All PostPortugal for 7-10 Days – Insights from a Recent trip
I’ve just done a one-month trip to Portugal and thought I would share some takeaways for anyone thinking about going. Not everybody has a month, and I feel very fortunate to have had it. Various people joined me on this trip at different points, including a group of six (male and female, all early 60s) for 8 days from Lisbon to Porto. Since returning, I’ve been providing some of the following observations and guidance to others considering travel to Portugal.
Don’t Try to Do Too Much
In my research ahead of the trip, I read things like “you must see (my favorite place)” or “it’s all beautiful, you have to see it all” followed by a list of locations from north to south and east to west. Some travelers I’ve exchanged with have said they are planning to go from Porto to the Algarve and places in between in just 5-7 days. These places are not all that close to each other. If you have a month, then you can cover a lot of ground. If you have just 7-10 days, I can confidently say that you won’t enjoy yourself hopping from place to place, spending hours on logistics, and driving all over the country. Take it a bit slower and savor each place. Or extend your trip. Sometimes less is more.
You could easily spend four days in either Lisbon or Porto alone and still not do everything you want to do. Plus, the feeling of familiarity and real connectedness to the place comes after perhaps the 3rd or 4th day, at which point you can finally see some things you would miss if you left sooner or return to places you liked.
Decide Where You Want to Focus Your Time
If it’s your first trip there, you might want to focus on the main cities of Lisbon and Porto, with a few nearby smaller towns in between. There are spectacular beaches in this area that don’t require the 3-hour drive down to the Algarve, and back. Or, depending on your travel preferences, you might want to skip the bigger cities and go mainly to the Algarve or to smaller towns. My point is, keep the distances in mind. Finally, consider flying into one city such as Lisbon, and out of another such as Porto or Faro, to save yourself the return trip.
About the Food
Another common theme I heard before I went was: “All of the food is wonderful – you can’t go wrong anywhere you eat”. This was generally true for me personally but not so much for some in my group. For most people, unless you have no dietary restrictions or food dislikes, there will be foods you won’t like. It’s good to go in with an open mind and the right expectations. For a bit more beyond my observations below, this article on 13 Essential Foods to Eat While in Portugal is a good read.
Octopus is everywhere and prepared in many different ways. Having not been a fan until recently, I have come to like certain preparations of it, and some in Portugal were among the best I’ve had. But some were not. Octopus salad in one place was incredible. In another was barely edible. Some people will not like octopus regardless of its preparation. It is definitely worth a try in a good restaurant in Portugal, even if you don’t think you like it.
French fries are also everywhere, and they’re good – nice and hot and crispy. You could easily find yourself eating them at lunch and dinner daily depending on what you order. They are not always listed on the menu description of a dish but are often on the plate when the dish is served. For those who prefer to avoid fries, there are alternatives, such as vegetables or salad, but you have to know to ask for them when you order.
Bread, and dishes made with leftover bread, are everywhere too. I love bread, especially freshly baked, but some reject the very idea of eating bread, and some are gluten-free and can’t eat it. A common main dish in some parts of Portugal is Açorda, a soup made of leftover bread. A common side dish in some parts is Migas, a sort of stuffing made from leftover bread. If you like bread, you’ll be very happy. If not, you can work around it.
Fish of almost every type is everywhere, including lots of sardines and lots of cod fish. Aside from the cod, which is served in every way imaginable, the fish is often served grilled and with the bones still in. Americans especially are used to filleted fish without bones, so not everyone will like the fish. It is relatively easy to debone a grilled fish yourself once you get the hang of it – and once deboned it is delicious. As for cod, for me it depends on the preparation. One of my favorites, which may sound odd, is the codfish conserva (canned in olive oil) – which is more of an appetizer found in select places.
Couvert is listed on most menus. It translates to “cover charge” and refers to items such as bread and olives, which are typically brought to the table with no mention of a charge, and then the charge – typically minimal – is on the bill. Know that you are not being taken advantage of – it is customary in the country to do this. You can decline it when they bring it if you don’t want it. Read more in The Portuguese Couvert – Rip Off or Fantastic Value for Money.
About the Drinks
Wine is everywhere, and it is just wonderful whether it is the house wine in a carafe or bottled red or white from one of the major wine regions in the country. Port Wine has almost a cult following because it is produced in Porto. Many Americans will say they don’t like sweet wine, but it’s good to keep an open mind and try it, especially in the port wine lodges in Porto. It is a sweet wine, typically served with or in place of dessert. You may become a convert, as a few in my group did. See this primer on The Wines of Portugal to prepare for your wine adventure there.
Beer is great too, with lagers Super Bock and Sagres the main brands served. Other than these, beer options are rather limited however there are some new craft beers coming on the scene, and places to try them: Where To Drink Portuguese Craft Beer in Lisbon.
Cocktails – I wrote a whole forum post on this topic which had lots of healthy debate. When it comes to cocktails, don’t expect to widely find your favorite US cocktails like martinis, cosmos, margaritas, etc made the way you like them. You will find them on menus, but if you are particular about your drinks you might find the taste a bit off – unless you’re after gin & tonic which you will find far and wide and with premium options for both the gin and the tonic. The Top 10 Best Cocktail Bars In Lisbon will have drinks closer to what you’re accustomed to.
Water. There are lots of articles with different perspectives on tap water in Portugal. Supposedly the water is fine to drink from the tap. However, most who live in the country drink bottled water, and everywhere you go you will be served (and charged for) bottled water as a default. The prices for bottled water are very low compared to the US, and the water – either still or sparkling – is very cold and refreshing. You can ask for tap water instead if you wish. We chose to be on the safe side and generally went with glass-bottled water for our trip to be environmentally conscious while drinking the best water.
Go With the Right Itinerary and Expectations
If you’re planning a first trip to Portugal, prioritize the things you want to see with distances in mind and go with the right expectations on travel times, foods, and beverages. A trip or tour designer can help to ensure that your first trip is the best it can be, including finding hotel and transportation options for you.
