Belém is a fascinating part of Lisbon, although it was originally way outside the city and important for its strategic position near the mouth of the River Tagus. With its illustrious naval history, medieval monuments and recent crop of cool museums, there are plenty of things to do in Belém.Read More →
Where’s the best place to stay in Lisbon if you’re visiting for the first time? Chiado, Baixa, Principe Real, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade and possibly Alfama are the best areas if you want to be based in the heart of the city and within walking distance of major sights,Read More →
Portugal golf expert Andy Waple is back to share his insights into the Lisbon golf scene and courses in the surrounding area… Over to you, Andy: The Lisbon area plays second fiddle to the Algarve in terms of the number of golf courses yet it is very popular, commanding aRead More →
You really don’t have to travel far from Lisbon to find some amazing beaches. In fact, some of these Sintra beaches are among my all time favourite beaches in Portugal. All of them are within the beautiful Sintra Cascais Natural Park and therefore largely unspoilt. They range from hidden covesRead More →
If you’re looking for somewhere to go hiking near Lisbon, Sintra Cascais Natural Park has a wide range of walking trails to suit different fitness levels and interests. You can opt for shaded forest paths in the Sintra Mountains near several UNESCO World Heritage monuments or explore the park’s fascinatingRead More →
I only went to São Vicente de Fora monastery because I’d heard it had a good viewpoint. “It’s the best view of Lisbon,” promised the man on reception, “But before the view, there is all this to see,” he said, waving his hand towards a faded poster showing the highlightsRead More →
Off-season Sesimbra is so laid back it’s almost comatose. When my friend and I visited this fishing village / low-key seaside resort town near the Arrabida Natural Park on a somewhat gloomy day in late May, we seemed to be the only people in the streets under the age of 60.Read More →
Pastel de nata is one of my favourite Portuguese cakes. These custard tarts at their very best when they’re still warm – the flaky pastry is crispy and the filling soft and gooey. When I was offered the chance to learn how to make them at a pastel de nata workshop,Read More →
I can’t recall how I first found out about Mafra’s Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre but it took me several years to finally get around to visiting. This is the only place in Portugal where you are likely to see these magnificent beasts in anything resembling the wild. What’s so specialRead More →
