Notes from Lisbon — Notes on Style

I went to Portugal for the first time last year. Even though it had been on my travel list for a while, I knew very little about the various places I was supposed to visit. Based on my research, I developed a three-week itinerary that covered the areas I found most appealing to me. After narrowing down our stops to Lisbon, Sintra, Comporta, Alentejo, Douro Valley, and Porto, we researched the logistics, hotels, activities, and atmosphere of each location in detail to determine how long we could stay at each location. I also contacted you through Instagram, and the recommendations you provided helped me complete the picture of my trip.

This is the first part of my Portugal guide. We’ve named some of our top picks for you to consider, along with the names of the hotels you choose to stay at in each destination. Some locations had a variety of options, while others were hotel-centric destinations in their own right. With a few exceptions, we haven’t touched any of the large hotel chains. My personal preference is always for boutique properties or properties with historical value.

I share the stores and restaurants I have visited along with recommendations from locals. The stores are organized by type of place that sells the things I usually buy: artisan pieces, antiques, locally made items, etc. When it comes to restaurants, the list is so extensive that I’ll just mention where I actually ate and a few standout local recommendations.

Lisbon
Where I stayed – Principe Real Palace

I loved the location away from the crowds in a beautiful residential area. Hidden behind large doors accessible only to hotel guests, the reception, restaurant, bar and lounge can be reached through the garden. Personal service during our stay was outstanding, from greeting us with drinks and snacks upon check-in to making dinner reservations and arranging tours. Thank you for accommodating the specific room I requested. It was previously a blue tiled room that was part of the original kitchen. The property felt like a sophisticated retreat away from the crowds of Lisbon.

eat:

The restaurant recommendations below are provided by the Palácio Príncipe Real team. They graciously shared their favorite spots in the neighborhood.

• children – Local and Mediterranean cuisine (just above Palácio Príncipe Real). We had a great meal here.
• I’m tapisco – Portuguese fetisco meets Spanish tapas (just up the street). Highly recommended.
• rosamar – Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar (10 minute walk from hotel)
• Just like me – A seafood, fish and sushi bar described as a “modern fish market”. DJs and live music on weekend nights
• pika pau – Traditional Portuguese food (just up the road)
• century grocery store – A home-style bistro located in a residential alley. Fresh and healthy organic Portuguese food (5 minutes walk from hotel)
• BouBou’s – Portuguese cuisine with French and Asian influences (5 minutes walk from hotel)
• JNcQUOI Avenue – Fine-dining restaurant serving Portuguese and international favorites using seasonal ingredients

store:

We organized shopping by product type, focusing on Made in Portugal products. Although I always succeed or fail based on recommendations from others, I see travel as a way to explore. As I wander around, the path from A to B inevitably reveals all sorts of unexpected and interesting things. I love stopping by quiet little galleries or shops that have been untouched for months to find out what the locals are interested in. Some of the antique stores were for serious collectors, while others were dusty consignment stores that weren’t even worth mentioning. Unfortunately, many of the popular stores on my list turned out to be unoriginal, selling noisy similar products to the predictable souvenirs found in many places.