Now that we’ve been back in the states for a several months, we thought we would do one more post sharing our overall impressions of our recent travels to Portugal. We can honestly say that Portugal exceeded all expectations and we have already booked a return trip 2024! With that said, here are our top 10 reasons we want to return to Portugal.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.
Ibn Battuta
- A Great European Capital City
We have blogged about other great capital cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome. Quite honestly, we underestimated Lisbon thinking it wouldn’t be as sophisticated or cosmopolitan as those other well famous and well visited European cities. Lisbon stands strong among them.
Lisbon looks over the Tagus River from its seven hills. The sweeping views from various pinnacles throughout the city offer stunning snapshots of colorfully painted buildings, decorative tiled facades, castles set on distant hills, church steeples, and of course river views.
Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution
The city is clean and well cared for. The different neighborhoods have their own personality. While there are not as many iconic sites, such as the Eiffel Tower, or the Colloseum, the distinctive stone streets, orange rooftops, colorful, tiled buildings framing the city squares are memorable.
Monuments and castles are plentiful with terraced squares competing for top prize of the best view of the city. The analogy that Portugal is that shy girl from high school who didn’t know how pretty she really was rings true. The collective charm and natural beauty of this city makes it a must see.
Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara
Unlike some of the world capitals, it is easy to navigate on foot or by public transportation. Most people spoke English allowing for ease of communication for travelers. The tourist sites were beautiful. While we were there in the shoulder season, the influx of cruise ship tourists did not overwhelm the city.
established in 200bc.
2. The Old World Charm
Live, don’t know how long, And die, don’t know when; Must go, don’t know where; I’m astonished I am so cheerful.
-Versus attributed to Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I (c. 1500)
The Alfama, where we stayed, has many small winding alleyways which lead to stairways or twist sharply out of sight towards… well it is sometimes hard to tell. It seems you must go up to go down and there is a square at the end of any where you are. It has taken days to piece together how some sections connect to another!
Miradouro das Portas do So
Alfama is the one area in Lisbon that survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami of 1755 which destroyed much of the city. The city, with such a long and rich history, rebuilt and in doing so, modernized their streets creating a pattern that makes it a great place to move through.
The Alfama did not have to be rebuilt so it maintains alleyways where you can lean out the window across from one apartment to the next with just enough room to hang a clothesline. Narrow cobblestone streets that snake up through switchbacks and hidden stairways across others lead you to where you are.
Even the more modern areas of the city are charming and mix traditional buildings and parks with more modern planning.
There are sections of the city that harken to other famous cities; such as porticos similar to Bologna, the bridge and cable cars climbing steep hills similar to San Franciso, the Christo Rei like Rio De Janiero.
Porto, a truly enchanting city, is more like the Alfama, with small narrow streets, rising sharply, gives your glutes a workout and your spirit a lift. It is more laidback and relaxed than its larger cousin, Lisbon.
The Douro River which divides the Gaia from Porto, provides a lovely and active waterfront area on both banks.
The Port wineries on the Gaia side invite tourists to tour and sample the distinctive offerings, or travel further out to the vineyards themselves.
The vibe of Porto as an inclusive city, full of history and culture is worth exploring. It is very livable.
While we were there, the small neighborhood grocery store, the family run restaurant that offered only two dishes, a fish or a meat dish, the bookstore library rumored to have inspired the Hogwarts staircase, all lured us in and ensured we would return again to linger and explore.
3. Inviting Modern Green Urban Spaces
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature (1836)
In both major cities of Portugal, green spaces where people can relax and enjoy the outdoors were readily accessible. Many parks have kiosks or cafe spaces which offer coffee or wine/ sangria, beer.
You can get a pastry or a sandwich at many of them and sit and relax. The communal respite allows great people watching sites. On weekends or designated days, some of the parks host flea/farmer markets or craft fairs.
The parks were constructed with fitness stations, with workout equipment sporadically throughout the gardens. Personal trainers and PT’s were working with clients while others worked out with friends or by themselves,
The playgrounds for kids were imaginative. Large elephant and giraffe slides, climbing stations and slides allowed little ones to explore. The mix of neighborhood people of all ages enjoying the park throughout the day showcased the life of the community.
That’s our first 3 reason to visit Portugal. Check out our Top 10 Reasons to Visit Portugal: Part 2 to find a few more.
Maureen and David’s Travel Blog 