Category: Portugal

Travel Guide and Why Go to Portugal

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

Portugal in April

April in Portugal is mild and offers lovely days for sightseeing and exploring the outdoors. Pack a waterproof coat because it might get a bit rainy. Explore the cities but also enjoy some day trips.

Weather

The weather is one of the reasons Portugal is very popular among travelers. It’s always sunny here and, as a result, traveling is a lovely experience year round. April falls in spring and it’s a mild month. It can be quite rainy in the north and central regions, though. If you are looking to explore the outdoors and visit the sites, April is a lovely choice.

Sample temperatures:
Faro avg 19C / avg low 11C
Lisbon avg high 18C / avg low 10C
Porto avg high 16C / avg low 8C

>>read more about Weather in Portugal

Flights and accommodation

Unless you plan to visit Portugal during Easter (which falls on April 8 in 2012), you shouldn’t worry about booking the airfare and accommodation too far in advance. Hostels can be excellent choices if you are on a low budget.

With so many lost cost carriers serving Portugal, it’s a matter of finding the best offer for the time you plan to fly. Remember that typically, 4 to 8 weeks before departure the airfare tends to be cheaper.

What to do

IndieLisboa takes place in April and it’s an independent Portuguese film festival becoming more famous each year. But, of course, you need to speak Portuguese to be able to enjoy it.

Lisboa International Triathlon takes place in late April and you can definitely sit by the side and cheer the competitor. Or be inspired to take up sports yourself.

Lisbon Golf Coast Festival stars in early April and many golf clubs join in the fun and games. Maybe you’ve just discovered another passion.

Also, Liberty Day (April 25) is one of the holidays to keep in mind when planning the vacation in Portugal.

You should plan to do some Port tasting while you are here. Some other things to do in Porto include visiting the museums, sightseeing and enjoying the local cuisine.

While in Lisbon, plan to visit Belem , a historically important district in the capital. Other things to do in Lisbon include the museums, the monuments, a ride on Tram 28 – the iconic tourist tram – and see the city from above. And let’s not forget about the food and drinks in Lisbon either.

Put on the list the beautiful town of Sintra with its Moorish castle , located a short drive from Lisbon. And while you are here, you might want to check out the Palacio da Pena as well. It was built on the site of an old monastery and can be visited.

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Planning a Trip Portugal

Getting from Lisbon to Seville (and return)

Lisbon , the capital of Portugal , has started to gain even more popularity among travelers. It is one of the rare Western European capitals which faces the water and surely knows how to use this for its own advantage. The hidden alleys, the superb views and the contemporary culture make it a desired travel destination year round.

Seville is the cultural capital of Andalucia, Spain. It lies on the bank of Guadalquivir River, which creates a romantic background. There are many places to visit in Seville and a lot of things to do.

Quick summary

Flights between the two cities are on the pricey side, so your best bet is taking the bus. Or you can rent a car and drive between Lisbon and Seville.

Flights from Lisbon (airport code: LIS) to Seville

Seville Airport is hub for both Ryanair and Vueling but neither offer flights between Lisbon and Porto. TAP Portugal and Spainair offer direct flights between the two cities. A single adult ticket starts at €217 while a return adult ticket starts at €279. The flight time is 1 h.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Lisbon

Trains from Lisbon to Seville

Traveling by train from Lisbon to Seville is not exactly an option, as you have to connect in Madrid. Plus, you’ll be spending a lot of time traveling as you need to stay overnight in Madrid.

Buses from Lisbon to Seville

There is one bus company which offers direct connections between Lisbon and Porto: ALSA . There are two departures a day (9:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.). The travel time is 7 h 15 min. An adult single ticket is €37 while a return ticket is €63.

Driving from Lisbon

Probably the easiest way to get between the two cities is by rental car . Ask the company whether you can take the car to Spain and enjoy the drive. The driving distance is 462 km and you should be able to get between the two cities in 4 hours.

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Planning a Trip Portugal Transportation travel guide

Getting from Lisbon to Porto (and return)

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has recently started to gain more and more popularity among travelers. It is one of the rare Western European cities which faces the water and knows how to use this for its own advantage. The intimate alleys, the superb views and the contemporary culture make it a travel destination year round.

Porto is the second largest city in the country. It is a busy industrial and commercial central. Its historical city has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1996. The historical sites, along with the lovely scenery enchant any traveler.

Those planning a vacation in Portugal most often plan to visit both cities. So knowing how to get between them cheap and easy is a must.

Quick summary

Flying takes less than one hour, but for whatever reason, it’s cheaper to book a return flight between the two cities, rather than a one way flight. Still, for €132 per person you can travel between the Lisbon and Porto. A much better option is the train, which takes 3 hours and is also cheap (from €24 per person, one way).

Flights from Lisbon (airport code: LIS) to Porto

Aeroporto da Portela (airport code: LIS) serves Lisbon and is the largest international airport in Portugal. It is the main hub for TAP Portugal. Sá Carneiro Airport (airport code: OPO) serves Porto and is the 3rd largest airport in the country. The only airline running flights between Lisbon and Porto is TAP Portugal. The flight time is 55 min and the one way adult fare is €148. Return fares start at €132 per person.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Lisbon

Trains from Lisbon to Porto

The national rail company (CP) offers direct trains from Lisbon to Porto. There are 18 departures daily and the travel time is 3 hours. The trains depart either from Lisboa – Entrecampos or Oriente. The 2nd class (turistica) fares start at €24 for an adult, one way. There are two types of trains to choose from: InterCity and Alfa-Pendular. Tickets can be bought here

>>read more about Train Travel in Portugal

Buses from Lisbon to Porto

Rede Expressos runs buses between Lisbon and Porto. Unfortunately, at the time this article was written neither versions (English or Portuguese) of the website allow us to check the timetable or the prices.
Other website which lists buses from various companies gave the price for the Rede bus: €16.50 for an adult, one way. The trail time is 3 h 30 min.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Portugal

Driving from Lisbon to Porto

Driving from Lisbon to Porto is a real pleasure and you’ll be rewarded with superb views. So, rent a car , get a map and plan your trip. The shortest route is 317 km and you should be able to cover it in 3 hours. Please note that you’ll have to pay tolls.

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Portugal Things to Do

Things to Do in Porto

Porto is best known as the center of Portugal’s port wine production, and that’s probably what most visitors come for. Yet this charming city on the Douro river, with its colorful houses stacked seemingly on top of one another as the climb the city’s steep hills, is worth a visit even if you aren’t a wine-lover. For a quick taste, plan on 2-3 days, plus another if you plan to take a day trip to the nearby Douro Valley.

Museums and sightseeing

Start in the Ribeira, the riverfront of Porto, with its sidewalk cafes and plenty of tourists. Head up into the city center to see the Centro Português de Fotografia (Portuguese Photography Museum), the Fundação de Serralves modern art museum, and the Casa da Música (House of Music) concert hall. Take a stroll through the Mercado do Bolhão, a traditional market and stop for a photo op (or to shop) at Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

For art and history buffs, there’s even more to explore. Check out the Casa do Infante, where Prince Henry the Navigator was supposedly born (now a museum), the beautiful Palacio da Bolsa (19th century stock exchange) and the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (transit museum). For one of the best views in the city, climb the 200 stairs of the tower of the Torre dos Clérigos church. Finally, see more of the river on a short cruise of the Douro. These cost only 10 euros and last about an hour.

Port tasting

Even if you aren’t a wine connoisseur, don’t miss a visit to at least one of Porto’s port wine cellars. Some offer tours and tastings, others just offer tastings or wine flights. Some charge a fee while others are free. At at some you’ll be the only person in the room while others will be packed with tourists. Sample from a few different places, or head to the Port Wine Institute to take your pick from hundreds of options in all styles and price ranges.

>> Read more on port tasting in Porto

Day trips

From Porto, you can take a cruise upriver to the Douro Valley. Full day cruises range from 50-100 euros per person and may include lunch or a tour and tasting at one of the valley’s wineries.  Visit the town of Guimarães (about 30 minutes away by train) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was chosen as a 2012 Capital of Culture for its many art galleries and museum and lively art and music scenes. Closer to the city, you can visit Foz, a sophisticated seaside village  with lots of cafés and restaurants a short bus ride away from Porto.

Dining

As in Lisbon and the rest of Portugal, cuisine in Porto relies heavily on fresh fish. Try bacalhau (cod) grilled, broiled, poached, or in a soup, or opt for other popular fish like grilled sardines, horse mackerel, cuttlefish, grouper, turbot, or mullet. Portuguese food also uses a lot of pork and sausage. Try the suckling pig or sausages like “chouriço” or “linguiça.” Alheira, a smoked sausage made of pork, poultry meat, wheat bread and olive oil, seasoned with salt, garlic and paprika, can also be found on menus all over Porto.  For a splurge meal and a modern take on traditional local food, make reservations for the dining room at the beautiful Yeatman Hotel. And if you tire of Portuguese food, check out Sitar (one of a handful of restaurants offering international food) for excellent Indian food.

If you try no other Portuguese food though, make sure you sample a Francesinha (or Little Frenchie). The slightly monstrous-looking Francesinha is the artery-clogging Portuguese version of the croque monsieur. A sandwich of  wet-cured ham, linguiça, and steak or roast meat, covered with melted cheese and topped with a thick tomato and beer sauce, it’s served with french fries for 7-11 euros each and can be found all over Porto.

As elsewhere in the country, breakfast is a very light meal – coffee and bread or pastry – usually had in a cafe. Lunch may be served between noon and 3pm and dinner is generally between 8 and 11pm. When you sit to eat, a plate of sausage, cheese or bread may be brought; just be aware that this is not free and you will be charged for what you eat.

Photos by: b00nj, iNolsonRocha

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Portugal Things to Do

Port Tasting in Porto

Porto (or Oporto) is the home of port wine. In the early 1700′s England was at war with France and so the people of England (longing for the delicious wine of France) searched for an alternative. They discovered the wines of Portugal, but quickly realized that the wine was spoiling before it made the long trip from Portugal to England. So the clever Brits devised a method of fortifying the wine to increase its longevity.

They added a neutral grape spirit, called aguardente, which stops fermentation and keeps more of the natural sugar intact. The wines are then aged in barrels (or bottles depending on the style ). Now we have white port, ruby port, tawny port, late bottled vintage, colheita, blends, and vintage port.

In the early days of the port industry, the grapes were grown in the Douro and then sent to Porto to be made into wine and aged in the city’s cellars, which are called caves. This was all done in Porto so that the finished product could be easily shipped the short distance down the river to the Atlantic and then on to England. Now, while the grapes are still grown in the Douro Valley, the rest of the process is completed there as well, leaving many of Porto’s wine caves just for show or to welcome people who want to come taste the port wine. In fact, port tasting is the main activity in Porto and one you should not skip.

The port houses of Porto aren’t actually in Porto. They’re across the river (a 5-10 minute walk) in Vila Nova de Gaia. Just over the iron-trellised Ponte Luís I bridge (which may look familiar in style, as it was made by a partner of Eiffel) there are over a dozen port houses that open their doors for free or low-cost tasting.

My advice is to start at the top of the hill and work your way down. Like Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia is quite hilly, and steep cobblestone streets become more difficult to navigate after a few glasses of port. And be sure to eat before you go, as there are only a handle of dining options on this side and most are down by the riverfront. There are signs and arrows throughout the town pointing you to nearby port houses (most hotels have a map as well) from the more touristy Sandeman (which does have an excellent cafe attached for a quick snack), to the famous Taylor’s and Graham’s. I preferred the lesser-known (and still Portuguese owned) Wiese and Krohn (where we were the only people on the tour – as compared to Sandeman’s sold-out tour of more than 30 people!), Burmester, and Kopke.

Some, like Croft, Wiese and Krohn, and Taylor’s, offer free tours. On the tours, which last about 10-30 minutes, you’ll learn more about the history of port and how it is made.  Sandeman and a few others change a small fee for the tour and tasting. And still others, like Kopke, just have tasting rooms with no tours.

Though there is no tour at Kopke, I highly recommend visiting this oldest port house. You have to pay for samples, which you can  try by the glass or flight paired with chocolates. Tastes range from 1-3 euros on up to 8-15 (and much, much higher) depending on the age and style. I recommend going with a flight; I enjoyed two Portuguese wines and three port wines with accompanying chocolates for just 13 euros. If you’d rather not schlep from port house to port house and don’t mind paying for tastes, head to the Port Wine Institute. Here, overlooking the Douro River on the Porto side,  you can sample from hundreds of ports starting at 1 euro per glass.

For more port wine fun, you can book a day cruise down the Douro to see where the grapes are grown (some tours also include a stop at one winery).  And if you want the wine theme to carry over into your hotel, stay at The Yeatman Hotel, in Vila Nova de Gaia side, where wine themed rooms with private patios are  just steps away from the port caves.

>> Read more about the Yeatman

Photos by: Katie Hammel ,  rene j,

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Portugal

Where to Stay in Porto: The Yeatman Hotel

Set on a hill overlooking Porto on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Duoro River, the Yeatman Hotel is possibly one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Perfect for honeymooners or those looking to make their stay in Porto extra special, this wine-themed hotel is among the best accommodation options in the city. One can throw a lot of superlatives around when describing it; it’s classy, posh, grandiose, opulent. Like a black patent Louboutin stiletto with a bright red sole, it’s at once classic and modern, elegant and sexy.

The rooms

The 82 rooms at the Yeatman are spacious with sliding glass doors that open onto private patios and offer floor-to-ceiling views of Porto just across the river.

The rooms are named after Portuguese wine producers, and each is decorated with soft hues of teal, lime and bright yellow, with leather ottomans, plus easy chairs, and ornate headboards, along with distinctive touches like wine bottles, original artwork, and Portuguese ceramic tiles. Each has a soft bed, work desk,  laptop safe, ample closet space, and flat screen tv.

The bathrooms have heated tile floors and deep soaking tubs, from which (if you open the louvered shutters that separate the bathroom from the bedroom) you enjoy the same beautiful views of the city. Caudalie Vinotherapie products are provided, as well as soft, fluffy robes.

The food and wine

As you might expect from a luxury wine-themed hotel, there are several spots for relaxing with a snack and a glass of port or wine. In addition to the pool area lounge and the top floor terrace, there’s Dick’s Bar, which serves cocktails and wines, or the Library Bar, where guests can also enjoy a cigar from the hotel’s humidor. But the main culinary attraction is the hotel’s restaurant, which serves modern versions of traditional Portuguese food in set tasting menus matched with wine. Guests can also opt to have a private dinner served on their room’s terrace.

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The spa

Even if you don’t stay at the Yeatman, don’t miss indulging in a spa treatment. Prices start at 65-105 euros for wraps, scrubs and massages using Caudalie Vinotherapie products. You can also book single or multi-day packages that start at 210 euros, not including accommodation. Several treatments use wine or grapes, like the moisturizing honey and wine wrap, the firming merlot scrub or the relaxing grape bath. My husband and I opted for a “pulp friction” massage (for two) with fresh grapes, and while I will say the sensation of having cold grapes squeezed and rubbed all over me while the juice ran over my body was a bit strange, at the end I felt very relaxed and refreshed, and my skin was soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Spa guests are also welcome to use the relaxation area, the sauna, the Roman baths, the shower experience (which alternates pressure and temperature in a private shower),  foot baths, ice fountain, heated stone lounger, and indoor pool.

The grounds

The Yeatman sits on the top of a hill on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River, close to Porto’s many port wine houses. In addition to the spa and dining options, there’s a large garden and croquet lawn, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, several lounge areas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and eleven meeting and event rooms.

The experience

While the rooms at the Yeatman meet luxury standards and the location is ideal for exploring all the delights of Porto, what really makes the Yeatman shine is the level of service. Staff is always available but unobtrusive, ready to help with directions, call a taxi, or arrange dinner reservations. When I discovered I’d left the adapter for my phone charger, the staff happily lent me one for my stay.

For those traveling with kids, the Yeatman also provides all day babysitting and entertainment as part of the Kids Club. And the Yeatman is eco-friendly – solar panels heat the water, low-energy lighting is used throughout, the hotel sources supplies locally, and the gardens are a haven for local birds and plant life.

For a luxury wine getaway in the Porto, I highly recommend the Yeatman. Staying here doesn’t come cheap, but if you can afford the splurge, it’s well worth it for the beautiful views, elegant rooms, and excellent service. If you can’t swing an overnight, be sure to stop by for a drink and the view or for an indulgent spa treatment.

All photos by the author and may not be used without permission. I was a guest of the Yeatman Hotel, but my opinions are my own.

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Planning a Trip Portugal

What to Eat and Drink in Lisbon

Portuguese cuisine is not often ranked as one of the top European cuisines, but that may soon change. While the food has typically been characterized by an abundance of fish and a wide variety of spices,such as cinnamon, saffron, and vanilla, new chefs are now putting a more modern twist on many of the country’s traditional dishes, making this an exciting time to eat in Portugal. In Lisbon, the country’s capital and most cosmopolitan city, you’ll find everything from classic French or Italian food to Spanish tapas to Indian, sushi and Thai. But if you want to try the best of the Portuguese culinary offerings in the city, here are some things to eat and drink in Lisbon.

Fish
Fresh fish and shellfish is found on virtually every menu in Lisbon. Bacalhau (cod) dishes are everywhere – found grilled, broiled, poached, and in soups. At Bocca Lisboa, they  serve a particularly good “salt cod duo – fillet at 52ºC and butter-braised tongues, poached egg and violet potato foam.”  Other popular fish dishes include grilled sardines and horse mackerel, cuttlefish, grouper, turbot, or mullet. Ordering “arroz de marisco” will net you a dish of rice with various seafood including lobsters, shrimp, oysters, and crabs.

Meat

As popular as fish is in Lisbon, meat is equally prevalent, particularly pork. Portugal is well known for its Bairrada, or suckling pig, which can be found on menus all over Lisbon. You can also find pork roast with acorns or truffles, in sandwiches, in sausages like “chouriço” or “linguiça,” or cooked into stews like the “cozido à portuguesa.” Alheira, a smoked sausage made of pork, poultry meat, wheat bread and olive oil, seasoned with salt, garlic and paprika, is also very good.

Desserts

The most typical desserts in Portugal are rice pudding and caramel custard, as well as cheeses (most Portuguese recipes don’t use cheese so it is only eaten before or after the meal). And of course, the most popular pastry is the pastel de nata, a small custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon. For a chocolate treat local to Lisbon, try “chocolate salami.” Melted chocolate is mixed with crushed up cookies, and then dried and sliced so it ends up looking like a slice of salami made of chocolate and cookies. Try it topping a cupcake at Tease, a late-night shop in the Barrio Alto.

Drinks

Like elsewhere in Portugal, you can find Portuguese wines, port, and beers on any restaurant menu, along with more international selections. The word for beer in Portuguese is cerveja, and the two main brands are Super Bock and Sagres, which go for 2-4 euros in more bars. You can also sample some of the country’s best wines at the ViniPortugal (located at the Ministry of Agriculture in Praça do Comerçio) which offers free wine tasting Tuesday-Saturday, between 11am and 7pm. To try some port, head to the Lisboa Solar tasting room.

Lisbon’s local drink is called ginjinha and  is a liqueur made by infusing ginja berries in aguardente, the same grape spirit used to make port. The resulting cherry brandy is served in a shot-sized portion for about 1 euro each. Cafes all over the city serve it, but for the original, head to A Ginjinha, a small storefront bar at Largo de Sao Domingos in Rossio square.Ask for it  “com ginja” (with a cherry in the glass) or “sem ginja’” for one without.

>> Read more about drinking in Portugal

Tips for dining in Lisbon

  • Breakfast is usually very light and taken at a cafe. Have a coffee and some bread with butter or jam or a pastry to start you day. Lunch lasts an hour or more and is served between noon and 3pm. Most places serve dinner between 8 and 11pm, with 9pm being the time most locals dine. Some touristy restaurants will open at 7pm.
  • Restauradores square is lined with restaurants, but many of them are geared towards tourists and thus a bit overpriced for the quality. Instead, head to the Barrio Alto or Chiado for some of the city’s most trendy and modern restaurants.
  • You can find a bottle of decent wine for 8-15 euros in a restaurant or bar; higher quality bottles range from 20-30 euros. A nice bottle of table wine will be just a few euros at a wine shop.
  • When you sit down to eat, you’ll be brought a basket of bread, a plate of sausage or in some cases, an extensive spread of meats and cheeses to start your meal. This is not free; you will be charged for what you eat. So if you’re on a tight budget, snack carefully or inquire about the price before you nibble. If you’re afraid the temptation might be too much, just ask the waiter to take it away.
  • To tip, leave about 10% for good service.

Photos by: Berndt Rostad, Katie Hammel

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Portugal Things to Do

Things to Do in Lisbon

The capital and largest city in Portugal, Lisbon offers plenty to see and do and more then enough activity to fill three to four days (more if you take some day trips). Here are a few ideas for things to do in Lisbon.

Explore the neighborhoods

Wander down (rather than up) through the narrow streets of the Alfama district, the oldest district of Lisbon. The area starts at  the Castle of São Jorge before tumbling its way down the hill to the Tejo river. At night, the district is a great place to eat, drink or attend a Fado show.

The Baixa district is the city’s downtown area, which was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Wide avenues lined with shops, cafes and restaurants lead to the Rua Augusta Arch and beyond it, the grand Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River. From the Baixa, take a ride up the vertical Elevador de Santa Justa to the Bairro Alto, the central district of Lisbon. Filled with trendy restaurants, designer shops and sleek bars, The Barrio Alto is the place to go for nightlife in Lisbon.

Take in the view

The hilltop fortification of Castelo de São Jorge is one of Lisbon’s “must see” historical attractions, but it also provides one of the best views of the city. For another perspective, ride the wrought-iron Elevador de Santa Justa, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s apprentice and offers sweeping views over the city’s skyline.

Museums and monuments

Aside from the Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon is home to several other museums and monuments worth exploring. There’s the Oceanário,  Europe’s second-largest aquarium, the Lisbon Botanical Garden, the Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum), and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, which houses Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Asian artifacts, along with art from masters like Monet, Manet, and Degas.

Take a ride

Lisbon’s iconic yellow tourist trams are one of the best ways to see the city. Climb aboard Tram 28 and you’ll climb up and down Lisbon’s hills, twisting and turning down the cobbled streets past some of the city’s best sights, past the Castelo de São Jorge and the Alfama district, the Chiado district, and the Estrela Garden.

Belem

The Belem district is one of the most historically important in Lisbon. Six kilometers west of the city center, it’s home to a number of museums and monuments, including the Coach Museum , the Monument to the Discoveries, the Belém Tower, and the heavenly pastéis de Belém custard tart.

>> more on things to do in Belem

Sintra

Sintra makes an excellent day trip from Lisbon.  About 30minutes away from the city by train, you’ll find the beautiful hilltop Palácio Nacional da Pena, an eclectic architectural mix of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Moorish design in pastel pink and yellow. The walled Castelo dos Mouros, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and the Palácio Nacional de Sintra round out the area’s attractions.

Photo by rstml

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Croatia Portugal travel guide

Add Croatia to your RTW trip

When planning your RTW trip, you need to have a budget. And that budget depends on what countries and cities you want to visit. In general, it is possible to visit more expensive destinations, if you combine them with cheaper places.

Some of the European stops on an RTW trip should include: Croatia , Albania, Romania, the Czech Republic and Portugal. Of course, no one stops you from visiting Italy, but you have to take into account that it costs more to spend time there than in a less-expensive destination. And since traveling within European countries is affordable and easy, getting from Italy to Croatia won’t break your budget especially if you take a ferry, a train or a bus.

For the past 10 years, Croatia has emerged as an affordable, yet stunning, destination in Europe. Looking for a beach destination but you don’t want to visit Greece and Italy is a bit too expensive? Then Croatia is the choice. Plus, cheap hostels in Croatia are easy to find and if you plan your budget well you can get by on US$40 a day here.

And while you are here, you can visit some other cheap countries in Europe as well. From Croatia, you can travel to Albania and explore its natural beauty. Then, spend several days on the beach in Bulgaria before heading to visit the medieval fortresses in Romania. Now, venture into Central-Eastern Europe and be amazed by the beautiful Danube in Bulgaria before setting off to the Prague Republic, with its stunning capital.

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Portugal

Review: Lisbon Guests Hostel

Opened in 2007 and located in central Lisbon not far from a metro stop and Restauradores square, Lisbon Guests offers one of the most affordable private rooms in a very affordable city. Single private rooms (with shared bathrooms) range from 25-25 euros per night, with double rooms going for as low as 44 euros per night. And in some respects…you get what you pay for.

During my visit the hostel was going through some renovations. The building dates back to 1870; today the hostel is run by a descendant of the original family that built it. This made the building a bit hard to find as it was covered in scaffolding, but noise was not a problem and I’m told the facade renovations are now done and the next step is to build an outdoor social area on the ground floor for guests, which I think will be a welcome addition. As it was when I visited, aside from the rooms there was a small and adequately stocked kitchen, a small common room with couch and TV, and a small desk with a computer for guests to use (I was never able to get it to work, but there is also free wi-fi).

Owner/manager Ana Rita was pleasant and very helpful, arranging a cab for our early morning departure and offering suggestions for things to do. The other guests we saw were quiet and respectful. The room, though basic and small, was very clean and had a comfortable double bed, a wardrobe, nightstand and chair. My only complaint was the bathroom. Unlike other “shared” bathrooms that I have experienced in hostels, this was truly a communal commode. Rather than one toilet and shower in a room that could be locked, this bathroom had a shower stall and two toilets that could be used while another person was in the shower. If you’re coming from a dorm-style hostel, you’ll probably expect this, but if you more often stay at guesthouses and hotels, the set up is inconvenient and uncomfortable.

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Lisbon, Lisbon Guests is not the right choice. It isn’t trying to be fancy, but rather to offer clean, comfortable, and inviting accommodation at an excellent price and at that – with the exception of the bathroom situation – it does a fine job.

Disclaimer: I received a discount on my stay, but my opinions are my own.