From Sintra palaces to seafood in the Algarve, this journey had me eating, gawking and tuk-tuk’ing my way through the best of Portugal.
Portugal isn’t just a place—it’s a mood. I landed in Lisbon and kicked things off with a guided day trip to Sintra—an overachiever of a town where every palace and pathway feels like it’s showing off (in the best way). Quinta da Regaleira felt like walking through an M.C. Escher dream, with underground tunnels and secret wells that dared me to get lost. Pena Palace? Let’s just say if colors could flirt, they’d look like that place. Add in misty mountain air and you’ve got a scene that makes “things to do in Sintra” feel like a weak Google search. At Cabo da Roca, I stood at the edge of the world—literally—and tried to look cool as the Atlantic nearly blew me away.
There’s no better way to explore the city of Lisbon than on a tuk-tuk, especially when it zips you up to Castelo de S. Jorge and those jaw-dropping miradouros (viewpoints) just like Miradouro Senhora do Monte.
Belem was like Portugal’s greatest hits album: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Discoveries Monument all in one breezy stroll. And yes, I had a pastéis de Belém that was still warm from the oven and 100% worth the powdered sugar on my shirt.
Portuguese food speaks directly to the soul—and the stomach. Arroz de mariscos is a seafood stew that’s bold, briny, and completely addictive. Bifanas—thin pork sandwiches spiced to perfection—are the kind of street food that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about sandwiches. Then there’s frango piri piri: chargrilled chicken with just enough heat to keep things interesting. Add a cold Sagres (beer) on the side, and suddenly, you’re on vacation mode whether you meant to be or not.
The Algarve isn’t just a destination for me—it’s home. Growing up surrounded by its cliffs, coves, and endless sunshine gave me a front-row seat to some of the best coastal beauty in Europe. Algar Seco’s sea caves still take my breath away, and the rhythm of life in Portimão and Lagos never gets old. Sagres and Vila do Bispo hold onto that wild, untamed energy that keeps the region honest. Standing near the statue of Infante D. Henrique, I felt proud—this tiny corner of the world once launched empires, and it still knows how to leave a mark.
Coming home from this trip, I didn’t feel like I needed a vacation—I felt like I’d woken up. Portugal didn’t just charm me; it reminded me that beauty, flavor, and wonder don’t always require a passport stamp. Whether you’re craving culture, coastline, or custard tarts, this place delivers. Next time you Google “Portugal travel,” just know it’s not hype. It’s home.
