Believe it or not, having lived abroad for over 10 years and traveled to 15 countries, I had only stepped foot on the continent of Europe for a total of 18 hours. That lone trip was an extended layover in London to visit a good friend. Needless to say, I was stoked to have the opportunity to join the first-ever Under30Experiences Portugal trip.
Just look at the itinerary: Lisbon, Sintra, Evora, and the Algarve. Come on, is it possible not to get excited about that lineup? Not to mention that I’d be traveling alongside some really awesome, like-minded people from the U30X Community. If you’ve ever been on an Under30Experiences trip, you know what I’m talking about!
I never expected Portugal to be where I popped my European travel cherry. Though looking back, I have no regrets about my time spent there. Portugal’s unique culture, flavorful cuisine, rich history, and amazing landscapes should be experienced by everyone.
Learn more about my Portugal trip and tips to help you enjoy the most of your Portugal experience.
8 Days in Portugal: My Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon
I arrived in Lisbon after most of the group, as I was coming from Morocco, though I could still meet up with the other travelers before our first group activity: a Lisbon Walking Tour!
We met our Lisbon guide at Restorers Square, where an imposing obelisk stands in the center of the square commemorating Portugal’s independence from Spain. After receiving information about Portugal’s history and the great earthquake of 1755, we took our first funicular ride. Lisbon is quite a hilly city, and these funiculars provide great transportation options to reach the city's viewpoints.
Our short funicular ride brought us to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, one of Lisbon’s most iconic observation points. This little park had a vibrant scene of musical performers, a man creating gigantic soap bubbles, friends sipping on drinks at the kiosks, and a beautiful panoramic view of Lisbon. Our time in Portugal was starting off just right.
Portugal Travel Tip: Make sure you have cash on you. Although credit cards are accepted in many places, smaller establishments, including some restaurants, only take cash.
After visiting several other sites along our walking tour, our Trip Leader, Diogo, brought us to a quaint little restaurant for our first taste of Portuguese cuisine. We shared a few appetizers, each ordered a main, and a few of us washed it down with a tasty glass, or two, of wine. It was a perfect meal to wrap up our first day in Portugal together.
Day 2: Sintra
No trip to Lisbon is complete without an excursion to Sintra! This charming little Portuguese town was once a summer retreat for nobility and royalty. Nowadays, Sintra is one of Portugal's most popular tourist destinations due to the variety of fascinating sites, including palaces, ancient castles, mystical gardens, and mountain vistas.
Our first stop was the Quinta da Regaleira, an estate renowned for its stunning gardens, rich history, and unique architecture. We enjoyed a walk around the beautiful gardens with lakes and fountains as we made our way to the Initiation Well. This structure consists of a spiral staircase leading down into the underground grotto (cave), where you can walk amongst the mysterious network of chambers and passageways.
After visiting the grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira, we ventured down Sintra’s historic center, where we wandered the tiny alleyways filled with cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries. After a bit of free time to do some of our own exploring, and taking a shot of ginjinha, a traditional liqueur served in dark chocolate, edible cups, we gathered together for lunch in one of Sintra’s cute little restaurants.
Portugal Travel Tip: Bring walking shoes with good grip. Portuguese cities are often hilly and cobblestone-covered. Comfortable footwear is a must.
After lunch, Diogo purchased some of Portugal’s most famous desserts, pastel de nata, for us to try before we left the crowded alleyways of Sintra behind and began our hike up to the Moorish Castle. The Moorish Castle, or the Castle of Moors, is a military fortification constructed between the 8th and 9th centuries. It served as a watchtower that guaranteed the protection of Lisbon and its surroundings. Hiking up to the Castle of Moors is an excellent way to get away from the over-crowdedness of Sintra and into the quiet nature. The hike is of a moderate to challenging rating, with most of it being uphill and a distance of approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) one way.
Upon reaching the Moorish Castle, we were greeted by the outer wall and had to zig-zag our way through forested trails before reaching the main entrance. We then walked along the castle walls and took in incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the countryside and the town of Sintra down below. The viewpoints also provide a glimpse of Pena Palace off to the side of The Castle of Moors.
Day 3: Evora
Leaving Lisbon behind, we journeyed to Evora, a charming historic town in the Alentejo region. A Unesco World Heritage Site, Evora is somewhat of a city museum, with ancient cathedrals, cobble-stoned streets, medieval fortress walls, and a Roman temple! The city flourished during the 15th century as a center of learning and the arts under the patronage of the Portuguese kings, becoming a symbol of the Golden Age of Portugal.
During our time in Evora, a local guide took us on a walking tour and provided information about Evora’s history, culture, and culinary scene. Along our walking tour, we visited the Roman Temple of Evora, the Cathedral of Evora, and The Chapel of Bones. The highlight for me was visiting the Chapel of Bones, where you can see carefully arranged skulls and bones of about 5,000 people covering the walls and columns, as 17th-century monks decided to display them.
Portugal Travel Tip: Learn some Portuguese! Outside of Lisbon, you might encounter people with limited English. It helps to learn some Portuguese. If nothing else, locals appreciate the effort to speak their language.
That evening, Diogo, our incredible Trip Leader, organized a dinner for us at one of Evora’s traditional restaurants serving the local Alentejo cuisine. The spread started with a few meat and cheese boards, salads, and a main of our choice, and we finished it off with delicious homemade desserts. Sitting back with a belly full of happiness, I took in the scene of a candlelight table filled with smiling faces tucked away down a tiny cobblestoned alleyway and couldn’t think of a better place I’d rather be.
Day 4: Wine Tasting and Lagos
Just when you think things can’t get any better, you look at the day’s itinerary and realize it consists of a drive through the Portuguese countryside, a stop at a winery, and the end destination being the Portuguese Algarve. Seriously, sign me up!
After taking in the views of the cork oaks and olive trees that dot the Alentejo region of Portugal, we pulled into Ribafreixo Wines, a winery dedicated to preserving Vidigueira's wine culture. Our wine guide took us on a winery tour and explained the wine-making process. We even got to see the bottling process during our cellar tour. Then as part of our wine-tasting experience, which included 4 different wines, we dined on an authentic 4-course Alentejo meal.
Once again, we filled our bellies with incredibly delicious cuisine, said goodbye to our hosts, and continued our journey to Lagos, renowned for its breathtaking coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
Portugal Travel Tip: You might notice the word “verde” on wine lists here. It's not green-colored wine! Verde means young, acidic, and slightly sparkling. It actually refers to the rainfall that makes the countryside green and produces this wonderful grape.
Lagos has beautiful beaches and is a tranquil little town with various cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, and art galleries to keep one busy. Simply strolling through the network of alleyways in the town center is a great way to spend your day if you need more than relaxing on the beach.
On this day, Diogo again went above and beyond and surprised us with a memorable experience. After checking into our accommodation, he told us to meet him in the lobby later that day, and he would take us to his favorite sunset spot. To get to this location, we walked along the paved pathways that followed the shoreline atop the cliffs, providing panoramic views. Most of us bought snacks and drinks at a minimart before heading out, so we settled in for a little picnic when we reached the viewpoint. The sunset this evening was beautiful, and as we watched the sun go down, we chatted and got to know one another a little more. This little additional adventure to the trip turned out to be many of the traveler's highlights.
Portugal Travel Tip: Seek out fresh seafood! The seafood is DELICIOUS in this country, so be sure to try the local specialty of each place you visit. Cod and sea bass are the most accessible.
Day 5: Ponta da Piedade Kayaking
The main activity of the day and the most challenging, but rewarding activity of the trip is the kayaking excursion to Ponta da Piedade. As with any outdoor activity, the weather and environmental conditions will affect the experience. Though the sun was shining, the wind and currents provided a challenge.
During the kayaking experience, we had the opportunity to explore some of the sea caves and grottoes (caverns) around Ponta da Piedade and see the stunning cliffs that we walked atop the previous evening from a different perspective. We could also view the hidden beaches and scout which beaches to relax on that afternoon. However, as I mentioned above, due to the winds and currents, this activity was a little more challenging than we all anticipated, and for some, seasickness took its toll. But would I do it again? Hell ya!
After an active morning, most of us relaxed on the beach during the afternoon. As previously mentioned, Lagos is home to some of Portugal's most scenic beaches, and we wanted to take the opportunity to experience just that.
Portugal Travel Tip: Prepare for late meal times. It’s not uncommon for dinner time to be around 8 or 9 pm or even later. Meals often last longer here, too, taking several hours, so don’t feel any need to rush!
We dined together again this evening and feasted on more incredible Portuguese cuisine. Being that the next day was a late start, and feeling the vibrant atmosphere of Lagos’ nightlife, we all went out for a few drinks and enjoyed the buzz of local life. Lagos is a fun place to visit; trust me, it’s tough to get bored here!
Day 6: Culatra Island
With a late start to this day, most of us slept in and caught up on sleep after a few full days of explorations. However, there was ample time to walk back into town and grab a coffee or light snack at one of the many cafes, do some last-minute shopping, or, for a few people feeling active, run along the coastal trail route.
Today, we drove along the coast to the town of Olhao, which was once a quiet little fishing town. Today, there is still a port and plenty of boats that bring the daily catch to the morning fish market, though much of the town focuses on tourism, with their waterfront restaurants and bars. Mixed in is a humble little historic center where you can still relax with freshly brewed coffee and snack on delicious treats, such as Bolas de Berlim, Pastel de Nata, or Baba de camelo.
After checking into our lovely hotel, with a rooftop pool and bar, we headed to the pier to catch the ferry to Culatra Island. Removed from the mainland, Culatra Island is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. You won’t find any cars on this island; just a few restaurants and minimarts providing supplies for the beachgoers.
After a short journey along a boardwalk through the sand dunes, we arrived at the sandy paradise and were welcomed by the soothing sounds of the waves crashing on the shoreline. We set up our beach towels, staked our umbrellas, and settled in for a relaxing afternoon of sunbathing and swimming. There is a little vendor on the beach that sells cold drinks and small snacks, and rents beach chairs with umbrellas for a reasonable daily fee. So if you didn’t buy an umbrella on the mainland, you can always rent some shade from this vendor. Be sure to buy snacks and drinks on the mainland before boarding the ferry, as the prices and options are better than on the island. And, of course, it’s a pack-in, pack-out policy, so please do your part to keep this beach pristine!
We all opted to take one of the last ferries off the island back to town, which was perfect because we watched the sunset on our journey back. That evening, we scattered about to different restaurants in town based on our food preferences. I took advantage of being near a fishing port and opted for some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever tasted!
Day 7: Discover Olhao
On this final full day of the trip, we selected our own adventure. A majority of us returned to the tranquil beach of Culatra Island for more sunbathing and swimming. Once again, if you opt for this, I suggest you prepare a picnic lunch by stopping at a cafe or minimart before boarding the ferry to purchase supplies.
Portugal Travel Tip: Visit during the off-season to avoid the crowds! You’ll find large crowds on these beautiful beaches during summer, but the water is still pleasant in September and October.
For those who opted to not return to the beach, a few people explored the sites of the town center, while others simply chose to take advantage of the rooftop pool at the hotel. On your free day in Olhao, you can also tour an olive farm, walk the trails at Quinta de Marim, or search for Olhao’s famous murals.
In the evening, after we all spent our day as we pleased, we gathered for our final group meal in Portugal. Once again, we shared stories of our adventures and reflected upon our experience discovering this beautiful country as a group.
Day 8: Saying Goodbye
Each group member left at different times throughout the day, with some returning to Lisbon for another night while others continued their adventures to other beach destinations in the Algarve. As for me, I continued my journey by taking a bus from Faro to Seville, Spain. Spain is so close I figured I could check out another country in the region.
In closing, my time in Portugal was amazing! I was blown away by all that this country has to offer. From incredible landscapes to its rich history, and not to mention its delicious cuisine, Portugal really should be on everyone’s must-travel destination list. But most importantly, I got to experience Portugal with a group of lovely people who made my trip 1000 times better.
Join Under30Experiences to travel with people ages 21-35 to Portugal? Or travel to Portugal with people in their 30s and 40s with Over30Experiences!
