That is true. And Bolt is often a little cheaper. If taking the train it is a good idea to check the local news or the Comboios de Portugal website. The trains typically run every 30 minutes but some days this month, for example, there have been a number of strikes.
Sorry to bump, but my wife and I will be spending 6 nights in Lagos next month. We’ll have a car, and thought it might be nice to get out into the country, see some scenery, and taste some wine.
Can anyone recommend any wineries in Algarve or south Alentejo that we should check out? We’re willing to make a day trip out of it, so anything within about a 1.5 hour drive of Lagos would be fine.
I know almost nothing about Portuguese wine, so I’d prefer a something a little more “guided” than ordering blind off the menu at a wine bar.
If you have a favorite in the the area, I’d love to hear about it.
That looks perfect. There are several wineries that look like a good fit. I’m going to have to read up and do some research. Thanks!
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Some decent info, but the Algarve really is the least interesting place for wine in Portugal. Designed mainly for the hoards of tourists.
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It didn’t hurt me to ask somm/bartend to recommend Portuguese wines that I might like when I was in Portugal. I don’t know anything about their wines, too. Besides, the costs are so well below anything here in my town (NYC) and it didn’t hurt the wallet much by ordering and “learning”.
Sorry but am not aware of wineries to visit in Algarve, but Tavira and Quarteria, about just over an hour drive from Lagos, are towns where we had reasonably good meals and wines.
Will be staying at the Penha Longa resort in Sintra. They have a couple of Michelin 1* there and for that art of the trip, more likely to dine on property.
Has anyone find there, in particular, Midori and/or Lab by Sergi Arola?
Also, even though it’s in Lisbon, they mention Eneko Lisboa, by the same chef as Azurmendi. Any comments on that place? Not as keen on this one as molecular doesn’t excite me, and plenty of other choices in Lisbon.
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I’m currently in the middle of our Portugal trip. We left Lisbon for Lagos yesterday, and I wanted to share one tip that I thought others might enjoy.
My wife and I went to Lisbon Winery with a group of friends for a wine tasting and really enjoyed it. Most of the group had just a casual interest in wine. I have a more serious interest, but knew very little about Portuguese wines. This was the perfect introduction.
The somm was very knowledgeable (able to answer all my questions), but had an unpretentious vibe that made everyone feel welcome. She selected three white wines, two reds, and a tawny port for us that was served with a huge platter of charcuterie and cheese. (It was large enough that it served as our dinner that night.) I especially liked that she chose wines from smaller producers. The wines we tasted had between 1000 and 3000 cases produced.
If you are already familiar with Portuguese wines, you might prefer a wine bar where you can do some self-guided study. But for those that are new to Portuguese wines like me, I thought this was an excellent introduction.
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We’ll be Lagos in a few weeks. Please share any restaurants and activities you’d recommend.
I’m posting a running travelogue on my website. Feel free to ask about anything you’d like more details about.
We are wrapping up two weeks in Portugal today actually and will share some thoughts when I get home this weekend. Lovely country. Had a great time.
My wife and I fly out from the US to Portugal tonight for 3 nights in Lisbon and 3 nights in Porto before 1 last night in Lisbon ahead of our flight home. We always bring back 2 cases of wine from our trips using our Wine Check luggage. Based on reviews here and elsewhere we expect to buy a mixed case from Garrafeira Nacional in Lisbon and have it delivered to our hotel on our last night. Is it worth lugging our Wine Check luggage up to Porto for another mixed case from there, or will the prices and selection be no better than in Lisbon? We buy dry reds and Port.
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Enjoy. My wife and I are heading over there tonight as well to meet my kid who is spending a semester abroad.
The selection in Lisbon will be much greater than in Porto except for Port, especially if you are interested in the wine regions other than the Douro. If you want elegant reds, ask about Bairrada and Dao. The staff at Garrafeira Nacional will be most helpful.
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I’m leaving for 5 days in Lisbon-area only next Sunday. I’ve got all the travel and touring stuff nailed, but am still unsettled on restaurants.
Maybe I missed a few, but I didn’t see many (if any) specific restaurants in this thread that people recommend having been there in the last 6 months or so.
If you don’t mind, could anyone who’s been there recently post (re-post) restaurants they recommend?
Thanks.
Mike
If you want to travel lighter, you won’t even need your Wine Check luggage with Garrafeira Nacional. When I was there in September they took my 12 bottles and packaged them nicely for shipping (for free) so I was able to just take the box to the airport and check it as luggage.
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If you can get a reservation, number one recommendation for us was A Nossa Casa. Fantastic meal and service. Small place, as are most restaurants in Lisbon.
We also had a very satisfying meal at By the Wine which is more of a wine bar with very good tapas. The spicy tuna tartare on fried plantain chips was a memorable bite.
We also ate at a number of small, local places that were a little off the beaten track. I can dig out those names as well if you would like.
As far as the famous Pasteis de Nata go (the baked custard tarts), our favorites were from Fabrica da Nata. The place in Belem is probably more famous (and touristy) but the texture of the ones from Fabrica were better.
I concur on the two wine shops mentioned above as being the best in Lisbon. I would also recommend Tricana and Sol e Pesca for buying tinned fish to bring home (which I highly recommend).
Enjoy! Happy to answer any other questions.
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I ate 20 of these in 2 weeks. They were good everywhere. The best is when they’re warm out of the oven.
They need a “hot donuts now” marketing campaign.