Portugal — A Real Life Journey

Portugal is one of those places that quietly wins you over. It holds tight to its traditions while embracing a youthful creative energy and modern rhythm. Textured, layered, and deeply lived-in, it’s the kind of country that rewards slowing down, wandering on foot, and letting the day unfold a little longer than planned.

Portugal was spared wartime bombing during World War II, which means many historic streets and buildings remain intact. That continuity — layers of old architecture, worn stone, and human scale — is foundational to the country’s charm and rhythm. You feel it immediately, whether you’re walking a cobblestone alley or lingering in a sun-washed café. 

Lisbon: Hills, History, and Eye Candy Everywhere

I love Lisbon — and it absolutely feeds my ceramics obsession. It’s endlessly visual: tiled façades (azulejos), pastel buildings, trams rattling uphill, and viewpoints tucked behind parks and ordinary streets. Every turn feels like a small discovery.

It’s also very hilly, similar to San Francisco, so this is not the city for flimsy shoes — and consider this your warning to get those glutes ready. Bring footwear with good grip and expect to walk. A lot. Lisbon is best experienced slowly, with plenty of pauses for coffee, views, and late lunches.

One of the most meaningful ways to connect with the city is through its ceramics. Portugal’s azulejos aren’t decorative afterthoughts; they’re storytelling tools, woven into daily life. A visit to a traditional tile workshop like Fábrica de Azulejos (tours available) adds real depth to what you’re seeing on the streets.

 

Recommendations

Retail & Gifts

• Meia.dúzia — Beautifully packaged Portuguese condiments in tubes (multiple locations)

• A Vida Portuguesa — Ceramics and thoughtful gifts rooted in Portuguese heritage

• Avenida da Liberdade — Upscale shopping and excellent people-watching (mostly global chains)

 

Food & Drink

• Último Porto — Simply grilled seafood at the port

• Da Noi — Small, cool restaurant with a great vibe

• Time Out Market — My go-to food hall in Lisbon

• Manteigaria — Local chain for pastel de nata; not the original, but my favorite

• El Corte Inglés (top floor food hall) — A surprisingly good stop with a view

• Catfish — Creative, innovative cocktails