I have been to a lot of places. People always say things like “You went to, than 50 countries, but not Portugal.” They tell me “You should be ashamed you saw all of Europe. You never visited Portugal.” I am sorry that I did not get to Portugal sooner. I am happy now though 😀
Porto
The chance to visit Portugal for the time was a reunion with my friends from Milano. I lived there for 13 years so a trip, to Porto was perfect to meet them.
Let’s begin talking about the most important: pastel de nata.
The best way to begin your day, the best way to begin your trip to Portugal 🙂
The city center is really nice. When you look at the buildings you can see the blue tiles called azulejos on them.
Torre dos Clérigos is one of the symbols of the city. If you have enough energy to climb 250 steps you can enjoy a wonderfull landscape
The Ribeira area along the Douro River, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ponte Dom Luis I is really something, in Porto. This bridge is very famous. It was made by people who learned from Eiffel. The Ponte Dom Luis I bridge connects the city of Porto and the town of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Vila nova d Gaia is on the other side of the river. It’s the third most populous city in the country (more than Porto), and it’s famous because all the Porto wine cellars stand on this side of the river. You can reach the top of the hill walking or by cable car and enjoy the stunning view on the river Douro
If you are going to visit a wine cellar, which’s something I think you should definitely do, you need to eat something to fill your stomach. A francesinha or a bacalhau are always a good option 😉
And finally… the most important: Porto wine!
One more glass of Porto tonic on the river to celebrate a lovely reunion 😉
Lisbon
My story starts with a flight that got canceled. This is what happens when you live near a volcano… All the flights were canceled for two days. There was no way for me to get to my connection flight in Milano. I mean there were no trains, no buses and no way to even hitch a ride.
But when you really want something you will do about anything to get it. After 2 trains, a boat, and a night spent at the airport, I reached my final destination, even if I had to buy another flight. What was the first thing I did when I put my feet in Lisbon? What a stupid question…
That tasty breakfast gave me enough energy to spend the morning in the Belém area, on the Tagus River , where naval expeditions used to sail to America. Here are the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.
Pit stop time to put in some fuel. Sardinhas assadas are one of the Portuguese dishes par excellence. A tasty lunch and a few hours of relaxation after 24 hours of rush, because in the evening it will be heavy metal time!
Nighttime at Estádio da Luz for the Iron Maiden concert. Up the Irons!
A new friend came from the street to meet me at my B&B: I literally saw him beside my bed because I left my window open…
La Baixa is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the city, full of pedestrian areas, shops, bars, and restaurants .
The beautiful Praça do Comércio at night Lisbon’s largest square is located on the estuary of the Tagus River
Lisbon is built on seven steep hills along the Tagus River. Its “high” and “low” areas (or altos and baixas) connect the low downtown (Baixa) to higher neighborhoods (Bairro Alto, Chiado) using a vertical elevator or historic trams .
Chiado is Pessoa’s favorite neighborhood and is currently home to numerous elegant shops, as well as bookstores and theaters. Pessoa spent much time at the café A Brasileira, one of the city’s most popular meeting places to this day. A bronze statue of the poet sits at the café’s table.
Bairro Alto is the youth neighborhood, and on weekends, it fills up with young people looking for fun.
Yet another quaint neighborhood, Lisbon’s most historic, where steep streets and hidden gardens line small bars from which Fado music emanates, and where tourists don’t flock. You can lose yourself in the city’s typical melancholy, admiring its red rooftops that overlook the sea.
In Lisbon, meals center around fresh seafood and hearty meats. Top fish picks include Bacalhau (salted cod), Polvo à lagareiro (octopus), and Sardinhas Assadas (grilled sardines). Top meat picks are Bifana (pork sandwich) and Cozido à Portuguesa (meat stew).
Lisbon is famously known as the “City of Seven Hills,” and its numerous miradouros (viewpoints) offer some of the most breathtaking urban panoramas in Europe. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro de Santa Luzia are the most famous.
Pink Street, officially named Rua Nova do Carvalho, is Lisbon’s iconic, vibrant nightlife hub located in the Cais do Sodré district. Once a gritty red-light district, the pedestrian street was famously painted pink in 2011, transforming it into a colorful, lively strip packed with trendy bars, clubs, and live music.
Lisbon’s old houses, narrow streets, and historic monuments offer visitors a sense of ancient history, but the city also boasts an ultra-modern hub: the Parque das Nações . This neighborhood was created following Expo 1998, when Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was entrusted with the conversion of empty pavilions and industrial areas into spaces for recreational, cultural, commercial, and sports purposes. Aesthetically, it’s a triumph of steel, glass, and white-painted reinforced concrete structures, creating a truly striking example of urban architecture. If you have enough time before going back to the airport, it’s very interesting to see.
Thank you Portugal for the great time i spent. Atè logo!
