Portugal, there are always reasons to return.
1. SLEEP IN A POUSADA LUSA
Spending the night in a Portuguese pousada, the Portuguese counterpart of our inns, is an experience that we cannot miss. Monasteries, convents and castles become the best hosts for a unique and historic stay that revolves around the Portuguese heritage. We find pousadas throughout the geography of the country. Some examples are the Pousadas de Crato and Arraiolos in the Alentejo Region, the Pousada de Óbidos in Leiria or the one in Cascais in Lisbon.
Pousada do Crato: the good taste of architecture
two. TRY THE KING OF PORTUGAL DISH: COD
Cooked, roasted, fried or grilled. It makes our mouths water just thinking about how well the Portuguese cook cod. In each region they do it in their own way. They are famous bacalhau à Brás de Lisboa (crumbled, with fried straw potatoes and egg), the bacalhau à Zé do Pipo de Oporto (au gratin with mayonnaise), the bacalhau à margarida da praça (grilled with boiled potatoes), the bacalhau à moda de Viana (delicately wrapped in cabbage leaves) , or the bacalhau à algarvia from the Algarve (fried in pieces and accompanied by onions and potatoes) . The list is endless. It is said that there are more than 1,000 cod recipes.
Cod in a restaurant in Lisbon
3. SLEEP IN A TREE HOUSE
Half-hidden in a thermal area in the north of Portugal, we find a dream resort where sustainability prevails. We are talking about Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park, a small four-star complex made up of 12 eco-houses and tree houses whose design blends perfectly with the surrounding environment. Its interior design is another story and its thermal pool is simply impressive.
Pedras Salgadas (Pedras Salgadas Park)
Four. PRACTICE SURFING ON THE BEACH OF SAGRES
The beaches of the Algarve are true surfing meccas with good waves throughout the year. Sagres is a good start for all those who feel the urge to experience what it feels like to be on a surfboard. But Sagres is not only a destination for athletes in wetsuits, it is also a place of great beauty where you can practice yoga and meditation in the open air. Their sunsets are the most.
Sagres: surfing, yoga and sunsets like no other
5. SKIING IN THE SERRA DA ESTRELA
Now more than ever the snow wants. And in Portugal, there is a unique place to put on your skis and enjoy landscapes capable of leaving us speechless. This is the Serra da Estrela, a natural park that, in addition to offering a lot of snow, invites you to get lost in one of its many trails, warm up with a good broth or try one of its buttery cheeses accompanied by good wine and a loaf of bread. village.
Serra da Estrela: our latest discovery in Portugal
6. A ROUTE THROUGH THE ALENTEJO REGION
Those who seek the deepest essence of Portugal cannot miss the Alentejo region. Green landscapes, fairytale towns, vineyards with denomination of origin and a very pampered gastronomy is what this area offers, whose name means 'Beyond the Tagus'. It is a pleasure to sleep in one of its country houses -some of which are designed, such as Imani Country House-, eat in a historic Pousada or visit wineries as authentic as Herdade do Esporão.
This year the Alentejo brings prize
7. ENJOY THE BEACH (AND ART) IN COMPORTA
They say that the beaches of Comporta are the Portuguese California. And they are somewhat right. The beaches of this small fishing village are endless and wild. Located one hour south of Lisbon, Comporta has become the summer destination of choice for many politicians and celebrities. In winter things change. With the arrival of the cold, the regulars in this picturesque town are artists and designers. In the Casa da Cultura there is always an important work by some great contemporary artist who has found his particular refuge in Comporta.
behave, paradise
8. A WALK THROUGH THE LISBOETA TRAIL
Every Tuesday and Saturday, in the Campo de Santa Clara in Lisbon, the stalls of the Feira da Ladra display their treasures and antiques to the public. They've been doing it for over a century. Here it is possible to find everything from antique furniture, to vintage postcards, coins, books and even vinyl from another era. It is a market to spend hours discovering it. A full-fledged trail that we should not miss if we visit the Portuguese capital.
Feira da Ladra, the Lisbon Flea Market
9. STAY AT A LUSO WINE RESORT
Wine resorts are a trend in Portugal. These are accommodations where wine and vineyards are the main protagonists. Wine hotels such as the Herdade da Malhadinha Nova–Albernoa, in Beja; L´and Vineyards in Évora; or the Quinta do Vale Abraaô wine estate, in Lamego, offer unique sensory experiences. It is not necessary that we especially like wine, but without a doubt, a small wine culture class would not hurt us to appreciate these accommodations.
L'and Vineyards: the hotel that has changed everything
10. VISIT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKSTORE IN EUROPE
Book lovers cannot miss the opportunity to get to know one of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe: Lello & Irmão. Located in a neo-Gothic building in the center of Porto, this temple of the book founded in 1869 has a bibliographic collection of more than 60,000 titles on different themes. A glass dome on the ceiling allows natural light to enter. Its interior is so impressive that even the cinema has noticed this bookstore. Some of the Harry Potter movies have been filmed within its walls.
The most beautiful bookstore in the world?