r/LisbonPortugalTravel

Piri-piri chicken is one of Portugal's most popular meals.

As a kid, I used to go almost every Sunday with my grandfather to eat grilled chicken at a local restaurant. Even today, if you visit a summer festival anywhere in Portugal, there is a good chance you'll find chicken cooking over charcoal.

In Portugal, we usually call it frango assado or frango no churrasco. It is usually served with fries, rice and a simple salad.

The story of piri-piri goes back to the Age of Exploration. Chilli peppers originally came from the Americas and were taken by the Portuguese to Africa, where they became part of local cooking, especially in Mozambique and Angola. Over time, this flavour returned to Portugal and became one of the country's favourite ways to enjoy grilled chicken.

One thing I love is that almost every piri-piri chicken restaurant has its own sauce. Some are mild, others are much spicier, and each place has its own recipe.

Where to eat piri-piri chicken in Lisbon

Maybe the best-known place among visitors is Bonjardim, but here are some of my personal favourites:

📍 A Valenciana (Campolide)

One of Lisbon's classics for grilled chicken. Simple, traditional and consistently good.

📍 O Primavera (Arroios)

A local favourite, known for its grilled chicken, generous portions and very Portuguese atmosphere.

📍 Quionga (Arroios)

A small neighbourhood restaurant that I visit regularly. Besides the chicken, don't leave without trying the Pudim Toucinho do Céu, one of my favourite desserts.

📍 Rio de Mel (Alvalade)

Take-away only, but definitely worth the stop if you're nearby. One of my favourite places for grilled chicken.

Where is your favourite place to eat piri-piri chicken in Lisbon?

Planning your trip to Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve?

My digital travel guides include detailed PDFs and various Google Maps lists with my favourite restaurants, cafés, viewpoints, beaches, historic sights, hidden gems, day trips and much more.

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

Castelo de Almourol is on a small island in the Tagus River, near Vila Nova da Barquinha.

It dates back to the 12th century and is linked to the Knights Templar, who rebuilt it as part of a defensive line along the river.

The only way to get there is by a short boat ride from the nearby pier, which already makes the visit a bit different from most castles in Portugal.

It’s not a large place and there isn’t much inside.

But the setting is what makes it special. Surrounded by water, with open views over the river and the landscape, it feels quite isolated.

You can walk around the walls, climb the tower, and take in the view.

For more recommendations check out my blog at www.portugaldigitalguides.com

Near the Castelo there is an aggressive guy blocking passage at threat of violence, sitting in a chair backwards. Unrolled cigarette in his ear.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uc6Lzbhbh42wvoe18?g_st=ac

Complete tool that accosted me while I was vibing a few minutes ago.

Then his much heftier friend came along and also physically prevented me from going down the street.

I left the confrontation quickly, but it's a real problem.

No law enforcement in sight.

I am currently at Lisbon airport, Delta flight is at 10 am to NYC. I arrived at 6am thinking the sooner the better. Delta counters don’t open until 7am on the dot. It did help to be the second person in line, bc the line was fairly long when they started checking in. Security- I purchased fast-track ahead of time, and I sailed through. The regular security line did look long but also moving at a good pace. Passport control… everything you’ve heard is correct, DO NOT STOP TO SHOP. Keep walking! There are 2 more rounds of passport lines to go through. The first are the new EES machines, no lines for me. The second is the immigration desk, also no lines. Overall from arrival through immigration 1 hour. I may have gotten lucky, or maybe it’s getting better. Hoping this helps!!!

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A few years ago I did a small part-time job in a brunch café in Lisbon. One day we received a box of avocados that were still very hard. Not really ready to eat. The staff warned the clients before serving the plates and something curious happened. Some people said it was no problem. They took the photo of the avocado toast... and then left the avocado almost untouched on the plate.

Today Lisbon has more than 100 brunch cafés. Most of them appeared after 2016, when tourism increased, digital nomads arrived, and the specialty coffee trend became popular. Many places follow almost the same concept you see everywhere in Europe. Prices are usually quite high, and sometimes the experience feels a bit... standard. Of course this is just my opinion.

If you are visiting Lisbon for the first time, I still believe you can have a more authentic experience. Globalisation is real and cities start to look more and more similar. But in Lisbon you can still sit in a small café, order a galão and a torrada.

Bom apetite!

For more recommendations check out my blog at

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

Took the train to Sintra today with my Sony rx100. Went to the Quinta da regaleira castle and Moorish castle, took the train from Lisbon. Easy 45 min ride there, and then a nice walk through the Sintra town around

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The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of the best coastal walks in the Algarve.

It is a linear trail between Praia de Vale Centeanes and Praia da Marinha, near Lagoa, and it has around 5.7 km one way. You can start from either side, but many people begin at Praia da Marinha or Vale Centeanes.

Along the way, you walk above cliffs, sea caves, natural arches and some of the most famous views in the Algarve.

One of the best stops on the trail is Praia do Carvalho.

For me, this is one of my favourite beaches in Portugal. It is small, surrounded by limestone cliffs, and the access is made through a small tunnel carved into the rock. It feels a bit hidden, but it is still easy to reach if you are doing the trail.

Another important stop is Benagil. From the trail, you can see the area around the famous Benagil Cave from above. Just remember that you cannot access the cave by walking from the cliffs. To visit the inside of the cave, you need to go by boat, kayak or paddleboard, depending on sea conditions and local rules.

The trail ends, or begins, at Praia da Marinha, one of the most photographed beaches in Portugal. It is famous for its golden cliffs, rock formations and clear water.

A few practical tips:

The trail has very little shade, so in summer bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

Wear proper shoes. It is not a hard hike, but the ground is uneven in some parts.

Bring snacks if you can. Food and drinks near the beaches can be expensive.

If you only have time for one coastal walk in the Algarve, this is a very good choice.

Planning your trip to Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve?

I created digital travel guides with detailed PDFs, Google Maps lists, local restaurants, viewpoints, beaches, day trips and practical tips to help you make the most of your trip.

www.portugaldigitalguides.com