A custard tart was the first thing.
To be exact, a pastel de nata with a slightly burned edge that I dropped in front of a tram in Lisbon. As my husband bent down to pick it up, the bus driver gave us a serious nod and said, “Vale a pena.” It means “It’s worth it.” I’d like to think he was talking about love, life, or cakes. Portugal had already won our hearts, no matter what.
When you walk through Portugal’s narrow, cobblestone streets, you’ll feel like you’re holding on to the sun. The ocean air will smell like grilled sardines, and your hotel bed will hug you after a long day of walking. This is our first-person guide, full of funny side trips, interesting facts about the area, and the places that made each stop memorable.
Lisbon: Slopes, Sounds, and Secret Places to Stay
Almamater Lisbon Apartments is a hotel.
This cosy place was our home in Lisbon. It was only a few steps from Praça do Comércio. Our apartment was modern and had a rain shower and a small patio where we could enjoy our coffee and pastries while watching people go by. At night, Fado music would play in the background, and beneath, the smell of roasted chestnuts would fill the air.
The hotel had a lift, which was nice. In Lisbon, don’t forget about this.
Also think about:
The Hotel Inglaterra Charme Boutique is in Estoril, but it’s a great place to stay if you want to relax by the sea and be close to Lisbon. Think old-fashioned charm meets a trip to the Riviera.
Casa Manuel Espregueira e Oliveira: This casa is a dream if you go to Viana do Castelo in the north. It has antiques, charm, and a breakfast with honey and cheeses from the area.
Take the bus instead of the tram. Walk around. Part of the magic is the walk up Alfama, where you’ll find secret lookout spots that the guidebooks miss.
Porto: Nights by the river and the smell of wine
Apartment Boavista is the hotel.
This place was in a quiet part of Porto and had a big deck with a view of tiled roofs. The flat had a washer, a kitchen and room to move around. In the morning, it smelt like strong coffee and fresh bread.
We walked to the Douro and drank Port wine until it got dark. Along the way, we met a dog named Ronaldo who followed us for two blocks.
Check out also:
With its dramatic views of the river and lush fields all around, Quinta de Valverde is a ridiculously peaceful place to stay.
Riverside Hostel is close to the Dom Luís I bridge, cheap, and a great place to meet other people.
How to See the Sunset in Porto: Cross to Gaia to see the view. Do try the francesinha too. Do it while you’re hungry.
Sand, salt, and slow mornings on the Algarve Coast
The Vilalara Thalassa Resort is a hotel.
It was a treat to stay here, and I have no regrets. It felt like a dream in the Mediterranean. There are infinity pools, breakfasts on cliffs, and a private walk that leads to the beach. The sheets smelt like they were made of salt and lemon. Like clean linen from the sea, cool and crisp.
Other beautiful places in the Algarve:
The Oasis at Praia da Rocha – Bright, young, and in the best place. Great views from the roof.
The Apartamento Comunidades Lusiadas is big and cosy, and it has a shared pool and direct beach access.
The Akisol Armacao Pera Beach is a clean and simple choice close to long stretches of beautiful beach.
You can stay at Alvor Clube Brisamar for a long time or with your family. The layout is like an apartment, and the area is quiet.
The Presidente Apartment is right next to the cliffs. As we fell asleep, we heard waves.
The flat Apartment Amoreira Alvor is on a quiet street and has a full kitchen. You can go for walks at sunset right from the door.
Uma Casa a Beira Sol: This place has a lot of charm if you’re going to Lagos. Feel like you’re in a lush yard, with friendly cats and a lazy breakfast of fresh food.
Get a rental car in the Algarve. You can’t get to the secret coves by public transport, and trust me, you want to find them.
Escapes to Madeira and Other Islands: Atlantic Peace
The Paraiso Dourado hotel is in Porto Santo.
We had room, sun, and sand between our toes here. Porto Santo’s golden beach looks like fine gold powder. The deck of the flat was very big, and it was there that we met neighbours over grilled sardines and local wine.
Other choices on the island:
La Paloga Villa is beautiful, quiet, has great views, and is perfect for couples.
The name of this condo, OceanFront Big Terrace Private Condo, says it all. Only to get fresh bread and coffee did we leave the patio.
The Columbia Apartamentos Turisticos are a good place to stay in Funchal for day trips to the mountains or the market.
Tip from the Island: Put garlic butter on your bolo do caco. Take it while it’s hot. Put in two orders.
Portugal’s Offbeat and Inland Secret Gems
The Bom Sucesso Resort is a hotel in Bidos.
In the middle of mediaeval charm is a modern eco-resort. The houses look great, there are great views of the golf course, and the mornings are so quiet you won’t believe it’s already morning. We rode our bikes into Óbidos to get chocolate cups filled with cherry liquor shots.
Not well known places to stay:
Gold Silver in the region of Évora is a simple and artistic hotel surrounded by olive trees.
Vistamar LK (Setúbal): It’s small, clean, has decks, and you can get great seafood there.
Foz Club is right on the beach and lets you take your shoes off as soon as you get there.
Tip for the Land: Portugal is not just its coasts. Alentejo has rolling vines, slow food, and painted towns that shine at night.
We learnt how to travel the honest way.
The Portuguese are friendly but quiet. If you smile and say “bom dia” (good morning), you’ll be fine.
Stay away from crowded areas where you can eat. Go out two or three blocks. Parts get bigger as prices go down.
Get the “menu do dia.” It’s the best deal, and yes, it comes with wine.
Don’t eat too quickly. Things take longer, but that’s the point. You should stay for a while.
Pay attention to your steps. Cobblestones hurt your ankles. The winner is flat shoes.
In old places, Google Maps isn’t always right. Instead, rely on your intuition.
Last Thoughts: Portugal, From The Bottom of My Heart
Portugal is not a list; it’s a way of life. It’s when an old woman in Alfama sings softly to herself. It’s a glass of green wine on a patio with bougainvillaeas for shade. You are the only ones who have been on that beach.
Each hotel we stayed in made our trip more interesting. From fancy resorts to apartments by the sea, they became players in our story.
We went there for the views and stayed for the food. We left with sand in our bags and happiness in our hearts.
Do you mean the nata pastel? We got another one. One more. One more.