When a Travel Agent Becomes the Traveller: My Portugal Story

Portugal surprised me in the best way. I thought it would just be another European country with nice buildings and good food, but it turned out to be so much more. Every corner had a story, every meal came with wine, and every walk ended with sore legs but a happy heart.

Lisbon: A City That Smells Like Coffee and History

Our walking tour through Lisbon’s old quarters was the perfect start. Between narrow lanes, pastel walls, and the sound of trams, I tasted vinho verde for the first time. It’s light, crisp, and slightly bubbly, almost like the Portuguese version of a smile in a glass. Then came ginjinha, a cherry liqueur that hits you fast and warms you up instantly.

We also stopped at what’s said to be the oldest pastry shop in Lisbon. The guide pointed out an old telephone, which was apparently the first in the city and had a direct line to the royal palace. Imagine calling the king just to say the custard tarts are ready.

Getting around Lisbon was a breeze. The metro is clean, easy to use, and surprisingly affordable. One day, we took it to the ferry terminal, crossed the river, and walked to Ponto Final for lunch. It’s one of those places where every table has a view, and the seafood tastes even better when you’ve worked for it.

Sintra: A Fairytale Wrapped in Mist

Sintra looked like something out of a storybook. We went on a day when the clouds hung low, and the colorful Pena Palace was hidden behind a veil of mist. The weather wasn’t great, but it gave the town a quiet, mysterious feel. It felt like walking through a dream.

Back in Lisbon, we tried to visit Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, but one was closed for renovations and the other had a line that stretched for blocks. We gave up and headed straight for Pastéis de Belém instead. No regrets. I’ve had many pastéis de nata before, but this one was on another level. Flaky, creamy, and perfect.

When History Hits Home

The Monument of Discoveries nearby was fascinating. It celebrates Portugal’s explorers, and among the carvings, I noticed Malacca listed as one of their conquests. Seeing that was a strange feeling, a reminder of how our histories are linked from both sides of the story.

Porto: Love at First Sip

Then came Porto. I thought I’d like it, but I didn’t expect to love it this much. The city feels older, cozier, and more down-to-earth. We joined a Petiscos Tour, hopping between local taverns and tasting everything from fried cod to cured meats, each paired with wine. By the end, we were laughing with strangers and full of stories we couldn’t quite remember.

The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus wasn’t exciting, but it led us to one of the best discoveries, the Ribeira District. Its riverfront was pure magic, with narrow alleys, street musicians, and houses stacked like colorful blocks. We crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge, and the view took my breath away. On the other side, we visited Taylor’s Port Cellars, where the smell of aged wine filled the air. The tasting that followed, from white to vintage port, sealed my loyalty to the city.

Porto Dom Luis Bridge - Day

The Steep Streets of Porto

The next day, we explored on foot, starting at Santa Clara Church and a few other nearby churches. By lunchtime, after climbing what felt like every steep street in town, we stopped at Cantina 32 for a well-earned break. Their signature dish, a whole grilled octopus, was unforgettable. Tender, smoky, and perfectly seasoned.

Later that afternoon, we went cellar-hopping on our own, tasting port wine at every stop. That’s when we learned that Google Maps doesn’t show elevation. A “10-minute walk” in Porto often means uphill stairs and steep cobblestones. But every viewpoint and every sip of port made it worth it.

Lisbon vs Porto

Lisbon is beautiful and full of energy, but Porto felt more personal. Lisbon has the better pastries, but Porto has the better soul. If Lisbon is the opening chapter to Portugal, Porto is the ending you’ll keep thinking about long after the trip.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been planning trips for clients at Sedunia Travel for over 13 years, but this was the first time I actually planned a trip for myself and my own group of friends, the same way we do it for our travellers. And honestly, it made me appreciate Portugal even more.

At first, we thought Portugal was small and maybe we should combine it with another destination. But after ten days, we all agreed it’s a destination worthy of its own spotlight.

If we had more time, I’d love to explore Cascais, Coimbra, and the Douro Valley, and maybe join the others who went to Fátima. Portugal has a way of slowing you down, filling you up, and making you fall in love with life’s simple pleasures.

If you’re ready to discover it for yourself, check out our Portugal itineraries here: https://seduniatravel.com/destination/portugal/