*This blog has transitioned to a hobby blog, so updates are less frequent than before. As the travel industry is constantly evolving, please be sure to check with any place or restaurant directly before you visit to ensure the latest information.*
May 2023
Day 3 in Portugal started off with a bit of a slow start, courtesy of the late night Fado and bars from the night before. Now, I’m not complaining, it was totally worth it, it’s just a bit harder to wake up early from a late night than it used to be! After convincing the car rental office that we could pick up later, we searched for a breakfast place. Of course we had to take a photo by my favorite tree on our way there…
Our first choice was closed unfortunately, but someone recommended Mil Sabores LX. This is a cozy spot in Lisbon known for its delicious morning fare. The location was awesome, and the menu offered everything from pancakes to hearty omelets and of course, coffee.
We ordered the tapioca omelette. To be honest, we had no idea what this was. It was a gluten free option and my husband really liked it! They were slammed here, but the service was great and we’re glad we tried it out! A little fun fact that I looked up after we left. Tapioca omelettes are enjoyed as a light breakfast or snack, especially in Brazil, and they’re loved for their versatility and naturally gluten-free nature. Due to Brazil’s strong cultural influence in Portugal—rooted in their shared history from Portugal’s colonization of Brazil in the 16th century—Brazilian cuisine, including tapioca dishes, has also found its way into Portuguese kitchens.
Before heading down the coast, we had to make a few pit stops. We made our way to Garrafeira Nacional to stock up on some local wines and a few shops to grab tin fish.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I don’t usually leave with souvenirs, but after hearing about the wine ane food in Portugal, I literally packed a suitcase within a suitcase to be able to bring a bunch back! Genius, I know. With our bottles in tow, we hit the road, eager to explore the stunning coastline that Portugal is famous for.
Thanks to our flexible friends at Sixt Portugal, we hopped in the car, and were blown away by the beauty of the coast! It reminded me a lot of California! Before I talk more about the coast though, I’ve got to give some credit to Sixt. This was one of the most incredible car rental experiences I’ve ever experienced. Our agent was so kind to us, and was so welcoming after hearing it was our first time in Portugal.
We originally planned to take our time down the coast, but we’re on a little tighter schedule with leaving a bit later. We still wanted to make a few stops, so decided to stop half way to Monchique and stop in Sines for lunch. Sines is a little less than 2 hours from the airport.
We originally had our hopes set on Magic Cactus, but we were so sad to see they closed for lunch right before we got there. We did stop just to see their cute outside patio and take in the beautiful views.
It felt like fate, as we ended up just down the road at Pedra da Casca, a charming seaside restaurant famous for its fresh seafood. These are the two main restaurants along the coast of Sines, but you can also head into town to find more options.
Wow wow wow. We started off our lunch with some white wine and lemony and garlicky delicious clams.
Then we moved on to some local fish, caught that morning. Honestly, this was the best fish I’ve ever had in my life. One of those learning moments for my control freak self. Go with the flow and know the universe is guiding you to the best fish you’ve ever had!
Afer telling each other 538 times that this was in fact, the best fish we’ve ever had, we continued our road trip and made our way down to Praia Monte Clérigo. This secluded beach was the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
We heard Restaurante O Sargo was an incredible spot for dinner. We also heard we should have made a reservation months ago.
Well, we decided to take our chances and if it didn’t happen, we could at least enjoy the sunset.
As we expected, they were booked for the next month. They were kind enough to recommend walking up the stairs next to the restaurant for an incredible sunset view. A bit bummed, but grateful for the tip, we made our way up the stairs to enjoy a magical sunset.
Just as we were walking up the stairs, the hostess ran after us and said, “We just had a cancellation, it’s yours if you’d like it!” Best moment ever! She said to go enjoy the sunset, and come down when we were ready.
After enjoying a stunning sunset, we enjoyed another incredible meal. We enjoyed giant prawns with squid ink couscous, ceviche, and delicious cocktails. This is where I tried, an almond liqueur, Amarguinha, that I really liked! They served it with a squeeze of lemon and coffee beans and it was soooo good.
After a delicious dinner, we made our way to VilaFoia. We are staying there for 3 nights to relax in the mountains and visit some beaches nearby. Honestly, I can’t believe how much we’ve enjoyed our first three days here! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
On day four, we’ll be heading to a few famous beaches—so stay tuned for all the details! In the meantime, feel free to explore my other blog posts here for more travel inspiration and tips!
