Travelling to Portugal – Part 2

Porto and the surroundings

Porto is a charming town and I recommend you start your trip in Portugal there. Most of the town is accessible on foot, that is, if you don’t mind climbing the numerous hilly streets. Take a walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge that towers almost 50 metres above the Douro river and offers an incredible view of the riverside. The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal Park also has a stunning view of the town and you can sit down and have a snack in the shade while enjoying the local vibe in the company of numerous peacocks and chickens (which you’ll encounter in almost all Portuguese city parks). The town has quite a few gems for architecture enthusiasts, notably the Livraria Lello among the more famous ones. As an avid photographer myself, I had to visit the Portuguese Centre of Photography, which will be mostly interesting for those who have a keen interest in the evolution of cameras – from the very huge early specimens to the micro-versions used for spying during the wars. Many travellers also start their journey towards Santiago de Compostela here in Porto. If you have enough time on your hands to explore Porto for a couple of days, you should definitely visit the beach or take a boat tour on the Douro. Nearby cities worth visiting include Braga, Guimarães and Aveiro. The latter was the one I visited and it’s also known as the “Venice of Portugal”, due to the charmingly painted traditional wooden boats that pass through the town’s canals. You should also visit the beautiful coastal village of Costa Nova that will charm you with its long sandy beach and colourful houses.

Lisbon and the surroundings

Compared to Porto, Lisbon is huge. I suggest using the public transport to cover the distances, even if that means getting off at the next station or the one after that, because otherwise you’ll quickly run out of breath. If you like walking around, then I recommend exploring the old town with its architectural gems. I visited the Oceanário and I have to say it’s a must for all those who love sea life as well as for families with children. I also recommend visiting the Castelo de São Jorge that towers above the old part of Lisbon, Alfama. With a little imagination, the castle will take you back into an interesting and turbulent time in history, but it also has a relaxing view of Lisbon’s old town. Most travel guide books will take you to Belém where you’ll see the Padrão dos Descobrimentos sculpture, which was dedicated to the first explorers that set out “across the pond”, as well as the Belém Tower. Due to the League of Champions final, I could only take a look at the exterior of the majestic Estádio da Luz, and I must say I wasn’t very impressed by Lisbon’s botanical garden. During your stay in the city, I would suggest that you definitely travel to the charming Sintra because it’s absolutely worth a visit. And if you have time, extend your trip to the westernmost point of mainland Portugal (Cabo da Roca) and the romantic coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril. Return train tickets from Lisbon to these two towns only cost a few euros. Also, if your itinerary allows it, you should take a whole day to visit the picturesque Sintra and follow all the paths there are. The colourful Pena Palace will leave everyone speechless. If you plan on climbing to the highest area, Cruz Alta, you might be a bit disappointed by the view because it’ll be blocked by lush tree canopies. The Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla, which many visitors don’t manage to visit due to it being too remote, offers an interesting insight into the history of the building that is beautifully decorated with cork. Even Sintra, the village at the foot of the hill, has plenty of attractive motifs, which you can easily spend a few hours admiring.

The south of Portugal

When travelling between Lisbon and the south of Portugal, choose the train. It’s comfortable, safe, environmentally-friendly and an affordable mode of transport for distances of a few hundred kilometres. On your train ride, you’ll be able to gaze through the window, taking in the nice view of the tranquil landscape, plus you can spend the time making the list of your next attractions or chatting with fellow passengers about their Portugal experience. Due to the time I had available, I chose Faro as my next destination and it has an international airport, though the people I had the chance to talk to told me they’d recommend all the towns in Algarve, the country’s southernmost region. Train connections are good – they’re mostly short-distance and budget-friendly. So, if you happen to be in Faro, take a walk through the old town or hop to the one of the nearby islands where you can observe numerous birds and take a stroll down the sandy beaches.

Portuguese cuisine

Pastéis de nata! In one of the oldest bakeries in Belém in Portugal, you can basically stand in a queue for hours on end with fellow travellers from all over the world, who want to try a piece of this simple, yet delicious dessert right where it was said to be offered for the first time. Heed my advice and save your money and your time because you can have a taste of this tart pastry filled with vanilla cream at a much cheaper price at any well-stocked self-service shop. Just look for the part of the shop where they sell fresh pastries and then you can enjoy in the dessert’s rich flavour in the middle of the park.

Port in Porto! Treat yourself to a glass of Portugal’s most renowned vintage wine. On a sunny and relaxed day, take an hour or two off your holiday for yourself in the afternoon or evening to sit down at one of the local taverns and sip the magic of Portuguese culture. I only tried the white version of the exquisite wine this time, and was completely overtaken by the rich flavour. I’ll definitely try the red wine as well the next time I get to visit Portugal.

Homemade ice cream! When in Porto, look out for Gelatopia – an ice cream shop that offers locally-sourced and delicious ice cream made by using only natural ingredients. They’re often also lactose-free. You should try the d’Ouro flavour, which was made by combining the red port wine, raspberries and pieces of dark chocolate. Outrageously delicious!

Francesinha! You can get back the calories you burned after a long day in Porto by digging into a dish that consists of toasted bread slices, ham, steak and sausage, all well-laden with fried cheese. It comes served with chips and covered in slightly hot tomato sauce. If you’re feeling really hungry, there’s also a version that includes an egg sunny side up that’s served on top of the sandwich.

Ovos moles... The locals in Aveiro are very proud of these desserts, which are some kind of waffles filled with egg yolk cream and sugar. They come in the shape of sea shells. Honest opinion? Instead of waiting in a queue in front of the local bakery, why not treat yourself to a pastel de nata or two, or perhaps try something else entirely. After all, desserts in Portugal come in unlimited quantities and all kinds of varieties.

Have you also been to this charming western European country? Is there anything you think I forgot to mention? Or do you have another tip you’d like to add, something people shouldn’t miss out on? Join us on Instagram and Facebook to give us your feedback. We look forward to your thoughts!