Porto
Porto is quietly establishing itself as Lisbon’s rival in popularity for travelers in the know and it’s become a must-see. More discrete and therefore less touristy than the capital, the Northern town has had a recent boom in the culinary, artistic and hotel scenes, shooting it right to the top of the summer hot spot list.
A boutique hotel in Porto: ROSA ET AL
More than a hotel, ROSA ET AL is an intimate townhouse in the center of Porto with seven suites, including one tucked into the garden pavilion. Opened in 2012, the hotel has kept its 19th century spirit while offering modern comforts with designer furniture and luxurious beds to create its own calm and tranquil little bubble, away from the excitement of the outside world. Explore Porto by bike, discover the food spots in the area, take a yoga class or enjoy in-room spa treatments.
Rua do Rosário 233, 4050-524 Porto, Portugal, Tel.+351 22 340 0730
For interiors: A Vida Portuguesa
Packed with Porto eau de Cologne, hand-made baskets, brightly colored soaps, Benamôr hand creams and retro Tricana sardine tins, A Vida Portuguesa is one to note for the best in local products with a very funky twist. Created by Catarina Portas, this charming boutique is located in Vitória, Porto’s historic neighborhood, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Make sure you stop by to stock up on the finest the city has to offer.
Rua Galeria de Paris 20 - 1º, 4050-162 Porto,T: +351 222 022 105
A trendy steakhouse in Porto: Rib Beef & Wine
Located in the Pestana Vintage hotel, in only three months this new restaurant designed by Cristina Matos has become the number one spot for carnivores in Porto. As popular with locals as it is by tourists, the restaurant’s chef, Rui Martins serves Tomahawk Irish Black Angus, Chateaubriand and rib eye steaks. Carnivores rejoice.
Cais da Estiva 84, 4050-492 Porto, Portugal
The Douro Vallery
Just a short distance away from Porto, the Douro Valley is Portugal's answer to the Californian paradise of Napa. Boasting verdant hills that undulate for as far as the eye can see, the valley is a veritable haven of natural beauty that has attracted a clutch of ultra-hip hotels hidden amongst rolling vineyards, complete with the wine-making culture and way of life that is commonplace around the area.
A spa in the Douro Valley: Six Senses Douro Valley
For its very first European venture, Six Senses headed to the Douro Valley. Whilst the villa's traditional exterior has retained its quaint Portuguese charm, the interior has been totally modernized and organized so that every room opens out onto the stunning surrounding nature. With a state-of-the-art Spa as the villa's central attraction, guests can book in for a personal check-up tailored to their exact needs, from anti-aging remedies and rigorous detoxes to yoga sessions, therapeutic treatments and cures for insomnia. Blissed-out spa-goers can collapse around the impressive infinity pool at the end of the day. Pure paradise.
Quinta Vale de Abrão, 5100-758 Samodães, Lamego, Portugal, Tel.+351 254 660 600
A wine-lovers paradise: Quinta do Crasto
An insider address for only the most clued-up of culture vultures, Quinta do Crasto is one of the most prestigious vineyards throughout the whole of Portugal. Nestled amongst 70 hectares of rolling hills, this family-run business offers wonderfully informative wine-tasting sessions that include some of the oldest wines in the country from Maria Teresa and Vinha da Ponte as well as Porto, some of which are over 100 years old.
Quinta do Crasto, Gouvinhas, 5060-063, Sabrosa, Portugal, Tel.351 22 610 5493
Lisbon
With a nightlife to rival Havana, tramways and bridges like San Francisco, renovated docks like London, and the Alfama district with more than a hint of the medinas of the Maghreb, Lisbon is a trip around the world all in one city. Only a two hour flight away from Paris, it’s the ideal destination for soaking up the last rays of summer sunshine on a long weekend.
A hotel overlooking the city: H10 Duque de Loulé
A relatively new kid on the block in Lisbon, H10 Duque de Loulé opened its doors back in 2015 just a stone's throw away from the Marquis of Pombal Square. Designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán, the hotel's ultra-hip interior puts a modern twist on the typically Portuguese Azuelo tiles, covering the walls of the lobby in a gorgeous blue hue that is echoed throughout the building's beautifully decorated bedrooms and their plush blue velvet sofas, as well as the restaurant's beautiful azure decor. Special mention must go to the spectacular rooftop terrace, offering 360° views over the stunning Lisbon landscape. A must if you're planning a visit to the Portuguese capital.
Av. Duque de Loulé 81, 1050-088 Lisboa, Portugal, Tel.+351 21 318 2000
For coffee: Pastelaria Benard
If you like a good start to the day, Pastelaria Benard offers some pretty mouthwatering breakfast options. Start with freshly squeezed orange juice and strong coffee, before moving onto Portuguese cakes like pasteis de nata custard tartelettes, or bolo de arroz rice flour muffins. This legendary Lisbon café welcomes locals and visitors alike, every morning.
R. Garrett 104, 1200-205 Lisbonne, Tel.+351 21 347 3133
For exploring: Bairro Alto
Perched up in the heights of Lisbon, Bairro Alto has become the most popular neighborhood for arty city dwellers in the past few years, making it the city's it-spot, with an intellectual vibe by day and a party atmosphere at night. Its little cobbled streets are worth a visit for the trendy hairdressers, young designers boutiques, and artists’ workshops.
For the beach: Praia Da Riviera
Cross the bridge over the Tagus and follow the road that hugs Costa da Caparica and you'll find Praia Da Riviera, a wide beach washed by the Atlantic waves. It's just half an hour's car drive from Lisbon, leaving you with more than enough time to try the restaurant of the same name, looking out over the bay.
For tapas: La Taberna da Rua das Flores
A favorite with Sam Baron, La Taberna da Rua das Flores has earnt a reputation as one of the best tables in Lisbon. This little restaurant in Chiado is a tapas specialist, with a daily menu based on what's at the market and a wine cellar packed with excellent bottles from producers in the region. Be sure to reserve.
Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisbonne, Tel. +351 21 347 9418
Comporta
Just an hour from Lisbon, Comporta is the destination of choice for the city’s young professionals who want to get away from the daily grind. Famous for its endless white beaches on the Atlantic coast, the region is scattered with some of the country’s finest boutique hotels and luxury cabins. Unspoilt and authentically Portuguese, this is the perfect region to kick back and enjoy a slower pace of life.
A hut by the river in Comporta: Cabanas No Rio
Tucked away on the banks of the Rio Sado in Portugal, these two former fishing huts were remodeled by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in 2013 and now blend into the blissful landscape of fine sand and wild foliage. Linked by a pontoon over the river, one hut is a cozy bedroom with a shower that can be opened to nature if you wish, while the other features an intimate sitting room complete with a kitchen hidden away in the wooden structure. The basic appearance is deceiving, as the cabins provide a high level of comfort, with Paolo Navone Ghost armchairs, a feather-soft bed and infallible wifi connection. This is the perfect place to get back into your groove, whilst at one with nature.
Sítio da Carrasqueira, 7580-613, Comporta, Portugal, Tel. +351 934 418 316
A beachside restaurant: Comporta Café
Facing the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean, the Comporta Café is arguably one of the best restaurants in the region. Partly for its stellar location on the sandy beach, but also for a tempting seasonal menu that includes freshly caught grilled fish, cuttlefish risotto and langoustine spaghetti. For lunch with a view.
Praia da Comporta, 7680-612 Comporta, Portugal, Tel.351 265 497 652
A surf hotel between Comporta and the Algarve: Cabeça da Cabra
On the stunning Vicentina coast in the extreme south of Portugal, Cabeça da Cabra is in one of the county's wildest regions. The former primary school in the village of Alentejo has been converted into a bed & breakfast, with a minimalist, pale wood and white furniture studio in each of the five former classrooms. The owner, Maria Santos, offers lunches and typically Portuguese dinners but the real draw is her singular, almost therapeutic approach to surfing, open to everyone from novices who have secretly dreamt of taking on the waves for years, to experts with decades of experience behind them. Surfing is treated like therapy and daily classes with André Texeira, who has taught in the region for more than 15 years, are also a chance to discover the surrounding countryside, on the 20-minute bike trip down to the beach.
Porto Covo, Portugal, Tel.+351 966 295 432
The Algarve
To the extreme south of the country’s coastline, the Algarve is the last stop in our tour of Portugal. With its many creeks, lagoons and famous orange cliffs that jut out into the sea as well as its many charming rural towns to see and explore, the region is a must for nature lovers who want to escape the rat race.
An intimate hotel on the Algarve: Fazendo Nova
Run by a couple from London, the Fazendo Nova is a charming hotel in the heart of the Algarve countryside. This former family home has a rare warmth and intimacy, with two apartments, a terrace suite and several garden suites, all of which are bright and welcoming, with beds made from Indonesian wood and blue shutters. Enjoy lunch under shady terrace before a dip in the pool surrounded by olive trees, or, if you fancy, some of the region’s most beautiful beaches are only a few miles drive down the road.
Estiramantens, Santo Estevao, 8800-504 Tavira, Portugal, Tel.+351 281 961 913
