Portugal is Calling
- sunny243
- Dec 16, 2021
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2021
Portugal was once the best-kept secret in Europe. But those days are long gone. It’s now one of the most visited destinations on the continent, attracting more than 20 million visitors per year. Still, if you haven’t been yet, there are plenty of reasons to visit now.
Here is the Black Book of Portugal!
For city lovers:
Lisbon
Lisbon is having a moment. It is the place on everyone’s list. And with good reason. This city boasts beautiful architecture, delicious dining, breath-taking views, and an abundance of historical treasures. But Lisbon, unlike so much of the world, has not gone global: it remains resolutely Portuguese, looking out to sea, with its back to the rest of Europe and its identity intact. If you’re willing to discover Lisbon more, try local Portuguese food, soak up the sunshine by the Tagus river, or just get lost in the maze of narrow cobbled streets.
Where to Stay:
Lumiares
The Lumiares is a 5-star Hotel and spa in Barrio Alto and a homage to Lisbon’s colors, patterns, and light. Created in collaboration with Portugal’s local brands, makers, and artists, these cozy apartment-style rooms are designed to feel like a home away from home. The fully renovated hotel, which is housed in a former XVII century Palace in the heart of the city, has 47 apartment style-rooms, a spa, restaurant, and a rooftop bar.
Verride Palácio Santa Catarina
This splendid old palace in Chiado district dates back to 1750, and it’s full of preserved original architectural detail. it’s a small boutique-style 18 room hotel, with individualized service and attention to detail. it’s also full of fine public and semi-public spaces, including a fine-dining restaurant, a more casual rooftop bar with a 360-degree view, and a winter garden that opens to a delightful little rooftop swimming pool.
Porto
Long regarded as Lisbon’s quieter sibling, Portugal’s second city is currently undergoing a magical moment of rejuvenation. But this ancient metropolis is not about to tart itself up and pimp itself out for the tourists like so many other popular European destinations. Portuenses love their old-world ways too much to give them up. So staying put are the city’s cobbled streets and beautifully tiled churches, its lazy lunchtimes, and touching friendliness. In short, what’s on offer is the best of both worlds.
Where to Stay:
The Yeatman
The Yeatman is a luxury wine Hotel and Spa with panoramic views of the city and the river in Porto. It is situated high on a hilltop in the historic district of Vila Nova de Gaia. The history of winemaking in the region is a subtle theme throughout the 82 guest rooms and suites. Each has a private balcony. The Yeatman is one of Europe’s leading wine hotels with the largest cellar of Portuguese wines anywhere in the world and The Yeatman restaurant has two Michelin stars.
Torel 1884
A one-time Porto palace dating from the late-19th century is the grand home of Torel 1884. The main building, contains 12 rooms and suites, all of them different, and there’s a theme to the décor: each one’s motif is derived from the Portuguese history of exploration, collecting items and styles from all around the world. And a short walk away on the pedestrian shopping street Rua das Flores is a second building, this one containing 11 unserviced apartments in a similar style. Back at the Palace, there is 24-hour room service, as well as a cozy multi-lingual library with an honesty bar, and a fine little restaurant.
For wine enthusiasts
Douro
To see the spectacular, magnificent landscape is one of the reasons to go to the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. Located just one hour east of Porto, The Douro vineland, long devoted to vineyards, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Douro Valley is the only place in the world that can legally produce what's called "port wine,". But today the dry Douro wines make up an ever-increasing part of the production. So even if sweet, fortified wines are not your thing you will enjoy them here.
Where to Stay:
Six Senses Douro
From its postcard-perfect setting in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, Six Senses Douro Valley has a lot of untamed charm. Throughout 60 guestrooms, suites, and villas decor is chic and modern with large windows to take in most of the spectacular views on every side. This contemporary elegance continues throughout the hotel, which has a unique character and feels. In addition to several restaurants, wine bar, pool and spa, the 8- hectare property covers several relaxing and meditation open-air areas in the surrounding woods, as well as an organic garden of vegetables and herbs.
Alentejo
Located about two hours inland from Lisbon, Alentejo is one of the top wine regions in Portugal. This region features an incredible Atlantic coastline, vineyards, wheat farms, and the primary route between Portugal and Spain. The Alentejo has been labeled the Tuscany of Portugal, and once you arrive in the region, you will be enamored by the white-painted buildings, the craggy coastline, golden beaches, and the slow, easy, pace of life.
Where to Stay:
Herdade de Maladinha Nova
Herdade de Maladinha Nova located In the heart of Alentejo region, in the charming village of Albernoa. Soares Family’s rolling 450-hectare estate is famous for its exceptional range of Alentejo reds, whites, and rosés. Over the years, they built a slick contemporary restaurant next to the huge stainless steel vats of the winery, with a gourmet menu that would serve as the perfect partner to their fabulous crus. In the latest chapter of this story for sybarites, they've added 21 sumptuous guest rooms and suites, plus three villas. Some are tastefully restored buildings, others minimalist new constructions. All in all, this place is as good as it gets for foodies and wine lovers. There’s a big range of outdoor activities on offer as well as a subterranean spa.
For beach bums
Comporta
Comporta is located a little more than one hour from Lisbon. It is a beautiful countryside area that for many years was kept secret by the well-heeled and those in the know. Comporta is very laid-back with a genuine beachside feeling, with the rich and famous blending into the environment rather than trying to stand out in the limelight. If you are looking for a simplistic environment and prefer nature to the buzz of the cities, then Comporta should be on your list to visit.
Where to Stay:
Quinta da Comporta
In the little village of Carvalhal, in the heart of the Comporta region, a few minutes drive away from the beach sits Quinta da Comporta. The skillful conversion of an ancient rice farm into 73 rooms, four pool villas, an all-wood restaurant, and spa right on the edge of the rice fields, and a sleek infinity pool that stretches between them. Infused with a contemporary feel, simplicity unveils elegance in every detail and invites you into a deep retreat, where wellness and tranquillity play a leading role.
Algarve
The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is known for its beautiful Atlantic beaches and golf resorts. Whitewashed fishing villages on low cliffs overlooking sandy coves were transformed in the 1960s, and now its central coast between Lagos and Faro is lined with villas, hotels, bars, and restaurants. With over 200km of coastline, 25 different resort towns, and countless small villages it is one of the biggest and most affordable holiday destinations in Europe.
Where to Stay:
Vila Vita Park Resort and Spa
Situated on a cliff facing the ocean, the luxury
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa has the feel of an elegant estate and village spanning garden grounds. The property has 180 rooms, the most basic of which have contemporary decor by local artists, sunken living rooms, and outdoor areas. The resort presents a slew of dining and recreation options, along with access to a small beach with Portugal's largest reef offshore. The nine restaurants include a two-star Michelin spot, and there are seven bars and an elegant wine cellar. Other bonuses are spa, eight swimming pools, kids' clubs, and golf facilities.
Vila Joya Sea
The Algarve's most hedonistic retreat, set on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, houses a two-Michelin-starred restaurant with chef Dieter Koschina at the helm, a small spa, 22 luxurious suites all with Ocean view and a cool, white on white, beach shack down on the sand with cocktails and sushi. The hotel has the feel of the private villa it once was, with every suite individually furnished. The heart of the hotel, the sitting room and dining room, spill out through arches onto terraces allowing the perfect sea view to dominate the understated décor. Outside, abundant gardens filled with palms, blue agapanthus and pink bougainvillea, with a heated swimming pool inset, lead to the beach.
For history buffs:
Sintra
While Lisbon often grabs the attention, the Portuguese capital's close neighbor, Sintra, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country for good reason. With its curved mountains, dewy forests, exotic gardens, and Crayola-coloured palaces, it's a city torn straight from a storybook. The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful natural scenery combine to form an outstanding tourist destination.
Where to Stay:
Tivoli Palácio de Seteais
The converted former palace, filled with ornate furnishings, 18th-century antiques, and restored frescoes make the hotel a perfect base camp for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra. 30 plush guest room features their distinct design combining equal parts comfort and adornment. Enjoy a private dining experience in the palace ballroom or by the pool. Drink up enchanted views of the mist-shrouded Sintra Mountains or the palace’s lush gardens.
Coimbra
While Lisbon often grabs the attention, the Portuguese capital's close neighbor, Sintra, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country for good reason. With its curved mountains, dewy forests, exotic gardens, and Crayola-coloured palaces, it's a city torn straight from a storybook. The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful natural scenery combine to form an outstanding tourist destination.
Where to Stay:
Quinta das Lagrimas
This 5-star hotel is situated in a historic medieval palace in Coimbra. It features botanical gardens with views across the city. Quinta das Lágrimas has a total of 23 rooms and offers 3 room types: Palace Rooms, Garden Rooms, and Spa Rooms. The 2 restaurants at the hotel serve seasonal dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients grown on the estate. Bamboo Garden Spa provides a range of luxury treatments and beauty therapies, and there is a library filled with thousands of ancient books.
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