TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - BELCANTO

Dating back from 1958, Belcanto has been satisfying its customers for a long time. The restaurant was taken over by one of the most prominent chefs of Portugal’s culinary scene, Michelin-starred chef José Avillez. 

Portugal’s rich culinary tradition and fresh ingredients serve as inspiration for the menu, so it exceeds your expectations if you are looking for traditional food.

With a superb location, being placed near the São Carlos Opera House, it is the go-to place for a great dinner after a show or simply to enjoy a bottle of one of the 300 Portuguese wines you can find here.

It has been considered as one of the best restaurants in the World by the acclaimed "The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List” and is one of the finest places to savour a sofisticated meal in Lisbon. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - BICA DO SAPATO

Owned by the acclaimed actor John Malkovich, Bica do Sapato is one of the best restaurants in town. It was designed to appeal to a wide array of customers and, as such, you can find several different styles in here. 

By the ground floor, you can find beautiful, 70's inspired decoration to go with the traditional portuguese cuisine, with just a tad of other mediterranean flavors. 

The upper floor, though, is an entirely different story. In it, you can taste what is probably some of the best sushi in town.

Having been a portuary building, deactivated in the meantime, Bica do Sapato offers vast amounts of space, high-ceilinged rooms and - of course- an absolutely terrific view of the Tagus river through its plate-glass windows. 

With chef Manuel Bóia, one of the best portuguese chefs of his generation, this restaurant near the Santa Apolónia train station will surely be appreciated by all visitors of fine taste.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - FEITORIA

Feitoria Restaurante & Wine Bar is located within the fabulous five-star Altis Belem Hotel & Spa with a stunning view over the riverfront. The Kitchen is taken care of by one of the most respected portuguese chefs, Michellin starred chef João Rodrigues. In Feitoria you will find the true essence of portuguese author cuisine, where all the ingredients are treated with the utmost respect for its quality and origin. Prepare yourself for a great culinary journey where bold portuguese flavours meet the most exotic cuisines in the world, reinventing the maritime Discoveries golden era. Authentic flavours that are complemented by an extensive wine selection, including moscatels and ports.

Remember to make a reservation as this amazing restaurant is normally bustling with gourmet enthusiasts and fine dining lovers.  

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - ELEVEN

This modern Michellin starred restaurant is located over a hilltop on Parque Eduardo VII, which gives the place a certain calmness in the middle of the city's buzz. Up there you are surprised with one of the most  fantastic views over Lisbon, framed by the gardens. On the outside, the building shows minimal and straight lines, using organic elements as iron, wood and stones, with great wide windows over the Tagus River. The interior decoration take on traditional elements such as cork, xyst and wood to give it a modern elegant switch exuding timeless chicness.

The restaurant’s Kitchen is runned by chef Joachim Koerper, a german chef that made Lisbon his home. The restaurant’s signature dishes are cooked with high quality and local seasonal ingredients, presenting a new menu each Season. The food is as cosmopolitan as the location it is served, with modern mediterranean interpretation of flavours. On the restaurant’s terrace, in the summertime, it is possible to enjoy a nice time on its Bistro Bar.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON – CASA DO ALENTEJO

This restaurant right in the center of Lisbon, in Baixa neighborhood, located in a noble house formerly known as Alverca Palace, is more than a place to have delicious food, it is a cultural institution where you can get to know more about the biggest region in all Portugal, the Alentejo region. Get dazzled by the Moor inspired décor on the patio and the fabulous dinner rooms upstairs, one beautifuly decorated with portuguese tiles and the other exuding classic lavishness.  Right when you enter the building you are transported to a scene from a tale from some ancient Arabian book, with a beautiful patio and mosaics all over. The food is very flavorful, typical of the rural roots from Alentejo, with great chorizos and blood sausages, great variations of pork dishes and superb wine that you can savor while listening to representative dances and cantares alentejanos, that recently have been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - OLIVIER AVENIDA RESTAURANTE

A local favorite, you better make a reservation if you want to go to Olivier Avenida Restaurante. Located on a side street near cosmopolite Av. Da Liberdade in Hotel Tivoli Jardim, with a classic luxurious interior design, with pink satin décor inspired by Marie Antoinette and teardrop chandeliers and mirrors, this restaurant by chef Olivier serves a mixture of Portuguese, French and Mediterranean dishes. They are also famous for their brunch and gourmet snacks served on the counter while having a drink in the trendy oval bar.

It is a place to see and be seen, as it is a common choice amongst local celebrities. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - TÁGIDE

With over 30 years of experience, Tágide is still a sound name amidst trendy gastro pubs and traditional restaurants. The restaurant is located within a magnificent 18th-century townhouse in Chiado quarter and the first-floor terrace offers a panoramic view over the city, with the River Tagus on the horizon.

Beside the great variety of food you can taste on the degustation or seasonal menu, with a perfect marriage between Portuguese and French flavors, you can enjoy a lighter meal on the Tágide Wine & Tapas bar on the ground floor.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - FORTALEZA DO GUINCHO

Fortaleza do Guincho, housed in a five-star hotel with the same name, opened in 1998 and since then it received many awards, including a Michelin Star in 2001. The menu changes according to the season, with a strong French cuisine influence, favoring local and fresh ingredients. The wine cellar is one of the most varied and exclusives in the country.

From the presentation of the dishes to the service, everything is thought up with great care and designed to offer a luxurious experience, exuding refinement and sophistication.

Probably the most dramatic location of any place to eat in the Lisbon area, with an outstanding view to a wide expanse of the Guincho beach, the restaurant is a superb location for an unforgettable experience. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - TAVARES

The oldest restaurant in Lisbon and one of the oldest in the world, opened in 1784 and since then Tavares had closed and re-opened several times. This restaurant is full of history and charisma. An icon of the Portuguese romanticism from XIX century immortalized by the literary works of Camilo Castelo Branco and Eça de Queirós.

With a refined atmosphere, it is decorated with golden colors, Venetian mirrors and tasteful chandeliers. Here you will be dinning where great names from Portugal’s political, literary and high-society circles had unforgettable meals. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - VALLE FLÔR

Valle Flôr is considered the most luxurious and high class dining experience to have in the city of Lisbon. The restaurant is located in the Pestana Palace, in one of Lisbon’s seven hills, it was built in the 19^th century for the Marquis of Valle Flôr.

It is in itself an attraction for the many tourists that come nearby to visit the Belém neighborhood. The lavishing Louis XV inspired décor will instantly leave you breathless.

There is a dress-code, though, no shorts, sneakers or sweats are allowed and gentlemen should wear a jacket for dinnertime. 

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - AREIAS DO SEIXO, COSTA DE PRATA

The heavy wooden doors of this eco-savvy hotel, 40 minutes north of Lisbon, open onto a magical world, with a rope swing beside reception, hand-written chalkboards filled with literary quotes, a huge driftwood bench outside for basking in the sun and a long and very inviting swimming pool. The Love Rooms on the first floor have views out to sea, mattresses on reclaimed Moroccan doors, fireplaces inside and outside and a thrilling sense of style that reflects the Cape Verdean heritage of Marta Fonseca, one of the owners.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - FAZENDA NOVA, TAVIRA

If you really want to get to know the Algarve, stay at this thoughtfully renovated country house. British owners Tim and Hallie Robinson have scoured the area. The couple makes fantastically helpful hosts with their spot-on advice about the best food markets, the restaurants serving the tastiest fish, where to buy the local wicker and straw, and where to find little coves that are only accessible by boat. But it will be hard to tear yourself away from the lovely peace of the house itself, which is 25 minutes inland from Faro. The grounds are a delight, rambling and romantic. 

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - IMANI COUNTRY HOUSE, ÉVORA

Many people who come here are drawn by the Almendres Cromlech, Portugal's most important Megalithic site, which dates from 6000 BC to 4000BC and is minutes away. Those who return, however, do so for Imani itself, it's perfectly round swimming pool, 13 hectares of garden and parkland where the two donkeys, Almendra and Eça, graze and Cat, the cat, roams through the fragrant lavender that lines the cobbled paths. The long drive is flanked by cypress trees leading up to a row of what were once stables and are now six bedrooms with one more up a flight of stairs.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - MONTE CHORA CASCAS, MONTEMOR-O-NOVO

The house, or "monte", is a typical old Alentejan farmstead. Seven pared-back bedrooms, with terracotta floors and vases of fresh flowers, spill out onto bougainvilleas-edged terraces, some private, most shared. Boldly colored walls are offset by heavy white Portuguese linens, Provençal-style lamps and sun-bleached wood. Shutters and ceiling fans keep the whole place breezy in the height of the summer and there's a swimming pool in the garden, as tempting for its view of the 13th century castle that dominates neighboring Montemor-o-Novo as for its cool water.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - MONTE DA FORNALHA, ALENTEJO

Surounded by gnarled olive trees and glossy-leaved oranges and limes, the main house here is topped by a row of typically squat Alentejan chimneys used to smoke the slightly spicy local sausages and black hams. It was inhabited by 10 different families in the 18th century and, over the past 15 years, owner Orlanda Alves has created a hugely welcoming spot, knocking down partitions to make six large bedrooms. It's an excellent base from which to explore the off-the-beaten-track Alentejo, with its dusty hilltop towns and centuries-old castles.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - VILLA PEDRA, COIMBRA

Arriving here, after winding upwards on narrow roads that cut through wildflower meadows, it's gorgeous. When the car stops, silence falls, broken only by the whistle of the wind and the distante honking of geese. Victor Mineiro, the architect of these seven fantastically renovated cottages and adjoining restaurant, will appear. He brims with enthusiasm for a project he has spent more than a decade working on, since him and its partner Manuel Casal decided to breathe new life into the abandoned village.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - L' AND VINEYARDS, ALENTEJO

Breathtakingly and innovative when it opened in 2011, with its rooftop windows that roll back at the flick of a button for views straight up to the star-studded night sky, L'AND continues its stellar theme by becoming the first restaurant in the Alentejo region to gain a Michelin star by the hand of chef Miguel Laffan. The 22 bedrooms are set out among the vineyards with their airy interiors. Across from the rooms is the swimming pool, edged by thick-cushioned, charcoal-coloured daybeds, a small lake and a Caudalie SPA.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - VILLA EXTRAMUROS, ARRAIOLOS

It's unsual to find a contemporary Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in this neck of the woods, where knobbly old farms and thick-walled manor houses dominate the landscape. Villa Extramuros is a boldly minimalist space, which is filled with a clever combination of designer objects and the region's cork and marble. The five bedrooms look out over the countryside and nearby Arraiolos, crowned with its 14th century hilltop castle.

LAGOS - BEST NATURAL ARCH IN THE WORLD

A few kilometers from the city of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is a challenge to the view. Go on a boat ride and dive into its cliffs and natural arches. Ponta da Piedade is composed for various rock formations, with up to 20 meters high approximately, and it is one of the region sights with greatest photographic interest. On the local, it is possible to visit the various existing caves guaranteeing a pleasant and unique tourist experience.

ALGARVE - BEST PLACE TO RETIRE OVERSEA

Nowhere in the world could you embrace a better overall being-retired experience than in Portugal's Algarve. This region offers great weather, one of the most stable climates in the world and 3.300 hours of sunshine per year. Portugal ranks as the 17th safest country in the world, Algarve receives high marks for safety. The Algarve Atlantic coastline is punctuated by jagged rock formations, lagoons and extensive sandy beaches, many awarded coveted Blue Flags from the European Blue Flag Association.

PENEDA-GERÊS NATIONAL PARK

Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal, located in the northwest Norte region. The park spans an impressive 703 square kilometres of clear lakes, boulder-strewn peaks, dramatic valleys and oak and pine forests. Throughtout the park, visitors can find over 100 granite villages, which remain relatively untouched since the 12th century. Expect cobbled streets, oxen, blacksmith shops, shepherds and traditionally-dressed women. Adventure-seekers can hike, kayak and raft surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape.

CASCAIS - LUMINA FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

The Lumina Festival of Light, in Cascais, a lovely port/beach town west of Lisbon, integrates the Top 10 European light art festivals. Cascais hosts Lumina, in September, which involves trails of light around the harbour and old town, three days of sound and light displays and lucent installations in various squares and parks.  

TRAVELTAILORS BLOWS FIVE CANDLES!

TravelTailors celebrates five years on March 8 and invites customers, partners and friends to join the party. To celebrate "five years of great success, thanks to our invaluable customers", the TravelTailors have the door open on March 9, monday, and offer birthday cake and drinks to all its customers, partners and friends, from 17.00 pm.

ALENTEJO - STARLIGHT TOURISM DESTINATION

For nearly 290 nights a year, the skies around Lake Alqueva, in the Alentejo region, are an astronomer's dream: clear, dark and with little light pollution to interfere with stargazing. That's why the area was declared the world's first "Starlight Tourism Destination" by UNESCO. Visitors to the region can take astronomy workshops or borrow telescopes and binoculares to view on ther own. Don't miss the astronomically significant megaliths surrounding the lake.

LISBON - MUSEUM OF ELECTRICITY

O Museu da Electricidade, overlooking the Tagus River, in Lisbon, is housed in an old power plant that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of its contents. Discover the history of electricity, sciences and industrial archaeology through especially kid-friendly interactive exhibits. Rotating photography and contemporary art installations are added to the museum's surprising offerings. 

BEST RETREATS TO PRACTICE YOGA - OLEIROS

The Evolution Yoga Retreat Center, located at Amieira - Oleiros -, is one of the top five retreats to practice yoga in Europe. With a maximum capacity of only ten people, this retreat guarantees tranquility and rest in the rural setting of Amieira. Chosen the preferred type of accommodation in the main house or a caravan, the visitor can enjoy courses that combine Ashtanga and Yin Yoga.

MADEIRA - CASA VELHA DO PALHEIRO

The Madeira island, is the most exclusive in tourism. Example of that is the Casa Velha do Palheiro, located in Funchal - Madeira -, offers 37 rooms. The old farmhouse is, nowadays, a luxury hotel. How couldn't it be, is important to make allusion to Madeira wine and quality of gourmet gastronomy at Casa Velha do Palheiro, as well as other infrastructure associated with it. 

PORTO - THE HAPPIEST CITY OF EUROPE

Porto is the city that has the highest joy of living from 31 European cities. According to a study, that was developed by SMART, held at European level. The "Invicta" obtained 86 points, followed by Hamburg (85), Cologne, Munich and Barcelona (all 80). The SMART study involved 3,269 people in 31 European cities and tried to answer the questions "What does it mean to live in the city?" and "To what extent do citizens love or not your city?".  

ALENTEJO - BEST WINE REGION OF THE WORLD

Alentejo is Portuguese wine region located in the southern half of Portugal, the region covers about a third of the country and is sparsely populated. The Alentejo was considered the best wine region of the world to visit. The climate in much of the Alentejo is not naturally conducive to the production of fine wine, but modern technology can compensate for natural deficiencies, irrigation supplements. The region is noted for it vast cork production but has in recent years garnered attention for its table wine production.

LISBON - BEST OCEANARIUM OF EUROPE

The oceanarium of Lisbon, located in the Parque das Nações, which was the exhibition grounds for the Expo 98. It's the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. The Lisbon Oceanarium has a large collection of marine species like: penguins, seagulls and other birds, sea otters, sharks, rays, seahorses, starfish, sea anemones, corals, octopuses, amphibians, jellyfish, among others. In total it is about 16.000 individuals of 450 species. In winter the oceanarium is open since 10.00 a.m until 6.00 p.m, and in summer is open since 10.00 a.m until 7.00 p.m.

COIMBRA - WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The city of Coimbra is considered World Heritage Site and the tourists doesn't know. A study made by the University of Coimbra concluded that most visitors doesn't visit the city of Coimbra because of the received award and only a few know of this award. Although the study concluded that most of visitors came to the city in August, and the main type tourist travels alone.         

THE YEATMAN - BEST HOTEL OF THE YEAR

The Yeatman hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, has been awarded Best International Hotel in the Food & Travel 2014 reader awards. The winners were announced on the awards ceremony held at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. The Yeatman hotel offers to their guests 82 rooms and suites, each one with a private terrace and view over the Douro river. Other international awards recently bestowed to The Yeatman include: best of Wine Tourism, Great Wine Capitals of the World, Best Wine Hotel 2014, Best Hotel Spa Europe 2013, among others.

GREEN PORTUGAL - SOUTHWEST ALENTEJO AND COSTA VICENTINA NATURAL PARK

The Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, covering an area of 76,000 hectares, around 80 km of which, located between the Odeceixe beach and the fishing village of Burgau, in Vila do Bispo, are part of the Algarvian coastaline region. Here is a natural sanctuary in which the seashore is interrupted by steep cliffs, beaches and sand dunes. With respect to marine plant life, there are 460 species of algae along the coast. Among the great diversity of animal species that live in the park are otters, foxes, wild boars, badgers, wild cats and the Iberian lynx. However, it is the birds that are the great attraction of the Costa Vicentina. The streams are home to herons, storks, kingfishers and moorhens, while the coastal rocks shelter ravens, seagulls, magpies and birds of prey.