Essence of Portugal: Porto, Lisbon & the Algarve
Few destinations combine history, culture, and coastal beauty quite like Portugal. This fall, we explored the country from north to south — discovering grand cities, charming villages, and breathtaking seaside landscapes along the way.
Porto: A City of Heritage and Wine
Our journey began in Porto, where we stayed at the elegant Maison Albar Le Monumental Palace, we were steps from the city’s grand boulevards and riverside views. We loved the hotels central location and amazing service. From the breakfast to the bedding our stay was spectacular.
We were so lucky to get to experience the amazing wine country outside of Porto. A highlight was a vintage boat cruise along the Douro River, followed by lunch and wine tasting at Quinta Nova, one of the valley’s most historic estates.
Quinta Nova - view of douro valley
In the city we did a walking tour where we explored Palácio da Bolsa, a masterpiece of neoclassical design, and uncovered layers of Jewish heritage and history that make Porto such a fascinating city to explore. We also got a chance to visit the Livraria Lello bookstore and had a special tour of it’s underground archives.
Palácio da Bolsa
Lisbon: Culture, Cuisine & Charm
A high-speed train brought us to Lisbon, where we checked into the stylish Bairro Alto Hotel in the heart of Chiado. From there, we set out to discover the city’s vibrant neighborhoods via a gastronomic walking tour through Alfama introduced us to the flavors of Portugal — including a stop at A Muralha, a family-run restaurant where we enjoyed shrimp rice, craft beer, and homemade vinho verde.
A sidecar tour through the hills of the city, gave us an exhilarating new perspective on the capital’s color and energy.
Side car fun
One of our favorite days was spent exploring Sintra and Cascais — visiting the fairy-tale towers of Pena Palace, standing atop the windswept cliffs of Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of Europe), and ending the day in Cascais, often called the Hamptons of Portugal for its effortless seaside sophistication. During our ride through Cascais, we stopped at Mare a Jose Avillez restaurant for fresh seafood and spectacular seaside views.
Pena Palace
Évora: Echoes of the Past
On our drive south, we stopped in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its Roman ruins and hauntingly beautiful Chapel of Bones, built from the remains of monks as a meditation on time and mortality.
Chapel of the Bones
The Algarve: Cliffs, Caves & Coastline
Our final days were spent at the luxurious Vilalara Grand Hotel Algarve, perched above golden cliffs and turquoise seas. From there, we explored the Benagil Caves, hiked the dramatic Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, and enjoyed some of the freshest seafood and charcuterie imaginable — a perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
The Takeaway
Portugal enchants at every turn — a destination where culture, cuisine, and coastline blend seamlessly. From historic cities to sun-drenched shores, it’s a country that rewards slow travel, deep connection, and authentic experiences — no trip to Portugal would be complete without mentioning all of the Portuguese tiles the azulejos. This term refers to the colorful, painted ceramic tiles that are a significant part of Portuguese history and culture, often used to decorate buildings and public spaces. This trip was truly magical and the essence of how Broadmoor Travel can personalize a destination just for you!
Old Church covered with Azulejos
