"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Portugal. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Portugal has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operators / Travel Agent Recommendations
- Offbeat Portugal
T: +351 937 615 861
“A boutique incoming Tour Operator and DMC, specialized in providing unique and bespoke travel experiences in Portugal, to the discerning travelers.”
- LAXMI Concierge & Events
“Hello we are Portugese and my wife has Sofia, Concierge service company that has done programs and events from YPOers.” Feel free to contact her https://laxmi.ptacc - Paulo Miguel Uber Lisbon
T: +351 938 279 946 - Try daytrip.com.
"It’s like an Uber service for intercity travel. I’ve used them in Europe before and works perfectly." - Tour Guide in Porto
Contact: Susana Reis Guia
T: +351 936 164 250 I used Susana, She was amazing.
- Worthy contact: Adrian Bridge
"He is a brilliant resource; can open any door and is also the owner of the best hotel in Porto called The Yeatman. You just have to stay there"
Index
2. Dining Recommendations
Dining in Almancil:
- Conrad – Gusto, 1 Michelin star
Dining in Porto:
- Almeja for one of the best meals
- Cafeina
- DOP
- Euskalduna
- Fava Tonka
- Fernando
- Lusiadas
- "I highly recommend Mercado at Mercado Matosinhos for extraordinary fresh fish"
- Pedro Lemos
- Semea
- Vinum in Gaia ( infront of oporto)
- Wish and for quick lunch hotel Foz on the terrace
- Yeatman, at the hotel with same name on the other side of the Douro river
Breakfast/Coffee in Lisbon:
Dining in Lisbon:
- 100 Maneiras – Michelin starred
- 31 d’Armada
- A Cevicheria
- Alma - “Michelin starred, is excellent”
- Aqui Ha Peixe
- Atalho Real Carne
- Barrio Do Avillez
- Belcanto – “Refined cuisine by one of Portugal's most renowed chefs, José Avillez. He also owns a couple of more casual places, recommended as well.” (2* Michelin)
- Cantinho – “Chef Jose Avillez’s restaurants in Lisbon are all superb, my favorite is Cantinho do Avillez and Belcanto (Michelin) is great for fine dining.”
- Cervejaria Ramiro
- Coelho da Rocha Solar dos Nunes Basque
- Da Noi
- Cura (1* Michelin, at the Four Seasons)
- Eleven
- Eneko (1 michellin)
- Fabrica – “Best croissants and hot chocolate, they have other options too”
- Fares
- Farol Hotel Restaurant
- Feitoria
- Java Rooftop
- JnCQuoi Avenida (amazing food, service and decor)
- Liberta kitchen
- Marisco na Praca (sea food)
- Monte Mar Lisboa
- 'Do not miss A Mantegaria to have the best pastel de nata ever!'
- Nunes
- O Asiatico
- O Magano (popular, amazing Portuguese food)
- O Talho
- Paco Bigotes - Mexican
- Papa Açorda
- Pasteis de Belem – “Everyone who visits Lisbon must visit Pasteis de Belem to have a taste of their famous custard pastry.”
- Pizzaria Lisboa- Casual place but with great pizzas
- Pizzeria Mezzogiorno - Outdoor seating with pizzas
- Praia no Parque
- Ponto Final
- Ramiro (Sea Food)
- Relento
- Rocco Bar Restaurant
- Sacramento
- Santini Gelato - Amazing!
- Sea Me Peixaria Moderna
- Seen Lisboa Rooftop
- Yakuza
- Sitio Valverde
- Solar dos Presuntos. “Very popular. Large portions.” great Portuguese tradicional food with a nice terrace for drinks before or after dinner.
- Sud Lisboa (Italian)
- Taberna Moderna
- Timeout Food Market SUD Lisboa
- TO B or Not to B - Burger joint
Dining Porches:
- Ocean - '2 Michellin star in Vila Vita (fab)'
3. Activities Recommendations
In Lisbon:
I would pick a hotel in Chiado so you can do a lot of things walking. If you like History, in Lisbon, visit:
In Sintra which is a 1h train ride, visit:
Other activities in Lisbon:
- LX factory – “Warehouse converted into small cafes and artsy stores”
- Landeau chocolate – “best chocolate cake in the world its in Lx factory”
- Time Out Market – “different food concept with 30 different stalls”
- while in Lisbon don’t miss going to Sintra to see the Castle there.
- In the same short trip outside the city enjoy Cascáis for lunch and finish up in Estoril. This small towns are like 30 minutes away from Lisbon and are extremely worth it.
- Mafra – “If you have enough time you can also visit Mafra there is a very nice palace with an amazing library. Supposedly one of the top 10 libraries in the world to visit”
Liberdade Avenue
Principe Real design shops
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Casino Estoril
Palacio Pena
Sintra Monserrate
Wine Tasting
In Porto:
- The Douro Valley – “is amazing and you'll find many wineries up there. I've visited Quinta De La Rosa (somewhat commercial and bigger) and Quinta Do Popa (newer, more authentic, very nice tour and impressive wine). If you can, do the boat tour over the Douro River from Porto into the valley...”
- Grahams tour – “I have only done the Grahams tour which is very nice including a tasting and restaurant that can be nice for lunch”
- Matosinhos - “It’s worth it to make a trip to the harbor area called Matosinhos for dinner one night as well.”
Must do the drive along the coast stop at:
- Benagil Caves – “Must must do, it is beautiful. Take a kayak and go inside the waters.”
- Praia de Rocha
- Praia Dos Salgados
- Praria de Marinha
5. Accommodation Recommendations
Albufeira:
- The Pine Cliff Sheraton is lovely!
In Porto:
- Maison Albar (its right in the center of the main square of the city and very convenient to walk to restaurants, nightlife and and shopping. It’s a very nice hotel)
- Six Senses in Douro - it was outstanding
- Yeatman Hotel
In Porches:
- Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa is "fab!"