Lisbon Portugal
There couldn't have been a better way to celebrate Shaun's birthday than with an adventure through Portugal and southern Spain. This trip took us from the colorful streets of Lisbon to the breathtaking coastline of the Algarve, across the border for an unforgettable dinner in Seville, before returning to Lisbon to soak in even more of Portugal's charm.
It was also a bittersweet milestone for our family, as our last international trip with Lany before she turned two. We wanted to make the most of those final days of traveling with her as a lap infant before she'd need her own plane ticket. Looking back, it made this adventure feel even more special.
Portugal quickly won us over with its incredible cuisine, vibrant architecture, and endless character. Every neighborhood felt like a postcard, filled with colorful tiled buildings, historic streets, lively plazas, and breathtaking viewpoints. We wandered through centuries-old alleyways, rode a tuk-tuk through Lisbon's iconic hills to Belém, indulged in fresh seafood and pastéis de nata, and discovered why so many travelers fall in love with this country.
From dramatic ocean cliffs and golden beaches in the Algarve to unforgettable sunsets, delicious meals, and memories made as a family, Portugal delivered far more than we expected. If you're dreaming of a destination that blends history, culture, world-class food, and stunning coastlines, this itinerary is one you'll want to save. Below, we're sharing everything we experienced, from where we stayed and what we ate to the can't-miss spots that made this birthday adventure one we'll never forget.
📍Location
Around Portugal
🗓️ When
July 2025
💸 Budget
$$ used points for all our hotels!
🏨 Where we Stayed
Andaz Lisbon: Newly opened hotel in the heart of the action in Lisbon
Hyatt Regency Villamoura: Great location with a 10 min walk to the ocean in Algarve
Andaz Lisbon—the upstairs lounge area was a highlight of the hotel for us. The bold colors, amazing interior design and surprisingly toddler—friendly
Andaz Lisbon—this hotel group always knows how to celebrate their guests, not sure if this is done for every guest or if it was for Shaun’s birthday. Either way it was a lovely gesture and we were so impressed by the hospitality
Hotel
〰️
Hotel 〰️
Hyatt Regency Villamoura—the lobby was also incredibly designed, impressed by the cool and hip vibe as soon as you walk in
Hyatt Regency Villamoura—Lany lounging poolside under her umbrella with a bottle of milk. She really knows how to vacation!
Andaz Lisbon—another example of the cool and unique decor they had in the lounge. Lany and Shaun reading some of their cool books
Andaz Lisbon—this was the restaurant/bar area. It was closed at the time so we got a lot of time to take photos and explore this beautiful part of the hotel.
Hotel
〰️
Hotel 〰️
Hyatt Regency Villamoura—Lany really enjoyed running around the whole hotel but especially the lobby, she loved the tile patterns and assortment of books
Hyatt Regency Villamoura—A visual from our room, there were 2 pools—1 small one for kiddos (I believe!) Lany wanted to be there for hours and a larger pool for adults. There were tennis courts, soccer field and even a playground! It was an incredible perk to stay here and tire out the kiddos. There’s even a Kid’s Club you could enjoy your child in, but Lany was a little too young. It starts at 3 years old.
🍽️ Where to Eat / Drink (Our top picks)
Breakfast: Lisbon—Neighborhood: Super cute brekkie spot with breakfast burritos, we also enjoyed their miso eggs, avocado ricotta toast, we went a few times during our trip. They have a few locations too.
Breakfast: Lisbon—The Folks: Wonderful breakfast spot with everything you could want to statistfy your sweet or savory needs. The have multiple locations but the one with the best view is at the R de S. Bento 51, 1200-661 Lisboa, Portugal location. The icons Lisbon trams will be your backdrop.
Dinner: Lisbon—Bonjadim: One of Lisbon’s most iconic restaurants, famous for its perfectly grilled frango assado (Portuguese piri-piri chicken). A local favorite since the 1950s,
Dinner: Lisbon—Ponto Final: Took a ferry to the restaurant, one of the most memorable meals of the trip, we dined along the waterfront with postcard-worthy views of Lisbon across the Tagus River
Dessert / Treats: Lisbon—Juliana Penteado Pastry: Wonderful breakfast spot with everything you could want to statistfy your sweet or savory needs. Got the Salmon
Dessert / Treats: Lisbon—Pasteis de Belem: The most famous Pastel de Nata establishment, and we can attest it' was the best of the best.
Dinner: Algarve—BJ’s: Celebrated Shaun’s bday here too, it was incredible and we highly recommend it. Jenny had the seafood squid ink pasta and Shaun had peri peri chicken. The staff was lovely and it was a great place to celebrate on the beach.
Dinner: Seville, Spain—El Rinconcillo: We made reservations as we passed through Spain during our time in Portugal quickly, had to stop at the oldest tavern in Seville, serving traditional Andalusian cuisine since 1670
🎟️ What to Do
Explore the different neighbhorhoods and take the tram to further places like Cascais and Belem
Try Pastel de Nata (of course!)
Take a tuk tug around town, there’s so many to choose from but it’s so worth it. We did a quick ride from our hotel to Belem! We loved our driver
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler find parks near by, it will tire them out and is a great activity for the whole family. We loved the Jardim da Estrela that one our our friends recommended
Road trip to Algarve and Spain, come back to Lisbon and take the Coastal route and stop in Lagos on the way
If going to Algarve, schedule a boat ride tour to see the Bengali Caves
Take your little one to the beaches in Algarve, there’s a ton of beaches to choose from and you can’t go wrong, endless fun in the sun
Lastly…hard for Jenny but highly recommend getting up early (5am-6am) and catching the sites before the rest of the town is awake
💡 Jet Set Tip
"If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, definitely leave the stroller at home. You’ll be happy to save on space and energy bringing the bulky stroller around. All you need is a carrier that’s comfortable to wear for long periods of time."