Here’s my guide to visiting the breathtaking Alçobaca Monastery in Portugal. Alçobaca is a former Cisterian monastery founded in the 12th century by Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques who hailed from Guimaraes. It’s a UNESCO-listed site and a must see landmark in Portugal. This guide tells you everything you need to see inside and gives … Read more
Here’s my complete guide to visiting the UNESCO-listed Coimbra University in Coimbra Portugal, with must know tips for visiting. Coimbra is the perfect midway stop between Lisbon and Porto and well worth a visit. The fortress-like university on the hilltop is one of Portugal’s most impressive UNESCO sites. You’ll be awed by the splendid architecture … Read more
Lisbon is a sun-kissed capital known as the “Queen of the Sea.” With a unique blend of sophistication and faded old world charm, it’s one of my favorite cities in Europe. You could spend weeks in Lisbon and not see and experience all its treasures. But most of us don’t have scads of time on … Read more
Looking to get off the beaten path in Lisbon Portugal? I don’t blame you. The top attractions in Lisbon can be mobbed, especially in high season. It’s good to have a place to escape without omnipresent crowds. Besides, not every stroll or reverie needs to be shared with other tourists. And Lisbon’s charms are so … Read more
Jeronimos Monastery is Portugal’s most visited heritage site. It’s a stunning testament to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries and a magnificent example of Manueline architecture. The monastery is a twisting mass of honey colored stone that glows like gold in the sunshine. There’s also a marble esplanade dotted with gardens and fountains. In this guide, I … Read more
Looking for some unusual things to do in Lisbon? Head to the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. It’s one of Lisbon’s grand architectural sites and still a hidden gem in Lisbon. In fact, the monastery is hidden in plain sight, sitting atop one of Graça’s highest points, not far from the Alfama district. Yet … Read more
Steeped in history, immortalized in Fado, and rising over Lisbon, Alfama is one of Lisbon’s most authentic districts. It’s really Lisbon’s premiere neighborhood — a quaint and distinctive city outside a city. With steep stairways tumbling down to Baixa below and Castelo São Jorge standing guard above, Alfama is incredibly beautiful and photogenic. It was … Read more
Looking for something unusual to do in Lisbon? Here’s my guide to visiting the elegant Basilica da Estrela, a hidden gem in Lisbon. The huge domed Neo-Classical basilica is one of Lisbon’s most impressive and remarkable landmarks. Set proudly on a hill, the basilica anchors the Estrela neighborhood of Lisbon. It’s a bit off the … Read more
Here’s my guide to the top attractions and best things to do and see in Belem. Belem is an architecturally-rich suburb of Lisbon. It’s an easy mini day trip from Lisbon. It’s just southwest of the city center. Belem is Lisbon’s prime cultural district. It’s a must see for its cluster of UNESCO-listed monuments. Some … Read more
Dating from the 9th century, the UNESCO-listed Guimaraes is a surefire charmer with no end to the embarrassment of riches. It’s one of the easiest and best day trips from Porto. Guimaraes is known as the birthplace of Portugal’s founder-king Afonso Henriques. It boasts a brooding 10th century castle, a Gothic-Renaissance palace, and a 15th century … Read more