The Detailed Itinerary You NEED for a Journey to Lisbon, Porto, and Madrid (and the Best Restaurants in Each)
Recently, Sammy, Preston, and I set out on a European adventure to explore earthquake ruins, a port, and Spanish tapas. We started in historic Lisbon, Portugal, and headed North to Porto before finishing in the Spanish metropolis, Madrid. Here is the quick itinerary of interesting places to stay, historic things to do, and an expansive list of restaurants to indulge in.
General Itinerary for Portugal and Spain
25-26: Fly to Lisbon from Chicago
26: Lisbon
27: Lisbon
28: Lisbon
29: Lisbon
30: Train from Lisbon to Porto
1: Porto
2: Porto
3: Fly to Madrid from Porto
4: Madrid
5: Madrid
6: Madrid
7: Fly to Chicago from Madrid
Sprint International Call Settings
Iphone 7
Go to settings, click cellular, click cellular data, then click roaming (turn voice and data on). International CDMA should be off. We’ll receive a welcome message upon arrival.
Samsung Note 8
Go to settings, click on connections, click on mobile networks, click on data roaming, turn off all domestic roaming (voice, text, and data), and turn on all international roaming (voice, text, and data). We’ll receive a welcome message upon arrival.
Money Overseas
Charles Schwab Brokerage Checking Account
Transfer cash for free ATM withdrawals and no transaction fees.
Credit Cards
Bring the Chase Sapphire, MileagePlus Explorer, Chase Business Ink, and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express for no transaction fees. Call to see which exchange rate is lower (Most base it on the Wall Street Journal).
Preston is excited for his first flight overseas....and so is the guy sitting behind him.
Flights and Trains for Lisbon, Porto, and Madrid
25-26th: Fly to Lisbon from Chicago
United Flight UA972 from Chicago to Brussels
Total cost: 60k miles per person plus taxes and fees
Seats: 34E, 34G (Priority boarding with a child, check stroller with car seat at the gate)
Depart: 6:00 pm (04/25) ORD (8 hr 5 mn with bassinet)
Arrival: 9:05 am (04/26) BRU
TAP Portugal Flight TP647 from Brussels to Lisbon
Seats: 16B,16A (Priority boarding with a child, check stroller with car seat at the gate)
Depart: 11:30 am (04/26) BRU (2 hr 50 mn)
Arrival: 1:20 pm (04/26) LIS
30th: Train to Porto from Lisbon (Unconfirmed seats)
Train 125
Total cost: $130 (1st Class, choose seats at check-in, child on lap), arrive 1-2 hours to book train time and sea.t
Depart: 12:09 pm Lisboa Oriente (flexible time)
Arrival: 2:44 pm Porto Campanha
3rd: Fly to Madrid from Porto
Ryanair Flight 5423 from Porto to Madrid
Seats: 2F, 2E (Already checked in a month early)
Total cost: $217.94 (Priority with two cabin bags per person, child on lap)
Depart: 3:35 pm OPO
Arrival: 5:50 pm MAD
7th: Fly to Chicago from Madrid
Lufthansa Flight LH1113 from Madrid to Frankfurt
Seats: 20A/20B (Priority boarding with a child, check stroller with car seat at the gate)
Depart: 12:55 pm (05/07) MAD (2 hr 30 mn)
Arrival: 3:25 pm (05/07) FRA
Lufthansa Flight LH432 from Frankfurt to Chicago
Seats: 34G/34F (Priority boarding with a child, check stroller with car seat at the gate)
Depart: 5:15 pm (05/07) FRA (9 hr 5 mn with bassinet)
Arrival: 7:20 pm (05/07) ORD
View of Lisbon at sunset
Airbnbs in Portugal and Spain
26-30th: Lisbon
Listing: Comfortable, versatile best quarter with Fadoflats
Travessa João de Deus 8 (2nd floor right)
Lisbon, Lisbon 1200 Portugal
+351 91 985 8312
fadoflats-c2vmqwuwpkay6y9d@host.airbnb.com
Check-in: 4:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
-Directions: A taxi from the airport should take you to the flat in about 30 minutes and cost you around 15-20 euros (please tell the taxi driver the flat is in the Chiado quarter, very close to Cervejaria Trindade - Trindade Brewery). Alternatively, you can take the subway and get off at Baixa-Chiado station. It will take you about an hour and cost you 2 euros per person. The third alternative is hiring our private transfer service (for you only): a 7-seat van will be waiting for you at the airport for 30 euros, to be paid directly to the driver. In any case, I would appreciate it if you could text me or call me after picking up the bags and passing passport control at the airport.
Notes: Great 2-bedroom, vintage space that was once a palace before the 18th-century earthquake. Great location and size for our needs. Plenty of nearby restaurants and more. The Alfama neighborhood to the East is another option (more historic and quaint).
30th-3rd: Porto
Listing: Caldeireiros Home Two - feel at home with Fadoflats
Rua dos Caldeireiros, 4050-250 Porto, Portugal
+351 91 714 1223
alcina-77maoh3q8wdkxxbx@host.airbnb.com
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
Directions: Walk to the flat from the Sao Bento train station 2 blocks away.
Notes: Great modern space with the perfect location. Truly a wonderful host.
3rd-7th: Madrid
Listing: PTA. Del Sol- Pza. Sta Ana, Madrid with Miriam
Calle Núñez de Arce 10 2b, 28012 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
+34 699 915 788
miriam-zu29zer8pxbllkz5@host.airbnb.com
Check-in: 2:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
Directions:
-Taxi: You will find taxi stands outside all the airport terminals. Always use the official taxi services and do not take offers from drivers inside the terminal. Trip duration up to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. -Bus: The yellow airport express bus runs 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. You can take the bus from terminals T1, T2, and T4, and the ticket costs 5 euros. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and the bus makes only 3 stops along the way: the corner of O’Donnell and Doctor Esquerdo, Plaza de Cibeles, and Atocha train station (from 6:00 am until 23:30).
-Metro: You can take Metro Line 8 from all the terminals of the airport and head to Nuevos Ministerios station at the center of Madrid. From there, you can hop to another metro line until your end destination. The journey to the Nuevos Ministerios station is 15 minutes, and the metro operates daily from 6:00 am to 2:00 am. Tickets can cost up to 5 euros depending on your end destination.
Notes: A very central location, but we don’t recommend staying here unless it’s cheap and you don’t mind a Super 8 hotel experience.
Exploring the historic Belem area of Lisbon
Things to do in Lisbon, Portugal
Random Notes
-Use ‘The Fork’ phone app or call to book restaurant reservations
-Restaurants (5-10% tip and bread/olives aren’t free), most restaurants open 12-3 and 7-10
-Most museums are free until 2:00 on Sundays
-Taxes after 9 pm cost more
-Lisboa card for attractions (askmelisboa.com)
-Buy 24 24-hour pass (metrolisboa.pt)
-Book a tour: https://www.withlocals.com/experiences/portugal/lisbon/?adults=2&children=1
-Travel with kids: https://kindertravelguide.com/destination/europe/portugal-with-a-baby-or-toddler-2/lisbon-with-a-baby-or-toddler/
Belem Ruins
-Jerónimos Monastery, Praça do Império (free entry to the church, €10 for the rest of the monastery) -Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos-entry fee €4) -CCB (Belém Cultural Center), Coach Museum (Museu dos Coches) -Statue to Afonso de Albuquerque
Rossio Neighborhood
-Parque Eduardo VII (northwest of Rossio Fountains, down the Ave da Liberdade)
-Confeitaria Nacional near the Praca de Figueiro for pastries
-A Ginjinha – Local sweet liquor spot near Igreja de São Domingos
-Rossio Fountains/Park (24-hour cafes nearby)
-Churches: Igreja de São Domingos, Praca da Figueira (next to each other)
-Elevador da Gloria: Takes you from the Praca dos Restauradores up to the Bairro Alto neighborhood
-Ride the Tram 28 to see the historic parts of the city. Expect lines.
Rooftops of the Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon
Chiado Neighborhood
-Elevador de Santa Justa down to Baixa Neighborhood
-Convento do Carmo & Museu Arqueologico
-R Garrett Street: pedestrian street
-2 Michellin Star Restaurant: Bellanto
-Nightlife strip: Tv Carvalho
Baixa Neighborhood
-Nucleo Arqueológico (free underground tunnels)
-R Augusta: Pedestrian street from the Praca de Comercio on the water
Bairro Alto Neighborhood
-Church: Igreja & Museu de São Roque
-Elevador de Gloria
-Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcántara
-Restaurant: Lost in Coffee Café (corner of Tv da Agua da Flor and R São Pedro de Alcantara)
-Public toilet under Largo Trindade Coelho
-1800s Beer Hall on R. Nova da Trindade
-Fado bars on R da Alalara
Alfama Neighborhood
-Tram 28 stop: Near Se (free Gothic Cathedral)
-Restaurants and Fado: Cruzes Credo Café, Clube de Fado (8 pm – 2 am), Memmo Alfama Rooftop Bar, Guitarras de Lisboa – Food and Fado, Senhor Fado (8 pm -2 am), Mesa de Frades (Fado in an old small chapel 11 pm)
-Museu do Teatro Romano (free Roman Ruins)
-Igreja de São Vicente de Fora (monastery)
-Panteão Nacional (10 am – 6 pm)
Lisbon food wedding officiant
Restaurants in Lisbon
-Fabrica
-Pasteis de Belem
-Manteigaria
-Café A Brasileira
-Cervejaria Ramiro
-Feitoria
-A Taberna da Rua das Flores
-Belcanto
-Bica Do Sapato
-Prado
-Café Tati
-Merendinha do Arco
-Cantinho Lusitano
-A Baiuca
-Marisqueira Nunes
-Tasquinha do Lagarto
-Beco dos Surradores 5
-Tasco do Vigario
-Varina da Madragoa
-Zé da mouraria
-Bairro do Avillez (went twice)
-Time Out Market (Such a neat food scene on the weekend)
-Cantinho do bem estar
-Cevicheria
-Solar dos Presuntos
-Palácio Chiado: Renovated palace turned into food court
-Restaurante Carmo
-The Sandeman Chiado (best salmon we’ve ever eaten, try the 40 year Tawny)
-Royale Cafe (best octopus we’ve ever eaten)
Exploring the rooftops of Porto
Things to do in Porto, Portugal
Sightseeing in Porto
-São Bento station
-Use ‘The Fork’ phone app or call to book restaurant reservations
-Take the train or drive to the Duoro Valley for wine tastings (2-hour ride)
-Walk over the Ponte de Dom Luís I and take the viewing cart (teleférico) over the river to the port warehouses (major port producers have their warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the south side of the River Douro)
-Visit the bar Vinologia for port flights and charcuterie
-Garrafeira AMS (wine shop)
-Sé do Porto (free admission)
-Armazém
-Ribeira Square
-Handy Resources: What to Do in Porto: http://portoportugalguide.com/porto-guide/porto-in-2-days-itinerary.html, https://catavino.net/travel/portugal/porto/
-Clérigos Tower (Igreja E Torre Dos Clérigos)
-Lello bookshop (Livraria Lello): Inspiration for the bookstore in the Harry Potter movies
-Sao Bentro Train Station
-Porto Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace (Sé Do Porto)
-Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa)
-Igreja de São Francisco
-Villar d’Allen
Spoiled with shrimp in Porto
Restaurants in Porto
-Confeitaria Serrana
-Cantinho do Avillez
-Michelin-starred Pedro Lemos restaurant
-Stash
-Centro Português de Fotografia (free)
-Torre de Clérigos (admission 3 euros)
-Caldeireiros
-Trasca
-Porta’O Lado
-Brasão Cervejaria
-Fonte dos Leoes for a francesinha, a Portuguese sandwich filled with cured ham
-Café Guarany
-Café Majestic
-Matosinhos
-Vila Nova de Gaia
-Flor dos Congregados
-Rei dos Galos de Amarante
-Adega Quim
-Casa Aleixo
-Tasca da Piedade (Adega Rio Douro)
-Conga
-Casa Nanda
-Adega Vila Meã
-Taberna do Largo
-Taberna Santo António
-Maus Hábitos
-Guindalense Futebol Clube
-O Buraco
-Cantina 32
-BASE
-Miss’Opo
-Café Candelabro
-Traça
-Casa de Ló
-Bar Tolo
-Bite Me
-Boa Nova
-Vinum restaurant at Graham’s port lodge: Gorgeous rooftop
-Ode Porto Winehouse
-Camafeu
-Pedro Limos
-Casa da Horta
-Bacalhua
-O Comercial
-Bufete Fase
-O Paparico
-Grelhador da Boavista
-Pateo das Flores (loved the francesinha and tuna poke cones)
Gorgeous cathedral in Madrid
Plaza Mayor in Madrid
Things to do in Madrid, Spain
Random Notes
-Many dine out at 9 pm or later
-Handy Resources: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/madrid-food-tour/, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/21/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-madrid-spain.html, https://www.eater.com/maps/best-madrid-restaurants-38
Sightseeing in Madrid
-Plaza España
-Gran Via (shopping)
-Palacio Real
-Plaza Oriente
-Barrio de la Latina
-El Rastro (Spain’s largest flea market, Sunday)
-Puerta del Sol (popular plaza)
-Chocolateria San Gines
-Plaza Mayor
-Mercado San Miguel
-Watch a flamenco show at Cardamomo
-Retiro Park (huge park)
-Palacio Cristal
-Reina Sofia
-Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
-El Prado (world famous art museum)
-El Bernabeu Stadium
- Las Salesas (shopping)
Food tasting tour in Madrid
Restaurants in Madrid
-Bocadillo de Jamón y Champán
-Duquesita Pastelería (century-old pastry shop)
-La Venencia (sherry bar)
-Bar Cock
-Pum Pum Café
-Círculo de Bellas Artes (drink with a panoramic view)
-Amazónico (an opulent jungle-inspired space)
-Chocolatería San Ginés (since 1894, a mug of hot chocolate and six churros)
-El Imparcial
-DiverXO
-San Mamés
-Lakasa Restaurant
-Kappo
-Sala de Despiece
-Nakeima
-Quesería Cultivo
-Bread at Panic
-StreetXo
-Tortilla de Patatas at Casa Dani
-Coffee at Toma Café
-1862 Dry Bar
-Bodega de la Ardosa
-Vermouth at Ángel Sierra
-El Cisne Azul
-La Tasquería
-La Tasquita de Enfrente
-Casa Salvador
-Del Diego Cocktail Bar
-Tapas at La Catapa
-Takos al Pastor
-Horcher
-Viridiana
-Pastries at La Mallorquina
-Sherry at La Venencia
-Chuka Ramen Bar
-Cocktails at Salmon Guru
-Casa Revuelta
-Bistronómika
-Corral de la Morería Restaurant
-La Sanabresa
-Yoka Loka
-La Copita Asturiana
-Santurce
-Bar El Boqueron
-Cocido Madrileño at Cruz Blanca Vallecas
Our personal tour guide
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.
If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
