A Vibrant Journey Through Portugal
Portugal, a country bursting with vibrant, dopamine-inducing colors, is a favorite among travelers. As Portugal’s great poet Fernando Pessoa wrote, its compact size offers an extraordinarily rich experience. From the majestic mountains, remote valleys, and terraced vineyards of the north, to the pristine beaches, rolling hills, and wide-open horizons of the south, Portugal presents a captivating diversity of landscapes. Even in the most unassuming corners of Portuguese streets, unique artworks await discovery. As spring arrives in March, experience the colors of the Atlantic and embark on an unforgettable dopamine-filled journey.
Lisbon: The City of Seven Hills
Perched on seven hills, Lisbon is a city where the soul feels free. It’s a place where time seems to slow, filled with ancient charm, a languid pace, and vibrant colors. It’s truly enchanting. From the heights of the Belém Tower, one can almost see the bold explorations of the great navigators—Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World, Vasco da Gama opening trade routes to India, and Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe, proving that the Earth is indeed round. Lisbon is also home to Europe’s oldest trams, an iconic symbol of the city. Despite their age, these trams continue their traditional routes, navigating the steep hills with ease.
Porto: A Fusion of Cultures
No trip to Portugal is complete without a visit to the bustling port city of Porto. Steeped in a millennium of ancient trade, Porto is a melting pot of cultures. Romans, Arabs, Moors, British, and French have all left their mark. The Douro River flows through the city into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a beautiful landscape where mountains meet the sea. Porto has also been repeatedly recognized as one of Europe’s best travel destinations. The river is filled with boats of all sizes, many carrying Port wine from the local cellars through the Atlantic to the rest of the world. 
Sintra: A Jewel of the Portuguese Riviera
Sintra, a jewel of the Portuguese Riviera, is famed for its well-preserved Moorish, Renaissance, and Romantic architecture. Hidden among the hills of a coastal mountain range that stretches to the Atlantic coastline, this romantic and mysterious town first appeared in geography textbooks in the 11th century. Sintra boasts numerous castles, palaces, and grand estates, including the Sintra National Palace, the Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Castle of the Moors, all of which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. At Cabo da Roca in Sintra, the westernmost point of continental Europe, you’ll find one of the top 50 destinations in the world. Portugal was one of the first European countries to embark on the Age of Discovery, discovering the Gold Coast of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, and claiming Brazil in South America. From this very land, the great navigators and their fleets set sail.
Óbidos: The Wedding City
Located 100 kilometers north of Lisbon, the small town of Óbidos, gifted by King Dinis to Queen Isabel in 1282 as a wedding gift, is known as the “Wedding City”. This town has an innate medieval romantic atmosphere: well-preserved castles, labyrinthine streets, white houses, Manueline-style colonnades, and colorful window frames and little squares.
Alentejo: The Granary of Rome
During the Roman Empire, Alentejo was a vital storehouse of wheat and other resources. The Romans built fortresses, temples, bridges, roads, theaters, and dams, fostering local development, and remnants of these structures can still be found throughout the region. Alentejo’s Mediterranean climate produces unique Portuguese red wines, rich with wild and red fruit aromas, which are a true treasure.
Évora: A City of Ancient Ruins
Évora, one of Europe’s oldest cities, is located in central-southern Portugal. Established during the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, it served as a Roman garrison for a long period. Consequently, many ancient Roman ruins remain in the city. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Évora was occupied by the Visigoths and Moors, during which time the city began to expand, exhibiting Gothic and Arabic architectural influences. Évora was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.
Faro: A Southern Coastal Gem
Following Portugal’s long coastline south, you’ll reach Faro, the southernmost city on the mainland. Faro’s old town is enclosed by city walls. Walking through the ancient archways and meandering through the medieval streets, you’ll experience a peaceful atmosphere. White is the dominant color, reflecting typical Iberian Peninsula architecture with a touch of timeless beauty.
The Algarve: A Sunshine Paradise
Faro is in the Algarve, a region blessed by nature. It is arguably one of the best climates in Europe, with nearly year-round sunshine and low rainfall during the winter. The Algarve’s beaches are an amazing work of nature, with everything from fine sandy stretches nestled between golden cliffs to small bays hidden among jagged rocks. Every corner is a perfect photo opportunity.
The Azores: A Hidden Paradise
In the middle of the Atlantic, a chain of nine volcanic islands marks a meeting point of the European, African, and North American tectonic plates. This is the Azores, a hidden paradise of Portugal. Untouched nature, local traditions, wine, honey, pineapples, and a wide variety of cheese are all highly valued treasures by the locals.
