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Gastronomic itinerary: Portugal’s most delicious journey

Portugal is a country full of history, patrimony, culture, and above all, unique flavors. Portuguese gastronomy is a true celebration of the traditions and regional diversity, offering a variety of irresistible dishes for any food lover. In this gastronomic itinerary, Guerin takes you in a trip through some of the most emblematic regions of Portugal and its traditional dishes, from north to south, passing through the Azores and Madeira islands.

Gastronomic itinerary traditional portuguese dinner with grillerimagemro

Gastronomic itinerary: North of Portugal, flavors with northern accent

Minho

Nothing better than starting our gastronomic itinerary in Minho, one of the richest and most diverse regions in terms of cuisine. Pork shank, Octopus fillets with bean rice, Rojões à moda de Barcelos and Pudim Abade de Priscos are only some examples of the many classic dishes. But the Arroz de Sarrabulho is absolutely mandatory. A dish cooked with pork and chicken meat and pork blood, served with rice. Another fantastic dish is Bacalhau à Braga, which is prepared with fried codfish with caramelized onions and fries.

Porto and Douro Region

Porto is known all over the world for its Port wine, but the fame and the local gastronomy quality are also fantastic. The most traditional dish of the city is Tripas à Moda do Porto. Its history goes back to beginning of the 15th century and the preparation to the Conquest of Ceuta: according to a myth, the inhabitants of the city offered the best meats to the sailors and soldiers that were part of the fleet commanded by Infante Dom Henrique, being left only with the tripes to themselves. The dish is prepared with tripes, beans, Portuguese enchidos and pork meat.

Of course, we can’t talk about Porto’s gastronomic itinerary without mentioning the Francesinha, similar to a sandwich with various types of meat, with a fried egg, cheese and a spicy tomato and beer sauce. It is usually served with fries. Want to try it? Remember Guerin is all over the country to help you get to Porto or wherever you want.

Portugal Center region: between the sea and the mountains

Coimbra and Beiras

The next stop in our gastronomic itinerary is in Coimbra, the student's city and one of oldest universities in the country, which has an amazing dish: Chanfana. A goat dish cooked with red wine, traditional from this region and prepared in clay bowls. Chanfana is cooked with slight variations throughout the Beiras region.

Leiria and Bairrada

In Bairrada, Leitão Assado (Roasted Suckling Pig) is the main dish. This dish is prepared with suckling pig, roasted in the wood oven until it gets crunchy, seasoned with a mixture of garlic, salt and pepper and it is served with chips and salade. In Leiria, you should try Morcelas de Arroz, a typical dish cooked with pork blood, rice and seasonings. It is served grilled or fried, with potatoes or bread.

To explore the center region of Portugal and easily get to any restaurant, choose a car in Guerin. It’s so simple.

Lisbon: cosmopolitanism and tradition

Lisbon is a perfect combination of cultures and flavors. In Lisbon, our gastronomic itinerary starts with the famous Bacalhau à Brás, a delicious mixture of shredded codfish, fries and scrambled eggs, all seasoned with onion and parsley. Another dish you can’t miss is Sardinha Assada (Grilled Sardine), served with peppers and bread, and very popular during the Portuguese Popular Saints celebrations. It is impossible to talk about Lisbon without mentioning the famous Pastéis de Belém, small pastéis de nata with a soft cream, involved in crunchy puff pastry, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Ribatejo

Guerin’s gastonomic itinerary, now goes to Ribatejo. In this region, the most iconic dish is Arroz de Lampreia, cooked with a particular river fish. Lampreia is cooked with its own blood, red wine, spices and served with rice. Extraordinary.

Alentejo: land of rustic flavors

Alentejo is known for its beautiful landscapes and amazing cuisine. One of the main dishes in this region is Carne de Porco à Alentejana, a combination of pork meat and clams, seasoned with garlic, cilantro and white wine, served with fries.

Another amazing dish is Açorda à Alentejana, a thick soup made with bread, cilantro, garlic and olive oil, frequently served with a poached egg.

Algarve: the true wonders of the sea

The Algarve is a synonym for fresh fish and seafood. The most emblematic dish of this region is Cataplana de Marisco, prepared in a special pan called cataplana. This dish is a mixture of seafood, such as shrimps, clams and lobster, all cooked with tomato, peppers, garlic and white wine.

If you’re hungry now, rent a car with Guerin and drive to the Algarve.

Gastronomic treasures in the Azores

In the Azores, the cuisine is strongly influenced by the proximity to the sea and the volcanoes. Cozido das Furnas is a unique dish from São Miguel Island, where the ingredients are slowly cooked in holes dug in the volcanic soil. This dish it’s prepared with several types of meat, Portuguese enchidos, vegetables and potatoes, all with an absolutely unique mineral flavor.

Another famous dish in the Azores is Lapas Grelhadas. A simple, but very tasty preparation, of fresh grilled limpets with butter, garlic and lemon.

In the Azores, Guerin offers you various types of vehicles and rental modalities, according to your needs. Follow your instinct, and above all, your appetite.

Madeira: Amazing atlantic days

Madeira offers a unique combination of tropical and atlantic flavors. One of the most famous dishes is Espetada Madeirense: beef seasoned with garlic and bay leaf, roasted in wooden skewers. Another iconic dish is Bolo do Caco, a flattened bread made of wheat flour, traditionally boiled in a basalt stone and served with garlic butter. As a desert we can have a fantastic Bolo de Mel da Madeira. This cake is dense and dark, made with sugarcane honey, spices and dried fruits, a delicious dish that goes back to the colonial era.

Enjoy your trip and meal!

In Portugal, every single dish tells a story, and each meal is a journey through your five senses. From the northern mountains to the Atlantic islands, passing through the historic and cosmopolitan heart of Lisbon, Portuguese cuisine is a celebration of its long cultural heritage and immense regional diversity. Follow your favorite route. Rent a car in Portugal with Guerin will always be with you, with the Premium Road Assistance service. If you need to add an additional driver, you can always count on us. Enjoy your trip and your meal!

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