Traveling to Portugal
We grew up by the sea, fell in love in the Bay, and are getting married overlooking the ocean. To us, Portugal represents a mindset of savoring each moment and embracing a carefree spirit.
On this page, we put together some tips and recommendations based on our past experiences. We hope you love this country as much as we do.
Lisbon
Travel Guide
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and full of amazing history, culture, and food. Check out our guide or see below for more specific recs!
Accommodations
Anywhere in the general city center area is safe and convenient. We’d recommend the Príncipe Real, Baixa or Alfama neighborhoods if you want to be within walking distance to all the attractions. Both hotels and Airbnbs are great options, and the latter are actually super affordable in Lisbon.
Staying in Sintra is also a reasonable option. There’s enough to do in the area to fill multiple days besides the wedding itself, especially if you’re into castles, palaces and beaches.
Taberna da Rua das Flores ($$)
Really cozy Portuguese tapas place. Cash only. No reservations so get there early or late.
Mar do Inferno ($$$)
Incredible fresh seafood place in Cascais, which is a seaside town about 40 minutes from Lisbon.
Food
Cervejaria Ramiro ($$$)
Famous spot where you can order seafood by the kg. Make a reservation beforehand and get the tiger prawns.
Manteigaria ($)
Famous pastel de nata (egg tart) place with multiple locations in the city.
Uber / Bolt
Uber and Bolt (European Uber) are relatively inexpensive compared to American cities and will take you anywhere you need to go in Lisbon. We’d recommend using these for most travel within the city.
Public transportation
The metro, trains and buses within Lisbon are also inexpensive and easy to use. Here’s a good guide. Lisbon is a hilly city similar to San Francisco so try riding a tram or funicular for fun!
Renting a car
If you’re mostly staying within Lisbon, it’s probably not worth it to rent a car, since most of the city is very walkable and it’s easy to get around. However, if you plan to do lots of day trips or travel elsewhere in Portugal, it may be worth it. Keep in mind that most cars have manual transmission, so make sure you rent an automatic if you can’t drive stick!
Transportation
Porto
Similar to Lisbon, anywhere in the general city center area of Porto is safe and convenient. Bolhão and Aliados are nice neighborhoods. There is some loud and extensive subway construction going on in front of the São Bento train station, so probably stay away from that area for now. Again, both hotels and Airbnbs are great options.
Wherever you stay, make sure to do a wine tasting tour in the Douro Valley. It’s a beautiful region and the birthplace of port wine, of course. There are some great Airbnb Experiences to choose from 🙂.
Accommodations
Cozinha das Flores ($$$)
Modern take on traditional Portuguese cuisine in a cozy space. Cocktails at the bar are fantastic too.
Arco das Verdades ($$)
Cute, intimate wine bar with good music and a great view of the city.
Food
Casa de Chá da Boa Nova ($$$$)
Two Michelin star seafood-forward place in a stunning building by the coast. Great for a fancy splurge meal.
Café Santiago ($)
Casual diner specializing in the famous Francesinha sandwich. Worth a try for the novelty at least.