Lisbon and Porto are easily Portugal’s most popular destinations for photographers. And it’s justified: both cities are beautiful and offer a wealth of opportunities for stunning photography. I’ve been to both locations twice, and I previously wrote tips and practical advice for Lisbon if you plan to visit.

I still think back to our 2019 trip often. It is strange how distant it feels now, like a completely different chapter in life. Lisa and I had set out on what, in hindsight, was an incredibly ambitious European itinerary: seven destinations in under two weeks. At the time, though, it felt exciting rather than overwhelming.

Porto, Portugal, is a bucket-list destination for many travellers and photographers. Easily reached once you’re in Portugal, the northern city is connected by a direct train from Lisbon, where many visitors begin their trip. And although the two cities are relatively close, Lisbon and Porto feel very different.

When you first plan to visit Italy, the cities that are commonly suggested are Rome, Florence, and Venice. Fantastic choices, and they are all great cities to visit. For Portugal, the must-visit cities are Lisbon and Porto.

Starting tomorrow, I’m heading to Portugal for 15 days, my first of what I hope will be two trips across the Atlantic to Europe this year. I don’t have any plans yet for the second trip, but I always try to travel at least twice a year, as time and budget allow. Planning this trip to Portugal involved more back-and-forth than I expected.

I’ve been wanting to plan my next adventure for a while. Over the winter, especially, the idea of warmer destinations and better travel timing was hard to ignore. I started jotting down ideas: cities I wanted to visit, then ways to connect them and make the most of my time across the Atlantic.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, and in recent years, it has been recognized as one of the top destinations to visit in Europe. The core area of Porto is relatively compact and similar to Lisbon, consisting of many hills, alleys, etc. It doesn’t take long to explore Porto, and it’s easy to see most of the city in two full days.