A small state of grand explorers? How did Vasco Da Gama and his people feel in 1497 as they left to unveil the road to India? He probably didn’t expect he would become of the most well known explorers of his time. We also shouldn’t omit another prominent Portuguese- the PRINCE HENRY THE NAVIGATOR (1394- 1460)- who founded the navigational school, attended by many famous navigators just like Vasco Da Gama or Ferdinand Magellan.
We started our short several days trip in Portugal in PORTO – which is a charming and historical coastal city. Porto is very romantic during its sunset and well known for its majestic bridges as well as its PORT WINE production!
Good to KNOW:
- ALTO DOURO is a Portuguese wine region situated on the DOURO RIVER, as it is located several hours from Porto.
- Winemaking in the region dates back from the end of Western Roman Empire and its region’s vineyards expanded in 17th century – consequently, Port wine became the primary product of the location.
- SANDEMAN Ruby Porto is still made traditionally and has brilliant red colors with a rich robust taste of red fruits, plums and strawberries! (a famous fragrance)
I have to say we had a fantastic day cruising along the river, looking around the beautiful landscapes and enjoying local food with the Port wine in Sandeman’s historical cellars (originally shipped by G. Sandeman in 1790), situated among many others across the Douro river!
Our next destination was – LISBON. This Portugal’s hilly capital is also a coastal city with amazing history and is known for its expressive FADO music – a traditional folk music of strong melancholic character. The music is performed by a female or male vocalist, typically accompanied by guitars and violas…
HERE is my list of MUST-SEE interesting places in Lisbon:
- JERÓNIMOS MONASTERY – is a unique, over 500 years old monastery and a great monument to the Age of Discovery (Vasco de Gama). The monastery was founded by King Manuel I. and you can contemplate its original architectural style – Manueline – a mix of flamboyant Gothic, Moorish and early renaissance influences.
- BELÉM TOWER – is a popular and famous symbol of the city and has a UNESCO status from 1983, originally built as a lighthouse, later turning into a defensive fortress.
- SAO JORGE CASTLE – is strategically positioned on top of the highest hill in Lisbon. For centuries, it was the main residence of Kings.
- SANTA JUSTA LIFT – is an iron and beautifully decorated public elevator, built in 1902 by the Portuguese engineer R. Mésnier, a student of G. Eiffel!
Portuguese CUISINE has a lot of variety depending on the region and uses a wide spectrum of exotic spices – vanilla, saffron! I did not try the national dish – BACALHAU – that is dried, salted cod. MY TIP for the lovers of seafood and fresh fish is – choose one of the many typical local restaurants and try delicious and fresh grilled sardines, mackerel, octopus or prawns!!! If you do not like it, you can for example try chicken- PIRI PIRI (spicy chili pepper) – a very popular and yummy dish. Do not forget to try the refined local wine!
And, of course, after a delicious dinner, it is impossible to leave that magic night city without listening to FADO music in one of the many little bars in BAIRRO ALTO or ALFAMA district (down town)… Vasco Da Gama would surely enjoy singing along even today, and make a toast with the Port wine, on behalf of his small country, that might have “only” about 10.5 million inhabitants but their language is official in 9 countries, counting over 230 million speakers worldwide!
Sara
This is really useful! I am visiting Lisbon for the first time at the end of June. I’m going on honeymoon on a cruise so I’ll only get one day there but I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Dear Sara, I wish you fantastic trip 🙂 enjoy everything!!! Bye. Kamila
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Sue Slaght
How wonderful to be transported back to one of our favourite cities Lisbon. Your photos are superb!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Sue! I know that you like this amazing city 🙂 Our combination with Douro Valley was superb! Pleased you liked that. Have a nice rest of Sunday. Kamila
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yoshizen
I’ve been in Spain and Portugal many times. Your blog joggled my old memories. Once I crossed the border from Badajoz, Spain to Elvas, Portugal on foot ! and visited the old capital Evora where the time stopped since medieval age. = I had very interesting journey then.
Funny things of Lisbon is, their “Down town” is up on the hill. 🙂
—– incidentally, do you know, before Portuguese brought American hot chili to India (through Goa) Indian hot carry like a bindaloo was not exists.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you for nice comment 🙂 and I must say you have really good knowledges! Bye. Kamila
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Darlene
WE haven´t been to Portugal yet, but now that we are living in Spain, we plan to visit soon. Great article and pictures!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Darlene! I wish you beautiful trip and nice weather 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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saltofportugal
We greatly enjoyed this post about Lisbon and the Douro valley!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! 🙂 K
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YellowCable
The place has nice mixture of surroundings from hill sides to sea. It is a charming place. The cod fish cake looks very good.. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for nice words! Agree with you – charming place 🙂 Cod fish cake was delicious! Have a nice rest of Sunday. K
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Francis.R.
I don’t know why but I find funny and cute that coca cola transport, nice urban landscapes and I love (with moderation of course) wine too, thanks!
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, Francis for your comment! And, yes, the tram was like you wrote…I loved the valley landscape 🙂 Bye. K
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Sha
I’ve always wanted to visit Lisbon!! Looks pretty awesome and reading you describe the food just makes me want to eat it more! Hehe…😄
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Sha! That is really great place – history, nature and special food – everybody love it! 🙂 Bye. K
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Lignum Draco
Great shots. I’ve not been but this fuels the fire within.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you :)! Have a nice rest of Sunday! Bye. K
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Indah Susanti
Oh your post makes me want to return to Lisbon. Lovely images! We were there only for 36 hours – I wish we could stay longer. Thanks for the info of Alto Douro 🙂 Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you Indah! Douro trip was unique and I believe that 36 hours is really short time for discover this beautiful city! So next time..? Bye. K
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RMW
Great photos… now I want to go there more than ever… Portugal is definitely on my list.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you and wish you great trip! Portugal has also a lot of others interesting places… 🙂 bye. Kamila
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LaVagabonde
Gorgeous photos, Kamila. Especially the one of the Monument to the Discoveries. Looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time in Portugal. I experienced a lot of this when I visited a few years ago. It’s such a romantic place.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 I like the interesting history and beautiful landscape…everything is in Portugal! BTW the weather was relatively windy and cold but very photogenic :). Bye. Kamila
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Aquileana
Such a nice feature, dear Kamila… Thanks for sharing this post as I enjoyed your approach as to Lisbon… I liked the pics very much! … Have a great week. All the best to you. Aquileana ⭐
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Kamila Pala
Really appreciate nice words! I wish you also nice week! 🙂 Bye. K
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lolaWi
thank you for taking me back to wonderful places in Portugal. great pictures you have. i enjoyed Porto very much where we had wine tasting at Graham Winery, looks like a wonderful trip, Kamila. again, thank you. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Dear Lola! Good to hear nice words from you and especially if you have been there!! Unforgettable place 🙂 Bye. K
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megtraveling
Wonderful post and pictures – I like all of your choices for Lisbon too!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Meg! I have to say that Portugal has also fantastic beaches – Algarve is very popular part of this amazing small country..Bye. K
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prior
Kamila – I left a few comments on individual photos (I love when they are in slideshow like that) and you really give us a comprehensive feel for a place that is on my list to visit sometime. thanks for this 🙂
xxoo –
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Moira
Thanks for all the recent likes, Kamila! I’m so glad you posted on Portugal. Another blogger I follow also recently went, and between their images and yours, I’ve added it to my list of desirable destinations. Hope you’re well. -Moira
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for nice words and happy you enjoyed my tour in Portugal! Bye. Kamila
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roamingpursuits
Wonderful pics.
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Kamila Pala
Thankk you!
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restlessjo
Such nice memories you conjure up with your wonderful photos. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 Have a nice rest of weekend!
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deutschtrailer
I am happy for you come back Kamila Pala …. 🙂
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365dniwobiektywielg
And you, as usual penetrate unusual places
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Kamila Pala
Thank you very much 🙂 appreciate if you liked that. Bye. Kamila
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365dniwobiektywielg
I loved it 😀
Łukasz
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Amy
Glad you are back, Kamila. Such a beautiful country and great food. I haven’t been there, but visited Spain a year ago. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for nice words and comment 🙂 I have to say that Portugal was different and nicer than I expected. Bye. K
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bebs1
I do love Portugal. Friendly and hospitable people, beautiful country, rich in history and wonderful cuisine. The grilled sardines are grilled simply but so unforgettable.
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Kamila Pala
Agree with you! Kind and truth words about country and food:) Bye. K
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Sartenada
Very well made post and gorgeous photos praising Lisbon and Douro Valley. Thank you.
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that 🙂 Pleased you liked! Have a nice summer 🙂 K
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Eli Pacheco
I especially liked the architecture photos. Incredible. I think that if Ernest Hemingway ever wrote me in as a character in a book, he’d have written me into Lisbon.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you for nice comment! I agree 🙂 Bye K
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Eli Pacheco
I should get over here more often.
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Dalo 2013
Great series of photos Kamila, all serve so well to accompany your fine introduction and writing ~ much like a Sandeman Ruby Porto after a great meal. Sure hope I fine myself in this area at some point in my life. Cheers and safe travels.
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, for nice comment 🙂 and, yes, Ruby Porto is really great digestive – sometimes 🙂 Have a nice summer! Bye. Kamila
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Adrenaline Romance
What a beautiful place! So charming and rustic!
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that 🙂 Absolutely amazing place in Europe! Bye. Kamila
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Inger
A lovely post! Portugal is a country I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. Lisbon looks awesome:) I have also heard Porto is a lovely city. And who doesn’t enjoy a glass of port? 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! And agree with you – nice and interesting destination! Pleased you liked that 🙂 Lovely summer. Kamila
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jazzyoutoo_lostinbraga
Glad you say so many nice things about my country, and that you understand that Lisboa and Porto aren’t the only places worth a visit!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! I also like the beaches in Portugal 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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Jane Lurie
Fantastic post, Kamila. Lisbon is on my list.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 and wish you happy traveling and nice summer! Bye. K
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Travel with G.
Loved seeing your photos and descriptions. Brought back really good memories. Porto is amazing – and this reminds me to add more time so we can cruise the Douro! Cheers, g.
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that 🙂 ! Really very nice place. Bye. Kamila
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Steve Schwartzman
Next year will mark half a century since I spent a summer in Lisbon. Maybe it’s time to go back.
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Kamila Pala
I am sure it is time for great revival :)! Lisbon has many faces of new life. Bye. K
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Md Aslam
http://en.gravatar.com/aslamtravelagent
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pedrol
I´m glad to read your experience in Portugal 🙂 PedroL
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Kamila Pala
Really unforgettable 🙂 Bye. K
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discovermarche
My heart is still in Lisbon. Great post!!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you and pleased you liked my small virtual tour! Beautiful city 🙂 – agree with you. Bye. Kamila
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Patricia Dias de Almeida
I love the way you start the post. There’s more to see but indeed these are must-see ones.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 !
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aFrankAngle
We didn’t make it to Douro, but two days in Lisbon (via cruise ship) were outstanding. Did you make it to Sintra?
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Kamila Pala
Douro was impressive 🙂 but we had no time for Sintra…so another time! Bye. K
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aFrankAngle
Sintra was wonderful … easy to get to be train (station is near the main square) … and we followed the advice of travel guru Rick Steves. Here’s a touch for you. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/on-an-unplanned-journey/
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for info, next time :)! Bye. K
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thegreentreefashioncafe
It was really interesting post and photos are amazing.
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that :)! Beautiful scenery, indeed 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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