Discover hidden treasures, savor local flavors, and immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Portuguese culture with our curated travel insights and tips.
Madeira and Lisbon invite two very different ways of experiencing Portugal, one shaped by dramatic coastlines, sweeping ocean views and a slower island rhythm, the other by elegant avenues, characterful neighbourhoods and a vibrant cultural energy.
From scenic viewpoints and coastal walks to atmospheric streets, exceptional restaurants and cultural highlights, each article brings together thoughtful recommendations for travellers who want more than the obvious. Rather than simply seeing the sights, you will find inspiration for experiencing each place in a way that feels more personal, more refined and more memorable.
Whether you are planning your first escape or returning to uncover something new, explore by destination or category and discover a collection of ideas shaped by local knowledge, careful curation and a genuine appreciation for travelling well.
Three exclusive properties, two in Madeira Island, one in Lisbon, each with its own character and a setting that makes every stay unforgettable.
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Funchal, Madeira Island
Hideaway in Funchal's old town, keeping the city's landmarks, shops, and restaurants just a short stroll away.
2 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · up to 4 guests · 180 m²
Rated 4.7/5 across 135+ reviews.
Funchal, Madeira Island
Ocean views and elegance in the prestigious Quinta da Falésia condominium, perched on the top of a cliff.
2 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · up to 4 guests · 140 m²
Rated 4.9/5 across 150+ reviews.
Lisbon, Portugal
Panoramic, sky-high views over Lisbon's beautiful Parque das Nações, a modern riverside neighbourhood on the Tagus.
1 bedroom · 1 bathroom · up to 4 guests · 60 m²
Rated 4.8/5 across 202+ reviews.
Complete your Madeira experience with one of our handpicked properties in Funchal, each offering a distinct way to enjoy the island.
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Complete your Lisbon experience with our handpicked riverside apartment in Parque das Nações, offering modern comfort and stunning views.
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Riverside apartment
Sky-high views over Lisbon's Parque das Nações, a light-filled modern apartment steps from the waterfront, the Oceanarium and the best of the neighbourhood.
How to get around Madeira in 2026: the Aerobus and taxis from the airport, whether you need a car, car hire and driving tips, parking and trail fees, the renumbered SIGA buses and the ferry to Porto Santo.
Miguel Filipe · 2026-10-12T18:45:17+00:00 · 13 min read
Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery and Pastéis de Belém in one well-ordered morning: 2026 tickets and timed slots, opening hours, the queues, the Monument to the Discoveries and how to get there.
Ana Freitas · 2026-10-12T18:03:56+00:00 · 13 min read
A half day in Monte above Funchal: the cable car up, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the church and the toboggan ride down, with 2026 prices, opening hours and how to get back from Livramento.
Miguel Filipe · 2026-10-12T17:10:53+00:00 · 15 min read
What to eat in Lisbon and where to eat it, from a €3 bifana to two Michelin stars: the dishes, the best pastel de nata, restaurants by type, brunch, Parque das Nações and the local rules on couvert and dinner time.
Maria Santos · 2026-10-12T11:31:15+00:00 · 22 min read
Three days in Lisbon, one job per day: the centre and Alfama, Belém and the river, then the neighbourhoods at walking pace, planned around what closes on Mondays, with the 2 and 4 day versions.
Ana Freitas · 2026-10-11T21:51:33+00:00 · 20 min read
Madeira has few sand beaches and a lot of sea: ten places to swim, from Funchal's bathing complexes to the natural pools of Porto Moniz and the long golden beach on Porto Santo, with prices, lifeguards and the honest catches.
Pedro Silva · 2026-10-11T15:55:37+00:00 · 12 min read
Lisbon has no beach of its own, but the Atlantic is close: ten beaches and beach areas from the Cascais line to Costa da Caparica, the Arrábida, Sintra and Ericeira, chosen by how easy they are to reach.
Ana Freitas · 2026-10-11T13:44:12+00:00 · 18 min read
When to go to Madeira, honestly: the weather in Funchal month by month from the official normals, the sea, the mountains, the festivals and the months with the best balance of weather and price.
Catarina Gomes · 2026-10-10T21:58:35+00:00 · 17 min read
Lisbon in December, honestly: the weather, Wonderland and the other Christmas markets, the lights from Chiado to Praça do Comércio, New Year's Eve by the river and what stays open over the holidays.
Catarina Gomes · 2026-10-10T13:26:58+00:00 · 20 min read
Madeira in December, honestly: the weather by the sea and in the mountains, the Christmas lights and the Noite do Mercado, the New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal and how to get through the night.
Catarina Gomes · 2026-10-10T08:58:30+00:00 · 22 min read
Two Lisbons share the same tram stop: the postcard one, and the one where people carry their shopping up the same stairs. Twenty places in the order you would walk them, with 2026 prices, hours and the honest caveats.
Ana Freitas · 2026-08-31T16:30:00+00:00 · 20 min read
From the painted doors of Funchal's old town to sunrise above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro, this is the complete guide to Madeira's top sights, with verified 2026 prices, the new trail fee rules and a realistic 3-day itinerary.
Miguel Filipe · 2026-08-05T11:00:00+00:00 · 28 min read
What Madeira is really like in November: honest weather numbers, sea temperature, what still works (almost everything), and why it beats staying in a European winter.
Catarina Gomes · 2026-08-03T21:49:00+00:00 · 22 min read
Everything the Lido quarter of Funchal offers: the famous ocean bathing complex, the seafront promenade, Praia Formosa, where to eat, and why it's the best base for sun in the city.
Miguel Filipe · 2026-08-03T21:37:00+00:00 · 21 min read
What is Quinta da Falésia? A guide to Funchal's clifftop seafront quinta in the Lido quarter: the gardens, the ocean views, the neighbourhood, and how to stay there.
Catarina Gomes · 2026-08-03T18:37:00+00:00 · 4 min read
Funchal old town or the Lido seafront? A local host compares Madeira's areas honestly: where to base yourself for hiking, winter stays, first visits and travelling without a car.
Miguel Filipe · 2026-08-01T20:00:00+00:00 · 20 min read
A day in Sintra from Lisbon: train or car, which palaces to choose when you cannot see them all, when to book tickets, and how long it really takes.
Ana Freitas · 2026-03-08T21:27:00+00:00 · 20 min read
A day in Cascais from Lisbon: the train, the beaches, the historic centre and Boca do Inferno, and how long the trip really deserves.
Ana Freitas · 2026-03-08T21:27:00+00:00 · 19 min read
The ten viewpoints in Madeira worth the drive, with the hour to visit each one, how to reach them, and an honest note on which to skip when time is short.
Pedro Silva · 2026-03-08T21:27:00+00:00 · 16 min read
Lisbon neighbourhood by neighbourhood, from Alfama to Parque das Nações: who each one suits, what a night costs, and the mistakes first-timers make when choosing where to sleep.
Ana Freitas · 2026-03-08T21:27:00+00:00 · 18 min read
Where to eat in Funchal, from the market and the old town tascas to Michelin tables and the everyday cafés, with what each dish is, what it costs and when to go.
Maria Santos · 2026-03-08T21:26:00+00:00 · 20 min read
The best levada walks in Madeira, from 25 Fontes to Caldeirão Verde, with difficulty, timing, trail fees and booking, and first-hand notes on when to walk each one.
Pedro Silva · 2026-03-08T21:25:00+00:00 · 24 min read
