That first evening, I hit the ground running with a food and alcohol tasting tour through Lisbon. If you've never sipped Ginja (Portugal's famous cherry liquor) while munching on local tapas in the backstreets of the city, you’re missing out on a true Portuguese experience. The food was flavorful, the drinks were strong, and the stories behind every bite made it all come alive.

The next day I took a day trip to Sintra, and wow—talk about stepping into a fairytale. I wandered the opulent halls of Pena Palace, perched high above the town like a painted dream. But the real standout for me was Quinta da Regaleira. Twisting underground tunnels, moss-covered wells, and mysterious Masonic symbols—it was like walking through a Dan Brown novel.

From there, I spotted the ruins of a Moorish Castle dating back to the 900s, sitting stoically on a nearby mountain. Visitors aren’t allowed inside, but even from a distance, its presence was awe-inspiring. History in Portugal isn’t just something you read about—it looms right in front of you.



I also made my way to the medieval village of Óbidos and let me just say—wow. The entire village is wrapped in ancient stone walls, like it’s frozen in time. There’s even a centuries-old aqueduct running into town. Óbidos is also famous for its cherry liquor made by monks, and yes—I absolutely sampled some. For research, of course.

My journey then took me north to Nazaré, where legend meets miracle. According to local lore, a knight and Templar follower narrowly avoided falling off a cliff thanks to a divine intervention by the Virgin Mary. In gratitude, he built a tiny chapel and house to pray in, both of which still stand today. It’s a quiet but powerful place that really sticks with you.

And then there was Porto. Gothic architecture, cobblestone charm, and port wine that’ll knock your socks off. I toured several wine cellars and enjoyed every minute. Here’s something cool for the Harry Potter fans: J.K. Rowling lived in Porto in the early 1990s while working as an English teacher, and her time here heavily influenced her writing. You can see traces of Hogwarts in the city's stunning Livraria Lello bookstore—with its winding staircase and stained-glass ceiling—and in the black robes worn by local university students, which resemble the Hogwarts uniforms. Some of the architectural details around the city even made their way into the movies. As a fan, being here felt like walking through Rowling’s early inspiration.

But the grand finale? A Knights Templar tour that took me deep into Portugal’s hidden past. I visited two ancient castles, stood where warriors once stood, and explored a monastery that looked like something from a fantasy epic. After the Templars were disbanded, the remaining knights in Portugal secretly reorganized as the Order of Christ—a name that still echoes through the stone halls I walked.



We had an incredible guide who brought the entire era to life. Even with a bit of unexpected car trouble, this part of the trip was easily my favorite. The stories, the relics, the landscapes—it was everything I’d hoped for and more.

Portugal was fabulous, deeply affordable, and absolutely packed with culture, flavor, and wonder. Whether you’re after castles, coastline, or a glass of wine with a story behind it, put this destination on your list. You won’t regret it.