Welcome to Lisboa, Portugal’s city of light —&nbsp;colorful tiles everywhere, steep streets that will leave your legs toned, and a warm vibe all around. Get ready to discover a city full of incredible food, charming people and breathtaking views. Join The Sacred Fig in Portugal for our <a href="https://www.thesacredfig.com/teacher_trainings/portugal">200hr Teacher Training, May 1-24, 202</a>2, or our<a href="https://www.thesacredfig.com/retreats/portugal/"> August 6-13, 2022 retreat.&nbsp;</a>STAYCoziness and a sneaky garden right in the middle of the city, you’ll be glad to retreat back to <a href="http://www.valverdehotel.com/en/">Valverde Hotel</a> (pictured below) after your long walks in the city. From the 19th Century facade to the stylish interiors showcasing the best of Portuguese design with a nod to Moorish heritage, this hotel is draped in luxury.If The Valverde is fully booked (or out of budget!), we also love <a href="http://www.casadobarao.com/">Casa do Barão</a>, <a href="https://www.silentliving.pt/houses/santa-clara-1728/">Santa Clara 1728</a>, The Lisboans, and <a href="https://www.thevintagelisbon.com/">The Vintage</a>. If you're booking an AirBnb, our fave areas to stay are Santos, Principe Real, and Praca das Flores.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Valverde_Hotel_613bf91c1b.jpg"></figure>START YOUR DAY DELICIOUSLY.Both of these breakfast spots are in São Bento, one of our favorite parts of the city, so take time after your eggs and coffee to explore.As their name suggests, <a href="https://dearbreakfast.com">Dear Breakfast</a>’s menu features tasty breakfast staples, such as boiled eggs with “sexy sticks” or eggs benedict, as well as some more energy-boosting options, like the quinoa bowl, to kickstart your day. Wash it all down with a cup of their excellent coffee, a fresh juice, or a cocktail…depending on how late you wake-up! And while you’re there, take some time to get inspired by the interiors, which are top-notch.If you fancy an Australian-inspired breakfast, <a href="https://themill.pt/en/">The Mill</a> is the place for you. They serve specialty coffee and the best Portuguese produce with a fresh, Australian twist. From vegemite on toasted rustic bread to grilled chouriço with roasted pepper and cheese from the Azores, they mix and match the two cultures perfectly. Plus, their relaxed setting will ease you into the day gently.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490434/The_Mill_c85a2b5703.jpg"></figure>In the Santos area, we have two new breakfast favorites: Heim Cafe and La Boulangerie.&nbsp;&nbsp;LOOK SHARP.If you’re in Chiado, take a moment to treat yourself to a shave. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Barbearia.Campos/">Barbearia Campos</a>, founded in 1886, isn’t just any barbershop; it’s an institution in Lisbon. The place itself is a wonder with the chic white marble washbasins and the old barber chairs. The service is perfect. Ask for Fabio.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490458/Lisbon_Portugal_Barber_b868af57da.jpg"></figure>&nbsp;TAKE A WELL DESERVED BREAK.No trip to Lisbon would be complete without a Pastel de Nata, the local egg pastry, and the best are from <a href="http://manteigarialisboa.com">Manteigaria</a>. Time your visit perfectly to get them straight out the oven. Eat immediately, with a good sprinkle of cinnamon on top. And if you time it wrong, you’ll just have to keep coming back for more!And if it’s your feet that need a break, one of the several <a href="http://copenhagencoffeelab.com/">Copenhagen Coffee Lab</a> around the city will provide the perfect place for that. Their coffee is second to none, but it’s their cardamom baked sweets that will get you hooked (they’re originally from Denmark, after all).LUNCH WITH A VIEW.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CafehTehran/">Cafe Tehran</a>, on the Praça das Flores, a super cute little square, is an intimate and lively Persian restaurant that’s relatively new to the area. The small and regularly changing menu features fragrant dishes that are expertly prepared by the owner, Pooneh. Expect to see lots of vegetables, stews, nuts, spices, and herbs – the perfect food to fuel your urban exploration.<a href="https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/3D6C8025-C9CB-404F-9C6A-54F02E4B455D">Largo do Carmo</a> is a gorgeous square at the feet of the dramatic Carmo Convent. This uber-local and lively square, lined with historic buildings, has several cafes that are perfect for lunch. Order a bottle of Vino Verde, clear your afternoon and watch the world go by.Our new fav for a healthy + delicous lunch is <a href="https://www.comobalisboa.com/home">Comoba.</a> (pictured below) It’s got Brooklyn vibes, and their matcha is top notch.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490472/Comoba_7bf7afd1de.jpg"></figure>If you’re in Lisbon in the summer, follow your long lunch at Largo do Carmo with a summer concert in the Carmo Convent.&nbsp;&nbsp;TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF LISBON HOME.Don’t leave Lisbon without picking up some local Portuguese products at <a href="https://www.avidaportuguesa.com/">A Vida Portuguesa</a>. Even if your suitcase is full, you’ll still want to pay them a visit as the shops themselves are such little marvels. But, really, you will certainly find something to bring home with you — ceramics for your kitchen, a perfume or a little notebook with cute illustrations. Good luck picking only one item, we struggle every time!<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490571/a_vida_portuguesa_64ccdb6f53.jpg"></figure>Our favorite Portuguese menswear label is <a href="https://lapaz.pt/">La Paz</a>. They have a cute shop hidden on a side street - worth visiting!&nbsp;FINISH YOUR DAY LIKE THE LOCALS.Finish your day with the slow melancholy of Fado. The city offers live Fado at every corner, but you want to go to <a href="https://www.tascadochico.com/">Tasca do Chico</a> for some of the best casual Fado from the city in a local and casual bar. No touristy dinner+concert here, just you, the music and a good glass of wine. There’s standing room only, so get there for 8.30 pm and wait in line outside — the wait’s worth the authenticity of the experience.For din, our fav little spot is <a href="https://senhoruva.com/">Senhor Uva</a>.&nbsp; It’s a small place, with an incredible vegetarian menu and natural wines.&nbsp; Another fave is Da Noi, in the Lapa area. Make a reservation for either!by <a href="https://www.maduretreats.com/oumnia-el-khazzani-copywriter">Oum El Khazzani</a>.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="http://localhost:1337/uploads/anton_brandt_6f0eabffbf.jpg" alt=""></figure>&nbsp;

Lisbon Trolly

Our shortlist of favorite places to eat, drink, walk + sleep. 

Lisbon City Guide

Who hasn’t heard of Bali? If not through friends, you’ve certainly seen gorgeous pics on Instagram. It can be hard to navigate the overwhelm of guides, photos, reviews, so we’ve compiled our favorite places where the Fig community loves to hang, eat, or practice together.Join The Sacred Fig in Bali for our annual <a href="https://www.thesacredfig.com/teacher_trainings/bali/">200hr Teacher Training, Feb 3-24, 2024.</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490274/Bali_Ubud_2_4ea473f886.jpg"></figure><h3>Ubud.</h3>If you’ve planned on visiting Ubud, the spiritual and cultural heart of Bali, here are a few things you shouldn’t miss.&nbsp;As far as yoga is concerned, Ubud will go beyond your expectations, for sure.<h3>Sunday Yoga Church at Radiantly Alive.&nbsp;</h3>Radiantly Alive is an institution in Bali when it comes to yoga. Every year, Radiantly Alive welcomes yoga star Meghan Currie for a very special class — Sunday Yoga Church. This 2-hour class has it all: it’s a yoga class, it’s a workshop, and it’s a fun way to start your Sunday. It fills quickly, so preferably, book a ticket on Radiantly Alive’s website.<h3>Ecstatic Dance at The Yoga Barn.&nbsp;</h3>You might have heard of ecstatic dance. If not, <a href="https://medium.com/the-ascent/dancing-through-the-elements-a-rational-guide-to-a-hippie-experience-97c5e763eff0">here’s an article I wrote about it</a>. Ubud hosts one of the most amazing ecstatic dances in the world, and our fave one is the dance at Yoga Barn. There’s one on Friday evening and another on Sunday morning. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a unique experience! A little tip: wear socks to slide across that dancefloor — and avoid blisters from the crazy dancing!On your way, stop at the little shop at the corner between Jalan Sandat and Jalan Raya Ubud and order a Jamu, an all-natural Indonesian health tonic that will give you the perfect boost before the dance! Ask for explanations and recommendations, the staff at Jamu Sehati is always happy to help.All of this exercise will definitely have worked your appetite. Take your scooter and head to the outskirts of the city for our fave restaurant in town, Sage (pictured here). This cute + minimal restaurant is home to amazing vegan cuisine. Ask for the jackfruit tacos and grab one of the home-made cookie bags to go, you won’t regret it!<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490234/Sage_Bali_ca6ae1170b.jpg"></figure>In a carnivore mood? Naughty Nauri’s Ribs (Jalan Raya Sanginggan) will for sure satisfy your craving! Order ribs and a dirty martini, nothing else.You can’t go to Bali and not splurge into the massage culture. When you’re in Ubud, make sure you pay a visit (or two, or more!) to Nur Salon, on Jalan Hanoman. Despite its central location, this spa is a haven of serenity. You’ll find here the best masseurs in town, and the rooms are open-air, so you can slowly drift away lulled by the sounds of geckos and birds chirping. Try to avoid dusk as it’s also the mosquitoes’ dinner time!<h3>Wake up early and visit Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple.</h3>Holy water temples are part of the Balinese culture and traditions. People go there for purification and blessings. For visitors, this is a beautiful way to peek into the local spiritual customs. The temple is about 20 minutes away from the city center, but easy to reach either by car or on your own scooter (Google Maps works well). Tirta Empul Tampak Siring is a more well known water temple in the area, but it is now overwhelmed with tourbuses and tourists. This one is a bit more under the radar ~ please respect the local culture. You can find a priest at the entrance who will walk you through the ritual. Make sure you take a change of clothes with you as you’ll be immersed in water, and don’t visit the temple if you are on your period.And if waking-up early is no big deal for you, book another morning for a walk at Camphuan Ridge (pictured here). This walk will take you about an hour with stops to take pics and enjoy the serene scenery. Go around 6am to enjoy the sunrise, the fresh air, and have the walk (almost) all to yourself!<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1644490260/Bali_Hike_Ubud_eb5c8f7f1b.jpg"></figure><h3> Uluwatu, Seminyak + Canggu.</h3>Once you’ve had enough jungle, book a driver and head south to Uluwatu, along the coast. Uluwatu is home to some of the best waves, a true surfer paradise. If you’re not into surfing, there’s still plenty to do. Stay at <a href="https://mu-bali.com/">Mu Boutique Resort</a>. If they’re full, stay (or at least eat) at <a href="https://uluwatusurfvillas.com/">Uluwatu Surf Villas</a>.Enjoy the beach during the day, and around 5ish, make your way to Single Fin, a bar by the beach, with OK beer but one of the most fabulous sunset in the world. Plus, you get to watch cute surfers ride some insane waves.Still, have some time on the island and craving some more beach vibes? Canggu &amp; Seminyak will give you exactly that. The neighboring towns offer a wide range of bars, clubs, hip hotels, beach clubs and, of course, restaurants. While in Canggu, make sure to have lunch at The Shady Shack, a super cute house turned into a vegan restaurant with a peaceful and fresh garden (pictured here). It’s hard to pick only one dish from their menu, trust us! You can always go for the Pillow Talk gnocchis or the Gyro Jack Burger. And, while you’re paying, try to resist the cakes — you won’t. 😉<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1701337150/Shady_Shack_f89a8e0b2c.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://www.thesacredfig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shady-Shack-300x225.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://www.thesacredfig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shady-Shack-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.thesacredfig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shady-Shack-893x670.jpg 893w, https://www.thesacredfig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shady-Shack-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.thesacredfig.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shady-Shack.jpg 1280w" sizes="100vw" width="300"></figure>Finish your stay on the island with a four hands massage (obviously!) at Jari Menari in Seminyak. No questions asked, just go, you’ll thank us later for it.&nbsp;And if you’re scheduled on an early flight, spend your last few hours on the island dancing at the super colorful Hotel Mexicola, a bar in Seminyak. It’s our happy place!by <a href="https://www.maduretreats.com/oumnia-el-khazzani-copywriter">Oumnia El Khazzani</a>.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="http://localhost:1337/uploads/yoga_teacher_training_bali200hour_381dff8ac2.jpg" alt=""></figure>

Bali Aerial

Bali Travel Guide

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Woman Smiling

Dozens of highly-curated Spotify playlists for any movement experience. Expect ambient openings, lush atmospheric soundscapes and organic deep tribal beats. 

Playlists

Join us in 2024 in Portugal, we're offering everything from a 200hr YTT, a 300hr advanced yoga teacher training, and a summer retreat. Come play!Beyond (além) the Tagus (tejo) river that begins in Lisbon and runs clear across the country into Spain, you’ll find yourself in the Alentejo region of Portugal; unspoilt, verdant hillsides, miles of wild beaches, and a prevalent, permeating appreciation for the life lived simply, fully, and well.Relinquish your usual sense of time at <a href="https://www.casasbrancas.pt/rede/tres-marias/">Três Marias</a> in Vila Nova de Milfontes; clean, fresh architecture that maximizes on natural light, tasteful en-suites with white linen and wood beams, and animals roaming the surrounding ecological reserve. Operating mainly as a B&amp;B, they can also provide dinner on request. Make optimal use of your private patio after dark, when the expanse of Alentejo’s starlit sky is on full display. If you stay, send our love to Balthazar, the charming owner!If you want to retreat fully into an independent oasis, you can stay in one of<a href="https://www.brancodecal.com"> Branco de Cal’s</a> thoughtfully renovated homes. Surfers, creatives, and inquisitive travellers, this young sibling trio have gathered insights from the road and brought them home to weave into each detail of their unique accommodations. One of them also functions as a B&amp;B where, if you’re lucky, Mariana might be baking her renowned bread, which magnetizes half the town towards the courtyard of <a href="https://www.brancodecal.com/casadolado">Casa do Lado</a> on Sunday mornings for a kind of unofficial coffee and catch-up, before wandering off with a fresh loaf happily tucked underarm…Choose Your AdventureThe lifestyle here is inescapably rooted in the land, so the apt way to acquaint yourself upon arrival is to get right into it! Here are some of our favourite escapades — ranging from mild chill to committed hike — that will allow you to soak up some broad horizons and Atlantic sea breeze replete with perfumes of rock rose, salt, and rosemary.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1680520151/Alentejo_Summer_3713b438eb.jpg"></figure>Small AdventureStock up on Lisbon-origin <a href="https://cervejamusa.com/pages/sobre-nos">Musa</a> craft beers at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZCdmEnwt1u9t3Y9o9">Botellón</a>, a laundromat + unexpected centre for all things handy; need to throw those well-worn vacation clothes in the wash? Check. Need a few tasty IPAs to share with friends at the beach? Check. Down the road, order some tostas and other assorted picnic items to go at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/go4ouSJBE1yDez4X9">18 e Piques</a>, enjoy a coffee with the sun on your face while you wait, then head to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/VG87NmLsDzVaDp587">Praia do Tonel</a>; a beautiful, spacious cove with turquoise water to swim, and a few rocks to climb. Usually pretty quiet thanks to the abseil-esque access point — carry any belongings in a backpack to keep your hands free and make the descent a little easier!Medium-Sized AdventureOne the most spectacular beaches is also one of the most deceptively hidden; Brejo Largo. My favourite way to get there (that doesn’t involve getting the car stuck in sand and having to be rescued by cow farmers on a tractor) is to include it on a late-afternoon walking loop. Park by the water tower in Longueira and walk away from the town, taking the first left turning which will lead you all the way to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/wPpa3SG8ABCdGQ9n9">Praia do Brejo Largo</a>. Either climb down and continue along the beach to its end, or stay on the coastal path until you arrive further south at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WnLDn67gEZtdHCSY8">Praia de Almograve</a>. If it’s time for a little aperitivo, there’s a beach bar here to whet your whistle. Otherwise begin to walk inland, journeying through the small towns of Almograve and Longueira to reunite with your vehicle. But not before refuelling with a deliciously satisfying, no-frills dinner at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/R5oF3st6YEGQeP918">Restaurante João</a>. Order amêijoas à bulhão pato (clams in a coriander-garlic-white wine gravy), pão torrada (toasted bread and butter), and a jug of local vinho to wash it all down. If you’re with friends, get a cataplana too. This place unexpectedly does a really good chocolate mousse.Big Adventure!Let your unhindered imagination run wild as you weave through low-hanging jungle, clamber sandy dunes, and breathe deeply amongst pines and acacia (a friend once told me that the forest and local honey smell exactly the same here). This hike is an all-day adventure (7 hours-ish) along the coastal path from <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/qrYTD7rjwxvk8dfx7">Zambujeira do Mar</a> to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/daceqK7rVEdjzUQ27">Odeceixe</a>. If 18km is a little steep for you, begin at Praia do Carvalhal or Praia da Amália instead. Either way, take your break in Azenha do Mar. Unlike most establishments that seem to add an automatic tax on sea view service, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/XGgpE9AaZ2yDYXr4A">Café Palhinhas</a> will allow you to nestle into a wildflower-covered cliff top terrace, and fill up on fresh seafood with ice cold drinks for a very reasonable price.MeanderOne of the most noticeable attributes of this province is the diversity of the natural landscape. Heading away from the coast, a short drive inland will swiftly reveal to you new trees, new hues, new topography. As you travel deep into wine country, a stunning roadtrip north-east can deliver you to the doorstep of <a href="https://cortesdecima.com/en/wine-tourism/our-location/">Cortes de Cima</a>, one of my favourite winemakers, in Vidigueira. Enjoy a tasting here, or continue in the direction of Monsaraz, where you can take your pick from a plethora of nationally-appreciated vineyards, some of which still use the ancient Roman method of clay pot fermentation.With an environ ideal for raising sheep, Alentejo yields an abundance of wool, much of which is literally woven into the region’s own style of handmade rugs and blankets. You can pick up some of your own in the time-warp town of Monsaraz itself. Perched on top of a hill and covered with cobblestones, no cars are allowed, so you can wander the magical streets on foot, collecting artisanal textiles and ceramics as you go. Or, a couple of miles south in Reguengos de Monsaraz, you can pop into <a href="https://www.fabricaal.com">Fábrica Alentejana de Lanifícios</a> and choose directly from the workshop — Luís might even show you around the olive oil refinery-turned-production space filled with traditional wooden looms!MingleWeekends are for local markets!&nbsp;Saturdays at <a href="https://www.planetalentejo.com/alentejo-events/mercado-quinzenal-brunheiras-2019-11-10/">Brunheiras</a> offer a smorgasbord of sense stimulators. What can you find here? What can’t you find here… From 8 - 3 every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, it’s busy, it’s bustling, and bursting at the seams with everything from succulents, to socks, to saucepans. A great place to sample regional olives oils, honey, cured meats, and cheeses. Come for the buzz, stay for a plate of grilled chicken and a bottle of Sagres amidst a swirling haze of food truck smoke.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/the-fig/image/upload/v1680520150/Cavaliero_Bach_a053dace14.jpg"></figure>The quieter marketeer can fill their basket with vibrant local veggies, the best pão alentejano, and a few breakfast pastries from the Vila Nova de Milfontes Sunday morning <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LUQx3JEfhEaPaYFPA">market</a>, held from 9 - 12 on Rua dos Combatentes Portugueses. There’s a café that spills right into the marketplace, and most local shoppers will stay for a coffee and chat with whoever shows up.For dinner, enjoy fine service and finessed dishes at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jQMBq58vacNR7vC58">Tasca do Celso</a>. Ask for a table near the fireplace, and try to make a reservation when José is working — he’ll hand pick special items from their menu tailored to your desires, suggest suitable accompaniments, ensure you get served Negronis, and generally take expertly subtle care of you. Here is also the place to try migas (a traditional bread-based dish that can tread a fine line between comforting and coma-inducing) and finish your meal with a shot of medronho; both of which are served everywhere but with unpredictable variations in flavour and quality.For those curious about sustainable options, we find <a href="http://www.bestfishforward.com/travelfishlists/">Portuguese Fish Lists</a> to be a helpful guide no matter where you’re placing an order.