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A Month as Digital Nomads Part 2: Exploring Portugal

  • Shauna Leff
  • Mar 29, 2025
  • 7 min read

Updated: Apr 8, 2025



As I mentioned in part 1 of this blog where we explored Morocco prior to coming to Portugal, this portion of our trip we had to work, but made sure we had time to explore everything we could. We had two weeks in Portugal. We knew this trip would just be a tasting of the country and that we must come back. Our first week we were in Porto and the second in Lisbon.


To work from Portugal was great for us. It’s such a treat to be able to be in a culture where they eat dinner late. Most places don’t even open for dinner until 8p. We made it a point to work from cafes and other points of interest if we didn’t have to take phone calls. Every cafe and restaurant we went to had wifi.

 

Overall being in Portugal is very affordable. We must have spent less money in Portugal, eating out every day with more quality food then what we would get at home for way less- with a fresh pitcher of Sangria and no shortage of cheese boards.  There are plenty of guides and travel bloggers out there that will do a better job at giving you detailed advice about what to do than what I can provide (see the resources at the end of the blog that I used), but I want to at least recommend a few of our favorite things and to show how we worked remote full time while still being able to enjoy time to explore in another country.


Porto (Week 1)

We rented a simple one-bedroom Airbnb in Porto, and I would rent it again in a heartbeat. The location was FANTASTIC! It was surrounded by the city's main tourist attractions in the heart of it all, with the river just down the street (link).


Porto immediately charmed us with its laid-back vibe, and we spent countless hours wandering the narrow streets, walking by the river, discovering hidden cafés, local shops, and the kind of beauty that doesn’t make it into most guidebooks.


One of the trip’s highlights was our day in the Douro Valley, just outside Porto, famous for its breathtaking landscapes of terraced vineyards and picturesque towns. We booked a Douro Valley Trip with BL Heritage Tours (link), which included a scenic boat ride down the river that included tapas and drinks, a wine-tasting session and tour at a family owned local vineyard and traditional Portuguese lunch accompanied with a variety of excellent velvety wines at another winery owned by one of the oldest families in the Douro Valley, with over 300 years of history. It was everything we hoped for—gorgeous views, delicious wine, and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Highly recommend it if you're in Porto! This tour sells out, so book in advance.




Other Porto Highlights

Mercado do Bolhão: 

This traditional market is a must-visit for a true taste of Porto. The bustling atmosphere, fresh produce, and local delicacies made it the perfect place to wander and grab a bite to eat. We loved sampling some local cheeses and cured meats here. This was our go to place to have lunch. I should note, it was such a stark contrast coming from the Souks in Morocco to the market here.




Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata: 

If you’ve ever had a Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tart), you’ll know how irresistible they are. Nata can be found on almost every block, but at Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata, you can watch them being freshly baked right in front of you. Trust me, they taste as amazing as they look! Nata is the perfect afternoon snack especially paired with a good coffee.




Livraria Lello: 

No trip to Porto is complete without a visit to this stunning bookstore, which famously inspired J.K. Rowling's Hogwarts in Harry Potter. The intricate woodwork and stained glass windows create a magical atmosphere that’s truly worth the visit. Pro tip: book tickets ahead of time to avoid long queues, especially during the summer months. (link)




Fado Music: 

Porto isn’t just about food and sights; the soulful sounds of Fado music echo through its streets and venues. We used this guide to find the best places to hear authentic Fado performances. Whether you’re a fan of the music or just looking to experience a piece of Portuguese culture, it's a must-do. If you have never listened to Fado music before, you may want to start with getting tickets for Fado na Baixa (link), which offers a concert in a small auditorium where the music coexists with a documentary (translated into Spanish, French or English with audio guides). It was a good starter for us and literally less than a 5 minutes walk from where we we were staying.



Azulejo tiles:

We just loved walking around allowing ourselves to get lost looking at the architecture.  One of Porto's most distinctive and beloved features is its stunning azulejo tiles. These beautifully painted ceramic tiles, often in shades of blue and white, cover churches, train stations, streets, and historic buildings. If you go up close to the buildings, you can see the designs are made of these tiles. Here is a guide with the 8 best places to see (and buy) azulejo tiles in Porto (link).




Lisbon & Sintra (Week 2)

After a week in Porto, we hopped on a train to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and largest city. Lisbon felt like the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern vibrance. The city is full of narrow streets lined with colorful buildings, each neighborhood offering its own unique character. Whether you’re strolling through Alfama with its labyrinthine alleys, enjoying a coffee in Baixa, or catching a tram ride up Bairro Alto, Lisbon never fails to impress.


One of the best parts of staying in Lisbon was having the chance to live like a local for a week. We rented an apartment, set up camp in a neighborhood, and spent our workdays in cafés. It was the perfect way to experience the day-to-day rhythm of the city. Lisbon is a city meant to be explored on foot, with charming shops, stunning street art, and delightful cafés around every corner. And of course, I was mesmerized with all their doors to add to my door photo collection.


Food in Lisbon is a real highlight, with endless dining options, from casual cafés to fine dining spots. We loved spending time in the Time Out Market, where you can sample a variety of dishes from top chefs. The LX Factory was another gem we stumbled upon—an old industrial complex turned into a hip cultural hotspot with galleries, restaurants, and unique shops.



As much as we wanted to hit every single famous site in Lisbon, we opted for a slower, more immersive experience due to having to work while there. Our time was spent enjoying the atmosphere rather than rushing from monument to monument. That being said, Lisbon’s waterfront was absolutely stunning, and we spent plenty of time walking along the river, enjoying the sea breeze and taking in the views of the 25 de Abril Bridge and Belém Tower.




Don’t miss hearing Fado in Lisbon. It’s an essential part of the city’s cultural experience. There are so many wonderful venues where you can enjoy this soulful, traditional music. I found this great guide that lists some of the best places to listen to Fado in Lisbon: Best Places for Fado in Lisbon.




Sintra Day Trip

While we didn’t have enough time to explore all of Lisbon’s treasures, however, we did manage to take a day trip to Sintra, just a short train ride from the city. Sintra is a magical place that feels straight out of a fairytale, with its majestic palaces, lush gardens, and stunning landscapes. The Palácio da Pena is perhaps the most iconic site here, with its whimsical architecture and panoramic views. We also visited the Quinta da Regaleira, a mysterious estate with enchanting gardens, hidden tunnels, and a beautiful well that was straight out of a fantasy novel. We could have easily spent all day just enjoying the gardens.


If you have more time, I highly recommend staying a night or two in Sintra. It’s a place where you can easily lose track of time exploring all the palaces, gardens, and picturesque streets. We’ll definitely be back for a longer stay next time!




Final Thoughts

Portugal was such an incredible experience. From Porto’s cozy charm to Lisbon’s bustling streets and Sintra’s dreamy palaces, it’s a country that captures your heart. If you’re planning a trip, don’t rush through—it’s a place meant to be savored, one café, one Fado song, and one beautiful view at a time.


This trip was a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and everyday life in new places. Morocco dazzled us with its vibrant markets, breathtaking landscapes, and deep-rooted history, while Portugal welcomed us with its charming cities, incredible food, and relaxed way of life. The contrast between the two countries made the experience even richer—one moment, we were riding camels into the Sahara under a sky full of stars, and the next, we were sipping sangria by the Douro River in Porto.


One of the best parts of traveling this way was how much we immersed ourselves in each destination. Instead of just checking off tourist attractions, we embraced the local rhythm—working from cafés, wandering through markets, and listening to live Fado in the evenings. It was a reminder that travel doesn’t have to be rushed; sometimes, the best way to experience a place is to simply exist in it for a little while.


If you’re considering a similar trip, I highly recommend leaving some room for spontaneity. Some of our most memorable experiences weren’t planned—they came from conversations with locals, last-minute decisions, and just saying “yes” to the unexpected. We left both Morocco and Portugal feeling deeply connected to the people, the culture, and the places themselves. And, of course, we’re already dreaming about when we can go back.


RESOURCES  

I found these travel bloggers to be very helpful to me when planning this trip:


 
 
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