One of the most beautiful examples of Baroque Architecture in Portugal.. and in the World!

The Freixo Palace Hotel, opened in October 2009 and is the first Portuguese Pousada in the Oporto city.

The adaptation of the Pousada do Porto, inserted in a palace which has been classified as a National Monument since 1910, was by architect David Sinclair and decorated by architect James Mitchell. The building is located on the banks of the Douro River, named after the famous Wine Region in Portugal, which dates back to Roman times.

Situated just a few kilometres from Guimarães, the European Culture Capital 2012, the 
Freixo Palace is a beautiful example of Portuguese civil baroque.

Characterised by its sumptuous eighteenth century construction, the work originally was authorised by the celebrated Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. Nicolau Nasoni was one of the most significant architects of the Oporto city with an important contribution to the Historic Heritage where attention is also given to the Tower of the Clergy, ex-libris of the city. 
At the time of construction the Tower of the Clergy was considered to be the highest building in Portugal standing at 75 metres high

by visitportugal 

Gastronomic delights of Alentejo region, Portugal.

Various gastronomic events bring to the daily life of appreciators coming from all over the most characteristic elements in Alentejan cooking, in large part fruit of the imagination which poor country people have applied to the business of providing food.

To mention first the most essential element, bread. Present at every meal, it is baked in a wood oven and has a dense texture. It is central to migas (bread puree, often accompanying pork and soaked in the pork liqueur), açordas (dishes and main-course soups with a bread base), ensopados (stews with a bread base) and fatias douradas (slices of bread rolled in milk and fried in eggs whisked with sugar).

The variety of savoury titbits to accompany a drink, savouring of the seasons and the toil of the fields. Aromatic herbs fill the air around the houses and escape from the cooking pot: coriander, pennyroyal, oregano, parsley, thyme and rosemary. Thanks to them, the palate experiences a melange of delightful sensations, the result of what was a desire, in bygone days, to relieve the tedium of poverty or simply a means of preserving fresh food.

Add a drizzle of pure, virgin olive oil, which accompanies most things perfectly. Alentejan cheeses and wines have consolidated their fame as excellent starters and even better desserts.

Their variety and quality pleasantly surprise those who go looking for them. Denomination of origin has had a notable effect in the diversification of artisanal produce.

The wines have been typified in this way since the 80’s: the average quality improved instantly and meant that each one could be easily recognised according to vineyard and location. The reserve wines from some of the most highly regarded labels, and therefore of limited production, go to better quality restaurants or are exported, so it is a good idea to seek them out in the finer hotels, so as to sample these exquisite nectars that do not reach the public at large. At the same time, the programme Rota dos Vinhos do Alentej (wine route of the Alentejo) has opened wineries to visitors, so that they may taste the wine at the vineyard of the actual producer.

Cured meats are another regional speciality – highly specialised, to tell the truth, due to the fine nuances in the skill that creates them, as well as the variety in seasoning. The person doing the smoking undoubtedly affects the outcome. It is a job requiring patience, and it is plodding work and should not be done in haste.

Fresh from the ocean, fish arrive at the auction and disappear in boxes. Nowadays, the freshness of catches is guaranteed by modern cold storage techniques, even in the hot interior. But tradition still dictates caldeirada (fish stew) on the coast, dog-fish and river fish inland, and eels and marinated sardines everywhere. Is it time for lunch yet?

At the end of any afternoon establishments selling beer and seafood bring all sorts of connoisseurs together.

Goose barnacles, prawns and crabs are so linked to the leisure time of a group of friends, just like love is to a romantic encounter, that it is hours before they wend their way homewards.

Pork, lamb and beef, all from livestock reared in open spaces and not fed at a stable trough. The meat has an intense, natural flavour! These are beasts which know nothing of fixed rations but which

graze during all seasons at any time of the day or night, wandering in the meadows.

And for those who appreciate wild boar, hare, partridge and wood pigeon, they can sample from fine menus, when the season is favourable, some of the famous delicacies from the montado (cork woodland combined with pasture).

Eggs, sugar or honey, almonds, pine nuts, gourd, all turned into miraculous recipes in convents, cooked with great patience and some secret ingredients, continue to afford moments of unequal pleasure, in equal measure in the shape of cakes and puddings.

Meals go on forever. At times, one seems to merge into the next one, if the conversation and company are good. Time becomes intoxicated, the senses languid, satisfied.

by turismoportugal

Algarve. Great cultural heritage.

Visiting the Algarve is not just an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent beaches and delicious cuisine; it is also a chance to discover a rich cultural heritage handed down over many centuries of history.

Occupied since pre-historic times, the municipality of Aljezur enjoyed a period of great prosperity during the five centuries of Islamic occupation. Indeed, the town of Aljezur was founded by the Arabs in the 10^th century, and they built the imposing castle that can still be visited today.

In 1249, D. Paio Peres Correia won the town back from the Moors. In 1280, King Dinis granted Aljezur its charter and in 1504 it was awarded a new charter by King Manuel I.

After a period of prosperity which coincided with the maritime Discoveries and the town sending its agricultural produce to Lagos, Aljezur faced hard times, later exacerbated by the 1755 earthquake. The earthquake destroyed most of the town and left the main church in complete ruins. The intervention of the then Bishop of the Algarve, D. Francisco Gomes do Avelar, was needed to build this church and set in motion the construction of a new urban centre.

Aljezur Castle

An Arab military building dating from the 10^th century, located on the top of a hill. It has a long stretch of wall with two towers, and on the inside a vaulted cistern of Arab origin, as well as the remains of houses and barracks. Aljezur Castle was taken by the Christians in the 13th century and fulfilled an important defensive role until the 18th century.

Visitors can enjoy a wonderful view from here.

Bordeira Main Church

An 18th century church, it has a longitudinal floor plan with a single nave and a chancel with a carved gilt triumphal arch in front.

The main features are the altarpiece in the chancel and the two side altarpieces in the Baroque style, where some high quality statues can be seen. Examples are the

statues of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Our Lady of the Incarnation) and Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary)(18^th century), of Santo António (St Anthony) and São Francisco (St Francis)(17th century) and of São Sebastião (St Sebastian)(16th century).

There is more than a thousand impressive monuments and historical sites in the region. They will definitely be mentioned in the next series of articles. Explore and enjoy! And happy travelling.

Alentejo. Portugal. To stay and admire.

Absolutely loved it here. 

HOTEL CONVENTO DE SÃO PAULO

The former monastery, set among 1,500 acres of olive groves and woods, was constructed in 1376 by monks in search of tranquillity.

The property is in the Alentejo region, where gnarled olive trees and eerily beautiful cork forests cover the land.

You'll feel virtuous sleeping in any of the 17 rooms, most of them in pleasantly claustrophobic monastic cells. Modern amenities--phones, televisions, private bathrooms, air-conditioning--almost ruin the mood.

The dukes of Braganza, who ruled Portugal in the 19th century, were regular patrons. Other Portuguese nobles have also slept here.

Food in the hotel dining room is grandmotherly: duck and black olive stew; açorda, a bread soup with salt cod and olive oil.

 Recommended bottles include Porta da Ravessa and Monte da Ferra, both from the nearby Adega Cooperativa do Redondo.

Happy discovering! 

by foodandwine.com

Walk till the land ends and the sea begins. Stay longer. In Alentejo, Portugal.

Located in the South West of Portugal, Alentejo and Vicentina Coast (Costa Vecentina) is the best preserved coastal area of southern Europe. A true pearl, kept and tended for by its local inhabitants and by surprising natural values, that capture the hearts of more and more nature lovers and fans of active and sustainable tourism.

All in all, it's 110 kms of wild coastline and 75 thousand hectares of protected area within Sw Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, bathed by the Atlantic and pampered by over 300 days of sunshine per year.

The routs

Historical Way - It runs through the main towns and villages in a rural itinerary with several centuries of history. Comprised mainly of rural trails, this is a classic Grand Route (GR), fully accessible to mountain bikes, with stretches of cork tree forests, mountain ranges, valleys, rivers and creeks, in a true journey through time, local culture and nature trails. It comprises a total of 13 sections.

Fisherman's Trail - Always running along the coastline, it follows the trails used by locals to get to the beaches and hot fishing spots. It is a single track along the cliffs which can only be travelled by foot, and more demanding from a physical point of view. A challenge to a permanent contact with the ocean winds, the harsh coastal scenery and the wild and powerful natural landscape. It comprises a total of 4 sections and 5 complementary circuits.

Rota Vicentina (Vicentina Route) is a long distance path along the Sw coast of Portugal, between the city of Santiago do Cacém, with quite interesting ties to the cult of the Apostle St. James and the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, and the Cape of St. Vincent, the Portuguese Finnisterra.

To walk along Rota Vicentina is to embark on an unforgettable personal journey. Each step you take, besides contributing to the local economy's sustainability, promotes a new collective consciousness of preservation and reinforcement of environmental values.

The route is fully marked, so one can walk the entire distance in total autonomy and safety. Totaling more than 340 kms it is divided in sections, with an extension up to 25 kms, conceived to be completed in one single day.

Great Portuguese wines. N4 in a World ranking this year.

This year Portugal has achieved 4^th place in World Wine ranking list, with chosen 10 best Portuguese wines.

 The Wine Enthusiast magazine has issued the 100 Best Wines list, a Cellar Selection. The item price is not the major factor here, but an absolute quality.

Here is the great Portugal wines list, their score and the origin

 Wine Enthusiast top 100 Cellar Selections ('Vinhos Portugueses')

12 place – Quinta do Vale Meão 2009 Red (Douro ).  95 points

18 place - Herdade do Esporão 2008 TN Touriga Nacional (Alentejano).  94 points

27 place - Quinta da Romaneira 2008 Tinto (Douro).  94 points

36 place - Taylor Fladgate 2009 Vintage Porto.  96 points

48 place - Quinta do Crasto 2009 Reserva Vinhas Velhas (Douro).  94 points

57 place - Dao Sul 2009 Casa de Santar Conde de Santar (Dão).  94 points

67 place - Cartuxa 2009 Pêra-Manca Branco (Alentejo). 94 points

75 place - Niepoort 2009 Vintage Port.  95 points

83 place - Prats & Symington LDA 2009 Chryseia (Douro).  94 points

91 place  - Luis Duarte 2010 Rubrica Branco (Alentejano).  94 points

Cheers to this! Lets discover and enjoy! 

 Portugal is situated in the Mediterranean region, which is one of the world’s most important areas in terms of biodiversity.

Its landscape is very varied, with mountains and plains, hidden valleys and meadowland, extensive forests and groves, rocky coasts and never-ending beaches that stretch into the distance, estuaries, river deltas and coastal lagoons. With such a great variety of habitats, our country also presents one of the greatest diversities of birdlife in Europe, with roughly 360 regularlyoccurring species.

In mainland Portugal, there are roughly 70 species whose distribution is restricted to the region of the Mediterranean basin (e.g. Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Collared Pratincole, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Red-necked Nightjar, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous tailed Rock Thrush Orphean Warbler, Spanish Sparrow).

The coastal strip is the preferred place of migration for thousands of birds from dozens of different species. Hundreds of thousands of sea and coastal birds (gannets, shearwaters, sandpipers, plovers and terns), birds of prey (eagles and harriers), small birds (swallows, pipits, warblers, thrushes and shrikes) cross over our territory twice a year, flying between their breeding grounds in Europe and their winter stays in Africa.

In the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, there are important colonies of seabirds, such as the Cory’s Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel and Roseate Tern. There are also some endemic species on the islands, such as the Madeiran Storm Petrel, Madeiran Laurel Pigeon, Madeiran Firecrest or the Azores Bullfinch. One should also stress the importance of the Azores as a place where bird species may appear occasionally, flying in from the American continent.

Birdwatching in Portugal is also made easier by the relatively small size of the country itself, the quality of its road network, its mild climate and its high level of public safety. Being included in the strategic tourist product of Nature Tourism, birdwatching is best complemented with other important regional features, such as fine gastronomy, excellent wines and a rich cultural heritage

Corvo.

The best place in Europe for watching american birds

Description

Pastureland (Intensive and semi-natural), coastal areas (cliffs, islets).

Species

Cory’s Shearwater, Little Shearwater, Common Quail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Black Duck, Ringnecked Duck, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Wood Pigeon, Common Nighthawk, Yellowbilled Cuckoo, Common Blackbird, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird.

Birdwatching sites

Ribeira entre as Cancelas, Ribeira do Cantinho, Ribeira da Amoreira, Fojo, Ribeira do Poço de Água, Ribeira da Ponte, Ribeira do Cerrado das Vacas, Ponta do Marco, Vila Nova do Corvo, Caldeirão.

Other attractions in the area

Diving, observing whales and dolphins.

Happy discoveries!

Rock climbing in Centre of Portugal. Breathe taking landscapes and unforgettable views.

In the Centro de Portugal, to contemplate the landscape is to get united with Nature; to look at the valley and the mountains beyond, their lines shaped by time; to breath the fresh air and observe the slow sunset, followed by the afternoon colours… that’s when you feel the landscape

Due to the mild climate and only a few months of rain, the variety of natural and human environments in a small territory, climbing in Portugal is very pleasant and inexpensive, appropriate for families and friends who also wish to undertake other activities such as going to the beach, hiking, birdwatching, visiting monuments and learning about cultural traditions, etc. Although with no extensive or high cliffs, it is possible to climb in mountains, the coastline, rivers or near rural areas. It is also possible to climb on some beautiful islands of the Azores and Madeira

In the Centro de Portugal, there is a world of diversified landscapes to discover, permanently challenging the eye of the visitor: impressive mountains, long fields, ancient stones which set the design of magnificent natural monuments, glacier valleys, in a true puzzle made out of unique pieces put together in perfect harmony.

The Caramulo mountain, close to Viseu, is a telling example of Nature’s imaginative power. There you will find the granite rocks in strange, surprising shapes as well as an immaculate fresh air of proven therapeutic benefits. The Cambarinho Nature Reserve has the biggest concentration of Rose bays in Portugal.

The Arada mountain range is the ideal place for the practice of radical sports, with or without a guide, from mountain biking to hiking and climbing. The granite shroud covers the landscape with an unmistakable character. In the Centro de Portugal there are endless examples of impressive landscapes, endless valleys, hills or isolated rocks rising from the depth of the immense fields.

The Naturtejo Geopark offers countless range of new sceneries to explore.

The landscapes of Centro de Portugal are magical, with sacred woodlands which invite to contemplation and quietude.

The Buçaco National Woodland, with origins dating back to 1630, stretches over an extensive lush area, inhabited by rare species from the far corners of the Earth: Buçaco Cypresses, Tasmanian Eucalyptus, Sequoias, Conifers, Firs and Himalayan pine-trees. The scenery hints the aesthetic splendour of what’s coming next as you continue upwards: a revivalist 19th Century palace.

In the Centro de Portugal, the landscape tells stories of memorable times and opens itself like a book, eager for the eye of the reader.

Happy discovering!

Wonders of Portugal. Alenteho region.

Alentejo is a Heritage.

In the Alentejo, you travel naturally with and to History. The abundance and the quality of the

Heritage which it expresses become easy for you to discover but, if you are visiting the Region for the first time, you could be spoiled for choice. If this is the case, don’t hesitate: opt for our

suggestions and you will discover that the magic of the Alentejo is to be found, with endless pleasure, everywhere.

Encounters with History

So that you don’t miss out on any aspect of these thousands of yearsof history, it’s important that you have an idea of the different epochs which have clearly and abundantly made their mark on the rural and urban landscapes of the Alentejo. This is the thinking behind our

selecting the suggestions we make here.

From the times dating back to the Palaeolithic up to the 12th century AD, we suggest that you concentrate on three fundamental periods of time: the

Neolithic, which offers us interesting examples of the megalithic era, the the Roman occupation and the Arab occupation, which left us with an important inheritance, material and non-material, throughout the whole Region.

During the so-called Christian reconquest, Portugal was born as a nation, which means that from the 12th century until the present, we have almost 900 years of history in our hands. From this long period, we will suggest that you discover some of the

castles and historical centres that have a mediaeval flavour and that you visit the emblematic expressions of civil and religious architecture, built during the prosperous times of the Discoveries and the time of exploiting gold from Brazil (15th – 18th centuries).

When planning your travels, in order to experience the essence of the Alentejo to its full, you should leave yourself time to enjoy, freely and in tranquillity, everything that today opens up, conserves and brings life to the heritage present in the monuments.

To achieve this, you need to install yourself in the comfort of a palace, monastery or manor house, to lunch or dine in the former refectory of a convent, to enjoy a drink on a castle terrace, to listen to a concert of sacred music in the setting of a Baroque church, to attend a play in one of those beautiful spaces that formerly received kings, to take part in the spectacles which enliven village, town and city squares on warm summer evenings.

And, because nothing makes sense if you don’t understand what truly creates the soul of this people, you should make sure that, at an appropriate time, you are in some ancient or modern tavern where you can still find yourself listening to the sound of spontaneous Alentejan singing.

Happy travelling!

Alentejo. Portugal. Roman history

In the Alentejo, you travel naturally with and to History. The abundance and the quality of the Heritage which it expresses become easy for you to discover but, if you are visiting the Region for the first time, you could be spoiled for choice. If this is the case, don’t hesitate: opt for our suggestions and you will discover that the magic of the Alentejo is to be found, with endless pleasure, everywhere.

Miróbriga was inhabited from at least the Iron Age until the 4th century AD and experienced its major development during the Roman period. In the highest part, the forum was built, in the centre of which the two temples are visible, eventually dedicated to the Imperial cult and to the cult of Venus. In one of the best-conserved parts of the complex, the baths are of particular note. Away from the centre is found the hippodrome, the only one of its kind known in Portugal. There is an information centre and a shop. Guided visits are available, with prior booking, for groups (minimum 5). There is an entrance charge.

The Roman period in the Alentejo began in the 2nd century BC and lasted until the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. From these times, and from their influence on later periods, there remain many memories: mining and agricultural exploitation carried out on great estates crowned by luxurious and richly decorated houses (the Roman villas); ceramics industries, salt mines, fish-salting and ship-building; fortresses, temples, bridges, paved roads and pathways, sanctuaries, theatres, dams, aqueducts; municipalities as the basis for the structure of local administration. And there remains with us, obviously, Latin as the mother tongue of the Portuguese.

The remains of this period can be visited in and from urban centres. Take a note and make these sites part of your itinerary.

On the Marvão – Alter do Chão – Monforte axis you should see the Civitas de Ammaia (S. Salvador de Aramenha, Marvão); the ponte (bridge) de Vila Formosa (road between Alter do Chão and Ponte de Sor); the villa at Torre de Palma (road between Monforte and Cabeço de Vide); and the Núcleo Museológico of the Igreja (church) da Madalena (Monforte).

In Évora, the Roman-Goth-Arab walls, the Roman temple, the Termas (baths) in the Paços do Concelho (Town Hall), the Arco(arch) de D. Isabel and the Casa de Burgos, all in the historical centre; outside the city, the Termas of the Roman Villa of Tourega (road from Évora to Alcaçovas).

Between Alvito, Vidigueira, Cuba and Beja, the bridge at Vila Ruiva (road between Vila Ruiva nd Albergaria dos Fusos) and the Roman villa of Cucufate and Casa do Arco (Vila de Frades).

In Beja, the Portas (gates) de Évora e de Avis the gigantic capitals next to the Regional Museum and the Núcleo Museológico Romano da Rua do Sembrano, where you will also find important vestiges of the Iron Age.Between Beja, Castro Verde and Mértola, the Roman villa of Pisões (road from Beja to Aljustrel, next to Penedo Gordo); the Museu da Lucerna (museum of Roman lamps) (Castro Verde); and the Núcleo Museológico Romano (Mértola).

On the coast, the Estação Arqueológica de Miróbriga (Santiago do Cacém) and the Cripta (crypt) Arqueológica do Castelo (Alcácer do Sal), situated under the former Aracoeli convent, today the Pousada D. Afonso II, where you can see ruins of dwellings from the Iron Age, the Roman and the Arab periods as well as an important Roman sanctuary dating from the 2nd Century AD.

   by visitalentejo.pt

48 hours in Lisbon

Flea markets, fine food and fado: how to spend a weekend in Europe's westernmost capita

Looking for things to do in this wonderful city, Lisbon? Not much time to do them in? Here's a quick-stop guide to the city's best restaurants, bars, museums and more.

Day one: the old town

9am

Head up to St. George's Castle (Rue de Santa Cruz do Castelo) to get your bearings, taking the antique no.28 tram or a bus if you want to ride all the way. The battlements afford breathtaking views of the river and the city draped over a series of hills.

10am

Wander down towards Alfama, stopping off at the Museu-Escola de Artes Decorativas (Largo das Portas do Sol 2) if you have a taste for applied arts, or detouring to the remains of the Roman theatre (Pátio do Aljube 5, Rua Augusto Rosa).

Noon

If it’s a Tuesday or Saturday, take in the Feira da Ladra (ampo de Santa Clara, São Vicente), a sprawling flea market. The nearby monastery of São Vicente has magnificent azulejo tile panels – and more views. Lunch on grilled sardines or bacalhau at a local tasca, or go for a more exotic alternative, such as Michelin-Starred Tavares (Rua da Misericórdia 35).

2pm

After lunch, catch the tram across to Chiado for some shopping or people-watching. Of the many local churches, the highlight is the Igreja de São Roque (Largo de Trindade Coelho), with its lavish baroque decoration.

4pm

Art lovers may want to schedule a visit to the very Portuguese Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Rua das Janelas Verdes) or the wider-ranging Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Avenida de Berna 45). Although the latter has a lovely garden, keen botanists will find more to marvel over closer to hand in the Jardim Botânico (Rua da Escola Politécnica) in Príncipe Real.

6pm

Time for an aperitif, with the Solar do Vinho do Porto (Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara 45) an excellent place to have one. It’s on the edge of the Bairro Alto, with its myriad restaurants and late-opening bars. When these finally close, those with sufficient stamina should head downhill to Lux (Avenida Infante Dom Henrique) or another all-night club.

Day two: discoveries and rediscoveries

10am

Set aside half a day to explore Belém, a district that will be forever linked with ‘the Discoveries’, the golden age of Portuguese maritime exploration. As well as key examples of the late-Gothic Manueline style of architecture, the area has museums galore and a fine modern art collection. Take a break from culture to indulge in some of the famous custard tarts of the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua de Belém 84-92): it’s almost considered a sin by lisboetas to walk past here without stepping inside to munch a few of its specialist pastéis de Belém.

1pm

Have lunch at Alcântara Cafe (Rua Maria Luísa Holstein 15) – a Lisbon landmark since the 1980s that remains the centre of 'new Portuguese' cuisine, but with proper old-fashioned generous portions. Or, for a kitscher flight of fancy by the same designer (Antonio Pinto), nip round the corner to Espaço Lisboa (Rua da Cozinha Económica 16). Tables are laid out in a mock-up of a Lisbon square with tipico shops, but the food is less stylish than at its nearby cousin.

3pm

Cross town to the Parque das Nações, the former site of Expo 98, whose theme was the oceans and the Discoveries. It has attractions for visitors of all ages, with the Oceanário (Esplanada Dom Carlos I) the big crowd-puller. To cover more ground, let the mini-train or cable car take the strain. Otherwise, hire a bike or a pair of inline skates.

6pm

Head back into town for a late-afternoon drink at one of the numerous miradouros, Lisbon’s wonderful look-out points.

8pm

Dine at a casa de fado, where singers will pour their hearts out for you, accompanied by a lute-shaped Portuguese guitar. The best bets are Tasca do Jaime up in Graça (Rua da Graça 91), for songs punctuated by the rumble of passing trams, and Tasca do Chico in the Bairro Alto (Rua Diário de Notícias 39). The origins of the saudade they are expressing lie in part in seafarers’ homesickness and the longing of the women they left behind.

Stay

The Barrio Alto Hotel (Praça Luís de Camões 2) sits at the pricier end of the city's hotel spectrum, but the understated opulence of its boutique suites justifies the pricetag. Head to the rooftop bar for a pre-dinner drink with a view.

For shoestring travellers, Lisbon Lounge Hostel (Rua de São Paulo 111) provides just about everything you'd expect from budget accommodation, as well as a few things you wouldn't. Rooms are comfortable and clean, while the lounge boasts modern decor and internet access. Offbeat bars are just around the corner.

Happy travelling! 

by timeout.travel