One week in Portugal

We spent a week in Portugal this summer. We focused our time in Lisbon, Porto, and Douro Valley. They all exceeded our expectations! There were so many cute streets, shops, and cafes in every corner. The food was DELICIOUS and so cheap! And, the Douro Valley had spectacular views. I hope you enjoy this itinerary and give Portugal a chance--it's one of Europe's underrated countries that deserves attention!

Day 1

We arrived in Lisbon in the afternoon after an overnight flight from Miami. We immediately checked in at Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel. I could not recommend this hotel enough. It is 300 years old but modernly remodeled while keeping historical peices that give gogeous character. It is centrally located and walking distance to many sights, shops, and restaurants. I'd definitely stay here again.

We wandered around the hotel after checking in. Grabbed lunch at a nearby rooftop that we stumbled upon, and just enjoyed the views. We did not have anything planned or scheduled for this day since we knew we'd be tired after the overnight flight.

Day 2

On this day we explored Lisbon and its main sights. There are so many ways to get around--walking, Uber, Tuk Tuk, and the tram. We did all of these on this day. We had dinner at Pateo after sightseeing. This place is delicious and beaitiful! It is located in a foodhall with various restaurants that belong to the same Michelin star local chef. There is even a speakeasy style bar/restaurant inside.

Here's a list of main sights you should visit:

• Castelo de Sao Jorge

• Belem Tower

• Alfama (Lisbon's oldest neighborhood)

• Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

• Jeronimos Monastery

• Avenida da Liberdade (luxury shopping)

Day 3

On this day we did a private tour of Sintra and Pena Palace. Here's a link to the tour. Our driver was amazing and very informative. He took us to an amazing spot for dinner at the end of the tour. It is also called Pateo but it is located in a local town about 40 minutes from Lisbon. They served homemade tapas. Our guide ordered one of (nearly) everything for us. The sangria with Port wine was outstanding. We were surrounded by locals--it was perfect.

Day 4

Today we did trip to Cascais, which is a beach town 45 minutes from Lisbon. It is a great way to sneak in a beach day without traveling to the Algarve region in the South of Portugal. But beware, the water was freezing so we did not go swimming. We explored the town, grabbed lunch, and did a little shopping.

Day 5

We took an early morning train from Lisbon to Porto for the second part of our trip in Northern Portugal. We booked our tickets in advance here. The trip by train is 3 hours long, so be sure to schedule an early morning ride if you want to explore Porto in the afternoon.

We arrived in Porto around noon and checked in at Torel Avantgarde. We immidiately freshened up and left the hotel to explore Porto. We walked along the Porto river, crossed over to Gaia (the town on the other side of the river), and rode the cable car. Porto and Gaia are gorgeous towns and famous for Port wine, which is sweet wine that contains alcohol added during the fermentation process. Super technical, I know.

Day 6

My favorite day!! We went on a private tour of the Douro Valley that included wine tasting at two gorgeous wineries and a private boat trip down the Douro river. Our driver, Manuel, came highly recommended by a friend and he did not dissapoint! He selected the wineries for us, booked them, and also coordinated the boat trip. His selections were EXCEPTIONAL! His phone number is +351 961 977 025. Please contact him via Whatsapp. Your trip to Portugal MUST include the Douro Valley! Our day trip was the best day ever. I would go back and stay at least one night at the Six Senses Douro Valley and sneak in a day at the spa after wine tasting.

After a long day wine tasting, we had dinner at Flow. Don't walk--RUN here.

Day 7

Today we made our way back to Lisbon from Porto. Instead of traveling by train, we hired a driver to take us. Here's a link to book. On the way back to Lisbon we stopped at Nazare to explore and have lunch. Nazare is known for having some of the world's largest waves and hosts many world reknown surfing competitions. The mega waves occur from November-March, so try to go during that time if you can.

We got back to Lisbon in the evening and checked in at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz for our last night. We had a drink at the lobby bar and dinner at their Michelin star Japanese restaurant Kabuki. The food was to die for, vibes were amazing, and the Chef even came to our table to speak to us.

Day 8

So sad we left after breakfast this morning :( If you extend your time in Portugal, you should now head South to the Algarve region for some rest and relaxation on their gorgeous beaches!

Noteworthy

• You do not need a car to get around Portugal. You can walk, Uber, take the train, hire a driver, or a combination of these (that's what we did).

• Cascais is a super cute beach town, but you can skip it if your time is limited or if you are visiting the Algarve region in the South.

• Do not miss a Duoro Valley tour or overnight stay if you're in the North.

• People were not so friendly and seemed annoyed by us (LOL). But we still had a great time and it did not affect our trip.

• While there are a lot of things to do with kids, I do not think this is a kid-friendly destination if you are traveling with small kids because there are so many steep uphill streets to walk through. It would be miserable to push a stroller or carry a baby uphill. We kept telling ourselves, thank god Sydney stayed behind.

• Luxury shopping is great because you get a tax refund at the airport (wooohooo)! I bought a Gucci purse and saved at least $500 buying it there.

• The food is so good and so cheap! Portugal is overall a cheap European destination compared to the more expensive countries like France and Switzerland.

• Most people speak English!