The beauty of Porto, Portugal will remain ingrained in my memory. The sounds of music in the narrow and windy streets, the lively vibes of the Ribeira, the gorgeous azulejos adorning the building facades. We fell in love with this city so much we couldn’t leave, even despite having a car and planned day trips. We parked our car when we arrived and it didn’t leave the lot until our drive back to Lisbon.

You must not miss this city during your time in Portugal. In this guide we’ll take you through a tour of this beautiful city, highlight the sites to see, where to eat, and much more! It made the perfect ending to our northern Portugal road trip. We also included some suggestions of day trips nearby if you have more time here.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

The Best 3 Days in Porto, Portugal: Itinerary

In This Article
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Ribeira, Sao Nicolau, Vitória, Ponte Luis I Bridge
Walking Tour: Vitória, Azulejos, Vila Nova de Gaia
Chapel of Souls, Bolhão Market, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Rua Santa Catarina, São Bento Station, Rua das Flores
Day Trips from Porto
A Must See City in Portugal

Our beautiful room at Mo House in Porto

Where to Stay in Porto, Portugal

Porto is full of so many great choices of where to stay. Since we stayed 3 days we decided to split our time between two different places in order to experience different areas. We also got a good idea of where we’d like to stay on a return trip.

The first few nights we booked a studio at PortoSense Ribeira, conveniently located right in the famous Ribiera, with beautiful views of the Douro river. You’ll wake up to the smells of the water and the sounds of seagulls. It was wonderful being right here where all the action was at night and we conveniently spent our nights hanging out by the riverfront. After closing the windows, the sound was almost nonexistent so our room was more quiet than expected. The room had a kitchen and even a washer, which was a nice bonus. If you want to stay in this area, it’s a perfect choice for any traveler.

The charming street view from our balcony at Mo House

The last night here we stayed at Mo House, a boutique hotel in the historical centre. With gorgeous street or river views, it’s the perfect place to wind down and relax. It’s on a charming narrow street close to many cafes, restaurants and the famous Rua das Flores. The room itself was nicely designed with french doors that opened to a balcony in both rooms. The breakfast was delicious and the entire hotel felt like the perfect mix between old and new. A great choice if you want to stay away from the busy Ribeira.

For more hotels in Porto, see here.

Grilled octopus from Taberninha do Manel

Where to Eat in Porto, Portugal

Portugal has such delicious food, it’s hard to choose where to eat. Here’s a list of where we ate, and a few other suggestions as well.

For a quick bite

Stop by Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau and try their cod cakes with white port wine combo. It’s located right by the Clerigos Tower and makes the perfect on the go snack if you want to maximize your day.

For breakfast

Hungry Biker Cafe is a great healthy/vegan cafe option. Their avocado toast and smoothies were delicious and everything was fresh. Mercador Cafe is another great option, but the wait was quite long when we stopped by. Noshi Coffee is another great healthy cafe, with a similar menu to Hungry Biker if you can’t get a table. If you’re in a rush or looking for a budget option, the Café do Comércio has some tasty pastry options, toasties, and more.

For lunch or dinner

Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia is a restaurant right by the water called Taberninha Do Manel. Everything we tried here was delicious, especially the octopus. The view by the water was beautiful, especially watching the sunset as we dined.

For dinner

One of our favorite meals in Portugal was at Taberna dos Mercadores. It’s a very small and cozy intimate space, with just a few tables. Our hotel booked the reservation for us a few days in advance. The salted cod is a must have here! Excellent service and delicious seafood.

Food and Wine Walking Tour
If you’re interested in having a guided foodie experience, this tour is a great way to learn more about the food and culture. It includes a guided tour of the old town, learn about the history of the food and the area, and also plenty of snacks and wine tastings along the way!

The gorgeous view of the Dom Luis I Bridge from across the water

Day 1: Ribeira, Sao Nicolau, Ponte Luis I Bridge, Porto Cathedral, Barredo Stairs

Our entire time in Porto was spent walking around and exploring. We found that not making a defined plan was actually better in the end. Hidden corners and gems were discovered along the way, and not to mention it’s great exercise for all the delicious food you’ll be eating here.

Ribeira

Ribeira is one of the most well known places in Porto. It’s lively, has the most beautiful views, and plenty of little souvenir stands along the water. Most of the restaurants here though are overpriced and not as authentic, so we recommend walking a little further in for food. From here you can also walk across the lower level of the Dom Luis I Bridge which connects to Vila Nova de Gaia. The Funicular Dos Guindais will take you to the top of the bridge to walk across and see views from high above. You can find it at the foot of the bridge and the cost was 2.5 euros one way. On the other side is a viewpoint and perfect spot to watch the sunset.

At night this area comes alive with performers, music, and plenty of outdoor dining. Although touristy, the gorgeous river views and charming buildings make up for it. Since our hotel was right here, we stayed here to hang out until heading back to our room to sleep.

The charming side streets behind the Ribeira

The lively and beautiful area of the Ribeira

Sao Nicolau

Next up we spent time in Sao Nicolau, one of four districts that’s considered a Unesco World Heritage site. It includes the Ribeira and also the streets immediately behind. We recommend walking along these side streets as they are so much quieter and bursting with charm. There are restaurants, gorgeous churches, cafes, shops and azulejos to admire as you explore.

It’s the perfect place to walk during golden hour. The sun setting over the buildings shines the most pretty rays of light over the cobblestone. There are nooks and crevices with stairways as you walk through. The perfect opportunity to capture some nice photos!

View of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória

Churches

A few of the churches to see in this area area the Igreja Monumento de São Francisco, Igreja Paroquial de São Nicolau, and Igreja de S. João Novo. You can easily spot them while walking, we even made a custom Google map with all the spots to see. Palácio da Bolsa is also a must see while here, the interiors are just breathtaking!

Porto Cathedral

The funicular by the Dom Luis I Bridge takes you to the Se district. One of the main sites to check out here is the Porto Cathedral, built in the baroque style the 12th century. Blue azulejo tiles cover the walls within the cloister. Nearby are some shops and restaurants in case you need a bite to eat.

Barredo Stairs

After visiting the cathedral you must take the Barredo stairs back down to the Ribeira. They start directly behind the cathedral and the narrow and windy alleyways take you through a series of colorful houses and cozy bars. Along the way down you’ll be rewarded with some amazing views of the river.

The view outside from within the Clerigos Tower while waiting to go up

Day 2 Walking Tour: Vitória, Azulejos, Vila Nova de Gaia

Vitória

On our second day in Porto, we spent a great deal of our time in the Vitoria district. Located directly behind Sao Nicolau in the central part of the city, there’s so much to see here. Here are some of the best spots to check out during this walking tour.

Clérigos Church and Tower

This baroque beauty dates all the way back to 1735. The interior of the church definitely shows the ornate details as you’d expect in this style of architecture. Climbing the 200 steps to the top is a must, and the views are incredible. It does get quite hot inside, so try to do it on a cooler day or in the morning. Entrance for the tower is 5 euros.

The gorgeous interior of the Livraria Lello bookshop

The exterior of the Igreja do Carmo covered in azulejo tiles

Livraria Lello

One of the most famous bookshops in the world, although quite touristy. The gothic style and stunning interior even inspired JK Rowling while writing Harry Potter. You can also see the Harry Potter collection on display here. The inside has beautiful wood paneling and an elegant stairway covered with red carpeting. You can spend all day here browsing the books, and admission even gives you a discount on your purchase. The fee to get in was 5 euros. We recommend going later in the day closer to closing for a shorter line.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória

A gorgeous medieval church built in 1539, a true architectural wonder. After a fire caused damage in the 18th century, it was renovated and restored. There is a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the center at the altar. We briefly stopped by to admire both the inside and outside while exploring.

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas

These two churches are right next to each other and both feature incredible interiors. The churches were built in the 17th century in the late Baroque style. Igreja do Carmo had the blue azulejo tiles added in the 19th century which were made locally. They feature Portuguese scenes from Mount Carmel by artist Silvestre Silvestri. If you’re an architecture lover like us, then you’ll really enjoy seeing these.

The amazing view of Porto from Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia is on the other side of the river directly across from Porto. It’s filled with restaurants, shops, and port wine cellars. During a visit here you can book a wine tasting and tour at popular cellars like Cálem, Sandeman, and Graham’s. Afterwards head by the water and admire the view. Or you can ride the cable car, Teleférico de Gaia which you can access after crossing the upper level of the Dom Luis I Bridge.

Bus, River Cruise, & Port Cellar Tour
For those who need a break from walking, this tour gives you two day access to the hop-on hop-off bus. It also includes a river cruise and a guided tour of Calém Wine Cellars, such a great value!

Day 3 Walking Tour: Chapel of Souls, Bolhão Market, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Rua Santa Catarina, São Bento Station, Rua das Flores

Porto is famous for it’s stunning blue azulejos tiles all over the buildings around the city. This walking tour will feature a few landmarks covered with the tiles which are like works of art on their own. You can view these in any order you choose, as they are all fairly close to one another.

Chapel of Souls

This beautiful little church is located in the Santo Ildefonso district. The building is covered with blue azulejo tiles that depict various religious scenes featuring saints. It’s quite beautiful to see both inside and out, and definitely one of the most photographed buildings in Porto.

Bolhão Market

The Bolhão Market dates all the way back to the late 1800’s and was used for trading. Now it’s a mecca of locally grown fresh produce, meats, flowers, wine, olives, and other local goodies. Since it was under construction while we were there, it was temporarily in a new location. But we’d love to go back again and visit once it’s complete. If you’re a foodie like us you’ll really enjoy it here.

Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

Another gorgeous baroque church, this one dates all the way back to the 18th century. Over 11,000 azulejo tiles cover the facade featuring various scenes of Saint Ildefonso, hence the name of the church. The tiles were created by Jorge Colaço, the same artist of those at Sao Bento station. The church is located near Batalha Square with areas to sit and relax awhile. Cafe Santiago F is conveniently located nearby if you’re up for trying the famous Francesinha sandwich.

Rua Santa Catarina

After heading to Bolhão Market, you can continue shopping along the Rua Santa Catarina. It’s one of the largest shopping areas within Porto, and also filled with great restaurants and cafes like the Majestic Cafe. There’s a nice mix of mainstream international shops and local boutiques. It can get quite crowded here, so keep that in mind before you visit.

The gorgeous azulejos within the walls of Sao Bento Station

São Bento Station

Yet another beautiful site adorned with the azulejo tiles, this one has over 20,000 of them! The station itself was completed in the early 1900’s, and the tiles by painter Jorge Colaço took over 10 years to complete. The tiles show various scenes from Portuguese history. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage site, and also a National Monument of Portugal. Definitely a must to stop by and see this beauty in person.

Rua das Flores

Nearby the station is another famous shopping street called the Rua das Flores. The street name means the Road of Flowers, named after the manor homes along the street which used to be filled with beautiful blooming gardens. It now has beautiful traditional homes and plenty of shops to peruse. You will find many boutique artisan shops, souvenir shops, jewelers, cafes and restaurants, as well as street musicians while strolling along here.

Day Trips from Porto, Portugal

If you find yourself staying in Porto longer, or just want a taste of somewhere different there are plenty of great day trip options. Coimbra, a charming medieval town, is just a little over an hour drive away. Aveiro, nicknamed the “Venice of Portugal” is a beautiful coastal city with a series of canals. While here, you can also check out the colorful houses in Costa Nova. Braga and Guimaraes are both less than an hour drive from Porto, and also close to each other. If you love ancient and historic type places, you will love both of these. Although we never ended up taking a day trip, they are definitely on our list for a future visit.

Douro Valley

Of course a visit to the Douro Valley is a must while in Portugal. It may be a stretch to do within a day, but definitely makes a perfect weekend trip if you’re using Porto as a base. We ended up staying in Mesao Frio, and taking scenic drives stopping in Pinhao along the way.

Braga and Guimarães Full Day Tour
Braga and Guimarães are two beautiful cities to see. This full day tour includes transportation to both cities, lunch, bottled water and monument fees. A great way to see another part of the country!

Our little violinist playing for the streets of Porto!

Porto is a Must Visit

As you can see, Porto is a gem of a place filled with rich history and gorgeous architecture. You’ll also get a taste of so many delicious local specialties. It’s truly one-of-a-kind and I’m sure you will adore this city just as much as we did.

Have you been to Porto? If so we’d love to hear about it!

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post The Best 3 Days in Porto, Portugal appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

I still remember it vividly as we approached Monsanto, Portugal after driving through vineyards, and stunning Portuguese landscapes. The sight of what appeared to be a huge mountain speckled with homes built right within it. They were almost hard to see until we got closer. Perfectly blended into the natural landscape around. It’s truly one of the most unique places we have ever been. And as you continue to read you’ll easily see why.

This was the third stop on our 10 day journey through Portugal and makes a perfect road trip. You really only need one night here to see it all, but it’s a wonderful relaxing stay for even longer. Discover this overnight guide and see why we fell in love with “The Most Portuguese Village in Portugal.”

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Monsanto Portugal One-Day Guide

In This Article
History of Monsanto
How to Get to Monsanto
When to Go to Monsanto
Where to Stay in Monsanto
What to Do in Monsanto

Walking the path to the Castle of Monsanto ruins

A Brief History of Monsanto

Monsanto, Portugal is located within the area of Idanha-a-Nova in the central part of the country bordering Spain. It rises on a mountain called Mons Sanctus almost 800 feet above sea level. Granite cottages with burnt orange roofs exist in harmony between and around large boulders which makes for a unique sight. The homes run along a network of irregular tiny stone alleyways, some of which are connected by stairs and go uphill as you ascend the mountain. It is eerily quiet and feels like you’ve stepped back into the early ages.

The village is one of twelve Historical Villages of Portugal which helped to defend the country. It traces back to the Early Stone Age, with presence from Romans, Visigoths and Arabians in the area. In 1165, King Alfonso I gave ownership of the city to Order of Knights Templar, and then the Order of Santiago. Eventually a fortress was built on the top of the mountain called the Castle of Monsanto and was used to protect during invasions in the Middle Ages. However it was destroyed in the nineteenth century due to an explosion from within.

Sunrise over the village and a view of a large boulder home.

How to Get to Monsanto

The best way to get to Monsanto is by car. We rented one from Amoita and had a wonderful experience. They delivered the car to us in Lisbon, and also offer pickup service as well.

You can also take a bus from Lisbon or Porto. Check this site to see if there’s a route from where you’re staying.

Apparently there’s also a train as well, but a car offers the quickest and most convenient way there. You can also stop at other sites along the way as you wish.

Discover more places in our Portugal Road Trip Guide

The beautiful stone streets were empty most of the time

When to Go

The best time to go to Monsanto is during the spring or fall, which are the shoulder seasons. We went during summer and it was pretty hot during the day, so it depends on what you prefer. If you’re into cultural experiences, the Festival of the Holy Cross happens in early May. Women carry rag dolls and flower pots to the castle on top of the mountain, and toss the pots over the walls. Overall, it’s generally not very crowded there, so even in summer we had the streets to ourselves at times.

Where to Stay

Monsanto can easily be done in a day trip, but staying overnight allows you to really slow down and enjoy the village. You can stroll the quiet streets at sunset, or wake up before everyone else and watch the sunrise from the mountain. Although we only stayed one night, you can certainly stay longer and explore some of the parts around.

Within the village there are a few great choices of places to stay. We recommend experiencing one of the boulder houses, which will also mean you’ll be right within the main part of the village. We stayed at Casa de David and really enjoyed it. The owners were very friendly and accommodating. A fresh homemade breakfast is served and included with your stay. The room was comfortable and quite unique with the stone walls all around. There is also a small shop here with a tasteful selection of clothing and accessories.

For those who want to stay in a private home, the Casa Mont’santo gets great reviews and has a private garden for relaxing. Sun Set House is a smaller one very close to the castle with beautiful views.

There are so many wonderful options here, but some do sell out quick with limited availability. So we suggest booking well in advance in order to have more to choose from.

See more places to stay in Monsanto.

Walking within the walls with Chapel of Santa Maria behind

View from within the castle walls

What to Do in Monsanto

Castle of Monsanto

Although the village is quite small, there is still plenty to keep busy with. One of the main sights is the Monsanto Castle which sits at the very top of the mountain. There’s a walking path which leads up, and you’ll need comfortable shoes for the journey. Aside from the ruins of the castle and its walls, there are other sites to see as well. The Chapel of Santa Maria, Chapel of São João, The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Castelo, and Church of São Miguel. As you walk from site to site there are gorgeous views of the towns and valleys below, and even of the Serra da Estrela mountain range in the distance. Here’s a helpful outline of all the main sites in the area.

The nearly empty streets were so refreshing!

There were several spots around the village with stunning views

Explore and Shop

One of our favorite things to do here was simply to walk around and explore. During sunset a gorgeous orange sun-kissed glow covers all the stone and is worth the visit alone. It’s fun to walk around the alleyways and see where they lead. Along the way you’ll discover little shops to grab some souvenirs and treasures. We noticed a lot of shops selling ribboned drums and marafona rag dolls, the traditional items from the area. It took us a few hours to explore the streets and little nooks and crannies between the boulder homes. Spending time here makes you feel as if you’re in another era, with the rich history well-preserved.

Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is always a must while traveling. But the orange glow on the granite homes with views of the landscapes beyond is stunning. We walked around the streets as the sun was setting and truly enjoyed it. You could also sit and relax at one of the viewpoints, or admire it from Monsanto Castle on top of the mountain.

Pork dish at Petiscos e Granitos

Try the Local Food

There aren’t many choices of restaurants in Monsanto, but it’s always nice to try some local food. We ate at Petiscos e Granitos which was probably one of the better options in the area, but still not that great. The food was ok, but service was quite slow. We wanted to sit outside, but there was no space. So we ended up having to choose one of the inside tables, which was a bit more private. Apparently there are lovely views from the terrace, so consider going early. The restaurants may be closed, so call ahead or ask your guesthouse to recommend one that is open.

A Must-See Historical Village

After being in Lisbon for 3 days, we wanted to see more of the country. Monsanto is definitely one of the unique and less known spots to see. It’s one of the most fascinating places we’ve been and definitely worth checking out. It makes for a wonderful road trip from Lisbon or Porto, and an easy stop on the way to Douro Valley. You can even combine with other sites and do a complete Historical Villages of Portugal tour. These villages are just one of many hidden gems to see in this beautiful country.

Have you been to Monsanto? If so, we’d love to hear more!

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post Monsanto Portugal: A Unique Historical Boulder Village appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

Sintra Portugal is what fairytales are made of. Stunning greenery, charming cobblestone streets, ornate palaces, and mysterious historical sites. I was enchanted even more with each place we saw and loved escaping here for the day. There is so much to see beyond the famous Pena Palace and totally worth spending the night to slow down and take your time.

Even though we only had 3 days in Lisbon, I still could not resist planning a trip here. It was such an easy train ride with great transportation options to get around the village. Although there is much to see, we were only able to fit in a few key sites. But we will highlight some other options of what to see and do in Sintra.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Sintra Portugal Day Trip from Lisbon

Discover what we did during our day trip to Sintra as we explored Castle of the Moors, Pena Palace, and much more!

In This Article
How to Get to Sintra
When to Go to Sintra
Where to Stay in Sintra
What to Do: Castle of the Moors, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Historical Center of Sintra

The view of Pena Palace through the walls of Castle of the Moors

How to Get to Sintra

In order to get to Sintra, you must take the train from Rossio station. There are trains every 30 minutes and it takes around 40 minutes to get there. Once you arrive, there will be tuk tuks or cars waiting to take you where you need to go. This will save time, especially if you have only the day to spend here.

When to Go

The best time to go to Sintra is during the off-season which is usually in spring or fall. Because we were there in late summer, it was very crowded. It also tends to be less busy during the week, which could help if you happen to be there during peak season.

Where to Stay

We only spent the day here, so we can’t personally vouch on where to stay. However there are plenty of options like Chalet Saudade a charming guesthouse perfectly located to explore all the sites. If you’re looking for something more self-sufficient like an Airbnb, Casas de Biquinha is a wonderful option and gets raving reviews.

Staying overnight puts you at an advantage to beating the crowds. If we had more time in Portugal, I would definitely stay somewhere in town next time. You can also spend more time at each site and split it into a few days of exploring.

See more hotels in Sintra, Portugal.

Stunning view over Sintra while walking along the walls of Castle of the Moors

What to Do: Castle of the Moors, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Historical Center of Sintra

Sintra, Portugal is a gorgeous town filled with lush greenery, exquisite palaces and villas, and rich history. The Portuguese royal family used to reside here, and they’ve left behind so much beauty to explore. It’s located within the Serra de Sintra, a mountain range dotted with several historical sites and pine forests. You can see a lot in just a day trip, but we recommend adding on another day to get the full experience. We were able to explore three main sites and felt a bit rushed at times, but still we got a nice taste of the city. Here we will highlight what we saw, with also a few suggestions on what else there is to see.

Castle of the Moors

Castle of the Moors is a medieval castle which sits on top of a hill within the Sintra Mountains. It was used for protection and built by the Moors in the 8th-9th centuries. Eventually it was surrendered to Christian forces and left in ruins until it was reconstructed in the 1930’s. Today you can walk along the castle walls and enjoy the beautiful views of Pena Palace, and the village of Sintra below. We spent a few hours here exploring and felt that was sufficient.

We got a car from the station to drive us up here, and they recommended it as a first stop since most go to Pena Palace right away. It wasn’t too crowded and there’s a small cafe with snacks and restrooms. Some of the areas of the walls have no side rails, so be careful while walking around, especially with your kids. There are some steep drops on some parts and it can get quite scary.

Terra spinning around on the terrace of Pena Palace

Looking up at the colorful facade as you enter Pena Palace

Pena Palace

The next stop on our day tour was Pena Palace. It also sits on a mountaintop not far from Castle of the Moors. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders. According to history, King Ferdinand built a summer residence from the remains of a chapel and monastery that was destroyed during the 1955 earthquake. The architecture is a vibrant mix of Renaissance, Gothic, and Islamic styles with hints of Portuguese influence as well. This is what makes it such a unique beauty that so many tourists flock here to see.

You can also explore the inside of the palace as well as the terrace. You will need to buy the combined ticket in order to access these areas. We definitely recommend it since the terrace allowed us to escape the crowds and get some gorgeous shots. We spent about 2-3 hours here total, including some of the parks and gardens. You can grab tickets here online for several sites including Pena Palace. It will also save you time once you arrive.

A magical sight in Valley of the Lakes at Pena Palace gardens

Swans were swimming in the lake, so pretty!

Valley of the Lakes: Pena Palace Gardens

Around the palace there are also several gardens to discover and explore. You can easily spend a whole day alone just devoted to the gardens, however we were short on time. So we decided to check out the Valley of the Lakes, a string of lakes filled with duck houses and swans at the base of Pena Palace. An enchanting forest of trees and exotic plants surrounds the water which makes it even more beautiful. We were one of few in the area as we walked around the lake, which was such a nice contrast to the palace crowds.

Quinta da Regaleira

Also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Quinta da Regaleira is a quirky residence near the historic center of Sintra. It’s also one of the biggest tourist attractions here, but not too overly crowded. Around the palace are several parks, gardens, grottoes and mystical wells, with the Initation Well being one of the most mysterious. The palace is nicknamed “The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire,” named after its former owner António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. It has since gone through several owners through the years, but now belongs to the town of Sintra.

It’s quite a display of unique architecture with gothic details and gargoyles throughout. The house was built using materials sourced from around the world and built with luxurious taste. Nearby the house is a chapel that also has ornate detail and lavish decor inside and outside.

Initiation Well

On the premises of the residence is the Initation Well, which was said to be used for masonic rituals. Apparently in order to be initiated you’d have to descend the well in complete darkness, then find your way out of dark and cold caves and underground tunnels. But once you did finally make it out you’d have to walk across small stone steps over water, with no light to guide you. If you made it across without falling in, then you successfully complete the ceremony.

We decided to tackle this challenge in the light, and it wasn’t easy walking across those steps! The entire experience felt very mysterious, eerie and beautiful at the same time. As you walk through the tunnels at the bottom of the well, you will see the Waterfall Lake after exiting the caves. The well has a lot of symbolism of death and rebirth, and it’s still a mystery as to what it was intended for. But this makes it an even cooler place to visit!

The view over the historical center of Sintra from one of the viewpoints

Historical Center of Sintra

The historical center of Sintra is filled with adorable cobblestone streets, charming buildings and adorable shops. There is also a great selection of local food to try here too. We ended our time in Sintra walking around exploring before catching the train back to Lisbon. If you want to eat at the more local spots, we recommend making a reservation. We ended up not doing this and having to eat at one of the touristy spots along the main section of town.

Sintra Full Day Tour
If you like having everything planned out, you can book this tour. You’ll get to see the Sintra National Palace, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and much more! Transportation and a guide for some of the sites is included.

Alternative Option: Monserrate Palace

If you’re not interested in seeing one of the sights above, or perhaps have additional time here you should definitely check out the Monserrate Palace. I was hoping to go here, but just couldn’t fit it in since we arrived here later than planned. It’s another architectural beauty with gorgeous gardens and a unique mix of exotic plants. The palace itself looks like a dream as well.

Sintra Portugal is a Must See

We had the most magical time in Sintra and it was the perfect day trip from Lisbon. The village and surroundings are beautiful and the gardens are relaxing and peaceful to walk in. Of course we would have loved to have more time here, but we are glad we added it into our ten day trip to Portugal. You should definitely add Sintra to your Portugal bucket list, the beauty will remain in your memory forever.

Have you been to Sintra? If so, we’d love to hear more about your experience!

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post Sintra Portugal: A Magical Day Trip from Lisbon appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

We spent 3 days in Lisbon as part of a ten day journey in Portugal. It’s known to be “The City of Seven Hills,” however I couldn’t imagine a more family-friendly city. Between the gorgeous azulejos adorning the buildings and windy cobblestone streets, the quaint charm captivated me in so many ways. It’s the perfect place to live life a bit slower and stroll around aimlessly.

In this guide we will highlight the places we saw. Overall we had a pretty loose schedule without a strict itinerary. You can easily customize it to your liking. So we hope this gives you practical advice on what to see with or without kids.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

3 Days in Lisbon with Kids

This 3 day guide gives a brief taste of the charming city of Lisbon. You’ll explore Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, Alfama, Graca, Bairro Alto, and Belem. It also includes a day trip to Sintra, a must see while in Portugal.

In This Article
Traveling with Kids in Lisbon
Best Time to Go
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Helpful Tips for Lisbon
Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Bairro Alto
Day Trip to Sintra
Cais do Sodre, Time Out Market, Belem, Jeronimos Monastery

Exploring the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon

Traveling with Kids in Lisbon

I had heard that Lisbon was rather kid-friendly, so I thought it would make a great family trip. With all the hills, crowded trams, and bumpy streets it’s not the most stroller-friendly. But if you have a carrier, or older kids that can walk it’s a lot easier. Riding one of the trams is a must-do, our daughter loved the experience!

If you want to see some Fado music a lot of the places either did not allow kids, or only allowed older ones. However we were able to book an earlier time at A Severa, and catch part of the Fado show. The food itself was a bit pricey for what it was, but the experience was nice. If you don’t have kids with you we recommend one of the other clubs from this list.

Another option is to see Fado Inside the Box, at Adega Machado, a one hour show with wine, snacks and bread. It’s from 5:00-6:00pm and is perfect for families who want to experience the music.

Best Time to Go to Lisbon

Typically it’s best to go to Lisbon between March and May or September-October. The weather is warm, and because it’s the off-season prices are cheaper and it’s less crowded. June-August tend to be hot and busy. We went in early July and lucked out with cooler weather, however we still couldn’t escape the crowds. November-February are the winter months which means more rain and grey skies with cooler temperatures. Because we went during the busy season we decided to do a road trip outside of Lisbon which allowed us to escape the usual tourist crowds. In the summer the beaches in the Algarve get packed, so if you plan to go here usually off-season is ideal.

Looking to go beyond Lisbon? Check out our road trip itinerary to Portugal.

Our room at Chiado Arty Flats

Where to Stay in Lisbon

With the short time we had here we wanted to stay central, so we chose Chiado. Baixa and Alfama are also popular areas to stay that are near a lot of main sites and restaurants.

I booked a few nights at Chiado Arty Flats, funky and modern apartments and studios with nice city views. Our unit had a kitchen with a dining area, and queen sized bed. They also setup a little bed for our daughter as well. It’s conveniently located near Bairro Alto, and the Rossio train station.

We were welcomed with pasteis de nata and port wine and also a glass bottle of water. Breakfast was included and usually an assortment of pastries, breads, ham, cheese, yogurt, granola and juice. There was a coffee machine and free WIFI in our room during the stay. It was such a comfortable place with easy access to transportation. It was also walking distance from a lot of great restaurants and bars.

Looking for more places to stay in Lisbon? See more.

The charming area around our hotel in Chiado

3 Days in Lisbon Day 1: Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, Alfama, Bairro Alto

The first day we focused on four neighborhoods stopping at some highlights in each. We explored Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, and Alfama. Chiado is an artsy area known for it’s shopping, and is a mix of old and new. There are a lot of great restaurants and bars in this area, and it’s a great place to stay. Rossio is right next to it and is the heart of the city. It contains the main square and is usually the busiest. Baixa is considered the downtown part with a lot of shopping and touristy shops. It’s also very busy and can get quite crowded. Alfama is the oldest and most charming area of the city, with a lot of narrow cobblestone streets and perfect for photographers.

By the time we arrived in Lisbon it was almost lunch-time. We checked into our hotel, left our bags and immediately started exploring starting with the Chiado area. Along the way we stopped for lunch at Oficina do Duque as recommended by a local and enjoyed a relaxing seafood lunch outside. There is also a great gelato place nearby called Gelato di Chef which made for a delicious snack.

Intro to Lisbon
Get the perfect introduction to Lisbon with this tour. You’ll visit Bairro Alto, Chiado, admire the city from a viewpoint, and take the tram to Alfama. Includes a guide, tram ride, and a coffee break.

Walking down towards the Gloria funicular

Chiado: Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Gloria Funicular, São Roque Church, Rua Garrett

After lunch we started exploring without a set plan. We did not have a strict schedule of what to see, but more so focused on certain neighborhoods each day. Lisbon is definitely one of those cities that is great to explore by foot. As we walked uphill we came across one of the many viewpoints, Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara. It’s not the most spectacular viewpoint in the city since I noticed some construction vehicles below, however there’s a nice garden here with benches to relax.

Right beside the viewpoint you’ll see the Ascensor da Gloria as you descend down the pathway. Also nearby is the Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara, a gorgeous baroque church with beautiful azulejo tiles and ornamental style. It’s worth taking a brief look inside at the chapel and great for those who love architectural details.

As you continue walking past the Gloria Funicular you’ll come across the church of São Roque. This stunning place miraculously survived the earthquake of 1755 and contains quite the history. It doesn’t look too special from the outside, but the inside is a gem.

One of the main shopping areas in Chiado is Rua Garrett. There is a large variety of shops, restaurants and street vendors here. You can also check out one of the oldest bookstores, Bertrand Bookshop built in 1732. Unfortunately because of the little time we had here we couldn’t browse or shop much. However if it’s important for you to shop we suggest spending more time in this area.

Looking up at the Santa Justa Lift

View from Carmo Convent ruins looking up towards the sky

Rossio: Carmo Convent, Santa Justa Lift, Rossio Square

After checking out the shopping areas we came upon Carmo Convent. Here you can see the ruins left by the destruction from the 1755 earthquake. There is also a small museum here, but we only checked out the ruins. It was interesting to see what’s left against the open sky, a reminder of the tragedy from the disaster.

Nearby you can also see the Santa Justa Lift, Neo-Gothic iron tower and very popular place to see in Lisbon. The views from the top are beautiful, but the wait is also very long. For this reason we decided to just admire it from below. Apparently there’s a small gift shop across the street which will take you up. Then you just have to pay 1.50 euros to walk the staircase to the top.

While you’re in the area you can also see Rossio Square, which is the heart of Lisbon. There are several cafes to stop by here, and monuments to see. It’s also nearby the Rossio Train station which takes you to Sintra and other areas outside of the city.

Baixa: Rua Augusta, Rua Augusta Arch, Praca do Comercio

If you continue to walk downhill along the Rua Augusta you’ll lead straight to the Rua Augusta Arch. This street is very busy and touristy and not the best place to stop for food or shopping. Because of all the tourists things tend to be overpriced here and not the greatest. However it’s worth walking along here to see the arch, as the details are incredible.

Unfortunately we happened to be here while it was crowded, but if you go early in the morning it’s very quiet. Walking through the arch will lead you to the Praca do Comercio. This is the main square with views of vibrant yellow facades and the Tagus River. The palace used to be located here before it was destroyed in the earthquake. From here you can take a tram to Belem, another popular area to see.

View of Lisbon from the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Alfama: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, São Jorge Castle, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol

From Praco do Comercio we started walking towards Alfama. We reached the Santo António Church where we decided we would take a tuk tuk up to one of the viewpoints. If you’re into churches then you definitely want to take a look inside this 18th-century Baroque beauty. Because we were already short on time we decided to continue on.

The tuk tuk driver took us all the way up to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the highest viewpoint in the city. This was our favorite out of all that we went to. Nicknamed Our Lady of the Hill, it offers spectacular views over the city including a view of the castle and beyond. Because it’s so far uphill, most tourists don’t think to come here. So it was a lot more quiet than others.

Miradouros of Lisbon

We decided to walk down after spending some time here. It’s a nice way to see more of the Graca neighborhood leading into Alfama. You can also visit a few viewpoints along the way including Miradouro da Graca, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol. You can grab a drink from Miradouro de Santa Luzia to relax and watch the sunset. Another great place to watch is from the São Jorge Castle.

Alfama is best explored by foot and we recommend going off the beaten path a bit. Smells of food filled the air as we walked through the quaint alleyways. This was by far our favorite part of the city and would love to see more on a return trip.

Fado in Bairro Alto

While planning the trip I knew I wanted to see some live Fado music. However while researching I quickly learned that bringing a child to one of the later shows wasn’t going to be an option. I contacted several places and finally was able to book an earlier table at A Severa around 8:00pm which allowed us to see part of the show that began at 9pm. This worked out perfectly so that we could still bring our daughter and experience hearing the music. Without kids we recommend checking out one of the other places from this list.

View of Pena Palace from the back courtyard

3 Days in Lisbon Day 2: Sintra Day Trip

We decided to spend the second day on a day trip outside of Lisbon. You can easily get there by train from Rossio station and it takes about 40 minutes. From the station there are plenty of tuk tuks or cars to bring you up, or you can walk the whole way. Since we were short on time we decided to take a car up.

View of Castle of the Moors from high up

Castle of the Moors

The first stop of the day is Castle of the Moors. If you’re not interested in seeing this one you can skip it, but we enjoyed it. It only took a little over an hour to walk around the castle walls and it’s worth the beautiful views of Pena Palace. Be careful as you walk along the walls, there are some parts that have no guard rail. It’s especially important to watch your kids on these parts with the big drop below. There is a small cafe with some snacks like sandwiches and chips which gave us a bit of energy for the next stop.

The enchanting Valley of the Lakes at Pena Palace gardens

Pena Palace

Castle of the Moors is conveniently located right nearby, so we walked from here. Since we started the day around 1pm, we got here around 3pm. There were definitely some crowds but it wasn’t too bad. We ended up purchasing the ticket for the parks and the palace, which allowed us to go onto the terrace. For us it was worth the cost as we found there were less people in this area which felt refreshing. We also got a glimpse inside the palace which was interesting. Overall it’s a truly stunning place no matter how touristy it is and definitely a must during your visit to Sintra.

Since we still had one place left to see we couldn’t see much of the parks. We decided to walk down to the Valley of the Lakes, which was an easy and pleasant walk. If you must choose only one part of the park to see, this one was quite the fairytale. There were swans within the lake with a few duck houses. The paths were lined with beautiful greenery and flowers. It was a delight to spend some time here and less crowded too. We definitely recommend checking this out after you see the palace. You can easily dedicate a full day to the parks if you have more time.

The truly stunning residence of Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira

The last stop on our day trip to Sintra was Quinta da Regaleira. People usually come here to see the Initiation Well, however the grounds and the residence are worth a look as well. We spent about a few hours here first checking out the well, and climbing into the caves and grottoes, then we came out and explored the gardens. Our time ended here checking out the beautiful and quirky architecture of the quinta.

Historical Center of Sintra

After exploring all three sites on our list, we ended the day in the historical center. We grabbed a bite to eat in the main center, which was quite touristy. However all of the small local places were booked up. Don’t forget to grab travesseiros (puff pastry with a filling of almonds, egg and cinnamon) from Casa Piriquita, a famous dessert shop in town.

See more: Day Trip to Sintra Portugal

Alternative Option
If you’re interested in both Cascais and Sintra, this tour takes you to both cities for the full day. You will visit a few highlights in each and also the westernmost part of Europe, Cabo da Roca. Includes transportation and entrance fees to the sites.

The gorgeous Jeronimos Monastery during golden hour

Cais do Sodre, Time Out Market, Belem, Jeronimos Monastery

On our last day in Lisbon we decided to book a different hotel, so we stayed at the Flores Guesthouse. This charming hotel is located in the Misericordia area not far from Baixa and Bairro Alto. It does not have an elevator so keep that in mind if you’re staying on a higher floor. They serve breakfast every morning in a little basket which hangs outside your door. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating, and even helped with a slight issue we had with our rental car. We would definitely stay again when we return to Lisbon!

The crowds around lunchtime at Time Out Marker

Time Out Market

Day 3 of Lisbon was actually our last day of our ten day trip in Portugal. We had spent the first few days here, then left on a road trip to various areas, and came back before having to fly out the next morning. Since we had driven from Porto, we arrived around lunchtime. Time Out Market is supposed to be one of the must sees in Lisbon, so we decided to check it out.

Although the food was great, it was extremely busy during lunch which made the experience not so pleasant. We didn’t even get a table, so we had to eat standing up. I’m not sure what the ideal time to come here is, but maybe an off-time in between lunch and dinner would be better. Other than that, there are some great food vendors here to try and get a taste of what the city has to offer.

Cais do Sodre

After lunch you’ll be right in the center of the Cais do Sodre neighborhood. It runs right along the river and is full of trendy bars, restaurants and beautiful views. It also puts you in a great location with easy access to Belém, our next stop of the day.

Jeronimos Monastery

The tram to Belém had very long lines, so we decided to take an uber instead. It was actually rather affordable, so we recommend using it if you want to get somewhere fast. The driver dropped us off at Jeronimos Manastery first, then we walked to Belém Tower.

We visited the monastery at a perfect time during golden hour, with the light shining so beautifully. You have to purchase your tickets at a different entrance, then walk down to the other entrance which will get you inside. You can visit the chapel for free, but we decided to pay to walk around inside. The details on the architecture are stunning and it’s easy to see why it’s a UNESCO world heritage site. We spent a little over an hour here felt it was plenty.

Nearby is the famous Pasteis de Belem where you must get some pasteis de nata. We lucked out with a shorter line, but it also moved very quickly. You can also get a table inside which might end up being faster depending on the take-out line. They really are worth the wait and we enjoyed every bite.

Walking towards Belem Tower

Belém Tower

We had the uber driver take us to one of the 28 Tram stops. Although it’s touristy, we wanted to at least experience it before leaving. You can ride it the whole way, but we got off in Chiado so we can find a place to eat. Since we didn’t book a place ahead of time, we spontaneously walked around and came across A Cultura do Hambúrguer on a whim. They were able to seat us within 10 minutes and it was the perfect laid-back place to spend our last night. Not to mention the burgers and drinks were delicious too! Sometimes having no plan can be a nice surprise.

The Best 3 Days in Lisbon

Lisbon is a beautifully charming city with so much history. It’s the perfect place for any kind of traveler and we enjoyed it as a family. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and it has a vibrant feel to it. We absolutely loved our time here and it’s a must see while in Portugal! If you have additional time in the country, check out our one day trip to Obidos. There’s so much to see even beyond the bigger cities, and an easy car trip away!

Have you been to Lisbon? If so we’d love to hear more!

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post 3 Days in Lisbon: Family Travel Guide appeared first on Our Travel Soup.