Taste of Portugalwith Azores
From Porto's port wine cellars to the volcanic wonders of the Azores — an unforgettable journey through Portuguese culture, cuisine, and coastlines.
Where You'll Go
From Porto's port wine cellars to the volcanic Azores — restaurants, bars, and local tips for every stop. Tap the + on any item to build your wishlist and send it to Marley.
Porto
Northern Portugal
Portugal's second city captivates with its historic center, port wine cellars across the Douro River, and a culinary scene that rivals Lisbon.
Tour Highlights
- Panoramic drive to mouth of Douro River
- Walking tour: Cathedral, Church of São Francisco, Stock Exchange
- Port wine cellar visit with tasting
- Douro River cruise
Top Restaurants
Cantinho do Avillez
Celebrity chef José Avillez's Porto outpost. Modern Portuguese in a relaxed setting.
Café Santiago
Famous for the Francesinha — Porto's legendary meat sandwich smothered in cheese and beer sauce.
O Paparico
Intimate spot near Foz. Creative tasting menus, reservations essential.
Taberna dos Mercadores
Traditional petiscos (tapas) in the Ribeira district.
Wine Bars
Prova Wine Food & Pleasure
Sommelier offers 50 wines by the glass with excellent food pairings.
Capela Incomum
Romantic wine bar in a converted chapel. Candle-lit, intimate.
Wine Quay Bar
Right on the Douro River. Scenic views, great for sunset.
Craft Beer
Catraio CraftBeerShop
Best for Portuguese craft: Sovina, Burguesa, Letra, Passarola.
Armazém da Cerveja
90+ international beers, 30+ Portuguese. One of Porto's best.
Free & Budget Activities
Coimbra
Central Portugal
Home to one of Europe's oldest universities, this medieval hillside city echoes with the sound of Fado and student traditions dating back centuries.
Tour Highlights
- GLOBUS CHOICE: University tour (Joanina Library with bat colony!) or Bairrada wine region
- UNESCO World Heritage University campus
- Medieval old town exploration
Top Restaurants
Dux Taberna Urbana
Delicious petiscos — book ahead or arrive early for the "menu do dia."
Refeitório da Baixa
Located in Coimbra's last ceramic factory (since 1824).
Arcadas
Recognized as one of the 500 best restaurants in the world.
Fangas Veg
Former grocery store. Top-quality vegetarian tapas-style portions.
Cafés & Bakeries
Café Santa Cruz
LEGENDARY. Opened 1923 in a former chapel. Occasional Fado performances.
Bars & Nightlife
Galeria Santa Clara
Arts space + bar. Original artwork, live performances, outdoor terrace.
Passaporte Coimbra
Breathtaking Mondego River views. Best for sunset cocktails.
Free & Budget Activities
Must-Try Local Specialties
Lisbon
Capital City
Portugal's sun-drenched capital sprawls across seven hills, offering world-class cuisine, legendary nightlife, and centuries of maritime history.
Tour Highlights
- Photo stops: Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries
- Time Out Market food hall
- Alfama's maze-like streets and Fado houses
- Pink Street nightlife
Top Restaurants
Time Out Market
Food hall with dozens of Lisbon's best chefs under one roof.
Cervejaria Ramiro
Legendary seafood. Lines out the door. Worth the wait.
Belcanto
2 Michelin stars by José Avillez. Lisbon's finest.
Pastéis de Belém
Iconic custard tarts since 1837. 20,000+ made daily.
Craft Beer
Dois Corvos
Many say best beer in Portugal. 12 taps. Great burgers.
Musa de Marvila
Brewery taproom in the Beer District. Worth the trip.
Crafty Corner
Medieval building in Alfama. IPAs and local micro-producers.
Bars & Nightlife
Pensão Amor
Former 1970s brothel. Original risqué decor. Best venue on Pink Street.
Red Frog
1920s speakeasy. Hidden entrance via doorbell. Top 100 bars worldwide.
Pavilhão Chinês
Former tea house. Every surface covered in antiques.
Sintra & Cascais
Day Trip from Lisbon
A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of romantic palaces, misty forests, and fairy-tale castles, followed by the charming Atlantic resort town of Cascais.
Tour Highlights
- Mafra Royal Palace guided visit
- Free time in Sintra's historic center
- Browse charming Cascais
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
Top Restaurants
Incomum (Sintra)
Elevated Portuguese favorites. Try the menu executivo.
Mar do Inferno (Cascais)
High-end seafood near Boca do Inferno.
Senhor Manuel (Cascais)
Seafood tapas on Yellow Street. Buzzing with locals.
Cafés & Bakeries
Casa Piriquita
Founded 1862. Famous for Travesseiros and Queijadas de Sintra.
Café Saudade
Former cheesecake factory. Cozy, historic.
Free & Budget Activities
Must-Try Local Specialties
São Miguel, Azores
Atlantic Islands
The largest Azorean island offers volcanic landscapes, twin crater lakes, geothermal cooking, Europe's only tea plantation, and an otherworldly natural beauty.
Tour Highlights
- Orientation walk of Ponta Delgada
- Pico da Barrosa viewpoint (volcanic crater + ocean)
- Europe's only tea plantation (Maia)
- Furnas geothermal area + included lunch
- Sete Cidades twin lakes (Green & Blue)
- Pineapple plantation visit
Top Restaurants
O Calheta
Modern petiscaria with local flavors.
Bar Caloura
Ocean-view dining, fresh seafood.
Tasquinha Vieira
Traditional Azorean cuisine.
Craft Beer
Vulcana Brewery
Ribeira Grande's craft brewery. Try volcanic-inspired beers.
Suplexio & 3/4 Café
Ponta Delgada's best craft beer selection.
Bars & Nightlife
Whale Watching Bar
7th floor of Azor Hotel — best cocktails with views.
Free & Budget Activities
11-Day Itinerary
Porto → Aveiro → Coimbra → Lisbon → Sintra → Azores → Lisbon
Meals Included
Breakfasts
Dinners
Lunch (Furnas)
What to Pack
This isn't a generic packing list. These are the things that'll make or break your Portugal trip.
Pro Tip: The Azores are 10°F cooler than mainland Portugal with unpredictable weather. Pack a layer you can throw in your day bag — you'll use it more than you expect!
Travel Tips
Currency & Payments
- • Euro (€) — cards widely accepted
- • Carry cash for markets, small cafés, tips
- • ATMs everywhere
Language
- • English widely spoken in tourist areas
- • "Bom dia" — Good morning
- • "Obrigado/a" — Thank you
- • "Uma cerveja, por favor" — A beer, please
Meal Times
- • Lunch: 1-3pm
- • Dinner: 8pm onwards (Portuguese eat late!)
- • Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner
The "Couvert"
- • Bread, olives, butter brought to table is NOT free
- • You can decline — just say "não, obrigado"
- • Usually €2-5 per person if you eat it
Tipping
- • Not expected, but appreciated
- • Restaurants: Round up or 5-10%
- • Cafés: Leave coins
- • Tour guides: €5-10
Safety
- • Portugal is very safe
- • Watch for pickpockets in tourist areas
- • Emergency: 112
Globus Choice: Coimbra Excursion
Choose University Tour if:
- • You love history and architecture
- • The Joanina Library (bat colony!) appeals to you
- • You want the UNESCO experience
Choose Bairrada Wine if:
- • You're a wine lover
- • You've already seen the university
- • You prefer a relaxed, countryside experience