Winter 2026 Trip Summary

Here is the quick trip summary report (prelude to the full report, lol).

Summary:

Places visited:

Lisbon (7 nights stay total):

-Belem - Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, the Coach Museum and a walk around the Discoveries Monument.

-Sintra - National Palace and Quinta Da Regaleira estate (including Poço Iniciático, the “Initiation Well”).

-City sites - Comercio Square, Bacalhau Museum, Rossio Square, Barrio Alto, Alfama, Marques da Pombal area.  Independence Palace.  Mosteiro de Sao Vincente de Fora (superb site never visited before; rooftop view overlooks Pantheon; site rival Jeronimos)

-Attended a football match at Jose Alvalade Stadium between Sporting Portugal and Famalicao, both in the Portugal Premeira Liga, won by Sporting 1-0.

-Reservatorio da Mae d’Agua das Amoreiras (water museum).  Here we attended an immersive video show in the former water reservoir facility with videos of Monet, Klimt, Da Vinci & Egypt.

Towns stayed in on Algarve:  Albufeira (10 nights), Armacao da Pera (11 nights), Lagos (31 nights), Praia da Rocha/Portimao (28 nights).  

Other towns visited on Algarve:  Loule (Saturday market), Olhos d’Agua (+Maria Luisa Beach & Vitor Raposo sand art), Tavira (with Fado concert), Falesia Beach, Marinha Beach (part of 7 hanging valleys), Villamoura/Quarteira, Olhao (+ferry to Ile d’Armona), Porto de Mos Beach & hike to Luz, Burgau/Salema/Sagres (+ drive to Bordeira Beach), Monchique, Sao Joao (small Easter Fair), Sao bras do Alportel (Flower Torches Easter Sunday parade), Aljezur (+nearby beaches), Carvoeiro (+Algar Seco Rocks), Ferragudo, Silves, Vila Real de San Antonio (+Monte Gordo) & ferry trip to Ayamonte, Spain.   

Other events:

-World Superbike event at Algarve Autodromo near Portimao.

-Wine tasting day tour in Silves Region.

-Fado show at Taberna Baixa in Lisbon.  

Other aspects:

-Two bus rides between the Algarve & Lisbon.

-About 3,000 km driven on the Algarve.

-A few Bolt rides here and there.

-Lots of great meals cooked in-house by the three chefs!

-Lots of great meals, lunches and suppers out.  (Full list to follow)

-A special Anniversary dinner out.

-A special Birthday dinner out.

-A Paddy’s Day pub meetup.

-Many steps walked on beaches, boardwalks & cobblestones!

Food & Wine Details:

Lisbon:

-pizza - Pizzaiollo Avenida by Fullest (near Marques da Pombal).  Very good.  

-Casa da India - in Barrio Alto.  Busy with locals, reasonable quality and price for Lisbon.  

-Taberna Baixa.  Very good quality food and service.  

-The Local (near marques to pombal) very good food and different menu variety, international.

-Vista da Castelo - Near Rossio station with outside terrace view of castle.  Good seafood.

Albufeira 

-Solgamba.  Owned by Ukrainian family.  Very good quality food and quiet atmosphere.   

-Pingo Doce Cafeteria.  Many locals eat lunch and supper here.   Very good value. 

- Castelo di Norcia (Italian).  Fine dining with great quality and atmosphere.  Live music some nights.

Loule 

- Cafe Nacional - great menu, superb toasties, they serve a large glass of wine.

Guia

- O Teodosio - superb piri piri chicken.  Large family restaurant that can get very busy in tourist season.  

Armacao de Pera

- Balbino 13 euro tourist menu, 12€ wine.  We ate here 3 times in 10 days in 2026!   Family restaurant, friendly service, a must when in Armacao.

- Pedros bar at beach (east end).  Nice atmosphere and reasonable prices.

- Snack bar A Carlota - great sunset drinks (2.80euro bottle of super bock).  Menu for lunch also good.  

- Lunch at clube futebol os armacenenses - set lunch, 1 special dish each day, 3 regular dishes; Gale/Dave shared pork cooked in the oven with potatoes & salad and white fish filets with rice and salad (each dish was 7.5 euros each).  Lunch (supper sized portions) for 4 with 3 beers and sparkling water was 39 euros.

- Kiosk at Tasquinha das Bifanas.  This is a kiosk at local market square.  Locals eat a quick lunch here, often with a beverage!  It is super cheap and the Bifana sandwiches are fresh and delicious!

Quarteira

- Gustozza (brushetta 7euros good helping + pizza ~13euros ).  Very good.

- Beira Mar - for coffee, also have nice pastries; lunch here in 2025.  High ratings.  

Lagos

- Lunch at Churrasqueira ; buffet service paid by weight or chicken special 9€ for 1/2 chicken incl fries and drink.   

- Lunch at Alina’s Bica - bifana + soup (homemade chicken noodle) - really good, 5.5 euros for the soup and sandwich deal + sagres bottle 2E. 

- Momo express - had appetizer (pork dumplings)  plus main (2 mains - Duck stir Fry & Lamb Curry).  About average price for Lagos, with very high quality.  

- Chef Artur - lunch - fish was good, not so much for meat;  mixed meat dish was not good. Large portion size, orders include beverage and dessert.  

- Green Room Mexican food; reasonable prices and very good quality and portions.

- O Lamberto - local family style restaurant for supper.  Crowded with locals, reservation needed.  Good prices, good portions, specializing fresh seafood.  

Sagres

- Laundry Lounge in Sagres - hamburgers & fries (very good) a little pricey but very tasty.  

Monchique 

- O Parque - Lunch with supper sized portions.  Lamb chops dinner with boiled potatoes.  Gale had plate of the day, Pork cheeks and vegetables, this was best choice and was superb.  Good prices and helpings, busy with locals.  Rack of lamb was overdone, plate of the day is best choice.

Sao Bras de Alportel

- Amor Perfeito Geladaria Creparia - had very nice lunch here after Easter Parade.  Good quality and superb prices.  

Aljezur

- Lunch at restaurant Varzea, which was recommended by host local lady at local museum.  This was a superb meal.  

Portimao/Praia da Rocha

- Pinocchio (Italian) - among the best in Praia da Rocha for price and quality.   

- Valeria - had the two course menu with vegetable soup and Dourado (they substituted Dourado for Robalo because the Robalo was not fresh).   Very good meal for 14.9 Euros plus half jug of wine at great price.  

- Jupitor Algarve Hotel - we had our anniversary dinner here.  It was the Algarve buffett, featuring various seafood dishes, also included appetizers, chicken & pork dishes, deserts and as much beer and house wine you wanted for 32.50 Euros each, tax included, any tip extra.   Pricey but great value for quality and offerings and with beverages included.  

- Croke Park Pub - Roasted Leg of Lamb Dinner, super size helping and delicious.  

- Taffy’s Bar - Roast Turkey Dinner.

Carvoeiro

- Pistacho - visited on day trip and had lunch at Pistacho restaurant - very good meal at reasonable prices.  Dave had Cannelloni.  Gale had Francesinha.  

Silves

- Cafe ingles - lunch, shared pizzas & beer - 41.50 euros.   Very good.  

Ferragudo

- Benjamim Bistro, lunch, very good quality.  

Vila Real de San Antonio

- Mangata Terrace - nice setting in central square.  Can be busy.

Alvor

- Cafe Alianca - locals and tourists, reasonable prices and good food.

Lisbon

- O Cerveirense - on border of Chiado & Baixa neighborhoods.  Superb Octopus dinner.  

- Taberna da Baixa (Fado Show Dinner).  Fantastic meal and show.