Plotting an escape to Portugal? Sourced first-hand from the current getaways of Passport contributor Jessica Wright of Bon Traveler and editor Joy 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. Beyond the massive views Lisbon’s distinctive geography serves up, there are historic websites to admire and Michelin-worthy meals to savor.
EXPLORE
- Book a strolling tour to absorb each the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery.
- Poke round LxFactory—the complicated of retailers, eating places and maker studios is filled with eye-candy and a fantastic place to attain distinctive souvenirs for family and friends.
- Satisfy a bounty of cravings while not having 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 ingenious 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
In the enduring Bairro Alto neighborhood, The Lumiares Hotel & Spa supplies a heat Lisboa welcome. Opposite a tram line, the placement 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, embody absolutely outfitted kitchens and residing areas ought to friends need to give Portuguese hospitality a go themselves. Otherwise, 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 Site.
EXPLORE
- Take a historic sights-stroll. Stop into the Roman Temple of Évora, see the Chapel of the Bones, and climb the steps to the rooftop inside Cathedral of Evora.
- Shop the native boutiques, resembling 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 under eight the place the proprietor himself serves you, and Dom Joaquim, a Michelin Guide choose that serves conventional and native dishes.
- Drive out to the valley and go wine tasting. If 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 automobile outdoors of Évora correct. The sustainably minded resort presents a spread of well-designed rooms and villas—some with non-public swimming pools—to accommodate households or pal 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. Guests may get hands-on studying within the gardens and orchards.
From Évora, it takes about two hours of driving to achieve the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost coastal area beloved by vacationers for its vacation trifecta of seashores, golf programs and enjoyable vibe. Stay in Vilamoura, and discover the seaside cities west to east—level to level, Sagres to Faro, it’s solely a 90-minute drive.
EXPLORE
- Take a seaside day. Hop on the free Anantara visitor shuttle to Purobeach Vilamoura, or drive your self west to Falésia Beach (or farther west to Marinha, pictured above) or east to Praia do Ancão Beach throughout the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
- Stroll the Vilamoura Marina, then drink cocktails and dine on the patio at Salmora.
- Book a ship tour to the Benagil Caves. Most operators anchor off-shore earlier than heading again so you possibly can leap 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 simply solely should enterprise out once you completely need to. Here you’ve received swimming pools, eating places, outlets, two adjoining golf programs, a spa and concierges to plan every part else you’d love to do. You may even park your automobile rental for some time—a complimentary shuttle repeatedly whisks friends 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. But in case you actually love seashores and don’t thoughts spending some extra time within the automobile, 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.
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- On the best way, cease and verify the surf situations in Sagres. If you aren’t courageous sufficient to hit the waves, choose to only stroll throughout the vast, windy dunes of Bordeira.
- Swim, take in the rays and revel in an extended lunch on the Sublime Comporta Beach Club.
- For a bit retail remedy, take a look at Rice – Marta Mantero, Lavanda and Mercearia Gomes in Comporta city, or drive right down to the up-and-coming village of Melides.
- Go horseback driving on the close by Cavalos na Areia. A 90-minute experience takes you alongside the seaside for the final word movie-like second.
- Plan to an evening to dine at Cavalariça. The famend restaurant additionally has Lisbon and Évora places, however this one is inside a former horse steady.
The title says all of it—Sublime Comporta is classy. The tucked-away property strikes an ideal stability between rustic and refined. Whether you keep in a novel Bio Pool Suite the place aquatic crops naturally maintain the water clear or a Villa Room with a traditional-style non-public pool, there’s no going flawed. For an additional particular eating expertise, ebook a dinner within the Food Circle the place the chef prepares dinner proper in entrance of you inside a surrounding herb and vegetable backyard.
It takes a bit over an hour to return to Lisbon through Comporta. Drop off your automobile, verify right into a resort for an evening, and fill one final full day with a number of extra Portuguese sights and bites.
EXPLORE
- Now, let an area 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.
- For your final supper, make it the Michelin-starred Belcanto. That is, in case you reserved nicely upfront.
- Before departing, tuck in a bit 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 the town, InterContinental Lisbon makes a grand, last relaxation cease. Book a view room to actually relish your final seems on the spectacular metropolis that surrounds you. Before the 15-minute drive to the airport, swing into Akla, proper subsequent to the foyer, for another chew of Portuguese delicacies.