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.

My final stop in Portugal before heading home was Nazaré. Conveniently located between Porto and Lisbon, it seemed like the perfect place to spend a slower, more relaxed few days before leaving the country.

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.

It’s always interesting arriving somewhere completely new, especially when you don’t know much about it. For the more popular destinations, information is everywhere, and chances are someone you know has already been there. Places like that rarely feel like a mystery.

A few years ago, Lisa and I visited Portugal for the first time, and like many first-time visitors to the country, we spent our time in Lisbon and Porto, the most popular places to visit. Lisbon was everything we expected, but Porto was a different story. It wasn’t that the city wasn’t what we expected; it was that the weather conditions for our time there were less than ideal.

Returning to Lisbon, I felt a familiar excitement. A first visit often feels like an introduction to what’s possible. Everything is new, but within a few days, you begin to understand the city’s rhythm, its distances, its opportunities, and even its quirks. Four years later, I was back with a different perspective.

Lisbon is vibrant, photogenic, and full of character. It’s also incredibly popular with visitors, and it’s easy to see why. Getting around Lisbon is easy, and while you can absolutely explore much of Lisbon on foot, be prepared: Lisbon’s hills are no joke.

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.

Lisbon is the capital city and the largest in Portugal. It is the second oldest European capital after Athens, Greece. Exploring Lisbon will take you through numerous neighbourhoods ranging from lively shopping and nightlife districts to older, more scenic areas. I travelled to Lisbon for a few days this month to explore, enjoy, and photograph the city. I spent three days exploring the top spots in the city, including Baixa, Rossio, Bairro Alto, and Alfama.