Karen's Trip to the Algarve & Lisbon

By Karen Masterson

Karens Trip To Algarve And Lisbon


This year for my family holiday, we went to Lisbon for a night and Alvor for 9 nights. We flew with TAP Air Portugal, who now offer 2 daily flights to Lisbon from Dublin. I was very impressed with the service on board! They serve a small snack, which is a sandwich and Portuguese cake, along with a complimentary refreshment which consists of soft drinks, tea/coffee and wine. The flight time is only 2 hours and 15 minutes and Lisbon city centre is just 15 minutes away. We decided to hire a car from Lisbon to Algarve as the roads are very good in Portugal. However, we don’t recommend picking the car up at the airport as ques can be very long.

Location

We stayed in Lisbon for 1 night in the 4* Jupiter Lisboa Hotel and in Alvor for 9 nights in Prainha Village. Our hotel in Lisbon was located in the heart of the capital; we could not have asked for a better location. It is the perfect choice for a city break. The Prainha Village is great for families. With 5 outdoor pools, a tennis court and the beach on your doorstep, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.


What I Loved

Lisbon is without a doubt one of my favourite cities in Europe. It is a vibrant, beautiful capital full of winding streets, quaint cafés and quirky shops. I recommend bringing walking shoes as the city is best explored by foot. Alvor in the Algarve is a lovely resort that still has the atmosphere of an old fishing village. If you are looking for a typical Portuguese holiday this is the place to go. It is most suited to families and couples.


Activities & Places to See

  • A trip to Sintra is a must to see the amazing Palaces, listen to live musicians and have an ice cream on the banks of the Tagus river.
  • Take a tram ride down the cobbled streets of Lisbon.
  • You also must take a trip to Sao Jorge Castle to see the best views of Lisbon.
  • Sample some Portuguese wines, which are said to be some of the best in Europe.


Shopping

High street shopping in Portugal can be up to 20% cheaper than Ireland. Lisbon is home to many well-known brands such as Zara, Mango & H&M. I enjoyed browsing in the lovely bespoke jewellery shops too.


Food and Bars

The food in Alvor’s Fisherman’s Rest is amazing. It is all BBQ’d in front of you, so you know its fresh. If you are a fan of Italian food and get a craving for some on your holiday, then head to Mediterraneamente Pizzeria. There are also numerous restaurants offering delicious fresh fish dishes. Seafood lovers will love Portugal!


Beaches

The beaches here are some of the best in Europe. I particularly enjoyed the one right beside our hotel, Prainha Beach, as it was quite secluded and picturesque. We enjoyed watching the surfers here as the waves can be quite rough.


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