The Ultimate Portugal Travel Guide: Algarve, Sintra, and Lisbon
Planning a trip to Portugal? This guide covers everything we did (and what I wish we had time for) across the Algarve, Sintra, and Lisbon — including where to stay, what to eat, what to pack, and my honest thoughts on viral recommendations.
Whether you’re headed for ocean views, Michelin-star dining, or dreamy tile-covered streets, this itinerary blends luxury relaxation with a little adventure, and plenty of great food.
The Algarve: Ocean Views, Michelin Dining & Poolside Bliss
Where We Stayed:
We spent the first part of our trip at Vila Vita Parc Resort in the Algarve, and honestly, it’s a destination in itself. It’s perched above the cliffs with sweeping ocean views, a dozen restaurants (including a Michelin-starred one), and a pool that makes you forget anything else exists in the world.
We only had a few days here and wanted to soak up as much of the resort as possible, so we didn’t do too much exploring outside the resort. The poolside restaurant was surprisingly good and had a full mocktail menu — not just one or two options but eight. Every single one I tried was delicious.
Tip: Take advantage of the free tuk-tuk service that runs from the resort down to nearby beaches, including the one where O Stop Restaurant is located. You can also start the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail right from the resort’s lower parking lot.
An Unexpected Oceanside Hike
After lunch one day, we decided to “just walk down to see the ocean” and accidentally stumbled onto a cliffside hiking trail — in flip-flops (luckily these flip flops are super comfy). I think it was part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, and we ended up walking over a mile with the most breathtaking views of the ocean below.
If you plan to explore, pack proper shoes!
Dinner with a View
Our first night, we were so jet-lagged (I hadn’t slept in 24 hours!) but made it to dinner at Sky Bar, Vila Vita’s rooftop sushi restaurant. It was absolutely worth it for the incredible sushi and even better ocean views.
There’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant on property, Ocean, but it books out far in advance. Since we didn’t have reservations, we found another Michelin restaurant nearby called Bon Bon and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.
The chef’s menu was inspired by his grandmother and Portuguese traditions — creative, beautifully plated, and full of heart. I even tried to buy one of their fish plates because it was so cute (they said no haha).
The Resort’s Duck Family!
One of my favorite parts of Vila Vita was the little duck family that lived on the property. Every morning, the mama duck and her babies would swim together. The resort even built them a tiny house and fed them daily. It was so cute!
Algarve Experiences & Local Recommendations
We tried a dolphin cave tour that came highly recommended, but I’ll be honest, it wasn’t my favorite. It was cold and windy on the water, and seeing dozens of boats crowding around dolphins felt icky. I would probably skip this, but if you do go, look for a smaller or private operator that’s more respectful of wildlife.
If you have more time in the Algarve, here are reader and follower-recommended spots we didn’t make it to but are worth checking out:
Restaurants
- Marina – seafood
- Quinta dos Santos – wine & small plates
- Camilo – seafood with views
- Nova Wine Bar – cozy and local
- Casinha do Petisco (Lagos) – go early! line forms at 5:30
- Jota Lita (Carvoeiro)
- 2 Passos – upscale seaside dining
- Marias – beach restaurant
- Pateo Velho – classic Portuguese
Things to Do
- Visit Burgau (known as “mini Santorini”)
- Shop in Albufeira Old Town
- Kayak to Benagil Sea Cave – the cave wasn’t the most breathtaking thing for me, but if you like kayaking I think this could be a fun activity.
- Visit Porches Pottery – we did make it here and it’s amazing!
- Check out Vida Portuguesa for local gifts
- Join a Secret Food Tour (food + history)
Sintra: Castles, Charm, and Jinja
After the Algarve, we drove to Sintra, a fairytale town just 30 minutes from Lisbon. It’s known for its colorful palaces, cobblestone streets, and lush hillside views that feel straight out of a storybook.
Where We Stayed:
Valverde Palácio de Seteais, a restored 18th-century palace that made us feel like royalty. The staff is so friendly and kind. Every corner was elegant and peaceful — a perfect overnight stop before heading into Lisbon.
What to Do in Sintra
- Visit the Moorish Castle: We hiked up with friends (they brought champagne, cheese, and grapes — highly recommend!). The views from the top are incredible.
- Wander the Town: The center of Sintra is full of charming shops and local restaurants.
- Try a Ginja Shot: It’s a Portuguese cherry liqueur served in a chocolate shell — like a grown-up cherry cordial.
- Take a Tuk Tuk Ride: The hills here are no joke and you might not want to walk them. We took the tuk tuk up a big hill to the Moorish Castle. Our driver called it a “Portuguese massage” because the roads are so bumpy…hilarious and memorable!
Dinner Recommendation:
Restaurante Azenhas do Mar – a casual seafood restaurant built into the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Make a reservation around sunset because the photos are unreal! Make sure you order the clams, they were our favorite!
Lisbon: Shopping, Seafood And A 3-Day Wedding Celebration
Our final stop was Lisbon, where we stayed at the Tivoli Hotel in the city center — perfect for walking everywhere. We dropped off our rental car before heading to the hotel, because you definitely don’t need or want a car in Lisbon!
Where to Stay in Lisbon
We loved the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, and not just because they thought my husband was a famous American boxer (and upgraded us to the Presidential Suite for our entire stay). Also, I have no idea why they thought that but we just went with it haha. The location is unbeatable and surrounded by amazing shopping, cafes, and some of the best restaurants in Lisbon.
The Tivoli was the wedding hotel so we didn’t have to do any research on this one but my friend (the bride) is a travel guru and picked a beautiful one!
On our last day, we got massages at the hotel spa and it was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Where to Eat in Lisbon
On our last day in Lisbon, we went to Cervejaria Ramiro for lunch. I don’t think they take reservations and they were very busy but we were seated within about 30 minutes.
Unlike other restaurants in Portugal, they turn over their tables very quickly so we were out in about 45 minutes! The food was AMAZING, we loved everything we had, but the clams and the broth they were in were spectacular.
Our last dinner in Lisbon was at Via Graça, a beautiful restaurant with panoramic views of the city. The food was incredible and such a perfect way to end our trip.
We also had a few standout meals and a long list of recommendations:
Top Picks & Reader Recs
- Da Noi – Italian comfort food
- Mercearia do Século – trendy, make a reservation
- Cevicheria – seafood & pisco cocktails
- Lidia’s – cozy & creative
- Bonjardim – famous for peri peri chicken
- Epur – Michelin-starred tasting menu
- Rocco at Ivens Hotel – gorgeous ambiance
- Ponto Final – waterfront dining
- Taberna Sal Grosso – authentic & casual
- Java Rooftop – drinks with a view
- Sala de Corte – steak lovers, this is your spot
Shopping in Lisbon
Lisbon is shopping heaven. From designer stores to local boutiques and markets, you’ll find ceramics, cork goods, perfumes, and more.
These were high on my list but I didn’t have time to go:
- Opar Perfume Lab – create your own scent
- Next Memory Perfume – a more modern version, beautiful space
Tip: Portugal is known for cork products — bags, hats, and even shoes. They make great gifts.
A Few Other Things
We were around the corner from Pink Street, which is a viral destination on social media. It’s cute for a quick picture if you happen to be nearby, but not worth going out of your way for. It’s also not as beautiful in person as it looked online.
If you have extra time, Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of Europe) is a great half-day trip from Lisbon with stunning ocean views.
What to Pack for Portugal in September
September in Portugal is warm and sunny during the day (80–85°F) with cooler evenings (high 60s–70s). The Algarve is beachy and breezy, while Lisbon and Sintra are more city chic.
Algarve (Resortwear)
- Flowy maxi dresses
- Swimsuits + coverups
- Flat sandals
- Lightweight sun hat and UPF sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- SPF + after-sun lotion
- Small crossbody bag for exploring
Lisbon + Sintra (City Chic)
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
- Linen pants or midi skirts
- Lightweight sweaters or jackets for evenings
- Casual dresses or sets for daytime
- Gold jewelry or statement earrings for dinners
Travel Essentials
- Portable travel steamer – a must for linen outfits
- Portable humidifier – plane and hotel air can be dry
- Expandable duffle – I brought another one of these expandable duffles (I take it with me every time I travel) while we were there and it saved me when I needed an extra bag for all my pottery finds
- Slim pill organizer – for vitamins & meds
- Universal travel adapter – Portugal uses Type C/F plugs
- Portable charger – especially for long walking days
- AirFly Bluetooth adapter – for plane headphones
Portugal Travel Resources
Currency: Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s good to keep a little cash for taxis and small shops.
Tipping: Not required, but 5–10% is appreciated at restaurants.
Getting Around:
- Algarve: Rent a car if you plan to explore beyond your resort.
- Sintra: Walk or take a tuk tuk, parking is limited and driving on the narrow streets is difficult. We took a wrong turn that cost us 25 minutes on the way to the hotel!
- Lisbon: The city is walkable, but it’s big and taxis and Ubers are easy to find.
Best Months to Visit:
May–October for warm weather, sunshine, and fewer crowds than peak summer. September was perfect, warm sunny days and mild evenings.
Final Thoughts
Portugal totally exceeded our expectations and it was one of my favorite trips to date. From the ocean cliffs in the Algarve to the storybook charm of Sintra and the food and shopping in Lisbon.
If you’re planning a Europe trip, you can’t go wrong with Portugal. If I could do it over again, I would recommend starting with the vibrant city life of Lisbon and then ending with a relaxing couple of days in the Algarve.
If you don’t want to stay overnight in Sintra, you can easily do a day trip there! Just make sure to pack comfy shoes, leave room in your suitcase for pottery, and make some dinner reservations early for popular spots.
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