Portugal Special

Benigal
is a beach and has beatiful views (of what?). On the beach is also a cave with a "roof window". This part of the beach can only be reached by boat or kayak or instead of going directly to the beach you walk along the cliff, where you can look through the hole into the cave.

Praia das Furnas

is my favorite of all the beaches and is not easy to find. We ended up taking the wrong turn and had to hike for 30 minutes from top to bottom to reach this beach. Only then we realized that there is a road which leads to directly there. But on the positive side, we had a spectacular view. Note: You have to bring water and food, as here is no beach bar.

Porto Covo

Our second home was in a hippie small town named Melides, with a lovely couple. Here is their website. From here we did a trip to the Porto Covo in a unberührt national park. Besides beaches we also visit Lisbon.

Lisbon in three days

As you maybe want to spent more time in Lisbon, I also prepared a list for things to do in certain districts in Lisbon. Here you go.

Baixa District (rebuilt after earthquake of 1755)

1. Millennium BCP Building
2. Rossio Historical Train Station

Alfama/Graça District

1. Castelo de São Jorge: nice walk through the neighborhood to the castle for a view of the city
2. Fado Night at Tasca Bela: classical Portuguese music in a restaurant
3. Chapito a mesa: restaurant in a tower, request a reservation at a table at the top, by a window for an amazing view of the city
4. Lux: Lisbon's hippest club owned by John Malkovich!?! Whaat?!? Now we have to go.

Chiado District

1. Sol e Pesca: tapas restaurant and bar
2. Elevador/Ascensor da Bica Funicular
3. Estrela da Bica: restaurant with a changing menu
4. Sea Me: Portuguese/Japanese seafood restaurant
5. Principe do Calhariz: lacking ambiance, but really great, affordable traditional Lisbon restaurant
6. Praça Luís de Camões: square where everyone has drinks in the evening
7. Pensão Amor: bar, good drinks

Bairro Alto District (bar district)

1. Principe Real Neighborhood and Garden: nice shops, art
2. Pavilhão Chinês: interesting bar
3. Incognito: club with a bar upstairs and dance floor downstairs
4. Fragil: bar with a small dance floor

Hostels in Lisbon

1. Lisbon Calling (zentral)
2. The independente

Other Things in Lisbon

1. Avenida da Liberdade: park-like avenue connecting
2. Restauradores Square with Marquis of Pombal Square, try the tostas
3. Praça Martim Moniz: melting pot square
4. Ginjinha/Ginja: traditional Portuguese liqueur made of sour cherries

Beaches by Lisbon

Close by Lisbon, one hour drive south from Lisbon, you can also jump (yes, I mean cliff jumping) in the ocean and have picnic at Praia dos Coelhos. This bay-side beach is near Setúbal. Across the water from Praia dos Coelhos is Peninsula Troia. You can take a ferry from Setúbal, just park on side of street. It neighbor is the beach Creiro (Portinho Arrábida) with a beach bar, which is also worth a visit.

Another spectacular beach is Praia da Ursa. It is a 40-min drive west from Lisbon and you have to hike a little, but this hidden beach is worth every footstep. Next to the beach is also the viewpoint Capo da Roca, which forms the westernmost extent of mainland Portugal and continental Europe

One day in Porto

Porto is a beautiful city in the north of Portugal and famous for its port wine. So we drove up the coast and had a look.

Ribera District
Is a remarkable window into Portos history and located at the riverfront of Rio Douro. You see the Ponte de Dom Luis I from here.

Palacio da Bolsa
Is a neoclassical monument of Porto's money merchant. To visit the palacio you must join a guided tour of 30 minutes. The highlight is the Arabic ballroom with stucco walls.

Torre dos Clerigos
Is a church little further up with a wonderful view over the city, but you have to scale a 225-step spiral staircase for it.

Mercado do Bolbao
Was my personal favorite in Porto. Here the vendors sell fresh fish, flowers, port wine, food and much more. Opposite from the mercado, on Rua Formosa, you find an Art Nouveau delicatessens, Confeitaria do Bolbao, which is really beautiful and their food is delicious.

Museu de Arte Contemporary
Was designed by the Porto-based architect Alvaro Siza Vieira and is located im the Parque de Serravles. The fine collection features works from the late 1960th to present. You can also visit the nearby Casa de Serravles, a delightful pink Art Deco villa, built by nobleman in the 1930th, which also hosts modern art.

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