I recently organized an unforgettable girls trip to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, and it was truly incredible. So why choose Portugal? It’s the nearest European destination from Toronto, making it a convenient option. Additionally, Portugal is one of the more affordable countries in Europe for a vacation. Both Lisbon and Porto are wonderfully accessible; you can explore the cities on foot, enjoy a safe environment, and discover a wealth of activities. If you’re contemplating a girls trip or a couples vacation to Portugal, read on for my top recommendations and valuable tips in my Portugal travel guide.
Visiting Porto:
If you are visiting Porto for the first time, you are in for a treat! With a beautiful Douro River, quaint streets and beautiful scenery, it is a special place to explore. I have put together my best recommendations below to make your trip extra special.
Where to stay:
- Stay in Riberia to be centrally located to all the major sites and sounds. We stayed at Se Catedral Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and enjoyed it for its central location.
What to do:
- Visit the world’s oldest bookstore: it is said that JK Rowling was inspired to write Harry Potter after visiting this bookstore. Purchase the Livaria Lello tickets in advance and try to book the earliest timeslot for less crowds. You still need to line up upon arrival so arrive earlier than your time slot. The ticket gives you a 10 euro spend in the store, so you can consider buying one of their in-house tiny books to bring home.
- Explore Porto Cathedral (beautiful blue tile church) and look up the other blue tiled buildings to see
- Take a boat cruise along the river
- Explore the other side of the Duoro River and bridge, and check out the views from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar. On the other side of the river are all the wineries that produce Port wine.
Where to eat:
- Some of my favourite eats included:
- Bota & Bira for steak (need reservations)
- Do Norte or Floresta cafe (cute brunch places)
- Tapabento (tapas restaurant in the train station)
- Time out market (food hall with lots of options)
- Tip: Ask your hotel to make reservations for you!
Last thoughts on Porto:
- Consider spending more time in Porto than Lisbon, as Porto is more charming and less touristy (we did 3 nights in Porto and 2 nights in Lisbon, and it was the perfect amount of time).
- If there is any rain in your forecast, consider bringing shoes with better grip because the cobblestone gets very slippery and it is ALL hills in Porto.
- I visited in February and dressed in layers (hoodie and light jacket). The humid cold was colder than expected at night time. Porto is considerably more humid than Lisbon.
Train to Porto:
My tips for navigating the train to Porto:
- Buy your train ticket to Porto in advance for discounted rates (we booked first class for a good price)
- Consider taking the train to Porto on the morning you arrive since you cannot check in yet and you will need to stay awake from jetlag anyway
- Make sure you are at the train platform at least 15-30 minutes early to orient yourself, as the trains always leave right on time and finding your platform can be confusing.
- Someone needs to have data on the trains and be alert, so you can keep track of which station you need to get off at. If you get off at the wrong connecting station, you may wait a long time for the next train and miss your other train.
- Sometimes the connection between trains is only 5-10 minutes and it is just enough time for disoriented tourists to figure out what train to go to… so you need to move fast.
- On the way out, the connecting train (the shorter leg) at Sao Bento station at Porto sometimes does not connect all the cars, so make sure you sit in the last car cab that actually leaves the station.
- If you are traveling northbound on the Lisbon to Porto train route, you can enhance your journey by securing a window seat on the left-hand side. This vantage point offers optimal viewing of Portugal’s picturesque landscapes. It is super scenic!
Visiting Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is an exciting destination perfect for a girls trip filled with amazing shopping, indulging in delicious Portuguese tarts, and immersing yourselves in the rich culture. Here are my essential tips to make the most of your visit.
Where to stay:
I’d recommend staying in the Bairro Alto/downtown area so you can walk everywhere. Lisbon is an amazing city to explore by foot and being centrally located is key.
If you aren’t able to book right downtown, not to worry because taking the local taxi service called Bolt is very inexpensive. Make sure to download this in advance. Their prices are much cheaper than Uber! Get a free ride with my referral code here.
What to do and what to eat:
- Book a Tuk Tuk Tour on the first day to get acquainted with the city and see a lot of spots in one shot
- Explore Jerónimos Monastery and delight in Portugese tarts nearby at Pasteis De Belem, arguably the best tarts in the city
- Shop in the Principe Real area for chic boutiques (I particularly loved the beautiful shopping experience at EmbaiXada) and don’t forget to check out the view nearby
- Take the historic tram to the castle for beautiful views.
- Explore one of the many vibrant markets for food and trinkets.
- Do some local shopping! European brands like Zara, Mango and Pull&Bear are a lot cheaper than in North America. There is also a vat refund of 10-15% if you spend over 60 euros.
- Eat lots of seafood! I won’t post too many places here, because the list can be endless and there are many food guides available online. I will note that my favourite spot to eat was a hole in the wall called Lisboa Tu e Eu 2. I ate here twice in my two nights in Lisbon and I loved their clams.
What to bring home:
- The other portugese tarts bakery that is popular is Manteigaria, with many locations around the city. Consider taking some home to share with friends and family on your last day, as they stack and store well.
- Sardines and canned seafood is very popular in Lisbon, and they make a great souvenir! You can find beautiful tins at marketplaces or grocery stores, but I loved the options at Conserveira de Lisboa, a family run cannery (head there before eating at Lisboa Tu e Eu 2!).
Other useful tips:
- Use Bolt instead of Uber for great rates. Get a free ride with my referral code here.
- Need data? Check out Airalo for esim. Get $3.00 USD off your first eSIM package from Airalo with my referral code REBECC7861 when you sign up or check out.
- I bring my LARQ water bottle everywhere I travel. It cleans the water with UV and filters as well. I like the PurVis2 version because it has a handle. Find it here.
- If you do any shopping as a group, consider purchasing together. There is also a vat refund of 10-15% if you spend over 60 euros. Let the retailer know so they provide you with the proper receipt to show the airport vat refund counter.
