{"id":132,"date":"2025-09-21T15:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T15:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?p=132"},"modified":"2025-09-30T02:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T02:16:10","slug":"discovering-portugal-from-lisbons-streets-to-portos-shores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?p=132","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Portugal: From Lisbon\u2019s Streets to Porto\u2019s Shores"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-133 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#8d8e95\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><strong>Portugal: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><strong>Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, and Porto<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">After months of planning, I finally arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. The moment I stepped into the city, I was captivated by its colorful streets, historic plazas, and winding cobblestones. The sun was shining, the air felt fresh, and I was ready to start exploring this beautiful city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lisbon Arrival: Sun, Tram Rides, and Cobblestone Streets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The metro ride into the city center was effortless. I arrived at <strong>Monumento aos Restauradores<\/strong>, right near my hostel, <strong>Goodmorning Hostel Lisbon<\/strong>. This was one of the best hostels I\u2019ve stayed at. It was cozy, friendly staff, and a great location. I dropped off my luggage, freshened up, and prepared to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png?fit=685%2C913&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-159\" style=\"width:332px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png?w=685&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Pra\u00e7a Lu\u00eds de Cam\u00f5es<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The first stop was a <strong>free walking tour with <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neweuropetours.eu\/sandemans-tours\/lisbon\/free-tour-of-lisbon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>New Europe Sandeman\u2019s Tours<\/strong>.<\/a> The meeting point was at <strong>Pra\u00e7a Lu\u00eds de Cam\u00f5es<\/strong>, which meant a steep uphill walk to get there, but the views were worth it. Lisbon greeted me with sunny skies and charming streets lined with tiled buildings, a stark contrast to the grey skies I\u2019d imagined from forecasts. As I waited, it began pouring rain! Thankfully I had grabbed my umbrella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-160\" style=\"width:464px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png?resize=768%2C577&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The walking tour was packed with history:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe after Rome.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Chiado district once housed aristocrats, and Baxia (pronounced <strong>basha<\/strong>) is the downtown, modern area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The Portuguese were pioneering navigators, using the stars to chart unknown seas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Alfama, the oldest district, has winding streets perfect for strolling and discovering hidden views.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Portuguese tiles often contain secret symbols, like the all-seeing eye of the Masons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Sardines are a huge part of local cuisine!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"161\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-161\" style=\"width:388px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png?w=685&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of Lisbon\u2019s iconic <strong>\u201cel\u00e9ctricos\u201d<\/strong>, or trams. You\u2019ll see these on the city\u2019s hilly streets, especially in neighborhoods like <strong>Alfama, Gra\u00e7a, and Bairro Alto<\/strong>. They\u2019re a popular way to get around and a quintessential Lisbon experience<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-6.png?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-166\" style=\"width:424px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-6.png?w=685&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-6.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View in the Moorish Quarter while walking to Miradouro da Gra\u00e7a<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-163\" style=\"width:414px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png?resize=768%2C577&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Architecture in the <strong>Alfama District<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Along the tour, I met <strong>Ami from Binghamton<\/strong>\u2014it turns out we had mutual connections through college and friends. We helped each other navigate small issues, like ATM withdrawals, which made the experience feel like a small adventure in itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">After the tour, I wandered <strong>Alfama<\/strong>, exploring narrow streets, climbing hills, and pausing at caf\u00e9s. The views over the rooftops of Lisbon were breathtaking. While at the viewpoint Miradouro da Gra\u00e7a, I got mini spinach and chicken pot pies and a strong espresso to powerthrough the jetlag and the rest of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-7.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-7.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-7.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-7.png?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-7.png?resize=768%2C577&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sunset from Garden of the Castle of S\u00e3o Jorge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Later, I explored <strong>Castelo de S. Jorge<\/strong> just in time for sunset, then walked down to <strong>Pra\u00e7a da Figueira<\/strong> and <strong>Mercado de Baixa<\/strong>, a charming market that had olives, charcuterie, and local crafts. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-171\" style=\"width:409px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9.png?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9.png?resize=768%2C577&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Charcuterie boards to go<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-169\" style=\"width:342px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8.png?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8.png?resize=768%2C577&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Portugal&#8217;s famous canned fish &#8211; bacalhau, tuna, and more<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11.png?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Time Out Market Lisboa is a food hall with different stalls selling a variety of foods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Belem: Pastries and History<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-13-edited.png?resize=456%2C608&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-177\" style=\"width:284px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-13-edited.png?w=456&amp;ssl=1 456w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-13-edited.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pastel de Nata<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-14.png?fit=685%2C912&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" style=\"width:216px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-14.png?w=685&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-14.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking in the Gardens of Bel\u00e9m<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The next day, I caught <strong>tram #15 to Belem<\/strong>, enjoying the views along the way. Belem is full of historic monuments, gardens, and waterfront paths. My first stop was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Past%C3%A9is+de+Bel%C3%A9m\/@38.697075,-9.2082221,17z\/data=!3m1!5s0xd1ecb452eeecc51:0xfe3cb68ec8239ac7!4m12!1m5!3m4!2zMzjCsDQxJzQ5LjUiTiA5wrAxMicyMC4zIlc!8m2!3d38.697075!4d-9.2056472!3m5!1s0xd1ecb452efd715b:0xffeff6c6b46d9665!8m2!3d38.6975105!4d-9.2032276!16s%2Fg%2F1q5bm9555?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgzMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\" title=\"Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m\">Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/a><\/strong>, where I tried the iconic <strong>pastel de nata<\/strong>. Warm, sweet, and perfectly balanced between custard and flaky pastry, it was everything I hoped for. The line can get long, so I recommend going early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I wandered through <strong>Jardim de Bel\u00e9m<\/strong>, rested in the cathedral for a quick 45-minute power nap, and admired the <strong>Monument to the Discoveries<\/strong> and <strong>Belem Tower<\/strong>. Walking along the water, I felt how much I love being near the sea\u2014a recurring theme on this trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-style-rectangular wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:66.74757%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"181\" data-link=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?attachment_id=181\" data-url=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1544.heic\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1544.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.25243%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"180\" data-link=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?attachment_id=180\" data-url=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1567.heic\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1567.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"182\" data-link=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?attachment_id=182\" data-url=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1564.heic\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1564.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:100.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"183\" data-link=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?attachment_id=183\" data-url=\"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1574.heic\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1574.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca: A Coastal Day Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">One of the highlights of the trip was a <a href=\"https:\/\/go2lisbon.pt\/st_tour\/sintra-daily-amazing-group-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"day tour with Go2Lisbon to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca\"><strong>day tour with Go2Lisbon<\/strong> to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca<\/a>. The weather was perfect: sunny skies and crisp air in the 50s\u201360s Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In <strong>Sintra<\/strong>, I explored winding streets with colorful buildings, stopping at bakeries to try local pastries\u2014the almond-y <strong>Travesseiro de Sintra<\/strong> and the cheese tart, <strong>quesada<\/strong>. Then we climbed to <strong>Pena Palace<\/strong>, its fairytale towers standing against a deep blue sky. Everywhere I turned, the views were incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"nfd-container  nfd-wb-gallery__gallery-5 is-style-nfd-theme-white wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"nfd-w-full is-style-default wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" data-id=\"207\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-207\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Full-Sintra-Castle-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" data-id=\"204\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sintra-town-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" data-id=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1124-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" data-id=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-205\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1224-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Next, we drove along the coast to <strong>Cascais<\/strong>, a charming beach town. I enjoyed <strong>sea bass with vegetables<\/strong> at John Bull Cascais, sat outside, and watched the waves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"221\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-town.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-221\" style=\"width:341px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-town.jpg?w=684&amp;ssl=1 684w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-town.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cascais Seaside Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cascais-Fish-1-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh fish and vegetables at a waterside restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Later, we stopped at <strong><em>Mar de Inferno<\/em><\/strong>, Devil\u2019s Mouth, where the tide crashes fiercely against rocks. The ocean feels wild and untamed. The waves crash fiercely against the jagged rocks, sending sprays of foam high into the air. Depending on the tide, the water can cover the rocks completely, making it both awe-inspiring and a little intimidating. It\u2019s a perfect spot to pause, take photos, and just watch the power of the Atlantic in action. The coastline here is rugged and dramatic, offering a stark contrast to the calm beaches you\u2019ll see in nearby Cascais.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Devils-mouth.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Devils-mouth.jpg?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Devils-mouth.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Devils-mouth.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Devils-mouth.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1216\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-17.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225\" style=\"width:372px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-17.png?w=1216&amp;ssl=1 1216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-17.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-17.png?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-17.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Finally, we visited <strong>Cabo da Roca<\/strong>, the westernmost point of continental Europe and was once thought to be the end of the world. The cliffs drop sharply into the Atlantic, offering stunning ocean views. Sunset is especially beautiful here as the sun sinks into the horizon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-16.png?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-224\" style=\"width:838px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-16.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-16.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-16.png?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-16.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Porto: Rivers, Cathedrals, and Wine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A quick 2.5 hour train ride from Lisbon brought me to <strong>Porto<\/strong>, greeted by rain but a vibrant city nonetheless. My first evening was spent exploring the <strong>cathedral near the hostel<\/strong> and walking along the Ribeira waterfront. Cathedral of the Souls is beautiful at night to see the illuminated stained glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-image-compare\"><div class=\"juxtapose\" data-mode=\"horizontal\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Porto-cathedral.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" class=\"image-compare__image-before\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/porto-cathedral-day.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" class=\"image-compare__image-after\"\/><\/div><figcaption>Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina at night (Chapel of Souls) and Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso (Church of Saint Ildefonso)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For dinner, I went to <strong>Bar Do Falc\u00e3o<\/strong> (unfortunately now out of business) and sat along the water. I tried Azeit\u00e3o cheese, a delightfully gooey, soft sheep\u2019s milk cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/porto.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-234\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:840px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The next morning, I wandered Porto\u2019s historical streets, enjoying empty roads and perfect morning light. I walked over <strong>Ponte Luis I<\/strong>, up to <strong>Miradouro da Serra do Pilar<\/strong>, and explored <strong>Pra\u00e7a da Batalha<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:calc(1024 \/ 276)\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"690\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-236\" data-id=\"236\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1024 \/ 276\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?fit=525%2C142&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C81&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C276&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C207&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C414&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1619-PANO-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C552&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-235\" data-id=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1648.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-238\" data-id=\"238\" data-aspect-ratio=\"768 \/ 1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1666-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-237\" data-id=\"237\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1682.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-239\" data-id=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1699.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A free walking tour starting near <strong>Cl\u00e9rigos Church<\/strong> introduced me to Porto\u2019s history, Jewish heritage, and famous authors like J.K. Rowling, who wrote parts of Harry Potter inspired by the city. Additional information from the walking tour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Portuguese cuisine<\/strong>: Garlic, onion, and olive oil form the base of many dishes, similar to Italian cooking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Age of Exploration (15th century)<\/strong>: Key historical period for Portugal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Religion<\/strong> of Portugal is 98% Catholic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Portuguese tiles were used to differentiate architectural styles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Architectural influences<\/strong>: Baroque and Rococo, with Italian architect Nasonee influencing Porto.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Portuguese people often gather in the streets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Porto&#8217;s dual identity<\/strong>: Known as a &#8220;city that works&#8221; (harbor) and a hub for artists (e.g., JK Rowling\u2019s bookstore, influence on Diagon Alley).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Jewish history<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">1492: Spanish Inquisition; 1\/3 of the population was Jewish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Allowed usury and interest, which helped Jews thrive economically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Bubonic plague: Jews survived at higher rates due to cleanliness practices (e.g., washing hands before meals).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Conversion, fleeing, or death during persecution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Portuguese Inquisition (1496)<\/strong>: Lasted 300 years, with Crypto-Jews (secretly maintaining Jewish faith) surviving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Sephardic Jews<\/strong>: In 2015, Portugal and Spain offered citizenship to descendants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1711.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-246\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:184px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marker for Camino de Santiago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Douro Valley<\/strong>: Known for producing Port wine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Minimum wage<\/strong>: \u20ac585 per month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Historical trading<\/strong> with Brazil: Sugar, wood, gold, in India: Spices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Slave trade<\/strong>: Portugal played a significant role in starting the transatlantic slave trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Colonial history<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Macau: Gained independence in 1999.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Angola &amp; Mozambique: Gained independence in 1974.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Brazil: Gained independence in 1822.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Portuguese-English alliance<\/strong>: Strengthened Portugal\u2019s economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Camino de Santiago<\/strong>: Important religious pilgrimage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Political history<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Salazar<\/strong>: Dictator who worsened the economy (lowered wages, raised taxes) but was seen as a &#8220;savior&#8221; to some.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Blue pen movement<\/strong>: A strategy to numb the public to information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>PIDE<\/strong>: Secret police used to control the population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Salazar\u2019s Portugal<\/strong>: Stayed neutral in WWII to maintain colonial interests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Artists and culture<\/strong>: Lisbon was protected while Porto&#8217;s artists and new ideas were suppressed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>UNESCO Heritage<\/strong>: Porto\u2019s entire city is recognized.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Social issues<\/strong>: Catcalling is illegal in Portugal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Charming street scene<\/strong>: Fado music playing from an old woman&#8217;s window, laundry drying, and a fresh breeze \u2013 a quintessential, picturesque moment of Portuguese life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Enjoyed dinner at <strong>Taberna Mercadores<\/strong>. Seafood porridge, soft cheeses, and a glass of <strong>Douro wine<\/strong> made for a perfect meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-242\" data-id=\"242\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1759.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-243\" data-id=\"243\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1761.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-244\" data-id=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1762.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-245\" data-id=\"245\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1764.heic?w=525&#038;ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Later, I joined a <strong>boat cruise along the Douro River<\/strong>, passing under six bridges and enjoying views of the UNESCO-listed shoreline. The cruise ended with a visit to <strong>Cruz Port Winery<\/strong>, sampling various ports and learning about the history of the wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Food and Experiences Not to Miss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Pastel de Nata<\/strong> \u2013 custard tart at Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Bacalhau<\/strong> \u2013 salted cod<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Arroz de Marisco \/ Cataplana de Marisco<\/strong> \u2013 seafood dishes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Sardines<\/strong> \u2013 grilled or canned<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Bica<\/strong> \u2013 espresso<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Chouri\u00e7o<\/strong> \u2013 Portuguese sausage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Quesada &amp; Travesseiro de Sintra<\/strong> \u2013 local pastries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips, Phrases, and Recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Key phrases: <strong>Obrigada<\/strong> (thank you), <strong>Sim<\/strong> (yes), <strong>Bon dia<\/strong> (good morning)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Save metro\/tram tickets to reuse where possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Start early for fewer crowds and golden-hour photography<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Must-see viewpoints: <strong>Castelo de S. Jorge<\/strong>, <strong>Miradouros<\/strong>, <strong>Cabo da Roca<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Recommended neighborhoods: Alfama, Bairo-Alto, Chiado, Baxia, Belem<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Notable restaurants: Time Out Market, Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m, Taberna Mercadores, Bar Do Falc\u00e3o, John Bull Cascais<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Tours: Free walking tours in Lisbon &amp; Porto, Go2Lisbon day trip<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Beauty of Solo Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This trip reminded me that travel isn\u2019t just about monuments or meals\u2014it\u2019s about the moments in between. Power naps in quiet cathedrals, conversations with fellow travelers, people-watching at caf\u00e9s, and spontaneous explorations all make Portugal unforgettable. Whether walking winding streets in Alfama, riding a tram to Belem, or sipping Port wine along the Douro, every moment felt alive, immersive, and utterly magical.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After months of planning, I finally arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. The moment I stepped into the city, I was captivated by its colorful streets, historic&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[10,20,8,9,3],"class_list":["post-132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-places","tag-adventure","tag-destinations","tag-guides","tag-tipsandtricks","tag-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_1635-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":147,"url":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?p=147","url_meta":{"origin":132,"position":0},"title":"How to Pack Light for Any Trip","author":"sarah.a.safeer","date":"September 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Traveling light isn\u2019t just about carrying less. It\u2019s about carrying smarter. Over the years, I\u2019ve learned a few tricks that make packing for any trip faster, easier, and way less stressful. These tips will help you streamline your luggage without leaving anything important behind. 1. Roll, Don\u2019t Fold Rolling your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Travel Tips &amp; Tricks&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Travel Tips &amp; Tricks","link":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/E573C930-6AD7-4AA4-A6A0-9783110C3605.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/E573C930-6AD7-4AA4-A6A0-9783110C3605.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/E573C930-6AD7-4AA4-A6A0-9783110C3605.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/E573C930-6AD7-4AA4-A6A0-9783110C3605.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/E573C930-6AD7-4AA4-A6A0-9783110C3605.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=132"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":249,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions\/249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchtheworldwithsarah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}