Lisboa

There is soooooo many wonderful things about this city: the people, culture, weather, food, architecture, and beaches :)

Here is how to duplicate my perfect weekend…

1 day & night in Cascais
1 day & night in Belém or Alfalma (Lisbon)
1 day & night in Sintra

Cascais is centrally located between all three areas and would be a nice home base, but hotels can be rather pricey; the primary attractions of this seaside town are the quaint and beautiful beaches.

Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; if you are into architecture or shopping, you do not want to miss this town. It sits nestled on a hillside, accessible by a steep, winding, narrow cobblestone road that will make your stomach churn, but is completely worth the ride.

Belém is a waterfront neighborhood west of the city center; the Museu Colecção Berardo, located in the Centro Cultural de Belém, while small, is an essential visit for anyone remotely interested in modern art – it is very well done. Also in Belém don’t miss the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the world famous Pastéis de Belém. There are several museums to see in Belém if you have the time.

Saturday & Tuesday mornings in Alfama bring Feira da Ladra (Thieves Market) – you have to wade through a lot of junk, but there are gems to be found. I was able to snag some one-of-a-kind jewelry for a really good price – a find like this makes wading through the junk totally worth it! Also in Alfama is the Museu do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) and the Castelo de São Jorge, both not to be missed. I am told the Sé de Lisboa is the oldest church in the city and a site worth seeing, though I was not able to make it there myself.

If you are staying in Portugal longer than 3 days, spend one more day in Lisbon, and then head Southwest or Northwest to the sandy beaches! Bon voyage