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This restaurant in Santo António das Areias near Marvão is well worth a visit if you are going to this area. You can eat outside in the courtyard or in the trendy modern interior.
We had a fabulous meal and the owners were so friendly, they were celebrating a birthday and offered the guests a glass of champagne. We will definitely return. Don't miss the prawns in beer sauce or the pork with plum sauce. Great with a bottle of Chamine Vinho Tinto (red wine).
Situated in Colares Velho, overlooking the church square and bandstand is a beautifully restored 18th century grocery store converted into a restaurant and tea room (Salão de chá).
A great place for a romantic dinner. We had a wonderful meal, the staff were so friendly and with Fredo playing the guitar, what more could you ask for?
Two outdoor public swimming pools great for family fun. One in Portagem near Marvão with a large swimming pool and smaller children's pool, sun loungers, shades, a grass area with a small stream and bridges and cafe/restaurant.
The other one in Castelo de Vide with two great slides for the kids, large swimming pool, small children's pool, sun loungers, shades and grass areas with small olive trees and a cafe/restaurant.
A respite from the hot Alentejo sun and the kids will love it.
Marvao, one of the most dramatic towns in Portugal, perched on a hill top of the Serra de Sao Mamede. A historic town with narrow cobbled streets and a castle on the top, with some of the most fantastic views over the countryside and Spain, well worth a visit. There are also great walks in this area.
Barretos, a small, sleepy, typical Alentejo village near Marvao, comes alive on the 2nd weekend in August with a bull run through the village, followed by a festa (festival) which continues well into the night. See the real Portugal and join the friendly locals in their tradition (they do not kill the bulls here in Portugal).
Casa do Pasto in the centre of Castel de Vide is a great place to eat. Every time we visit this area we always go here for dinner, homecooking at its best and fantastic value. Eat outside in the warm summer months and admire this ancient and historic town in the mountain range called the Serra de Sao Mamede. A place where you will discover some great walks.
Casa de Pasto: Rua de Santa Maria de Baixo, 10
Tel: 245 919 034
It's a small boat operator in Lisbon with intimate boats carrying up to 7 people and very cheap. Lovely music on board and superb service by the skipper.
We tried a Old Lisbon tour and it was very nice. Then the guy suggested us to have dinner in the Atira-te ao Rio restaurant in the south side of Lisbon near the bridge and we went on the boat and had a great meal and came back on the boat to Alcantara. If you don't take the tour, you should try the restaurant and you can go by boat as well.
www.marlinboattours.com, +351 919275509. Departures from Alcantara Docs and Belem, but better to call first.
Great location in the middle of the Bairro Alto. Nice staff, friendly ambiance and a gorgeous view from the window!
This website gives details, maps, infos about all kitesurf beaches in Portugal - it's a great resource.
Take the ferry from Cais do Sodre for the ten-minute crossing to Cacilhas (€1.25), avoid the street traders at the exit and turn sharp right to walk along the quay. There are wonderful old industrial buildings and eventually, the maritime museum and an elevador or a steep series of steps up to the small town of Almada and the Cristo Rei statue, from where there is a great view back across the Tejo as far as Sintra.
This can be confusing but the best value is a Viva Viagem card and the easiest place to buy one is from the ticket machines at any metro station. It's €4 for a one-day pass (valid 24 hours from time of purchase) and that covers metro, trams, buses and funiculars. When you want to renew it will cost €3.50 a day. You can also use it for ferries as all the ticket barriers are electronic.
If you arrive at the airport a ticket on the airport shuttle bus costs a flat fare of €3 and is valid for a day's travel on public transport. The Viva Viagem card is not accepted on the airport bus though.
As the shuttle is fairly infrequent and can get very crowded (though fun for the running commentary) if you haven't much luggage I would seriously consider, especially for your return trip, catching an ordinary bus to just outside the airport (check the route map) or take the metro to Olivais on the red route and it's a pleasant 20 minute walk to the terminal.
In fact I would also recommend taking a metro to a random station, getting out and exploring. The metro stations are invariably clean, modern, efficient and uniquely decorated with tiles and murals.
Any metro station is easiest.
Magnificent 19th century botanical gardens on a dense and sloping site, a haven of peace away from the busy streets, full of character and an absolute bargain at the €1.50 fee. Interesting buildings, a pond, and information boards on the way round.
The entrance can be tricky to find as it isn't obvious - through wide entrance gates opposite Rua de Sao Marcal and 100m straight on.
Rua Escola Politecnica, www.jb.vi.pt
Café de Paris is situated in the historic centre of Sintra Vila with fine views of the National Palace. A beautiful 19th century building built in the classical Parisian café style, covered in blue tiles. You have the choice of dining on the balcony, the terrace or the beautiful French style interior decorated with painted murals.
The café offers excellent Portuguese cuisine with a French flavour. After a long walk to the palace and castle on the hill spend the afternoon relaxing here with a bottle of Borba red wine.
Restaurante Café de Paris: 21 923 23 75
This is the MOST gorgeous little cluster of villas - my friends and family and I visit it every single summer. It's set in a quaint little Portuguese village, surrounded by orange groves and the owners, Beccy and Ron, are so welcoming. It's only 10 minutes from Faro airport and it has a pool and loads of character. I love the neighbour, Florentina - we always manage to communicate even when I cant speak a word of Portuguese!
A great wine bar at Casa da Guia near Cascais, with simple delicious food and, of course, very good wine. Fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Well worth a visit.
Carris (main transport operator in Lisbon) offers city tours on open-top buses. €14 each hop on/hop off (every 40 min) tour valid for 24 hours so you can start any time of day/evening and valid for other forms of transport too on day of purchase. They do a circuit of a route marked by set stops and give a commentary of points of interest via headsets.
Other tours including trams are not on/off but 1-2 hours in duration. €17
Most city bus/tram tours including Aerobus (airport to city) for 48 hours costs 30€.
Save a lot of time and money and buy at the aairport (at the post office) as many passes are not on buses and only at metro stations.
Starts at Praca do Comercio at the bottom of town near Information centre.
www.carristur.pt
Look out for pickpockets - one trick is to hop on the metro, stand in the doorway (look confused) whilst 2-3 conspirators close in behind and go through you stuff as you try to get by before the doors close (when they make a fast exit and you're minus your valuables). Similarly crowded trams can be a problem and notices warn the unwary.
metro tram buses
Four-star accommodation but booked as part of a package, it's affordable and comfortable. Very modern, clean and staff make you feel welcome.
Close to Oriente Metro/station and Parque dos Nacoes.
Av Joao II Lte 1.18
1998-028 Lisbon
(351) 210020400
www.viphotels.com
It’s situated about 30 metres from the beach just in front of Peniche Kite & Surf Center and 300 metres from downtown Peniche, Portugal, where you have everything you need to have the holidays you’re looking for!
The surf camp has shared rooms, with bunk beds, perfect for groups, or private rooms, some with a panoramic view, sharing the living room and kitchen with the other guests. You can also rent a private apartment.
Avenida Monsenhor Bastos,
Praia de Peniche de Cima
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/peniche/24903/
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/
Unique and hidden gem is the north of Portugal. Peniche is a truly Portuguese place; life revolves around the sea, one of the major fishing ports, gorgeous beaches and a perfect surfing area.
You'll find the finest surfing conditions everyday regardless of the swell and wind direction. Around Peniche Surf Camp Base you can find a mix of long sandy bays and a couple of reef breaks.
Peniche Surf Camp Base has got an ocean view and is located 100 metres from three excellent waves to surf. In a 15km radius you have more than 20 waves to choose from, one of them described as the best left-hander in Portugal.
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