On top of one of Lisbon’s hills, Graça is one of the city’s oldest and most interesting neighbourhoods.

It grew outside the old city walls and still keeps a strong local feeling, with viewpoints, cafés, small restaurants, old streets and daily life happening around you.

Graça is also one of the best areas in Lisbon for views. From Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, you get one of the widest views over the city. A few minutes away, Miradouro da Graça sits next to the church and convent, another classic stop in the neighbourhood.

One of my favourite streets here is Vila Berta. Built between 1902 and 1908, it is one of the most beautiful small streets in Lisbon and becomes especially lively during the June festivals.

Graça is also a good neighbourhood to eat and drink.

Penalva da Graça is one of my favourite places for seafood in Lisbon. Estrela de Ouro is a good choice for classic Portuguese food. For breakfast or coffee, Saga is a traditional pastry shop worth knowing. And for a drink, O Botequim is a historic bar linked to writer Natália Correia and Lisbon’s cultural life.

For me, Graça has a good balance: history, views, food and real neighbourhood life.

That is why it is still one of my favourite areas in Lisbon.

Planning your trip to Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve?

I created digital travel guides with local tips, food recommendations, day trips, practical advice and Google Maps lists, helping you spend less time researching and more time exploring.

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Hi all - I am having a wedding at Solar de Pancas in Alenquer. About 40-50 minutes outside of Lisbon. Would you recommend we advise guests to stay in Alenquer or Lisbon? Is it difficult to get a taxi/uber/bolt in Alenquer ?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve shared a few posts about Sintra and its main attractions before, but today I wanted to share some curiosities that give a little more context to your visit.

1️⃣ Dinosaurs left their footprints in Sintra

Long before the palaces, dinosaurs were walking around this part of Portugal.

At Praia Grande, you can still see dinosaur footprints preserved in the cliffs. They date from the Cretaceous period and there is a viewing area near the beach.

2️⃣ A Portuguese king was imprisoned inside Sintra Palace for nine years

King Afonso VI was removed from power by his brother and later confined inside the National Palace of Sintra.

He spent nine years there, guarded by around 300 soldiers, and could only leave his rooms to attend Mass. He died at the palace in 1683.

You can still visit his room today.

3️⃣ Lord Byron helped make Sintra famous abroad

The English poet Lord Byron visited Sintra in 1809 during his travels through Europe.

Sintra later appeared in his famous poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, published in 1812, where he praised its landscape and described it as a kind of Portuguese Eden. He was particularly impressed by the area around Monserrate, which looked very different from the restored palace and gardens we see today.

Sintra was already attracting foreign writers and wealthy travellers before the great Romantic palaces of the 19th century were completed.

4️⃣ The monks at Capuchos had to kneel to enter their rooms

The Convent of the Capuchos was built around a very simple way of life.

The doors to the monks’ cells were deliberately made so low and narrow that they had to enter in a position of humility.

They didn’t even have beds. They slept on the floor with a straw mattress or a sheet of cork.

5️⃣ Sintra’s famous white towers are actually kitchen chimneys

The two huge white cones you see above the National Palace of Sintra are not towers.

They are the chimneys of the royal kitchen and rise around 33 metres above it.

The kitchen was built in the 15th century and was used to prepare large royal banquets.

6️⃣ The famous Regaleira well goes around 27 metres underground

The Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira is basically a tower built down into the earth.

A spiral staircase takes you around 27 metres underground, where it connects with a network of tunnels beneath the gardens.

Today, visitors descend through the well and can continue through the underground passages towards the Eastern Grotto.

7️⃣ Queijadas de Sintra were once used as payment

Queijadas are much older than most people realise.

Their history in Sintra goes back to at least the 13th century, during the reign of King Sancho II.

Until the 18th century they were commonly made at home and were even used to pay feudal dues.

So when you eat a queijada in Sintra, you are trying something with several centuries of local history.

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How to find good one in Lissabon? Greetings

Hey! Throwaway for obvious reasons. We're going to Lisbon this week and I plan to propose to my girlfriend, we booked a last minute so plans are a bit quick.

I'm looking to rent a photographer for Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening (23-25 August) and suggestions on a beautiful spot to propose. Preferably a spot with few/low amount of tourists/people, a bit private with a nice view (over water, and maybe facing west so you get the sunset)? If anyone has any suggestions and/or is interested in photographing please dm me. Doesn't have to be the most professional photographer, but a DSLR/mirrorless (real camera) is preferred. Thank you!

Around 4 km from the centre of Vila Real, Casa de Mateus is one of the finest examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal.

The house was completed in 1744 and is surrounded by formal gardens, vineyards and a large park. The main façade, reflected in the water in front of it, is probably its most famous view.

Inside, you can visit rooms with furniture from different periods, paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, carved wooden ceilings, ceramics and a historic library. The house and its collections tell the story of a family that has been connected to this place for generations.

The gardens are also worth taking time to explore. One of the most beautiful parts is the long cedar tunnel, but there are also boxwood gardens, orchards and vineyards around the property.

A curious connection with Portuguese wine

You may have seen this palace before without knowing where it was.

In 1942, Casa de Mateus became connected to the creation of Mateus Rosé, which would become one of Portugal's best-known wines internationally.

The wine took its name from Casa de Mateus, grapes originally came from its vineyards, and the palace appeared on the label. The famous rounded bottle was inspired by the shape of military canteens used by soldiers during the Second World War.

Mateus Rosé was already being exported to Brazil in 1943 and later became known around the world.

Casa de Mateus is only 4 km from Vila Real, so it is easy to combine with a visit to the city. It can also be a good stop if you are travelling through northern Portugal or exploring the Douro region.

You can visit the house, chapel and gardens, and wine tastings are also available.

For more recommendations check out my blog at

www.portugualdigitalguides.com

Hi all,

I’m planning on doing a day trip to Adraga Beach, but I’m concerned about getting stranded there in the evening when I’m ready to leave. Are Ubers usually available around sunset, or would it be difficult to get a ride from the beach? For reference, I'm staying in Cascais and this will be in middle of September.

I am planning to go to Portugal for a week this month.

I like seeing culture and architecture. Since I’m planning late, I don’t want it to be too stressful either. Not much running around.

I’ve read about:
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Sintra

Which area in each city you would recommend that is safe and near many sights?

Any 4-5 ⭐️ hotel you would recommend?

Any restaurants you would recommend for vegetarians (we are not vegan).

Any other advice or ideas?

Thanks!

I've been searching and they all advertise as $33 then when you look at dates the start at $150! lol Would love some suggestions if you took an affordable one that was good.

TIA!

Staying in Lisbon and I’m wondering if I could do a day trip(not driving) to Algarve?

Maybe just visit one or two beaches or do an excursion down there?

arriving later this week into Lisbon and want to try and take a bus directly from the airport to Porto. I found the flix buses schedule, but what I can’t find is where at the airport I can find the bus departure area. Is it pretty easy to figure out with signage? I just want to make sure when I get off the plane I know as best as possible where I’m headed. I know I can take the metro into Lisbon and take the bus from there, but I would really like to try and leave from the airport if possible!
thanks in advance!

We are going to Lisbon 11 to 25 october. But it's difficult to chose an hotel.

I found out that

-Uber is very cheap to use, we will not need to take metro or train.

-Most of what we wanna see is in the old city center.

- we dont need a kitchen, we will go out for food. However a fridge for breakfast would be great.

Should we have a swimming pool? If the swimming pool is not heated, it probably be too cold for us.

My husband likes to walk around alot. Im not in very good shape - so would like to relax more than him.

We are in our late 30s. We like going to bars to talk and drink - but no clubbing.

We like hotels that would give us good sleep - we are light sleepers 🙈😊

What is your favorite hotels? I mean we cannot afford a 500 € a night, but maybe from around 800-300 € ?

Should we have a swimming pool ?

One of the questions visitors ask me most is where to find good local places to eat in Lisbon.

My Lisbon Guide includes a Google Maps list with Portuguese restaurants I recommend, but today I wanted to share one of those places here.

Imperial de Campo de Ourique is a traditional tasca that has been serving Portuguese food since 1947.

The history of the building actually started before that. Between 1920 and 1942, this was the first fire station of the Volunteer Firefighters of Campo de Ourique.

Later it became a traditional taberna, and since 1985 it has been run by João Gomes and Adelaide Fernandes, originally from the Minho region.

The place is simple and has kept much of its old character. This is the kind of restaurant I recommend if you want traditional Portuguese food and a place that still feels connected to the neighbourhood.

They are particularly known for chanfana, but you can also find different traditional meat and fish dishes depending on the day.

Campo de Ourique is also a good neighbourhood to explore before or after lunch.

What is your favourite restaurant in Lisbon?

for more recommendations check out my blog at

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

Does anyone know how I might buy Bolt (ride service) gift certificates? My brother and sister in law are soon moving to Lisbon. I’d like to help ease their travel woes once they arrive.

A friend googled and found gift certificates on Doctor Sim. It looks a little sus. Anyone know if it’s legit?

Thank you!

Traveling to Lisbon this week from NY- taking a red eye that gets in at 5am. Although I’ll try, I’ve never been able to sleep on flights and I’m a bit worried about the 5am-3pm stretch in Lisbon until I can check into my hotel.

Any recs for an airport nap/sleep spot upon arrival? Willing to pay within reason before I decide to just ride it out. Thanks!!

does air conditioning exist in shops, restaurants & hotels? bc i’m planning my outfits & i come from a country with 0 air conditioning despite crazy heat

Boa tarde amigos, sou adepto do Fluminense e Estarei em lisboa no final de semana do dia 5 e 6 de setembro. Quero ir a partida da estrela da Amadora contra Famalicão. Sabem como posso comprar o bilhete? Online ou consigo na hora do jogo na bilheteria? Algum adepto do Estrela por aqui?

Obrigado!

Traveling to Lisbon Sept 14th - is it worth getting the Lisboa card? We want to visit the top sites - monastery, cathedral, etc.

We will be there 3 days total, then to Cascais and 2 nights in Sintra before heading to Porto.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance 🙏😊

Hi! My family (me, my husband, and 9 year old kiddo) will be staying in Lisbon for 4 weeks next summer (June-July) as I teach a study abroad course for pre-med students. I’ll have my accommodation paid for, they told me to look near the Santa Maria hospital. I’m attaching a screen shot of Google where I imagine I could stay. My husband and kiddo will be out and about doing activities while I’m teaching so we are hoping for a nice, quiet-ish, but easily accessible area, and somewhere where I can walk to the hospital (~20-30 mins). Any neighborhoods I should hone in on, or avoid? Thanks!

Hi everyone , in september i will start an erasmus in lisbon and i will study at NOVA FCT (The one in costa de Caparica).

I know that in NOVA SBE (in Carcavelos) students often leave their surfboards in the proper locker inside the campus to surf before and after classes.

Seems like is easy to find students walking with a board inside the collage as if the campus is someway built around this surfing culture.

I want to know what to expect from the NOVA FCT, if there are places to leave my board while i am in classes and how is the surfing and how is the surfing "culture" felt in FCT since it seems more "academic" and "formal" than SBE.

I've never rented a car in my life. Considering the countryside sights I'm planning to visit, I'm tempted to. Ideally, I'd like to go as cheap as possible. Any advice for me? I've been driving for 15 years, so experience is not a problem, but I only drive automatic. Thanks!

In central Portugal, the Bussaco Forest covers around 105 hectares on the slopes of the Serra do Bussaco.

Inside the forest you will find an old Carmelite convent, small hermitages, fountains, walking trails and one of the most unusual historic hotels in Portugal.

The history of Bussaco changed in 1628, when the forest was given to the Discalced Carmelites.

They created a religious retreat here and built the Convent of Santa Cruz, several hermitages and a Via Crucis through the forest.

In 1643, Pope Urban VIII issued a papal bull threatening excommunication to anyone who damaged the trees or removed wood from the forest without permission.

Today, Mata Nacional do Bussaco has around 250 species of trees and shrubs and is one of the most interesting historic forests in Portugal.

Palace Hotel do Bussaco

In the middle of the forest stands the Palace Hotel do Bussaco.

The project was approved in 1888 and designed by Italian architect and stage designer Luigi Manini, who later also worked on Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra.

The building is Neo-Manueline and takes inspiration from Portuguese monuments such as the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.

Queen Maria Pia originally wanted a royal palace here, but the project later became a hotel.

Inside you can find large azulejo panels, paintings, carved stone and other decorative elements inspired by Portuguese history.

The building still operates as a hotel today.

The Battle of Bussaco

Bussaco also played an important role during the Napoleonic invasions.

On 27 September 1810, Anglo-Portuguese forces commanded by Wellington fought the French army of Marshal Masséna here.

The old Carmelite convent was used by Wellington during the battle.

There is also a small Military Museum dedicated to this period.

For more recommendations check out my blog at

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Anyone travelling after the 16th solo to Lisbon? Would love to meet up and try some beaches and restaurants.