An Intro to Portugal

Portugal is one of my favorite countries in the world. The first time I went to the Algarve I instantly fell in love with the place and eventually ended up living there for close to a year.

From port wine and custard tarts to fado music and azulejo tiles, the country is famous for tons of things. It boasts an absolutely stunning landscape and happens to be one of the most affordable countries in western Europe, so a trip here won’t break the bank.

Portugal’s capital Lisbon is incredibly pretty, with its steep hills, iconic yellow trams and beautiful views over the River Tagus. While you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to take a day trip to Sintra to see the fairytale palaces that look like something straight out of a Disney movie.

While Lisbon is very beautiful, my favorite city has to be Porto, which is known for its port wineries and scenic Douro River. I love the city’s laid back vibe, delicious food and fresh, sea air.

But arguably the best part of Portugal is the Algarve, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The fish and seafood down in the south is incredible and you can order tiger prawns as big as lobsters. The town of Lagos is home to lots of bars and pubs and is a popular stop-off for backpackers traveling through Europe.

If you like surfing Portugal has tons of great surf camps and surf breaks too, including Sagres, Peniche and Ericeira.