A Love Letter to Lisbon & Cascais

Oh, Portugal…. you sneaky, beautiful thing. A country so rich in soul, so effortlessly cool, yet somehow still flying under the radar. Let’s change that.

I came, I saw, I fell in love.

Lisbon, with your sun-kissed rooftops and winding cobblestone streets, you move at your own rhythm—vintage trams rattling past pastel buildings, a slow pour of espresso at a sidewalk café, the scent of freshly grilled sardines dancing in the air. You are nostalgia and innovation in the same breath, old-world charm wrapped in a pulse of creativity.

Lisbon is not just a city, it’s a feeling. The electric energy of Bairro Alto’s nightlife, the soulful notes of Fado music seeping into the air like perfume. It’s where history whispers from azulejo-covered walls while tech startups hum with fresh ambition. Retro, yet innovative. Slow-moving, yet full of life. Affordable, yet priceless in experience.

And the best part? You don’t need a fortune to live well here. A beautiful meal, a stunning view, and a sunset’ll make you question every life choice that led you anywhere else—it’s all within reach.

Cascais, you’re the exhale after Lisbon’s deep inhale. The ocean breeze that kisses your skin, the modern condos lining the coast like a quiet flex. Sleek, chic, but never too much.

It’s Portugal’s elevated escape—polished, pristine, yet still pulsing with that unmistakable Portuguese warmth.

A Few Snapshots of My Love Affair with Portugal: 

📍 Cooking an authentic 4-course Portuguese dinner.
📍 Wandering back to my hotel, capturing the city’s soul in stolen moments and street corners.
📍 Shopping at a fair, stumbling upon handmade gems and stories woven into fabric..
📍 Sipping vinho verde and 5 other Portuguese wines made from the 265+ grapes harvested there 

Portugal, you’ve ruined me—in the best way. I came to travel, but you gave me a romance. And for that, I will always return.

Map out your Portuguese escape, check out my Wanderlog link for inspo.

Até logo, Portugal. Until we meet again. ❤️