Porto- Lisbon

PORTO

Leaving Porto today and stroll the last round of the city. 

   Interesting way of moving home as most of the building does not have any lift. 

Found this wonderful restaurant in an alley next to San Bento Train Station.

TAPABENTO

I reached early at 1230hr and was full house during lunch time. Their usual lunch is around 1300hr.

RED WINE glass (2.50eur)
FRESH OYSTER (2.50eur)

Can't really taste much as it was very salty. Seems like Oyster from Mediterranean are more salty.

VEGETABLE CREAMY SOUP (1.80eur)

VEAL LOIN STEAK (19eur)

The steak was done pretty rare (10%) when I ordered medium rare, the server is very polite and offer to redo it again and it was perfect. The standard of rareness may be different in different countries:)

Service is very good and they keep checking if all is good.  

MOUSSE AO FORNO DE MORANGOS (6.50eur)

Baked berries with Mojito ice cream

This is highly recommended by the server but I'm not a fan of hot dessert. Some other may like it. 

Transfer train at PORTO CAMPANHA TRAIN STATION.

LISBON ORIENTE TRAIN STATION

Station for international bus and train transfer.

VASCO DA GAMA SHOPPING CENTER

Directly opposite Oriente Station.

Reached around 1830hr and check out the mall before my check-in 2100hr at Oriente.

Took ALSA midnight bus (41eur) to Seville, 7hr journey with one toilet break stop.

ORIENTE STATION

Lisbon - Porto

LISBON

After breakfast, I walked to a nearby supermarket which is 5mins away via the elevador.

As the city is very hilly, some of the places is access by elevador as shortcut.

Pingo Doce Supermarket

The elevador inside the building.

Can you spot the sign?

My free day tour starts at 1030hr.

PRACA de PEDRO IV

One of the popular local distributor of Ginja

Everyone fork out some penny and bought a bottle to drink before we proceed our tour!

Fun and cheeky guide (red shirt).

ROSSIO TRAIN STATION

The day before I had hard time looking for this station. There wasn't any sign on the building at all.

MIRADOURO SAO PEDRO DE ALCANTARA

BAIRRO ALTO DISTRICT

These place are quiet in the day time, evening will be very packed. All the pubs will start operating on the whole street. According from the guide, Bairro Alto has the most pubs per square feet in the world.

RUA AUSGUTA

Tried a Cod fish pastry 3.45eur.

PASTEL DE BACALHAU

Back to hostel at around 1400hr, rest for 1hr and took metro to SANTA APOLONIA STATION.

The journey to Porto took 2h44mins. Book ticket 5-60days in advance for 40% discount. I book 55days in advance and already 2 cabins was full.

PORTO

SAN BENTO TRAIN STATION

The historic and beautiful station known for its huge, magnificent tiles.

RIVOLLI CINEMA HOSTEL

18eur per night

Don't like this hostel, mattress is soft and making lots of noise. Good location, good for 1 night stopover. 

Kitchen

 Living hall

AVENIDA DOS ALIADOS

Porto is beautiful, both Lisbon and Porto has its own beauty and characters.

Just make sure work out a bit before you come to this hilly town.

SAN BENTO TRAIN STATION in the night

The first night weather is very chilling, still not familiar with the location and just stepped in a restaurant that offers a 7 meat dinner for 9.50eur. Includes chicken, fish, pork ribs, sausages, beef, lamb etc.

Just a simple dinner and nothing much to brat about. I am the only one in the restaurant and is not a good sign.

Lisbon - Sintra - Belem

LISBON

Free breakfast in hostel.

Quite a wide range of breakfast considering in a hostel.

 

The 24hrs Viva pass I bought includes Santa Justa Elevator till the highest level.

Another 1.50eur to go up to the lookout point.

I have 30 pax in front of me when I reached there at 0910hr.

I don't find any much spectacular view here so visit only when you have extra time.

Next, walk to Rossio station and take a train to Sintra.

I bought a train and bus ticket (Scotturb) for $15.50. Do some calculation, pay individually may be more worthwhile if you stay in a place longer. The destination I went is just enough to cover the cost of the ticket. My initial plan is to go Cabo da Roca and Estoril too but was too tired to proceed.

SINTRA train station

Once reached, take bus 434 to Castelo do Mouros.

Buying the ticket online will have 5% discount. 

I only bought it at the entrance that day. 8eur

CASTELO do MOUROS

10 mins walk from the entrance to the Castelo. 

Very windy and nice view

PENA PALACE from far.

SINTRA CENTRO

QUINTA da REGALEIRA

Entry: 6eur

Most people prefer this than Pena Palace.

The whole is very big, unless you can appreciate garden and structure. Required 1.5hrs to walk around.

After this, took Bus 403 to CABO da ROCA (40mins).

Took Bus 403 to CASCAIS.

My foot is very pain and very tired and did not explore Cascais. WHen reached and I took train directly to BELEM.

15mins walk from BELEM Train Station and I was wrong... Should alight at Alges Station and go to BELEM TOWER first and walk over to here. I did not explore Belem Tower as my foot cannot manage the distance further.

PADRAO dos DESCOBRIMENTOS

MOSTEIRO Dos JERONIMOS

BELEM

CASA PASTEIS de BELEM

400 seater, hundred years old history restaurant.

Pastel de Nata 1.05eur each, top with icing sugar and cinnamon powder. 

Had tried a few and this is still the best.

After the tea time, took Tram 15 back to Cais do Sodre.

TIME OUT, MERCADO da RIBEIRA

Lots of varieties and fully packed. after browsing still decided to go back fro Mama's dinner. Last minute dropped an email to hostel and they accepted immediately!

MAMA'S DINNER (HOME LISBON HOSTEL)

10eur

Zucchini soup

Roasted Turkey with creamy cauliflower

Apple pie with icing sauce