Plotting an escape to Portugal? Sourced first-hand from the current getaways of Passport contributor Jessica Wright of Bon Traveler and editor Pleasure Pecknold, we’ve crafted a 14-day itinerary that begins and ends in Lisbon, with stops in Évora, the Algarve and Comporta. Take the following tips and plan a street journey for late spring or early fall—pleasanter temps and fewer crowds pair nicely with a refreshing Vinho Verde.
Seated the place seven spectacular hillsides converge, the nation’s capital and largest metropolis is an enlivening medley of previous and new. Past the large views Lisbon’s distinctive geography serves up, there are historical websites to admire and Michelin-worthy meals to savor.
EXPLORE
- E book a walking tour to soak up each the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery.
- Poke round LxFactory—the advanced of outlets, eating places and maker studios is stuffed with eye-candy and an awesome place to attain distinctive souvenirs for family and friends.
- Fulfill a bounty of cravings with no need a reso on the huge Time Out Market Lisboa.
- Devour a signature pastry on the legendary Pastéis de Belém, which has been making sweets since 1837. To skip the road, simply go by the left and ask for a seat.
- Go for an aperitif at Toca da Reposa, a bar that makes most creative cocktail locations look pedestrian.
- For spot-on conventional Portuguese, dine at Pica-Pau. Or go for Senhor Uva for cool, informal vegetarian with impeccable wine pairings.
STAY
Within the iconic Bairro Alto neighborhood, The Lumiares Hotel & Spa offers a heat Lisboa welcome. Reverse a tram line, the situation makes it simple to check-off that bucket-list merchandise. The apartment-style rooms, whether or not it’s a studio or two-bedroom Penthouse, embrace totally outfitted kitchens and residing areas ought to visitors wish to give Portuguese hospitality a go themselves. In any other case, depart it as much as Chef Joao Silva up on the panoramic Lumi Rooftop Bar and Restaurant.
From Lisbon, it’s lower than a 90-minute drive east to Évora, the Alentejo area’s charming capital. Surrounded by groves of cork and olive timber, the walled metropolis has a wealthy and colourful historical past that features Roman, Moorish, and Portuguese influences—and that’s earned it UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
EXPLORE
- Take a historic sights-stroll. Cease into the Roman Temple of Évora, see the Chapel of the Bones, and climb the steps to the rooftop inside Cathedral of Evora.
- Store the native boutiques, corresponding to Oxalá, O Cesto Artesanato, and Livraria Fonte de Letras, for olive oil, cork merchandise and extra.
- Make a degree of eating at Botequim da Mouraria, a restaurant with room for less than eight the place the proprietor himself serves you, and Dom Joaquim, a Michelin Information decide that serves conventional and native dishes.
- Drive out to the valley and go wine tasting. In the event you just like the look, and style, of L’AND Vineyards, you can even tack on an evening’s keep.
STAY
Octant Évora is an olive tree-dotted oasis simply quarter-hour by automotive outdoors of Évora correct. The sustainably minded lodge gives a spread of well-designed rooms and villas—some with personal swimming pools—to accommodate households or buddy teams touring collectively. There are additionally three shared swimming pools, two outdoor, one indoors, in addition to a spa with a sauna and Turkish tub. Friends can even get hands-on studying within the gardens and orchards.
From Évora, it takes about two hours of driving to succeed in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost coastal area beloved by vacationers for its vacation trifecta of seashores, golf programs and stress-free vibe. Keep in Vilamoura, and discover the seashore cities west to east—level to level, Sagres to Faro, it’s solely a 90-minute drive.
EXPLORE
- Take a seashore day. Hop on the free Anantara visitor shuttle to Purobeach Vilamoura, or drive your self west to Falésia Seaside (or farther west to Marinha, pictured above) or east to Praia do Ancão Seaside inside the Ria Formosa Pure Park.
- Stroll the Vilamoura Marina, then drink cocktails and dine on the patio at Salmora.
- E book a ship tour to the Benagil Caves. Most operators anchor off-shore earlier than heading again so you may soar in for a refreshing swim.
- Plan a sundown dinner at Restaurante Rocha Baixinha, the beachside restaurant is a magical spot for feasting on contemporary seafood whereas the sky goes from blue to ablaze.
STAY
The great thing about Anantara Vilamoura Algarve is there’s a lot on the resort grounds that you just solely must enterprise out whenever you completely wish to. Right here you’ve acquired swimming pools, eating places, outlets, two adjoining golf programs, a spa and concierges to plan all the things else you’d love to do. You’ll be able to even park your automotive rental for some time—a complimentary shuttle frequently whisks visitors to Vilamoura Marina for extra buying, eating and nightlife selections.
The straightest line between Vilamoura and Comporta is a two-hour drive alongside the A2. However in the event you actually love seashores and don’t thoughts spending some extra time within the automotive, take the longer, westernmost route—it’s one of the best ways to get a larger sense of Portugal’s coastal bounty earlier than digging your toes into Comporta’s sand and sea delights.
EXPLORE
- On the best way, cease and examine the surf situations in Sagres. In the event you aren’t courageous sufficient to hit the waves, decide to simply stroll throughout the broad, windy dunes of Bordeira.
- Swim, absorb the rays and luxuriate in an extended lunch on the Sublime Comporta Beach Club.
- For slightly retail remedy, take a look at Rice – Marta Mantero, Lavanda and Mercearia Gomes in Comporta city, or drive all the way down to the up-and-coming village of Melides.
- Go horseback using on the close by Cavalos na Areia. A 90-minute trip takes you alongside the seashore for the last word movie-like second.
- Plan to an evening to dine at Cavalariça. The famend restaurant additionally has Lisbon and Évora areas, however this one is inside a former horse steady.
The title says all of it—Sublime Comporta is elegant. The tucked-away property strikes an ideal steadiness between rustic and refined. Whether or not you keep in a novel Bio Pool Suite the place aquatic vegetation naturally preserve the water clear or a Villa Room with a traditional-style personal pool, there’s no going flawed. For an additional particular eating expertise, e-book a dinner within the Meals Circle the place the chef prepares dinner proper in entrance of you inside a surrounding herb and vegetable backyard.
It takes slightly over an hour to return to Lisbon by way of Comporta. Drop off your automotive, examine right into a lodge for an evening, and fill one final full day with just a few extra Portuguese sights and bites.
EXPLORE
- Now, let a neighborhood do the driving—a Hello Portugal guided tour will whisk you alongside the winding roads in a convertible MINI to see Pena Palace, Azenhas do Mar, Cabo da Roca and Cascais.
- On your final supper, make it the Michelin-starred Belcanto. That’s, in the event you reserved nicely prematurely.
- Earlier than departing, tuck in slightly last-minute luxurious buying on the outlets alongside Avenida de Liberdade close to the InterContinental.
STAY
Towering above Eduardo VII Park within the coronary heart of town, InterContinental Lisbon makes a grand, remaining relaxation cease. E book a view room to actually relish your final appears to be like on the spectacular metropolis that surrounds you. Earlier than the 15-minute drive to the airport, swing into Akla, proper subsequent to the foyer, for yet one more chunk of Portuguese delicacies.
