Portugal — Lisbon, Cascais & Sintra/Nazaré

Portugal is vibrant, sun-soaked, and full of charm. From stunning beaches to colorful city streets, there’s a balance of adventure and relaxation—and food that will make every stop memorable.

Lisbon

Lisbon is steep, colorful, and endlessly engaging. The streets are lined with azulejos (beautiful, patterned tiles), each corner giving you a new detail to admire. The hills are steep—think San Francisco-level steep—so wear good shoes.

Highlights:

  • Pastel de Nata: These little custard tarts are crisp, caramelized on top, creamy inside, and perfectly sweet—ideal with a coffee at any time of day.

  • Seafood: Fresh, flavorful, and everywhere—you can’t go wrong exploring the waterfront.

  • Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Museum of Tiles): Perfect for a deep dive into the history of Lisbon’s iconic tiles.

  • Café Degümmbra Pastelaria: Run by three older men, very traditional, not touristy. They care about the quality of the food and even encouraged me to order in Portuguese—it was cute, charming, and genuinely fun.

Lisbon is also great for wandering: streets, waterfront, small alleys, and hidden cafés. Take your time and explore without a strict itinerary.

Cascais

Cascais has some of the best beaches near Lisbon. Each has its own personality:

  • Praia da Rainha: Very pretty but crowded. Great for photos and a classic beach vibe.

  • Praia da Tamariz: Natural saltwater pools, less crowded, perfect for a swim.

  • Praia de Santa Marta: Bright green water, swimming, and cliffs for jumping. Fun and active.

  • Praia da Ursa: Out-of-this-world beautiful and extremely unique. Requires a hike with water, food, and proper shoes. Not suitable for casual walkers—but completely worth it if you’re able. Watch the tide—it comes in fast.

Cascais is also a great jumping-off point to explore smaller towns, scenic coastline, and quaint restaurants.

Sintra & Nearby Towns

  • Quinta da Regaleira: Absolutely worth it, but expect lines. The gardens, wells, and mysterious structures are magical.

  • Pena Palace: Honestly, I did not enjoy it. Extremely crowded, poorly run, and the town of Sintra around it is overly commercialized. Don’t trust tuktuks—they overcharge and can scam you.

  • Definitely walk the surrounding area and gardens near the town. It is pretty and serene, but I felt like some of the attractions weren’t worth it.

Nazaré

A beautiful coastal town with a relaxed vibe. Big waves are a winter/surfing season phenomenon, so in summer, it’s calmer. Still worth exploring:

  • Walk the town, enjoy sun-dried fish (like jerky) on the beach.

  • Eat seafood in a quaint alleyway restaurant.

  • Stunning views of the coastline from above.