While Spain
has long been a popular vacation choice among American travelers, Portugal is
slowly emerging from its neighbor's shadow. And rightly so: this country has
everything to offer for the perfect getaway, including an amazing Mediterranean
climate, a diverse population, delicious seafood, a never-ending nightlife and
stunning beaches.
Portugal's
capital Lisbon, on the country's Atlantic coast, is as authentic a city as it
gets, with not many tourists in sight. At least, not yet. Here is a peek of what to see and do when visiting Lisbon
for the first time.
River cruise, tram ride, shopping and a mega-aquarium
Take a cruise on Lisbon's
Tejo River for a breathtaking view of the city from the water. The two-hour journey goes down the coast line, showing
off Lisbon's
landmarks and fascinating history. Sit back and relax while you take in
the blue skies and the Lisbon
landscape. Use "Cruzeiros no Tejo," located near the Praça do
Comercio. Tickets are 20 Euros each for adults. Drinks included.
Visit the Castle of
Saint George (Castelo de Saõ Jorge) in
the Alfama district. Catch the Tram 28 up to the castle; Lisbons cute vintage
trams are actually a form of public transportation. Riding the tram is an
experience by itself. You won't believe how high up you have to go to
reach the castle. Once there, you will enjoy the breathtaking view of Lisbon and the Tejo River
below. You can also take a taxi to the castle. A tip: wear rubber-sole shoes!
Stroll down Rua Augusta. Located off Praça do
Comercio, Rua Augusta is a pedestrian street with independent shops, cafes and
fabulous ambiance. Grab a bica (Portuguese espresso) or a gelato, sit
outdoors and people-watch Portuguese-style. You can also shop for
souvenirs here.
Spend an afternoon at the Parque de Nações. Built for "EXPO '98" a world exposition held in Lisbon
the area includes a park, an aquarium (the largest in Europe)
and other activities. Ride the cable car from one end of the park to the
other for fabulous views of the river and the Vasco de Gama bridge. At
the other end of the line is a row of outdoor cafes and restaurants, with music
and a lovely atmosphere.
Tasty treats, fado music, beach getaway
Savor a pastel de nata at Pasteis de Belém. The pastel de
nata is the traditional Portuguese pastry, and the original recipe is made at
Pasteis de Belem. This thick custard tart is unlike any in Europe.
Have a seat in this historic cafe and enjoy.
Walk through the Baixa/Chiado districts of Lisbon. The Baixa/Chiado neighborhoods have
many cafes and shops, and this is where you will find many Lisboetas enjoying
their afternoons and weekends.
Experience a night of fado music in the Alfama."You
can't come to Lisbon and not experience
fado," someone will say it to you at least once when you visit Lisbon. And that someone would be
right. Fado is a form of Portuguese music with melodious and mournful tones. The
songs evoke saudade (or sentiment). Having dinner at a cozy restaurant in the Alfama district while listening to melodious
live music is a perfect wind-down activity for any evening. A
group of men and women take turns singing while folks enjoy their food. For the
best, head to Casa de Linhares at Bacalhau de Molho. Tip: Reservations are recommended, and you must be silent during the
performances.
Go on a beach trip to the Algarve,
south of Portugal. A 45-minute plane ride lands you in the South of Portugal, by the
beach towns in the Algarve.
From the white sands to the gorgeous cliffs, this area is stunning. One
warning: the ocean is chilly year round. Still, laying back on a sunbed at one
of the many resorts and watching the beautiful
Atlantic ocean is the perfect addition to a
Portuguese getaway.
