Lisbon, Portugal
Uber from Airport to our flat (5km) - 20 to 45 mins
The location is excellent, in a calm street but very close from the agitated vibrant life of Bairro Alto, Chiado, Bica, Cais do Sodré, the Tagus riverside and other super turistical attractions. There are several restaurants, cafes and markets, some old, others renewed. Just 20 meters down the street there is a stop for tram 28, the most famous of Lisbon, which goes up and down the city hills, from Estrela to Martim Moniz, passing by São Bento (the parliament), Chiado, Sé (the mother church), São Jorge Castle and Graça. Besides all that there is to see and do during the day, the night life is also a "must" in this area of the city. 500 metres away you will find Bairro Alto, where there is a great diversity of bars and discos for all tastes.
Day 3Lisbon - https://www.packthesuitcases.com/3-days-in-lisbon-itinerary/
https://wheatlesswanderlust.com/3-days-in-lisbon-itinerary/
Pastéis de Belém (Opens at 8am)
Most famous egg custard tart - breakfast
Walk for 4 mins to the next D
Jerónimos Monastery
Walk around the grounds
7 mins walk to the next place
Museum of Contemporary Art, part of the Centro Cultural de Belém
free entry first Sunday of the month - most visited museum of Portugal. (Opens at 10am) .. maybe for resident only…
Belém Tower
see the details on the outside, no entry needed in my view (13 mins walk)
Monument of the discoveries (12 mins), then maybe MAAT (17 minus walk)
Look from afar.. Maybe skipable
MAAT - General public: free first Sunday of each month, from 10.00 to 13.00
Lunch at LxFactory (15 mins cab ride from Belem Tower, but maybe walk from monument of the discoveries)
https://lxfactory.com/en/homepage-en/
Restaurants, bars, stores
Spend the afternoon there.
tram 15. Get off at Santos and walk up to where the Santos district merges into the Madragoa district.
It’s full of wonderful bars, restaurants and art galleries, not too touristy at all.
Wine - Insaciável.
After your drinks, head up to Galleria Madragoa - tiny gallery showcasing local contemporary art
very quick to look round, open until 9pm. Across from Da Noi
best restaurant in Lisbon for dinner Da Noi
small plates to share: ie. white bean stew, the asparagus and courgette stracciatella, the vegan cheese with black garlic, and the scallop carpaccio with orange jam and dill.
Day 4
Sintra
Or Uber approx $20 Euro (make sure to have drop off at Pena palace)
Train and bus ticket combo (buy at Rossio station): Train from Lisbon 40 mins, take the train all the way to Sintra station, make a beeline for the 434 bus line as soon as you arrive in Sintra to take you to Pena Palace
*Start early to avoid crowds, opening of Pena Palace at 9AM*
#434 and 435 buses in Sintra routes to all locations as an option
https://www.dangerous-business.com/sintra-day-trip/
Start with Pena Palace, tickets are for 9:30AM (the time is only for your entrance into the palace interior; you can enter the Park/grounds whenever you want) about 2 hours visit
Then walk about 15 mins downhill to High Cross and Castle of the Moors (tickets are purchased) about 1:30 - 2 hour visit
Walk about 20 mins to town centre for lunch restaurants (or 15 min walk to Quinta da Regaleira €12 per ticket)
Walk to back to Sintra Centre - National Palace of Sintra, Montserrat Palace (both on bus route 435 also)
Day 5
Lisbon
The Museo Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum)
The museum is located in a former convent and it still has an amazing tiled chapel inside, full of gold and impressive azulejo. The museum is only 8€ to get in.
Santos area of town -Rua da Silva.- informally known as Rua Verde Lisboa. This of course translates as ‘Green Street’.
But as you’re a bit out of the way at the tile museum, the quickest way to get there is via Uber/Bolt. You can get a tram but it’s about 30 minutes.
Bustling, narrow Green Street is overflowing with potted plants, climbing up the walls and dangling down from balconies. Everywhere you look, even in winter, something will be in bloom. In the afternoon heat, it’s a proper little shady oasis. At night, strewn with colourful hanging decorations and fairy lights, so it’s just as magical. Of course, Green Street is highly photogenic and Instagrammable so it’s popular with tourists. But it’s also got a lovely vibe to it. The residents all seem to know each other and everyone out on their balconies watering their plants will be stopping for a chat with each other.
Have some early evening craft beers and (try to) see the funicular
Once you’ve seen Green Street, it’s an easy (and pleasant) walk to a few good craft beer bars in Lisbon.
Start at Neighbourhood Cafe, which is a cool, tiled café known for speciality coffee.
Musa da Bica. - This is another nice craft beer bar.
Elevador da Bica -
It’s a bright yellow funicular (the same yellow as the trams)
connects Largo do Calhariz to Rua de São Paulo by running up and down an incredibly steep hill.
For your evening meal, there are loads of options you can walk to around this area.
O Botanista by Ortea Vegan Collective – As the name suggests, this is a botanical-themed restaurant.
Pastanaga – Another lovely restaurant with very friendly and helpful staff. The fish dishes come with plenty of vegetables, which I love (hate having to order them separately!) and everything is cooked to perfection. I
Estrela da Bica – A very nice, simple and small restaurant.The cabbage and stilton dish is particularly memorable and the desserts are always fantastic.
Valencia, Spain
Day 1 - Exploring Valencia
Morning: Begin your day with a visit to the iconic City of Arts and Sciences, a stunning futuristic complex hosting a science museum, oceanographic park, and an opera house.
Afternoon: Head to the historic city center and wander through the charming streets, stopping at the Central Market to sample local treats and admire the impressive architecture of Valencia Cathedral.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional paella dinner at one of the many restaurants in the city, followed by a leisurely stroll along the lively waterfront promenade, La Marina.
Day 2 - Beach day in Valencia
Morning: Start your day with a relaxing morning at Malvarrosa Beach, soaking up the sun and taking a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
Afternoon: Have a delicious seafood lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants, then explore the nearby neighborhood of El Cabanyal with its colorful houses and vibrant atmosphere.
Evening: End your day with a romantic sunset picnic on the beach, with a bottle of local wine and some Spanish snacks, while enjoying the stunning views of the sea.
Barcelona, Spain
Day 1 - Exploring the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla
Morning: Start the day with a visit to the historic Gothic Quarter, wander through its narrow streets and admire the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Afternoon: Head to the famous La Rambla boulevard for some shopping and people-watching, stop by the Boqueria market for a quick bite to eat.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional tapas dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area, followed by a leisurely stroll along the port to take in the beautiful views of the city.
Day 2 - Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
Morning: Visit the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudi, and marvel at its unique architecture and intricate details.
Afternoon: Explore the whimsical Park Guell, another masterpiece by Gaudi, with its colorful mosaics and stunning views of the city.
Evening: Relax at a nearby cafe and enjoy a glass of sangria while watching the sunset over Barcelona.
Day 3 - Montjuic and Magic Fountain
Morning: Take a cable car ride up to Montjuic hill, visit the Montjuic Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.
Afternoon: Explore the Montjuic Olympic Stadium and gardens, then take a leisurely walk down to the Magic Fountain for a spectacular water and light show.
Evening: Have dinner at a local restaurant and then head back to the Magic Fountain for the nighttime show, a perfect way to end the day.
Day 4 - Beach Day and Barceloneta
Morning: Relax on the sandy beaches of Barceloneta, soak up the sun and take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
Afternoon: Enjoy some fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants, or try some water sports like paddleboarding or kayaking.
Evening: Take a leisurely walk along the beach promenade, watch the sunset over the sea, and maybe even join in some beachside nightlife at a nearby bar or club.