Cooks Go to Portugal
ALFAMA
ALFAMA
PLACES WE VISITED WHILE WONDERING AROUND ALFAMA
HOTEL:
HTTPS://EN.VINCCIHOTELES.COM/HOTELS/LISBON/VINCCI-ALFAMA/
FOOD:
SOL RESTAURANT JARDIM(AMAZING VIEWS)
BICA DE CAVALOS
ASHTINI GELATO
AUGUSTO LISBOA
THE HIDEOUT QUASE CAFE
HISTORICAL:
MONASTARY SAO VINCENTE DE FORA(ROOF TOP KILLER VIEW)
CASTELO SAO JORGE
Alfama, Lisbon’s Soulful Heart
Winding cobblestone alleys, sun-dappled stairways, and the faint echo of fado music drifting from tucked-away taverns — Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most soulful neighborhood. Nestled between São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River, it’s a maze of whitewashed homes, azulejo-tiled facades, and iron balconies draped with laundry. Here, time slows down. Locals greet each other at the corner cafés, fish sizzles on charcoal grills, and yellow trams rattle through impossibly narrow streets. Whether you’re watching the sunrise from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia or sipping ginjinha with a view of the river, Alfama invites you to get lost — and never want to be found.
As you wander through Lisbon’s buzzing Cais do Sodré district, the scent of the sea mingles with the aroma of grilled sardines and espresso. Tucked just off the riverfront, Time Out Market makes the perfect pit stop — a lively, curated hall where Lisbon’s top chefs and artisans serve up everything from modern takes on bacalhau to flaky pastéis de nata. Grab a glass of vinho verde or a craft cocktail and find a seat at the long communal tables, where locals and travelers alike gather for a quick bite or a lingering lunch. From there, stroll along the waterfront, hop on a tram, or lose yourself in the nearby backstreets lined with colorful tiles, music, and the rhythm of city life at its most vibrant.
LISBON WONDERINGS
Pastries
Mantegaria
La Boulangrie
Castro Versailles
Coffee
Buna
The Mill
Olisipso
Didnt have enough time to visit but these are the places I wanted to go.
A Day Trip to Nazaré from Lisbon
Just 90 minutes north of Lisbon, the sleepy fishing village of Nazaré transforms into a dramatic seaside escape — especially when the waves roll in. Famed for its record-breaking surf and raw Atlantic beauty, Nazaré offers more than just spectacle. Start your day with a walk along the beach promenade, where locals sell dried fish and the scent of salt fills the air. Ride the funicular up to the clifftop district of Sítio for jaw-dropping views over Praia do Norte, where surfers tackle some of the biggest waves on earth. Enjoy a long seafood lunch with ocean views — grilled sardines, arroz de marisco, or a steaming bowl of caldeirada. It’s a refreshing contrast to Lisbon’s urban buzz, where the pace slows, and the horizon stretches endlessly west.
O Casalinho
esmeralda
Meia Laranja ATasquinha
Another place we didnt have time to visit marg has gone and loved it.
Just a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon, Cascais is a sun-soaked blend of seaside elegance and laid-back beach town vibes. Once a royal retreat, today it’s where locals escape for golden sand, fresh seafood, and a salty breeze. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, grab gelato by the marina, then set out for the beaches.
Praia da Rainha is a postcard-perfect cove tucked between cliffs — intimate and right in the heart of town. For more space and surf, head to Praia do Guincho, a wild, windswept stretch backed by dunes and popular with kitesurfers. Or find calm waters at Praia da Conceição, perfect for a swim after a long lunch by the water. Whether you’re biking the coast, catching a sunset, or just letting the day drift by, Cascais is where Lisbon goes to unwind.
https://booking.tpo.lu/EtIH8Z6m
Just west of Lisbon’s city center, Belém feels like a step back into Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Grand monuments, leafy promenades, and the scent of warm custard tarts fill the air along the Tagus River. Start at the Jerónimos Monastery, a stunning example of Manueline architecture, then make your way to the iconic Belém Tower, once a fortress guarding Lisbon’s harbor.
Stop by the Monument to the Discoveries, then follow the riverwalk to the modern MAAT museum for a dose of contemporary design. But no trip to Belém is complete without a visit to Pastéis de Belém, where the original pastel de nata has been baked since 1837 — crispy, creamy, and best eaten warm with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Whether you’re here for history, architecture, or a pastry pilgrimage, Belém offers a slower, scenic side of the city with stories in every stone.
