Portugal had been on my bucket list for years because my best friend’s family is from there. In August 2025, Kevin and I finally made the trip, spending one incredible week exploring the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and the small villages in between.

From dramatic coastlines and fairytale castles to fresh figs picked straight from the tree, Portugal quickly became one of my favourite places I’ve ever visited.

The Algarve to Lisbon: Everything We Loved About Portugal

Our adventure began the moment we landed in Lisbon. After grabbing a Bolt (which quickly became our transportation of choice for the week), we hopped on a bus to the Algarve. One of the first things I noticed was the scent of eucalyptus trees everywhere we went.

For the first few days, Kevin and I relaxed by the pool, soaked up the sunshine, and enjoyed slowing down after the long flight.

One of the highlights of our time in the Algarve was a boat tour of the Benagil Caves. Seeing them from the water was absolutely worth the hype.

Before heading back to Lisbon, we spent a day exploring Albufeira’s charming streets and beautiful coastline. That evening, we boarded the bus north and settled into Lisbon for the next part of our trip.

Coastal Views, Pastel de Nata Stops & Exploring the Best of Portugal

Lisbon completely won me over.

We spent our days wandering colourful streets, discovering viewpoints, and exploring historic sites.

A day trip to Sintra was a definite highlight. Quinta da Regaleira and Palácio da Pena felt straight out of a fairytale. My biggest tip? Bring water. The August heat and endless walking are no joke.

And yes, I can confirm that the pastéis de nata live up to the hype.

I lost count of how many I ate while we were in Lisbon. They were flaky, creamy, perfectly sweet, and easily one of the best things I ate during the trip.

One afternoon, we visited the Monument to the Discoveries, where my best friend’s family has a tradition of posing like the statues for photos. We happily joined in before continuing our walk along the waterfront.

Along the way, we discovered vendors selling hollowed-out pineapples filled with fresh pineapple juice, rum, and Malibu. It was one of those random travel moments that ends up becoming a favourite memory.

One evening, the six of us had dinner at Ponto Final at sunset. The food was incredible, the views were unforgettable, and it ended up being one of my favourite meals of the entire trip.

Fresh Figs, Family & Exploring Portugal With My Best Friend

After Lisbon, we rented a van with my best friend’s family and made our way toward Porto.

One of our stops was Coimbra, where we wandered the charming streets and discovered Ginja served inside edible chocolate cups. It was one of the most unique treats I tried during the trip.

We also visited my best friend’s grandparents’ village, which ended up being one of my favourite experiences in Portugal. We met family, explored the village, picked fresh figs straight from the trees, and even met the cutest cat.

Sometimes it’s not the famous landmarks that stay with you the longest.

Sometimes it’s standing in a small village, eating a fresh fig under the summer sun, and feeling welcomed into a place you’ve never been before.

Later, my best friend’s mom cooked us a homemade meal after days of eating at restaurants. As amazing as the food in Portugal was, that lunch felt extra special.

When we finally arrived in Porto, we spent our last day exploring the city, shopping for souvenirs, and soaking in every last moment before heading home.

That evening, we joined hundreds of people overlooking the city to watch the sunset. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, everyone applauded.

It was such a simple moment, but it felt like the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.

Why Portugal Will Always Be One of My Favourite Trips

Portugal gave me everything I love in a destination: beautiful scenery, incredible food, rich history, and meaningful experiences with people I love.

From the Algarve’s coastline and Lisbon’s colourful streets to Porto’s sunsets and the small villages in between, every part of the trip felt special in its own way.

It’s a country I’ve dreamed of visiting for years, and one I already can’t wait to return to. 🇵🇹✨