Places to Visit in Portugal (From Someone Actually Living Here)

Let’s start with the place I know best — because I live here. Ericeira.

🌊 ERICEIRA — First European Surf Reserve

Surfing paradise or just a cosy little village? Honestly — both. Even if you don’t surf, this place must be on your bucket list. It’s simply magical.

It’s a small town, so even a one-day trip is enough to get the vibe. Local food? Amazing. Architecture? Beautiful. And the people? Honestly the friendliest humans ever.

Because it’s a proper coastal town, there aren’t many classic tourist beaches — which I love. It’s authentic, full of young cool people with smiles on their faces, all chasing their dreams. Not the usual annoying tourists complaining about everything… (yes, we all know the type 😂).

I mean — I love that people travel, I really do. But why do some tourists have to behave like tourists? Why can’t they just chill out and blend in? It’s not 1997, ffs. 😅

🌊 SANTA CRUZ

A beautiful little surf spot with incredible cliffs and pure coast life. It’s much, much smaller than Ericeira, so you don’t need lots of time to explore it — but it’s totally worth a visit.

When I travelled there with my friend, we made a spontaneous stop at a legendary (and abandoned) music club — FARAO. This place was the bomb back in the day — everyone used to travel there. Today? Pitch black, closed for over a decade, totally destroyed… But walking inside and seeing the Egyptian-theme pyramids, sphinxes, and crazy design was such an experience. Creepy, cool, historic, a little bit insane — perfect combo.

🌊 PENICHE

Okay, for this one… we visited very briefly. We left late, it was winter, and darkness comes fast. Plus — we went during storm Claudia, with lightning and thunderstorms basically chasing us. So yeah… not ideal. 😅

But even in such conditions, Peniche looked incredibly beautiful. You can take a boat to a small island nearby — but obviously not during a storm, so we didn’t get that chance.

We did find a lighthouse, explored a random abandoned café on the edge of the coast, and let me tell you…Climbing around cliffs in massive wind with police patrolling around?HELL YEAH. A bit scary, a bit stupid maybe, but the view was worth every second. I just love a little adrenaline in my blood. 😂

🌿 SINTRA - on my list, so you better wait :P

PORTO - on my list, so you better wait :P

BRAGA - on my list, so you better wait :P

AVEIRO - on my list, so you better wait :P

LAGOS - on my list, so you better wait :P

ALBUFEIRA - on my list, so you better wait :P

FARO - on my list, so you better wait :P

ALMADA - on my list, so you better wait :P

LISBON - on my list, so you better wait :P