- Porto : From London’s winter chill to Porto’s warm, tiled charm
- Porto : Pure Wilderness in Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Porto : A misty birthday drive through the Douro Valley
- Lisbon: Nazaré’s waves, Sintra’s fairytale palaces, and our first sunset near Cascais
- Lisbon: Train from Cascais, Alfama walks, and a sunset by the sea
- Algarve : The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Benagil in real life
- Algrave: Lagos, cliffside walkways, and a beach day done right
- Algarve :Waterpark fun, sunset strolls in Quarteira, and a calm goodbye in Faro
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain
Saying goodbye to the north wasn’t easy, but it was time to continue our Portugal road trip and head down toward Lisbon. We originally considered stopping at Óbidos, but with time tight we chose a route that felt more “us”: Nazaré → Sintra → Cascais, packing in coastlines, mountains, and a touch of magic before settling in for the Lisbon portion of the trip.
Stop 1: Nazaré — sunshine, surf culture, and the power of the Atlantic
Our first stop was Nazaré, famous for its colossal waves and legendary surf scene. We arrived to a bright, sunny day, which made the ocean look even more dramatic—deep blue water, salty air, and that constant thunder of waves crashing in.
We parked near the viewpoint area, and one quick note if you’re driving: be cautious of people who approach offering to “help” you park or asking for money for a spot. In many areas parking is free, but some people will try to charge anyway. Best approach: stay polite but firm, don’t leave valuables visible in the car, and park somewhere that feels safe and well-trafficked.
Even though it wasn’t one of the record-breaking “monster wave” days, the swells were still impressive. Watching the surfers was the highlight—seeing them paddle out, attempt the waves, wipe out, get back up, and try again. We stayed for quite a while just taking it in. Nazaré has this special energy: half peaceful seaside town, half wild Atlantic theatre.
From Nazaré, we continued toward Sintra, and the drive itself felt like an experience. The scenery kept shifting—coastal stretches, greener hills, and then that distinctly Sintra-like atmosphere where the land starts to feel more forested and elevated, almost like you’re heading into a storybook.
Stop 2: Sintra — Pena Palace (a real-life Disney setting)
Sintra is known for Pena Palace, and it absolutely deserves the hype. We parked in Sintra town centre, then took an Uber up to the palace entrance gates. Important detail: Ubers typically can’t take you all the way to the palace, only to the gates—after that you either walk uphill or take the official shuttle bus.With my leg still healing (and time running), we took the bus uphill, which was the best decision.
And then Pena Palace appeared—bright, bold, and almost unreal. The palace is a mix of vivid colours (yellows, reds, and contrasting stonework) perched high above the landscape. From that mountain-top position, with sweeping views and shifting light, it feels less like a historical building and more like something imagined—a proper fairytale castle, the kind that makes both kids and adults pause and just stare.
Stop 3: Quinta da Regaleira — gothic gardens and the famous spiral descent
Next, we headed to Quinta da Regaleira by Uber. The mood shifts completely here: where Pena is colourful and playful, Regaleira is gothic, mysterious, and atmospheric. The estate is large, and you can easily spend hours exploring the gardens, tunnels, hidden corners, and architectural details—but we were already feeling the long day.
We made sure not to miss the most iconic feature: the Initiation Well, the famous spiraling staircase that descends deep underground. Seeing it in person is genuinely striking—like stepping into a secret world. Even with limited time and tired legs, this was one of those “we’re so glad we didn’t skip it” moments.
Ending the day: Cascais + our first Lisbon sunset (Almost!)
From Sintra we continued toward where we’d be staying: Cascais, a beautiful beach town about 45 minutes from central Lisbon. On the way, a colleague had recommended taking a coastal stretch of road for the views, so we tried to time it right—because by this point we’d basically been chasing sunsets across Portugal.
And this was the reward: our first proper sunset(Almost) in the Lisbon region, glowing over the coast, the kind that makes you forget the fatigue for a few minutes.
We finally arrived in Cascais, checked in, and called it a night—ready for Lisbon city centre the next day.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.