Gothic stone building with twin spires along a sunny street; overhead tram wires and pedestrians nearby.

A Half-Day in Belém, Lisbon: What to see, do, and eat

If you’re planning a few days in Lisbon and someone tells you to “just skip Belém because it’s out of the way,” smile politely and ignore them completely. Because a half-day in Belém is totally worth it. Yes, Belém sits a few kilometres west of the city centre. Yes, getting there takes a little planning. …

Day Trips from Lisbon: 12 Best Train & Bus Excursions

Picture yourself stepping off a train into a fairy-tale town, where pastel-colored palaces peek through misty forests. Or imagine wandering through sun-drenched medieval streets, where history whispers from every weathered stone. These aren’t far-off fantasies; they’re the reality of day trips from Lisbon, the enchanting Portuguese capital. If you’re planning a visit to Lisbon and …

Best things to do and see in Lisbon in 2 days

Lisbon in two days is one of the best short-break decisions you can make in Europe. Lisbon, or Lisboa, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is steeped in history, coastal beauty, delicious cuisine, and a mild climate, which makes it the perfect place to explore in Europe. Plus, compared to other major European …

Appreciating the Art of the Azulejos: Lisbon’s National Tile museum

If there’s one visual art form that perfectly captures the soul of Portugal, it’s azulejos, those hand-painted ceramic tiles you see on nearly every street, church, and house façade in Lisbon. These vibrant tiles aren’t just decoration; they’re stories in color and clay, reflecting centuries of culture, influence, and artistic evolution. One of our favorite places to dive …

The Perfect 2-Week Itinerary for Portugal

For the past few years, Portugal has ranked pretty high for tourism and vacations, especially among Americans (and Brits, although they have been visiting Portugal for years). Portugal has a great deal to offer in terms of affordability, beauty, fantastic food, and the people are incredibly nice. Most people coming from North or South America …

A day in the Alfama District: Lisbon’s historic neighborhood

The first time my wife and I visited Lisbon, our tutuk driver took us into Alfama. She asked if we had tried ginjinha yet. We had only been in the country about 24 hours and didn’t even know what ginjinha was. If you’re planning your time in Lisbon and want to make sure each neighborhood …

Private tours and expert tour guides in Portugal

Those of you planning to take that dream vacation to Portugal this year should consider taking a day or two to experience a private tour with an expert tour guide. Sounds kind of strange coming from us who love to wander around, yes? But sometimes, we enjoy a great tour, especially with a knowledgable guide. …