Some trips are about checking another country off the map.
Portugal wasn’t one of those.
I booked this trip to celebrate my birthday, take some photos, and see what all the hype was about. For years I’d heard people rave about Portugal — its weather, food, scenery, nightlife, and relaxed pace of life. Eventually curiosity won, and I booked a few days in Lisbon with plans to explore Sintra and whatever else I could fit into the itinerary.
What I didn’t expect was leaving with a different question.
Not, “Would I come back?”
But, “Could I actually live here?”
That question doesn’t come up often.
Portugal earned it.
First Impressions
The first thing that struck me about Lisbon was how familiar it felt.
It reminded me of parts of Barcelona and Italy, but without feeling like it was trying to be either. Colorful buildings climbed steep hills. Historic architecture sat next to modern cafés. Streetcars rattled through narrow streets while people filled outdoor patios enjoying a late lunch that somehow didn’t seem rushed.
The weather didn’t hurt either. Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and enough daylight to make you want to stay outside all day.
It immediately felt like the kind of city that rewards walking without a destination.
My First Meal… Wasn’t Portuguese
I’ll admit it.
I flew all the way to Portugal… and ordered a bacon cheeseburger.
Before you judge me, hear me out. After a long travel day I wasn’t looking to be adventurous. I just wanted something I knew wouldn’t disappoint, so I headed to the famous Time Out Market.
If you’ve never been, imagine a food hall where some of Lisbon’s best restaurants all share one roof. Whether you’re craving Portuguese seafood, desserts, steak, or international food, there’s probably a stand for it.
Did I miss an opportunity to eat traditional Portuguese food first? Absolutely. Do I regret it? Not really. Time Out Market turned out to be a great introduction to the city’s food scene, and I had plenty of opportunities to eat local after that.
The Best Tour I Took Didn’t Have a Guide
One of my favorite memories from Lisbon wasn’t a museum or a monument.
It was renting one of those electric scooters and simply exploring.
Looking back, it probably wasn’t the safest thing I’ve ever done — especially with music playing through my AirPods — but it was definitely one of the most enjoyable. Cruising through the city let me experience Lisbon at my own pace. I passed incredible viewpoints overlooking the city, caught glimpses of St. George’s Castle, admired the Sé Cathedral, and eventually found myself standing beneath Ponte 25 de Abril — Portugal’s answer to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
Sometimes the best way to experience a city isn’t following an itinerary. It’s getting a little lost.
Pink Street Comes Alive After Dark
When the sun starts to set, Lisbon changes personality.
One of the best places to experience that transformation is Pink Street. Yes, the street is actually painted pink. During the day it’s colorful enough to grab a few photos, but at night it becomes one of the city’s social hubs. Restaurants fill up, bars spill out into the street, music starts playing, and people gather simply to enjoy the evening.
Whether you’re looking for a drink, dinner, or just a place to people-watch, it’s worth spending an evening there.
Sintra Is Every Photographer’s Dream
If Lisbon made me want to explore, Sintra made me want to empty every memory card I owned.
Pena Palace doesn’t even look real. Perched high above the surrounding hills, its bright colors make it look less like a historic palace and more like something Disney would have designed if Walt had been obsessed with medieval castles.
Pictures don’t really prepare you for it.
As a photographer, I found myself constantly stopping to frame another shot. The palace, the surrounding forests, the viewpoints — it all feels incredibly cinematic. If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, bring your best camera. You’ll use it.
The Tour Was Great… But I’d Do It Differently
One thing I would change? I wouldn’t book a large group tour again.
The tour covered several beautiful places — including the coastline and Caxias — but every stop felt rushed. Just as I found the composition I wanted for a photograph or started appreciating the scenery, it was time to get back on the bus.
If I returned — and I fully intend to — I would either rent a car or hire a private driver.
Portugal is a country that deserves time. Not a stopwatch.
Bairro Alto Knows How to Stay Up Late
If Pink Street eases you into Lisbon’s nightlife, Bairro Alto throws you right into it.
The neighborhood transforms after dark into one giant social gathering. Bars, restaurants, music, conversations spilling into the narrow streets — it feels less like individual businesses and more like one big neighborhood party.
The alleyways are narrow enough that, back home, I’d probably think twice about walking through them alone. In Lisbon? They were packed with people laughing, eating, drinking, and simply enjoying the night.
It became one of my favorite parts of the trip.
Photography Notes
Portugal is incredibly photogenic.
The colorful streets of Lisbon, the architecture, the hills, the coastline, and especially Pena Palace give photographers more than enough to work with.
If I could go back and photograph Portugal again, I’d spend even more time slowing down instead of trying to see everything. Some places deserve patience. Portugal is one of them.
My Take
I don’t revisit many places.
There are simply too many countries left to explore.
Portugal is one of the few exceptions.
Somewhere between riding scooters through Lisbon, wandering Pink Street, photographing Pena Palace, and staying out far too late in Bairro Alto, Portugal earned a place on a very short list.
It’s one of the few destinations where I stopped asking myself, “Would I come back?” and started asking, “What would it be like to live here?” For me, that’s the highest compliment I can give a place.