When we first visited Portugal back in 2011, our host told us we had to visit Sintra, specifically Pena Palace. As it is always wise to follow the advice of locals, we took the train to Sintra and had a fabulous day touring Pena Palace, Sintra Palace, and Castelo dos Mouros. We also did some […]
Lisbon day trips
Hiking from Cabo da Roca to Praia da Ursa
Ever since I first learned about Praia da Ursa I’ve been wanting to visit! I’ll be honest, when reading descriptions about the hiking trail leading to this beautiful beach, I was a bit hesitant about whether it’d be a good hike to do with children. The trail is described as steep, with some scrambling required […]
Near Lisbon: Castelo de Almoural
I’ve been having a great time writing these post about what to do near Lisbon. It’s really amazing how many beautiful and historic places are just a short trip from the Portuguese capital. Most of these gems lack the crowds of the more popular sites, which is also nice! One of the most magical places […]
Near Lisbon: Palácio Nacional de Mafra
If you are looking for a hidden gem near Lisbon, then you should definitely visit the Palácio Nacional de Mafra! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this palace is one of Europe’s largest palaces, with an area of about 38,000m2. This baroque beauty is just a half hour drive from Lisbon and it’s so worth the […]

