In Cascais, the Pousada Cidadela Historic Hotel and Art District situated in an old defensive fort is a unique blend of hotel accommodation and dynamic artists studios.
Lisbon: Palacio Belmonte at the top of the Alfama village, nestled below the Castalo San Jorge is an exquisite 10 suite B&B. Tel # +351 218 816 600. Here is a post that Nutmeg wrote on this magical hideaway Lisbon’s Palacio Belmonte Fit for Royalty.
Lisbon: Internacional Design Hotel centrally located in Rossio on the edge of the Baxia shopping district and close to restaurants. This hotel offers a range of rooms, great service and a really excellent breakfast buffet. Tel # +351 213 240 990
Vidago: Vidago Palace Hotel built by a king who never visited this hotel is truly a palace with service to match. The 18-hole golf course is challenging, but rewarded with a glass of local wine to follow.
Vélocite Café in Lisbon – Industrial meets grade school with childlike dining tables and crayon coloured stools you are surrounded by old school bikes upright townie cruisers with baskets and decent tuning. Surround a coffee bar with a mountain bike trail ride playing on loop on the school house scree
Lisbon Chocolate @ XOCOA on Rua do Crucifixo and Ice Cream @ Santini since 1949 on Rua do Carmo.
Dine at Chapitô à mesa in Lisbon for fabulous hillside views in Alfama and creative regional cuisine. You can also shop in the boutique for gifts or check out their circus school. #7 Rua Costa do Castelo Tel #+351 218 875 077
Don’t let the casual atmosphere in José Avillez’s bistro Cantinho do Avillez in Lisbon fool you this is a place that is serious about good food.
Get away from the crowds along the Duruo and have a glass of wine and a snack at Taberna do Largo. Casual with great snacks and a warm welcome.
Tired of sardines? Head to Baixa 22 for sushi and sangria!
Along the coast in Sao Martinho do Porto Cais 24 is well wort the walk along the water’s edge to this restaurant with fresh fish as advertised daily on their chalkboard.
5 Surprising things about Portugal a list of some of the incredible things this country has to offer along with some great photos.
Discover Portugal with is A-Z guide for travel in this beautiful country.
For “must see sights” in Portugal read Discovering Beautiful Portugal from Under an Umbrella.
Read about the Douro Valley – the intersection of old and new in Portugal.
Lisbon Walker – they offer a series of regular walking tours and now a few limited bike tours
Must see in Lisbon:
Cascais is the seaside beach escape for many Lisbonites. With a population of over 200,000 you can expect traffic any day of the week and certainly on weekends when the tourist traffic slides into town. The resort is filled with restaurants and shopping. Some of which, is not worth a second glance. The best part of Cascais is heading north along the coastline to check out the beaches.
LUMINA is an annual light and laser show held in Cascais in September.
The lighthouse at Cabo de Roca is the photo-op for this point of land that marks the western most point of continental Europe.
Duoro visitors should plan to take the train or a boat to marvel at the terraced vineyards. For a personalized tour check out the sailing and wine tasting tours offered by Anima Durius a privately run tour group based in Pinhao.
Checkout the photos of a red and green Christmas in Portugal for some more ideas.
