- 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
I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.Mary Anne Radmacher
Lisbon (No-Car Day): Train from Cascais, Alfama walks, and a sunset by the sea
After the driving-heavy day from Porto → Nazaré → Sintra → Cascais, the next morning felt like a gift: no car day. No steering wheel, no parking stress, no narrow roads—just us, the train, and a full day to soak up Lisbon at walking pace.
Cascais to Lisbon by train (easy and scenic)
We took the train from Cascais station all the way to Cais do Sodré (the last stop). It’s such a relaxed way to enter the city—coastal views, a comfortable ride, and you arrive right in the middle of Lisbon’s energy. From there, we grabbed an Uber (another Portugal travel surprise: it’s genuinely affordable) and headed up to Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle).
Lisbon instantly made an impression. The roads are tight, hilly, and full of character—cobbled streets that twist uphill and downhill like they were designed for feet, not cars. The weather kept changing too: a mix of sunshine and sudden rain, but we tried to use every bright patch of sky to our advantage.
From the castle area, we didn’t rush into a checklist—we did what we love most in old cities: wander.
Alfama: the heart of old Lisbon
We started walking through the historic Alfama neighbourhood—one of the most charming parts of the city. This is where Lisbon feels most “Lisbon”: tiny alleyways, worn stone steps, laundry lines, tiled walls, and viewpoints that appear like little surprises.
We stopped at several miradouros (viewpoints) along the way, looking out over the city’s signature scene: white buildings, red roofs, and the river/ocean horizon beyond. And threading through it all were the famous yellow trams, clattering through the cobblestone streets and making every corner feel cinematic.
Lisbon Cathedral and Praça do Comércio
As we continued downhill, we passed the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)—even from the outside, it’s striking, and the walk to it (with trams crisscrossing the streets) is part of the charm.
From there we made our way to Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s grand waterfront square. It felt open, elegant, and monumental—like Lisbon’s front door to the river. We spent time just standing there, taking it in, appreciating the scale and the history, and enjoying the feeling of being right at the heart of the city.
Timeout Market + the famous custard pastries
Next stop: Time Out Market—busy, lively, and perfect when you want to eat well without overthinking it. We grabbed a bite and made sure to try Lisbon’s must-have treat: the pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart). Warm, creamy, and absolutely worth the hype.
Belém in the rain: tower views (and a reality check)
After lunch we took another Uber to Belém. By then the skies had turned—what started as on-and-off rain became proper pouring rain.
We visited the Belém Tower, but it was under renovation and covered in scaffolding, so it didn’t quite give the iconic “wow” moment we’d imagined. Still, even with the weather, it felt good to see the area—and sometimes travel days are like that: not every stop is perfect, but it’s still part of the story.
A cozy evening reset… then the best kind of sunset
We headed back to Cascais, dried off, and had a relaxed evening at home—Harry Potter with Addy, warm and cozy while the rain did its thing outside.
Later, the weather finally cleared. Since we’d been chasing sunsets across Portugal, we couldn’t resist going back to the coastal viewpoint drive we’d discovered the day before. This time we went earlier, and because it was a weekday, it was quiet—easy parking, hardly anyone around, and a peaceful stretch of coast that felt like it belonged just to us.
We sat in the car, watched the sun drop into the horizon, snacked on monkey nuts, and just savoured the moment. It ended up being one of those simple travel highlights: no big attraction, no ticket—just a sunset, the sea, and a family memory.
And with Lisbon behind us, we were ready for the next chapter: the drive to the Algarve, chasing nature, coastline, and that sun-kissed southern warmth.
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.