palace’s exterior, I didn’t visit the interior of the National Palace.

If you’re looking to go inside, you can visit between 9:30am and 7pm. Admission costs €10.

• MONSERRATE PALACE

The Montserrate Palace (not to be confused with the Montserrat Monastery near Barcelona) lies at the center of a lush, 30-hectare park. Its whimsical Moorish-Gothic-Indian structure dates back to the mid-19th century and was the romantic vision of English millionaire Sir Francis Cook.

The palace lies 3.5 km west of downtown. Its gardens teem with exotic plants and foliage.

I didn’t get the opportunity to visit the Monserrate Palace during my trip to Sintra.

However, if you have the extra time, I’m told its worth including in your itinerary.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN THE SINTRA-CASCAIS NATIONAL PARK

If you’re traveling to Sintra as a day trip, chances are you’ll want to spend your time hopping from palace to palace.

After all, the lavish residences are the reason the town has gained notoriety as one of Portugal’s most alluring destinations.

But there are other things to do in Sintra, palace-hopping aside.

• VISIT CABO DA ROCA

Cabo da Roca’s surroundings reminded me of a mixture between the idyllic coastline of southern Portugal’s Algarve and Ireland’s towering Cliffs of Moher.

With flower-speckled hillsides, windswept beaches and jagged rock formations that look as though they are trying to pierce through layers of fog, the landscape at Cabo da Roca is at once dramatic, photogenic and uncompromisingly wild.

• HIKE TO PRAIA DA URSA

From Cabo da Roca, a beautiful trail winds its way down to Praia da Ursa.

As it makes its way toward the secluded sandy beach, the 2.4 mile trail showcases some of western Portugal’s most wild coastal scenery

Praia da Ursa is a lovely photogenic beach, but it is not a safe swimming destination due to rough swells.

GETTING TO SINTRA FROM LISBON

Thanks to its easy access to the Portuguese capital, Sintra is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Lisbon.

The best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon is by train. Unless you’re touring Portugal by car, you’ll probably want to avoid driving to Sintra, as parking can be incredibly difficult to come across.

You can catch a train to Sintra from the central Rossio Train Station in Baixa. Trains depart roughly every half hour. The journey takes roughly 40 minutes.

Tickets between Lisbon and Sintra cost between €2-3 each way. There’s no need to book in advance.

WHERE TO STAY IN SINTRA

Full disclosure: I didn’t visit Sintra as a day trip.

Though the fairytale city is an incredibly popular day trip destination, I chose to stay overnight instead.

Spending the night in Sintra allowed me the luxury of visiting the town’s highlights during off-peak hours—both before busloads of day-trippers ascended on the town, and after most tour groups had begun making their way back to Lisbon.

For budget-conscious travelers intent on staying overnight, the Moon Hill Hostel advertises a central location and cheap dorm rooms.

Mid-range options include the Villa Estefania and the Sintra Boutique Hotel.

And if you’re looking for a top-end choice, the Sintra Marmoris Palace is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Sintra. It boasts character-filled rooms, a heated pool, and views over the Moorish Castle.

GETTING AROUND SINTRA

Due to the concentration of its attractions, Sintra is relatively walkable. I used my own two feet to get from palace to palace and only relied on public transportation when venturing outside of the city towards Cabo da Roca.

If you’re planning on walking, however, I suggest you map out your day trip itinerary strategically, beginning with the Pena Palace and Castle of the Moors. Sintra is quite hilly. If you plan out your route haphazardly, you might end up exerting all your energy trying to navigate its steep slopes.

Aside from walking, the most affordable way to get around is by taking the tourist buses that run between Sintra’s most popular attractions. These buses are the 434 and 435.

Sintra’s surroundings can be easily explored using public transport. Buses for the coast depart from Sintra’s train station and meander through small towns and villages, toward Cabo da Roca.

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In Sintra, glittering palaces and resplendent gardens lie folded into the hills of the Sintra-Cascais National Park.

The small city is full of whimsical style and opulent flair. A playground for the wealthy throughout the 19th century, it is now a thriving tourist destination that welcomes millions of visitors annually.

In peak season, crowds flock to Sintra’s palaces.

But you shouldn’t let the hoards of day-tripping tourists deter you.

For—like a page torn from a fairytale—the idiosyncratic Portuguese city is nothing short of magical.

The post Sintra Day Trip: Visiting Portugal’s Fairytale City appeared first on Erika's Travels .

The Algarve Coast in Portugal is a wonderland for hikers, swimmers, photographers and sunbathers.

Known for its honey-colored cliffs and turquoise seas, the Algarve is visually stunning.

The area’s natural beauty, coupled with its affordability relative to the rest of Western Europe, means that the coastline has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years.

But don’t the Algarve’s 4 million+ annual visitors scare you away.

Despite the crowds, you can still find quiet places to enjoy delectable views on your own patch of golden sand.

ALGARVE COAST IN PORTUGAL

Lining the southwestern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, the Algarve Coast borders Spain and the Alentejo Region of Portugal.

It boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and is a considered to be Portugal’s biggest tourist destination.

The striking area is home to stunning rock formations, miles of hiking trails, incredible sea caves and some of nature’s most vibrant colors.

Visually, it reminded me of a marriage between the Great Ocean Road in Australia and Comino Island in Malta, though its energetic vibe is very much that of a European beach destination.

TWO DAY ITINERARY: THE ALGARVE COAST

I spent two days on the Algarve Coast and focused my itinerary primarily around the city of Lagos.

My two day Algarve itinerary brought me to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches and sea caves. On the first day, I discovered the string of sandy shores along the Ponta da Piedade coastal walk.  On the second day, I explored the caves and beaches around Lagoa.

Though I quickly realized that more time in the area would have been ideal, my two days in the Algarve were nonetheless unforgettable.

ALGARVE DAY 1: LAGOS TO PONTA DA PIEDADE

With a map in hand and camera in tow, I spent my first day in the Algarve hiking the scenic trail that connects downtown Lagos with the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse.

The trail—3.5km one way—is a small portion of the longer Fishermen’s Trail that continues along the country’s western coastline.

The walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade showcases some of the most awe-inspiring stretches of Portugal’s coastline. As the path hugs the shore, it reveals hidden coves, dramatic rock outcrops, and idyllic sun-kissed beaches.

PRAIA DA BATATA

Family-friendly Praia da Batata is a popular Lagos beach. Located a stone’s throw from downtown, it is both accessible and scenic. The beach’s golden sands and turquoise water make it a beautiful—albeit crowded—place to soak in the sun.

Praia da Batata’s easy accessibility is ideal for people traveling with small children.

PRAIA DOS ESTUDANTES

Praia dos Estudantes sits sandwiched between Praia da Batata and Praia do Pinhão.

Rock formations and green vegetation surround the cove, sheltering its golden sands from strong wind. A Roman style bridge overlooks its western end.

The coarse sand on Estudantes Beach is covered with beautiful seashells. I collected some lovely intact salmon-colored shells during my visit.

PRAIA DO PIÑHAO

Tucked away at the bottom of the steep ochre cliffs between the beaches of Estudantes and Dona Ana, the beach at Praia do Pinhão is often overlooked.

As a result, it doesn’t get as crowded as some of the Algarve’s other Beaches.

There are no facilities at Praia do Piñhao, but it is a great option if you’re visiting during peak summer tourist season when the other beaches are overcrowded.

PRAIA DONA ANA

Dona Ana beach is the classic Algarve cove nestled between the sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of Ponta da Piedade. Its location and surrounding cliffs keep it is sheltered from the breeze, while drenching it in sunshine.

The popular Algarve Beach is renowned for its golden sands, azure waters, and prominent limestone cliffs. It is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Algarve Coast, as well as one of its most crowded.

Access to the beach is via wooden boardwalk with 93 steps. While the walk isn’t particularly treacherous, it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues.

PRAIA DO CAMILO

A picturesque staircase leads to Praia do Camilo’s glimmering water. Named one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, the sun-drenched beach boasts a perfect—albeit crowded—cove of golden sand.

Surrounded by ochre cliffs and rich vegetation, it features calm crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

PRAIA DOS PINHEIROS

Praia dos Pinheiros is a small beaches that lies in the shadow of Ponta da Piedade. It is one of the more secluded coves along the scenic walk.

You can access the beach via a steep stone stairway that has been hewn into to the sandstone cliffs.

If you want seclusion, Praia dos Pinheiros may be one of your best options.

Just note that it has the reputation of being popular among nudists.

PONTA DA PIEDADE

Ponta da Piedade is a unique headland that’s been carefully chiseled over the centuries by the delicate touch of wind and wild waves.

Several grottos in Ponta da Piedade can be visited by boat. The location also contains a lighthouse that dates back to 1913.

PRAIA DO PORTO DE MÓS

I didn’t personally make it all the way to the beach of Porto do Mós. However, if you’re looking for a long sweeping stretch of sand, you may want to include it in your itinerary. The beach lies to the west of the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse. It is among the longest beaches in the Lagos area, second only to the sprawling Praia Meia (located on the eastern edge of town).

EVENING IN LAGOS

During my two day visit to the Algarve Coast, Lagos acted as my home base. The charming seaside town boasts 16th-century fortified walls, quaint cobbled streets and a convenient location near some of the area’s best beaches.

In the evenings, it was a wonderful place to walk around and soak in the bustling atmosphere.

Quaint plazas and labyrinthine streets define the seaside city’s old town. It also has some wonderful eateries that serve up fresh seafood and Piri Piri chicken—a Mozambican dish that is famous throughout the Algarve.

I particularly enjoyed trying the signature chicken dish at Mullens Restaurant in Lagos.

ALGARVE DAY 2: AROUND LAGOA

On my second day in the Algarve, I left Lagos and headed to the world-class Benagil Sea Cave near the outskirts of Lagoa.

While the string of coves and beaches along the Ponta da Piedade walk is difficult to outshine, I found the coastline east of Lagos to be equally beautiful.

MARINHA BEACH

Marinha Beach, often lauded as one of the best beaches in the Algarve, is a glistening stretch of golden sand near Portimão and Lagoa. It is also the launching point for boat trips and excursions to the Benagil Sea Cave.

Famous travel publications like Lonely Planet and CNN travel have all sung their Marinha praises by naming it one of the best beaches in Portugal.

While I tend to prefer the smaller and more secluded beaches, I certainly can’t dispute their claims.

THE BENAGIL SEA CAVE

One of the Algarve’s—and Portugal’s—most emblematic sights, the Benagil Sea Cave is a top bucket list destination. The cave is a pantheon-like cavern with its own private beach, two arched entryways and a circular skylight crowning its dome. It is one of coastal Portugal’s most iconic attractions and a popular Algarve landmark.

There are three main ways to visit the Benegil Sea Cave: by self-guided kayak tour, by swimming, or by taking part in an organized boat tour. Backpackers often choose to swim to the cave so that they can spend a few hours enjoying its sheltered beach.

Yet since I was traveling solo and had no way of ensuring my valuables would stay dry, I joined Taruga Tours for a group visit instead.

• BENAGIL CAVES TOURS

Tours of the Benagil Cave last approximately forty-five minutes and leave from Praia da Marinha, about 15 kilometers east of Portimao. At the time of my visit, the 1.5 hour boat trip cost roughly €20.

In addition to bringing me inside of the iconic cave, the tour showcased some of the impressive rock formations and beaches in the vicinity.

Our boat entered caves, floated past secluded coves, and threaded sea arches. In addition to bringing me inside the cave, the tour allowed me to view Portugal’s Algarve coastline from the water—a true highlight on in its own right.

I booked my Benagil Sea Caves tour on the spot, but if you’re traveling in peak season you might want to secure a space in advance.

Sightseeing tours of the cave and surrounding sea cliffs are bookable online.

CARVALHO BEACH

Carvalho Beach is located near Lagoa, just a stone’s throw from the Benagil Sea Cave. A relatively quiet beach, it lacks the facilities of nearby Praia da Marinha. Carvalho Beach is popular among adrenaline-seeking cliff-jumpers

Though it doesn’t have umbrella rentals, the golden beach boasts plenty of natural shade due to its high V-shaped cliffs.

With fewer crowds relative to some of the more popular Algarve Beaches, Praia do Carvalho quickly became one of my favorite spots along Portugal’s southern coast.

EVENING IN LAGOS

I spent my second evening in the Algarve much like my first—by exploring the winding shop-lined streets of downtown Lagos.

If you’re planning on staying the night elsewhere or have more time to enjoy the southern coast, your second evening might be a great time to visit the nearby towns of Silves, Lagoa or Portimão.

WHERE TO STAY ON THE ALGARVE COAST

Many travelers choose to stay in Faro or Lagos during their visit to the Algarve.

I chose to stay in Lagos, primarily due to its proximity to the most beautiful beaches and hiking paths in the area. If you have limited time along Portugal’s southern coast, Lagos is an excellent choice (though I imagine you can’t really go wrong with any of the Algarve towns).

In the Lagos area, you’ll find everything from hostels to adult-only resorts.

The Villa 46 Hostel is a budget-friendly option with stellar reviews and an outdoor swimming pool. If you’re looking for a midrange option, Casa Margô boasts clean modern rooms and an ideal location near downtown and Praia Meia.

For a splurge, the Palmares Beach House Hotel provides a luxurious adults-only setting with a golf course, outdoor pool, and easy beach access.

The Algarve’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance. This is especially true if you’re traveling in the peak months of June through August. You’d be wise to avoid last-minute bookings during high season.

HIKING IN THE ALGARVE

The Algarve Coast in Portugal contains a large network of spectacular hiking trails. The Ponta de Piedade route is perhaps its most famous short walk. It is easily accessible from Lagos.

Other popular hikes in the Algarve include the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (5.7km) and the Trail of the Headlands (6.3km). Both are located in the Lagoa area, near Praia da Marinha.

Outdoor enthusiasts don’t have to limit themselves to short day hikes, however. The area is ripe with epic multi-day hikes as well.

If you have time and a proper pair of hiking shoes, you can explore the world-class Rota Vicentina—a network of hiking trails in Portugal’s Alentejo and Algarve provinces. In addition to smaller trails, the network includes two long-distance routes:  the Fisherman’s Trail and the Historical Way.

WHEN TO VISIT THE ALGARVE COAST

If you want to avoid the busiest months, consider visiting the Algarve Coast during shoulder season. In May and October, average daily high temperatures hover around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes for pleasant beach-lounging and hiking weather.

If you don’t mind cooler temperatures, you’ll still find abundant sunshine during the low season months of November through March. You can also save big on lodging, with many places slashing their peak-season rates.

GETTING TO THE ALGARVE COAST

The Algarve lies at the very southern edge of Portugal. With direct buses and flights from Lisbon and Porto, it is well connected to the country’s other tourism hotspots.

The Faro Airport (FAO) connects the Algarve with large cities all over Europe.

GETTING AROUND THE ALGARVE COAST

While many visitors rent a car from the Faro Airport for the duration of their Algarve vacation, there are plenty of other ways of getting around the area.

The Algarve has a train line that connects Lagos in the east with Vila Real de Santo António in the west. Along the way, it stops in the popular towns of Portimão, Tunes, Faro and Tavira.

As of 2021, Vamus Algarve unveiled a new and comprehensive bus service. The extensive network covers just about every part of the Algarve and offers speedy transport between the Faro Airport and settlements up and down the coast. You can find routes and timetables online.

During summertime, the 52 Eva Cliffs line stops at scenic beaches that aren’t normally accessible by public transport.

Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are also popular options for getting between towns. The benefit to rideshares is that you don’t have to worry about finding parking—something that can be tricky during summer months when traveling by car.

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Delicate sea pillars. Fragile rock arches. Hidden caves. Honey-colored cliffs against a sparkling turquoise sea.

Despite what I’d read about the Algarve’s party atmosphere and packed beaches, I thoroughly enjoyed my two days in southern Portugal.

Sure, had I visited during peak season, the prices would have likely been higher and the beaches more crowded.

But in mid-May, the pleasant 75 degree weather and manageable crowds made the Algarve Coast a perfect place for hiking, swimming, eating and repeating.

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DID YOU ENJOY THIS GUIDE TO THE ALGARVE COAST IN PORTUGAL? PIN IT! 

The post Portugal’s Algarve Coast: Hiking, Caves and Azure Seas appeared first on Erika's Travels .

As soon as I set foot on the picturesque streets of Lisbon Portugal, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Despite the fact that it was my first time in Portugal, the city’s hilly lanes, bayside views and rickety streetcars, all seemed so familiar. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this sensation of retracing my steps, was due to the uncanny parallels between Portugal’s capital and California’s Golden City—San Francisco.

With its charming neighborhoods, its orange suspension bridge, its oceanfront views and its sailboats gliding gently in a natural harbor, I often felt as though, by traveling to Lisbon, I was rediscovering America’s City by the Bay (albeit a Europeanized version, of course).

TWO DAY LISBON ITINERARY

I spent two days in Lisbon after my short visit to northern Portugal’s enchanting and character-filled town of Porto

As the country’s two preeminent cities, Lisbon and Porto are both equally captivating and deserving of their international renown. Yet, I found the towns to be incredibly different from one another.

While fairytale Porto has the gritty exterior of a working-class town, cosmopolitan Lisbon is elegant, regal and packed to the brim with palaces, monasteries and castles.

With two days in Lisbon, I did my best to tour the city’s best viewpoints, walk its prettiest streets, and sample its tastiest foods.

Of course, as with most large European cities, spending two days in Portugal’s capital only allowed me to scratch the surface and partake in a fraction of the city’s top things to do.

Still, my two day Lisbon itinerary brought me to some of the charming city’s most impressive monuments and post-card-worthy streets.

Since returning from Portugal, countless people have asked about my impressions of the two cities and have wondered which I find more worthwhile. And honestly, I don’t know. For, as a shopkeeper in Porto tried to explain to me in broken English, it is impossible to choose.

Porto is the country’s offbeat soul, she explained, but the City on Seven Hills is its undeniable heart.

ITINERARY DAY 1: LISBON’S NEIGHBORHOODS AND VIEWPOINTS

Like many great European cities, I found that the best way to explore Lisbon’s charms was to follow my feet through the city’s neighborhoods. Lisbon is walkable, compact and chock full of things to see. Yet, it is also a city that was built upon seven hills. So while walking was my favorite way to explore Portugal’s capital city, I soon realized that sore feet would be an inevitable consequence of  visiting Lisbon.

Setting out from my hostel near Marques de Pombal, I walked down the Avenida da Libertade to Rossio Square. From there, I wandered the sleepy backstreets of Baixa Chiado and the Alfama–taking in the pastel houses, the narrow alleyways and the Gothic Santa Justa Elevator.

• WANDER THE ALFAMA

With a history that dates back to the Moors, the lovely Alfama neighborhood is characterized by quaint narrow streets that wind about the hillsides and give way to some of Lisbon’s most spectacular viewpoints.

Due to its hilly topography, Lisbon has many viewpoints from which to admire the city’s attractive architecture. Particularly notable among them, are the Viewpoint of Santa Catarina, the Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

• VISIT THE SAO JORGE CASTLE

Perched atop one of Lisbon’s many hills, the fortified Castle of Sao Jorge is one of the city’s most emblematic sites. The gardens surrounding the castle offer some of the most photogenic birds-eye panoramas of Lisbon’s red-roofed houses and azure sea. In addition to providing some of the best and most uninterrupted views of Lisbon, the castle is a well-preserved example of Moorish architecture.

Entrance to the Castle of Sao Jorge costs €8.50 and includes access to a small archeological site that lies adjacent to its walls.

• ADMIRE THE LISBON’S STREET ART

Lisbon might not yet have the street art reputation of places like Melbourne or Valparaiso,  but its streets have no lack of colorful displays. Street art can be found in many neighborhoods around Lisbon and often reflects the country’s history and pop culture.

From the Alfama, we made our way to the Miradouro da Graça for sweeping views of Lisbon and the Sao Jorge Castle from above. The area is full of colorful flare and graffiti (both artistic and unsavory).

We particularly enjoyed admiring the colorful murals that line the staircase that descends from the viewpoint to the city’s lower areas.

• EXPLORE BAIXA CHIADO

After touring the hills of the Alfama on foot and getting my bearings of the city, I spent the evening walking along the shop-lined Rua Augusta in Baixa Chiado. Filled with outdoor cafes, hole-in-the-wall pastry shops and plenty of handicraft stores, the popular pedestrian drag that leads to the grand Praça do Comércio is a great place to go souvenir shopping in Lisbon. 

When I finally retired to my room after a full day of sightseeing and conquering steep uphill climbs, I’d logged 30,000 steps on my phone and had legs made of jello.

ITINERARY DAY 2: BELEM ATTRACTIONS

On my second day in Lisbon, I ventured from the city center toward Belém—a suburb situated along the Targus River.

Dazzling, culturally resplendent and uniquely significant in Portuguese maritime history, Belém is chock-full of World Heritage Sites and monuments recalling Lisbon’s seafaring past.

It is home to some of Lisbon’s most coveted attractions, as well as its most beloved custard tarts.

Belém is the place from which explorers set sail on their voyages of discovery. It is from here that Portuguese navigators—including Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan—expanded Europe’s world map and established Portugal as the world’s greatest sea power.

• VIEW THE MONUMENT OF DISCOVERIES

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos statue was constructed in the mid-1900s to commemorate the explorers who charted the roads of the sea from these shores. It stands 52 meters high, towering over the Targus River.

• ENTER THE JERONIMOS MONASTERY

Near the Monument of Discoveries, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower round out the triad of top things to see in Belem. The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of Portugal’s Manueline-style architecture. In 1983, it was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém.

The monastery dates back to the late 15th century. Commissioned by King Manuel I, it was donated to the monks of Saint Hieronymus so that they would pay spiritual assistance to those who left Lisbon’s shores in search of the New World.

The exterior of the UNESCO-recognized monastic complex wowed me with its intricate spires, its ornate windows and its wedding-cake appearance.

On my first visit to Lisbon, I skipped out on the monastery’s interior because I didn’t feel like waiting in line and forking out the €10 to enter. On my return visit two years later, however, I entered the world-heritage-listed building and immediately realized that skipping the monastery on my first visit was a mistake.

The courtyard of the Manueline-style monastery is a work of art.

The honey-colored monastery cloister drips with detail. Intricate arches twist upward, showcasing delicate lattice-work of carved vine and floral motifs.

• PHOTOGRAPH THE BELEM TOWER

Near the Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon’s Tower of Belém looks out over the boat-speckled harbor. Perched at the end of a narrow walkway that juts out of Belém’s esplanade, this architectural gem is surrounded on all sides by water.

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With my small bag of perfectly flaky Pastéis de Belém in hand, I sat near the Manueline tower and looked out at the waters of the bay. From my vantage point, I could see the details in the towering monument. Beyond, I could see the imposing 25 de Abril Bridge, the lands across the Targus and sailboats gliding about the waters of the natural harbor.

And I imagined what it must have been like to set sail from this point–traversing the open waters and encountering some of the world’s great landscapes and civilizations– back in the day when the Earth was flat.

The post Two Days in Lisbon: The San Francisco of Europe appeared first on Erika's Travels .

At first glance, the city of Porto in northern Portugal is poorer, dirtier and grittier than Europe’s other popular metropolitan areas. Outside its touristy downtown, once-bustling storefronts lie boarded up and vacant due to years of stagnant economic growth. Its tightly stacked houses lay half crumbling, swallowed by overgrown vines and invasive weeds.

But Porto’s charm lies in its faded colors, its peeling paint and its chipped azujuelo tiles. The hardworking city may be less cosmopolitan than Lisbon, but it is no less charming. Its walkable center is crammed with uneven cobbled streets, red-roofed buildings and balconies adorned with flowerpots and airing laundry. The city’s tightly-packed houses are pieced together like the pattern on a well-worn quilt, their tiled facades aged perfectly like a glass of sweet port wine. 

It is a photographer’s paradise; an artists dream.

I stayed at the Porto Spot Hostel during my two days in Porto. The centrally located accommodation is one of Porto’s best hostels and offers clean and comfortable beds for a reasonable price. 

Exploring the Best of Porto in one Day

I spent the following day in Porto savoring the charms of Portugal’s beloved second city. Starting at the Sao Bento Station in the center of town, I slowly uncovered Porto’s most important highlights.

• Sao Bento Train Station

The Sao Bento Train Station is Porto’s main railway station. But the transportation hub in downtown Porto does more than shuttle people back and forth between the surrounding towns. With its 20,000 magnificent azulejo tiles, the Sao Bento Station is a destination in itself. The tiled artwork adorning the station depicts Portugal’s royal families, its wartime battles and its transportation history.

• Ribeira District

From the Sao Bento Station, I walked down to the UNESCO-recognized Ribeira district.

Wth its photogenic setting at the quayside, well-preserved colorful houses overlooking the river and bustling outdoor plazas and cafes, the Ribeira district is the heart and soul of Porto.

• Dom Luis I Bridge

Connecting the Ribeira district to the wine cellar district of Nova Gaia, is an impressive double-decker arch bridge. A walk along the bridge offers some of the most beautiful views in Porto.

At its construction, the bridge’s 172 meter span was the longest of its type in the world.

From the riverfront, I made my way up the city’s steep hills–past the Igreja de San Francisco and the Palacio da Bolsa–to the Clérigos Tower.

• The Clérigos Tower

Built in the 18th century, the Clérigos Tower is a major baroque building that was once the tallest in Portugal. Today, the area surrounding the tower is home to souvenir shops, gardens and pleasant bars and cafes. It is a wonderful place to stop for a drink, a bite to eat or a quick rest after tackling the city’s strenuous uphill streets.

• The World’s Best Francesinha in Porto

In addition to its world-renowned wine, Porto has a strong culinary tradition. Its signature dish is the Francesinha–a meat and cheese sandwich that oozes with a secret special sauce made from tomatoes and beer. The Bufete Fase on Porto’s popular Santa Caterina Street claims the best Francesinhas in Porto (and thus, the world).

Stopping by for a meat-loaded, cheese-drenched sandwich is a must when visiting the area.

Day Trip to the Douro River Valley

Heeding the advice of my hostel’s staff, I spent the following day on a scenic train ride through the Douro River Valley, Portugal’s world-renowned wine region. 

A popular day trip from Porto, Portugal’s Alto Douro Region has produced wine for nearly two thousand years—its valleys and hills chiseled away over time to produce world-class reds and tawny port.

This long viticultural tradition has resulted in a UNESCO-recognized cultural landscape of outstanding natural and manmade beauty.

Both the engineering of the landscape and the cultural history of the region, are fascinating.

The railway tracks from Porto to Pocinho follow the Douro River Valley for three hours. Along the way, they pass quaint towns, terraced mountainsides and azujuelo-adorned stations.

The train ride along the Douro River Valley isn’t about a particular destination, per se. For there isn’t really anything to do or see in Pocinho itself. But the scenery along the way–especially during the second two hours of the ride– is nothing short of idyllic.

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Porto is a beautiful and vibrant town that is brimming with picturesque views and old-world charms.

When I close my eyes and remember Porto, I don’t see the royal palaces, the wide avenues or the grandiose cathedrals of Europe’s other popular cities. I don’t see landmark attractions of international renown. Nor do I see the architectural  richness of places like Paris or Florence.  The city is neither regal nor royal. It is neither grand nor glamorous.

But Porto has the kind of magnetism that woos travelers with its quaint nooks, its artsy crannies, its rich culinary tradition, its sweet port wine and its uniform red-tiled roofs. With its delectable pastry shops,  its fairytale buildings, its surrounding wine country and its unbeatable prices, it is easy to see why Porto consistently receives recognition as one of the best value destinations in Europe.

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