portugal travel writing

Stanfords | 30 May 2017

8 inspiring books to read before you visit portugal.

From a Portuguese colouring book to Fernando Pessoa’s existential classic, Jude Brosnan from Stanfords Books reviews 8 fantastic reads if you love Portugal or are thinking of visiting

The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/The-High-Mountains-of-Portugal

Each story tackles the theme of grief and it is interesting to look at grief and how it comes hand-in-hand with loneliness and how both subjects work so well when presented against stories with a strong sense of place.

In true Yann Martell style, he has created wonderfully layered characters. The narrative is at times humorous and the story is often characteristically surreal and mysterious.

Walk & Eat Madeira by John and Pat Underwood

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Madeira-Walk-and-Eat

The walks range from easy, flat routes along levadas (irrigation channels) to moderate hillside hikes. All of which can be easily reached by public transport. The first excursion is a cable car ride to the hills about Funchal that can be a starting point for a couple of the walks.

The second is a highly recommended bus trip that covers the north and west of the island and again can incorporate walks. Mini-menus of the featured restaurants are included listing some of their specialities. With helpful tips and facts throughout this

Culture Smart! Portugal

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Portugal-Culture-Smart

Contents includes; local customs and traditions, the impact of history, religion and politics, the Portuguese at home, work and play, eating and drinking, dos and don’ts and taboos, business practices, communication (spoken and unspoken) and many more practical tips.

Split into nine distinct chapters so it is easy to find the reference needed and it is interspersed with images and fact boxes. This guide is particularly helpful if you have business plans as the chapters on Business Briefing and Communicating are very interesting.

Bradt Alentejo by Alex Robinson

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Alentejo

You’ll be hard pressed to find a chain hotel or a shopping mall as this region is still full of locally owned small shops selling handmade produce. Alex Robinson provides intrepid hikers, history enthusiasts and avid gastronomes alike with a wealth of background information and practical advice on this remarkable little region in Portugal’s South. True to form for a Bradt guide, this one contains great maps and colour photography.

The History of the Siege of Lisbon by Jose Saramago

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/The-History-of-the-Siege-of-Lisbon

In this book, a proof-reader at a publishing house in Lisbon changes a sentence in a historical text and alters the whole course of the 1147 Siege of Lisbon.

It becomes his job to correct things by literally rewriting history. In doing so he obviously omits his bachelor present and writes himself some romance. Don’t stop here, read as much Saramago as possible.

The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/The-Book-of-Disquiet

He is said to have up to 72 heteronyms. After his death in Lisbon in 1935, a trunk was found containing over 25,000 items, including collections of poems, letters and journals, from which The Book of Disquiet is a selection.

Described as existential literature, there are hints of absurdist in this mosaic from the minds of one of Portugal’s greatest minds. It is designed to be picked up and read at any point.

Colorir Portugal

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Colorir-Portugal

This 96-page colouring book is printed on high quality paper so is ideal for pencils, felt tip pens and watercolours. It also includes six coloured pages to make origami models.  The index lists what style each pattern is from Moorish to Majolica so you if you are going to look at architecture, you can familiarise yourself with what is in store.

Wild Guide Portugal by Edwina Pitcher

Buy it here: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/The-Wild-Guide-Portugal-Hidden-Places-Great-Adventures-and-the-Good-Life

It contains detailed listings and wonderful colour photography so you can plan a wild escape that includes waterfalls, blue lagoons, secret beaches, sea caves, rock stacks and islands to canoe to.It also recommends vineyards, restaurants, fresh seafood and local produce markets as well as campsites, farm stays and luxurious retreats. Each wild place can be located using the overview map provided at the end of each chapter.

Main image: Lisbon skyline (Dreamstime)

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Portugal Travel Tips

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

I’ve been to Portugal many times over the years and I never tire of it . It’s one of the most unappreciated countries in Europe and sees a fraction of the tourists that its neighbors do.

Sure, in recent years Lisbon has become a hub for digital nomads, expats, and retirees thanks to its low cost of living. But, in the rest of the country, not much has changed.

Best of all, fewer crowds mean a better, more local experience that won’t break the bank.

This Portugal travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this stunning and underrated European gem!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Portugal

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in portugal.

1. Admire Lisbon

Lisbon is gorgeous. I instantly fell in love with it. It has mystique, history, and great food. Take a trip to the Castle of St. George, see the 16th-century UNESCO Belem Tower, admire the churches (specifically the Sé de Lisboa Cathedral), listen to some traditional Fado music, and enjoy the delicious cuisine. It’s one of the most affordable and underrated capitals in Europe!

2. Visit Batalha Monastery

Batalha is a town located just 90 minutes by car from Lisbon. The town is home to Batalha Monastery, officially known as the Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory. Built in 1388, it’s one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces and makes for a popular day trip from Lisbon. The monastery took 131 years to build and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the gigantic gothic doorway and seeing the towering interior (which is lined with 16th-century stained-glass windows) is absolutely breathtaking. Admission is 6 EUR, but you can also purchase a combo ticket to see The Convent of Christ in Tomar and The Abbey of Santa Maria for 15 EUR.

3. Explore the Azores

These 9 islands lie 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from Lisbon in the Atlantic Ocean. Each of the islands offers a slow-paced way of life, unique wildlife, and stunning beaches. These islands are very off the beaten track and a good “out of the way” place to go. São Miguel is great for hiking and road trips, Pico has great wine, and São Jorge has incredible nature, but you can’t go wrong with any of the islands here!

4. Party in Lagos

Lagos is the place people go to party in Portugal. It’s an excellent destination to soak up the sun. During the summer, this is one of Europe’s premier party destinations for young travelers. there are also incredible beaches, great surfing, and lots of historic churches here. The city is also home to Europe’s first slave market, a sobering sight that dates back to 1444.

5. Enjoy Porto

Porto is one of Portugal’s most colorful cities. Spend some time getting lost and meandering the narrow alleyways and steep staircases that lead to the scenic Douro River. Hop on a river cruise, visit the iconic Lello & Irmão bookstore, tour the museums, and visit the surrounding Duoro Valley and its many vineyards (this is the region where port wine comes from, hence the name). It’s also one of the main launching points for the famous Camino Portugues hike that leads to Santiago de Compostella in Spain (which takes 10-14 days, though you can definitely just do a day hike or a smaller section of the trail).

Other Things to See and Do in Portugal

1. journey to evora.

One of Portugal’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Evora is a small town that offers an array of beautiful and historic buildings. Located 90 minutes east of Lisbon, Evora’s most famous landmark is the Temple of Diana, a Roman temple and UNESCO site from the 1st century. But there is also the Praça do Giraldo, the town’s main square, which is a charming spot to people-watch and embrace the local pace of life. This is small-town Portugal at its best.

2. See the Religious Monuments in Braga

Located one hour north of Porto, the beautiful city of Braga boasts numerous Baroque monuments, including one of the country’s best-known sights: the Bom Jesus Sanctuary (a Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site). The old and the new city are connected by the main square, Praça da Republica, which is a great place for a stroll. The city’s cathedral is also very much worth a visit, as it is the country’s oldest (construction started in 1509).

3. See the Abbey of Santa Maria

Located between Lisbon and Porto, the Abbey of Santa Maria is Europe’s largest Cistercian building (the Cistercians are a Catholic order of monks and nuns, founded in 1098). You can wander around the abbey at your leisure to learn more about its cloisters, dormitories, library, and more. The church is free to enter but the monastery costs 6 EUR. You can save money by purchasing a combo ticket to the Convent of Christ in Tomar and the Batalha Monastery for 15 EUR.

4. Head to Sintra

Lord Byron, an English poet writing in the 18th century, said that Sintra was “perhaps in every respect the most delightful [place] in Europe.” If you are visiting Lisbon, you should definitely make an effort to come here to see its palaces, wonderful views, and museum collections. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. The train takes about an hour from Lisbon and costs under 5 EUR.

5. Learn about the Knights Templar in Tomar

The big attraction in the town of Tomar is the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ. It was the headquarters for the Knights Templar in the 12th century (they were a Catholic military order founded in 1118 that fought in the Crusades). The castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was an important defensive stronghold against the encroaching Moors (Muslims from North Africa who eventually conquered parts of Spain and Portugal). Admission is 6 EUR or 15 EUR with a combo ticket.

6. Hit the water

Aveiro, located 72 kilometers (45 miles) south of Porto, lies on what’s known as the Silver Coast. This small university town has a historic center built on canals, giving rise to its nickname “the Venice of Portugal.” The winds here create good opportunities for windsurfing and surfing too. You can rent surfboards for as little as 15 EUR per day, while kitesurfing and windsurfing rentals around 50 EUR. If you want lessons, most two-day courses cost around 130 EUR.

7. Get lost in Coimbra

Another university city, Coimbra is located between Lisbon and Portugal and is home to one of the world’s oldest universities (the university was founded in 1290 and moved to Coimbra in 1537). There is a famous and beautiful old library that you can tour, but the real thing to do in Coimbra is just wander through its many historic streets. There are plenty of churches and gardens to take in as you stroll around soaking up the history. It’s a postcard-perfect destination.

8. Attend a Fado performance

Fado is a local type of music that originated in Lisbon. It’s a rather haunting, mournful style often focused on the hardships of the poor or life at sea. The music first appeared in the 19th century and was popular with the working class (especially sailors). The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, which is why many of the songs focus on the inevitability of misfortune and suffering. While melancholic, the music is also beautiful and poetic.

9. Check out Faro

Faro is a common starting point for tours of the Algarve region, a southern region brimming with great beaches, tasty seafood, and plenty of tourists. Faro itself isn’t a beach city, but has a lovely old town and is a great place to spend a day before you explore the coast. Don’t miss the cathedral and the municipal museum to learn more about the city.

10. Stand at the edge of Europe

Cape Sagres is the most southwestern point on the European continent. It was here that Henry the Navigator, one of Portugal’s most revered figures during its empire, had his famous navigation school. He was one of the central figures to kick start the Age of Discovery in the 15th century that put Portugal on the map (literally). His development of lighter caravel ships allowed explorations in West Africa, which also launched the slave trade.

11. Try a Pastéis de nata

This pastry is a Portuguese staple. You’ll find these delicious custard-filled tarts at every bakery. They’re a must for an authentic food experience and cost around 1 EUR.

12. Walk the Templar Stairs

Located in Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of several historic buildings, including a huge palace and chapel. But the highlight is the Initiation Wells, two massive wells that stretch far underground. They were built by the Templars for their initiation rituals. Would-be knights would have to travel down a winding staircase into the massive wells blindfolded and navigate a labyrinth before coming back to the light. Today, you can tour the wells and explore them yourself. Admission is 10 EUR.

The Camino Portugues (The Portuguese Way) is a pilgrimage trail that stretches from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It’s the second most popular Camino, after the main French Way, though it sees a fraction of pilgrims compared to the main route. Most hikers start in Porto, with the 280 kilometers (173 miles) journey taking around 10-14 days, though it’s also possible to start in Lisbon for a longer trek.

For more information on other destinations in Portugal, check out these guides:

• Lagos Travel Guide
• Lisbon Travel Guide
• Porto Travel Guide

Portugal Travel Costs

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available around the country for 10-20 EUR per night for a basic tent plot without electricity.

A room in a two-star budget hotel costs between 40-75 EUR per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and TV. Free breakfast is sometimes included as well.

On Airbnb, private rooms start at 30-50 EUR per night while entire homes/apartments average around 100 EUR.

Food – Fish and seafood form the backbone of Portuguese cuisine (Portugal eats the most seafood per capita in Europe). Cod, sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines), sea bass, and shellfish are some of the most common staples. Other popular dishes include cozido à portuguesa (boiled stew), peixinhos da horta (breaded and fried vegetables), and cured ham. Be sure to also try the prego (beef sandwich) or the bifana (pork sandwich). You can find them at local cafes for just 5 EUR.

You can find snacks in bakeries for 2 EUR or less, light meals and sandwiches for around 8-10 EUR, and fast food for around the same price.

If you want a three-course meal with drinks, you’re looking at spending closer to 20 EUR. After that, the sky is the limit!

For a casual restaurant meal, expect to pay around 10 EUR.

Beer is around 3 EUR while a latte/cappuccino costs around 2.50 EUR. Bottled water is less than 1 EUR.

If you’re cooking, groceries cost around 35-45 EUR for a week’s worth of food. This includes staples like pasta, rice, produce, and some meat or seafood.

Backpacking Portugal Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Lisbon for around 45 EUR per day. On this budget, you’ll be staying in a hostel dorm room, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and sticking to free activities like free walking tours, enjoying the beaches, and exploring the Old Town. If you plan on drinking, add 5-15 EUR per day to your budget.

On a mid-range budget of 125 EUR per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat at cheap local restaurants and cook some meals, use public transportation and take the occasional taxi, visit paid attractions like the botanic gardens and Belem Tower, and enjoy some drinks at the bar.

On a “luxury” budget of 235 EUR or more a day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for every meal, drink what you want, rent a car to explore the region, and visit as many museums and attractions as you’d like. This is just the ground floor for luxury though — you can easily spend more if you really want to splash out!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Portugal Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

For the most part, Portugal is an incredibly affordable destination. Food, accommodation, wine – it’s all very cheap (especially when compared to other EU countries). As long as you’re not splurging on a ton of booze or eating at the overpriced tourist restaurants, you’ll find it easy to save big while still enjoying yourself. Here are a few more ways to save money in Portugal:

• Look for free museum visits – Some museums are free on Sundays. Check with the local tourism board or the museum’s website for more information on free/discounted hours.
• Skip the taxis – Taxis add up so if you’re on a budget, skip the taxis and use the metro or bus system to go where you need to.
• Say “no” to bread – When eating out, a selection of bread and olives may be brought to your table before your meal. These aren’t free, so just say no if you’re on a budget.
• Stay at a pensão – These family-run inns offer decent lodgings for very little money and are a great alternative to hotels.
• Get a tourist card – Certain cities, like Porto and Lisbon, offer tourist cards that provide unlimited access to public transportation (normally for one, two, or three days) and free or discounted access to museums and monuments. If you plan to see lots of sites, be sure to go to the local tourism office and pick up one of these cards!
• Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find Couchsurfing hosts all throughout the country. This way, you not only have a free place to stay but you can connect with a local who can share their insider tips and advice. Just send your requests early in the summer.
• Cook your meals – Restaurants here are cheap, but eating out all the time adds up. Visit the local market to stock up on groceries and cook a few meals. You’ll save a ton!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Portugal

Budget accommodation is plentiful in Portugal. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Lookout! Lisbon Hostel (Lisbon)
• Lisboa Central Hostel (Lisbon)
• Yes! Lisbon Hostel (Lisbon)
• Rising Cock Party Hostel (Lagos)
• Gold Coast Calm Hostel (Lagos)
• Casa D’Alagao (Faro)
• HI Hostel Faro (Faro)
• Rivoli Cinema Hostel (Porto)
• Gallery Hostel (Porto)
• Pilot Design Hostel & Bar (Porto)

How to Get Around Portugal

Train – Portugal has a great rail system. Tickets are affordable, with a ride from Porto to Lisbon costing around 25 EUR. Even the high-speed rail is affordable (unlike in many other European countries); it’s about the same price between Porto and Lisbon as the regular train. A train trip between Braga (in the far north) to Faro (at the southern tip) costs between 65-75 EUR.

Bus – Buses are the cheapest way to explore, and they’re also not super time-consuming since Portugal isn’t a huge country. A cross-country bus from Lisbon to Lagos costs between 15-20 EUR, while an eight-hour journey from Braga to Faro costs around 30 EUR.

Lisbon is the main hub for budget-friendly Flixbus routes around the country. It’s the cheapest way to get from Portugal and into the rest of Europe. A bus to Madrid, Spain costs around 30 EUR.

Flying – Flying is the best way to get to the Azores, though it’s likely not worth it for getting around the mainland. A flight from Lisbon to the Azores costs as little as 50 EUR, while Lisbon to Madeira starts at about 40 EUR. TAP Air is Portugal’s official airline.

Taxis – Taxis start at 3.50 EUR and go up by about .80 EUR per kilometer. Skip them if you can as they add up fast!

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Portugal’s larger cities but it’s not much cheaper than taxis. I’d still skip ridesharing altogether if you’re on a budget.

Bike rental – Locals like to get around by bike and bike rentals are available in all the major cities. You can rent a basic city bike for around 10-15 EUR per day.

Car rental – Car rentals cost as little as 25 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. It’s a super affordable way to explore if you have someone to split the cost with (especially in the Azores). Drivers need to be at least 18. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars

When to Go to Portugal

Peak season in Portugal is during the summer months of June-August. Temperatures hover around 23°C (74°F) and popular destinations like Porto and Lisbon experience an influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Portugal is the shoulder season in the spring and fall (April-May and September-October). Temperatures range from 18-22°C (65-71°F) so it’s still warm enough to explore and enjoy the outdoors. There aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper, making it an ideal time for budget travelers.

Winter is from November to February. It gets cold and tourist crowds thin out considerably. Temperatures vary quite a bit from place to place, but overall, the temperature averages around 12°C (53°F). I’d avoid visiting in the winter if you can, however, if you’re on the continent already Portugal is one of the warmer places to spend the winter.

How to Stay Safe in Portugal

Portugal is very safe for backpacking and solo travel as violent attacks are uncommon. Pickpocketing is the most common crime and can occur in touristy areas and on public transportation. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re in markets, on busy streets, and when using the metro. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight just to be safe.

Drugs here have been decriminalized, but it’s best to avoid them as selling drugs is still illegal. If approached and offered drugs, politely decline and continue on your way

You won’t find a lot of travel scams in the country but read this article on common travel scams to avoid just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, don’t walk home alone at night if intoxicated, etc.).

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Remember: always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. You have every right to remove yourself from the situation. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Portugal Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Portugal Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Portugal travel and continue planning your trip:

The 4 Best Hostels in Lagos, Portugal

The Best Walking Tours in Lisbon

Where to Stay in Lisbon: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 9 Best Hostels in Lisbon

When Three Days Is Not Enough Time

Lisbon: Even Better the Second Time

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• Related Blogs

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Read Your Way Through Lisbon

The award-winning Portuguese novelist Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida recommends books to help readers get to know Portugal’s vibrant capital, and spots to read them if you go.

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By Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida

Read Your Way Around the World is a series exploring the globe through books.

Lisbon has long been marked by a certain wistfulness. Perched at the westernmost edge of Europe, it has been a place of departures as much as of arrivals, its cobblestone streets perpetually echoing with the voices of those who have passed through. That is the city captured in “Lisboa, Cidade Triste e Alegre,” a symphonic graphic poem first published in 1959 by Victor Palla and Costa Martins, whose grainy black-and-white images caught the essence of a place longing for change.

But for those who come with that vision, the city today will surprise with its diversity and color. While life in Lisbon may still be threaded with melancholy — exorbitant rents in the city center have forced many historic bookstores and centennial shops to close, and many longtime residents to move farther away — its streets are rich with literary tradition and vibrant with the contributions of new arrivals.

You can stroll in the city’s downtown and visit cafes, such as Martinho da Arcada, inaugurated in 1782, or A Brasileira, which opened in 1905 and where some of the country’s most renowned writers, including Fernando Pessoa , once met. Or you can take the rail line at Terminal do Rossio to Sintra, which was a source of inspiration for José Maria de Eça de Queiroz , one of Portugal’s great 19th-century novelists. But if you get off at the Amadora station and enter the Babilónia shopping center, you will find a lively mall that serves as a meeting point for the numerous migrant communities that make the city what it is today.

What should I read before I pack my bags?

Some of the city’s melancholic atmosphere is present in Pessoa’s “ The Book of Disquiet .” It is written in the voice of Bernardo Soares, one of the alternate selves of Pessoa, who wrote under dozens of identities he referred to as heteronyms. The literary critic George Steiner wrote that the book “gives to Lisbon the haunting spell of Joyce’s Dublin or Kafka’s Prague.”

In José Saramago’s “ The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis ,” you will find Ricardo Reis, another of Pessoa’s fictional authors, back in Lisbon in late December 1935. He is there to visit Pessoa, his creator, at the cemetery — Pessoa had died in late November — at a time when Portugal is under fascist rule.

“In 1936, I was 14 years old, but I remember the sadness of the city,” Saramago once said about what inspired this novel. “Perhaps today’s readers will find some other manifestations of sadness and loneliness in the city today.”

Many of the greatest works of Portuguese literature — and much of the most exciting writing happening today — are not yet available in English translations.

But you will find good translations of the poetry of Cesário Verde, Alexandre O’Neill, Mário Cesariny, Ruy Belo and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen online at Poetry International and Poems From the Portuguese , an online platform run by Centro Nacional de Cultura, a local cultural institution. In some of their poems, you will find the streets you will walk on, from Cais das Colunas to Avenida da Liberdade.

The Common, a literary magazine available online , recently offered in their 20th issue a special portfolio of writing from Portugal and its colonial and linguistic diaspora, with works in English and in translation exploring Lisbon, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde and Mozambique from writers such as Rui Cardoso Martins, Matilde Campilho, Joaquim Arena and Teolinda Gersão.

Susana Moreira Marques’s masterpiece “ Now and at the Hour of Our Death ,” a work of reportage about life and death set in a village in northern Portugal, is an example of the best contemporary Portuguese writing available in translation. As for poetry, “ Cape Verdean Blues ,” by Shauna Barbosa, will give you a sense of the multifaceted character of Cape Verdean culture in the diaspora. “ What’s in a Name , ” by the great Ana Luísa Amaral, will incite you to look with wonder into the minutiae of everyday life.

What books can give me a sense of life under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar?

The regime instituted by Salazar in 1933 lasted until 1974. “ The Three Marias: New Portuguese Letters, ” by Maria Isabel Barreno, Maria Velho da Costa and Maria Teresa Horta, is an audacious and whimsical collective work against fascism. Considered “pornographic and a threat to public morality” when it was published, it led the government to put its authors on trial. “ Empty Wardrobes ,” a novel by Maria Judite de Carvalho, will give you a sense of domestic life under the dictatorship: In precise, unsentimental prose, it tells the story of three generations of women overshadowed by the death of a patriarch.

What books can give me a sense of the city’s colonial past?

The Portuguese empire, which included colonies in the Americas, Asia and Africa, was also one of the most enduring. Its legacy is vivid in Lisbon today.

To witness it, you can go to Cova da Moura, the home of a large community of migrants from countries including Cape Verde, Angola and Guinea-Bissau, among others, and pay a visit to Dentu Zona , a bookstore and silk-screen printing workshop where you will find a carefully curated selection of books about the city’s colonial past and works by major authors of African descent.

If you’re interested in reading more on this subject, there are many books and authors to choose from. “ South of Nowhere ,” one of António Lobo Antunes’s masterpieces, is a tense monologue told by an Angolan war veteran to a solitary woman he meets in a bar. A prose poem addressed to a silent interlocutor, and a memoir of the horrors of the war as witnessed by the author himself, it is a superb book with which to start.

Dulce Maria Cardoso’s “The Return” starts in Angola in 1975. The Salazar dictatorship has collapsed and the defeat of the Portuguese in the Angolan War of Independence is in sight. The narrator, Rui, is 15 years old. He is one of the thousands of settlers who are returning to Portugal, a place where he has never been. The novel will give you a sense of the contradictions and mythologies at play at the time of the Carnation Revolution, which led to the end of the dictatorship in 1974.

Francisco Bethencourt’s ambitious and interdisciplinary “ Racisms: From the Crusades to the Twentieth Century ” is a great scholarly work to start with if you’re interested in learning more about the roots of racism in Portugal. The Angolan writer and musician Kalaf Epalanga — whose novel “Whites Can Dance Too,” forthcoming from Faber in 2023, is excerpted in an online issue of Bakwa, a literary magazine based in Cameroon — is a great example of a new generation of writers of African descent. The untold perspectives of the African diaspora remain largely underrepresented in Portuguese literature. Their concerns and aspirations are hardly ever given the depth of first-person narratives. Epalanga’s musical, upbeat, first-person tale of a young Black man searching for himself in today’s Europe gives hope for the future.

What’s a good place to curl up with a book on a day off? Any bookstores I should visit?

For reading in the shade of centennial trees on summer days, I recommend Lisbon’s Botanical Garden at Rua da Escola Politécnica, where you will find a very old dragon tree. Visit Casa Fernando Pessoa , Fundação José Saramago and Brotéria for lively conversations about books. And independent bookstores such as Poesia Incompleta, Snob, Tigre de Papel, Linha de Sombra, Photo Book Corner, STET and Letra Livre offer excellent selections of poetry, independent and rare editions, photo books, old books and other treasures.

Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida’s Lisbon Reading List

“Lisboa, Cidade Triste e Alegre ,” Victor Palla and Costa Martins

“The Book of Disquiet,” Fernando Pessoa

“The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis,” José Saramago

Poetry by Cesário Verde, Alexandre O’Neill, Mário Cesariny, Ruy Belo and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen

“ Now and at the Hour of Our Death ,” Susana Moreira Marques

“ Cape Verdean Blues ,” Shauna Barbosa

“ What’s in a Name, ” Ana Luísa Amaral

“The Three Marias: New Portuguese Letters,” Maria Isabel Barreno, Maria Velho da Costa and Maria Teresa Horta

“Empty Wardrobes,” Maria Judite de Carvalho

“South of Nowhere,” António Lobo Antunes

“The Return,” Dulce Maria Cardoso

“Racisms: From the Crusades to the Twentieth Century,” Francisco Bethencourt

“Whites Can Dance Too,” Kalaf Epalanga

Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida is a Portuguese novelist born in Angola. She is the author, most recently, of “ That Hair ,” which, translated by Eric M.B. Becker, won Best Translation of the Year at World Literature Today, among other titles.

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7 Best Travel Books About Portugal

“Portuguese is cheerful and sweet, like a language of birds.”

Located in the south of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is one of the most picturesque and culturally significant countries in the world. Throughout its history, dating back to ancient pre-Roman times, numerous successions, conquests, and conflicts have shaped the country. However, it has also flourished on the back of these eras, housing a huge array of different cultures, peoples and identities that has made it renowned as one of the global hubs for architecture, linguistics and culinary delights.

Its significance as a true maritime nation has also led to its unique identities being exported to all four corners of the globe, with over 250 million people speaking Portuguese today. With the country enticing twenty million visitors every year, get inspired for your next trip with the best Portugal travel books here at What We Reading ! 

Lonely Planet Portugal – Lonely Planet 

Lonely Planet are the experts at producing travel guides that help nomads get the most out of their trips. In their Portugal edition, they give readers the ultimate resource in finding all the best places to go, where they should spend their money as well as various cultural information behind some of the country’s most iconic destinations. For helping travellers ensure their budget stretches as deep as possible, Lonely Planet’s Portugal guidebook is a must-have. 

Night Train To Lisbon – Pascal Mercier

Pascal Mercier’s Night Train to Lisbon is a captivating and heartfelt journey that delves into the realms of love, life, and literature. This influential novel has reached a wide audience, selling over two and a half million copies and being translated into fifteen different languages.

A philosophical thriller set in the heart of Portugal’s capital, readers follow Greek and Latin teacher Raimund Gregorius who becomes obsessed with Portuguese author Amadeu Inácio de Almeida Prado. Teaming up with a mysterious woman he meets after a chance encounter, Gregorius attempts to immerse himself in the life of this author leads to an incredible journey of identity and self-discovery. 

The High Mountains Of Portugal – Yann Martel

The High Mountains of Portugal is a charming piece of historical fiction from Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi. In 1904, in Lisbon, a young man named Tomás stumbles upon a worn-out journal that holds clues to a hidden treasure. Uncovering this treasure has the potential to reshape history in a remarkable way.

Setting off in one of Europe’s first automobiles, he sets off to find it. The spirit of this young man’s adventure continues to live on in two more stories, set thirty-five and fifty years later. These tales capture the enchantment of Portugal’s breathtaking natural landscapes, making it one of the most captivating explorations ever written.

Moving To Portugal – Louise And Ben Taylor 

Thinking about making your trip to Portugal more permanent? Louise and Ben Taylor have you covered. The Taylors decided to trade the rainy streets of London for the beautiful Algarve, and they now spend their time helping others make their own moves abroad!

Having gained immense popularity with their online blog, they now bring their practical insights and helpful tips to a printed book for the first time in Moving to Portugal. From finding the right destination, managing expectations and maximising the experience to the fullest, it is one of the best books on moving abroad.

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Take Me With You – Afonso Reis Cabral

At 739 kilometres (459 miles), Portugal’s National Road 2 is the longest road in the country. Stretching from Chaves in the north to Faro in the south, it covers the length of the Iberian nation and has become a fabled part of Portuguese life and culture.

Take Me With You – Portugal’s National Road 2 On Foot is author Afonso Reis Cabral’s mesmerising account of the landscapes, people and incredible discoveries he unearthed walking the entire distance of one of the world’s longest roads entirely on foot. Inspiring countless travel lovers across the globe, Cabral taps into the heart of Portugal. 

Porto – Gabriella Opaz And Sonia Andresson Nolasco

Unearth the culinary heaven that is Northern Portugal with Gabriella Opaz and Sonia Andresson Nolasco’s Porto: Stories from Portugal’s Historic Bolhão Market . Porto’s Bolhão neighbourhood is one of the most iconic locations in Portugal, home to centuries-old marketplaces that entice travellers with everything from wood-fired broa to favos de mel , the city’s signature stew.

The two authors whisk readers into the lives of the vendors who line these markets armed with knowledge and expertise passed down to them from generation to generation. Embodying the spirit of Porto, this remains one of the best Portugal travel books for getting an authentic insight into life inside the country from the streets of one of its most treasured, if somewhat overlooked, areas.

Queen Of The Sea – Barry Hatton

Lisbon is renowned as one of the most idyllic and beautiful capitals in Europe. But how much of its 2,000-year history do you really know? Author Barry Hatton attempts to provide the most comprehensive guide to the lives and times of Portugal’s capital in his travel book, Queen Of The Sea: A History Of Lisbon .

From its early Roman days, being in the grips of sieges, conquests and dictators, to surviving one of the deadliest earthquakes in European history, Hatton paints an incredible image of Lisbon’s colourful history that is sure to entice any traveller. 

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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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Alexandra Figueiredo is a journalist and communication consultant with a postgraduation in Psychological Assessment. She’s specialized in health journalism and in medical and scientific consultancy. Worked as a radio newscaster and was journalist at SIC Notícias, Expresso, and in two RTP programs, between others. Also coordinated a health program for RTP TV channel. She won several poetry contests, having published poems. She was director of a solidarity association chaired by the former Minister of Health Ana Jorge and was press advisor for the former President of the Portuguese Republic, Dr. Jorge Sampaio, during his time as Ambassador of Tuberculosis in the World. You can follow Alexandra on Instagram .

Portugal is a country of unparalleled beauty. Besides this, according InterNations it ranks in first position for quality-of-life countries in Europe as well as third in the world. It is s also one of the most globalized and peaceful places to live in the world.

Here we discover Portugal through the books of internationally renowned writers. They will take you on a tour to a country located by the sea, in the southwest of Europe, which has so many wonders and secrets to reveal…

1. José Saramago’s trip to Portugal

The Readers Digest invited the renowned writer José Saramago to travel in Portugal, between October 1979 and July 1980. The Journey is a mix of chronicles, narratives, and memories, with a kind of motto that the end of a trip is just the beginning of a new one, and that curiosity is a sine qua none characteristic of the traveler.

The protagonist crosses Portugal from north to south, alone, but in the company of his ironic thoughts. During the trip he visits museums, churches and beaches and listens to legends and myths told by the residents of the villages he visits. He shows the difference between a traveler and a tourist in a clear way. Traveling is discovering and the rest is simply finding.

The book leads us to the idea of ​​not being carried away by comfortable itineraries, but accepting to be deceived on the road and inventing ways out to many existing worlds. Be sure to record what you saw and felt in your travels because in the future that memory will be much more vivid if you wander through your notes. A fascinating book to read quietly. One of the best travel guides for Portugal.

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2. Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier

A work of philosophical and metaphorical traces, of a simple and emotional tone, which forces you to reflect and read slowly. The critics classified “Night Train to Lisbon” as a “jeweler of words”. Adding that “it is read like an onion, with the mystery of several layers that you slowly peel and sometimes make your eyes sting.” It is an editorial phenomenon in Europe, having sold two and a half million copies since it was published in 2004 in Germany, where it spent three years in the chart of best-selling books, having been translated into 15 languages.

Written by Pascal Mercier – literary pseudonym of the philosopher Peter Bieri, it is a philosophical “thriller”. The author admires Pessoa, whom he calls “the literature giant”, which is why he writes a kind of uneasy book that resembles the texts of the Portuguese poet. For this work, Pascal Mercier needed a 19th-century environment and Lisbon is a great European city that is closer to that, due to its topography.

The story begins with a woman preparing to jump off a bridge in Bern, but a Greek and Latin teacher named Raimund Gregorius convinces her to avoid the act, he is surprised by the sound of a word the woman says and she explains it is Portuguese. The professor happens to discover a book by a Portuguese author, Amadeu Inácio de Almeida Prado, and gets on a train to Lisbon to find this doctor. The plot will be a discovery of the other who turns out to be a discovery of himself.

Lisbon, Coimbra, Almada, Viana do Castelo and Esposende, are some of the places that Gregorius traveled on this journey of self-discovery, a book about identity that leaves no one indifferent.According to the Nouvel Observator “, it is a beautiful book about the inner life, but also an introduction to the world and history.”

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3. Tales of the Mountain by Miguel Torga

In 1941 Miguel Torga published the book “Contos da Montanha”, which was apprehended by the political police. This small book fits the genius of Torga, Portugal, and its imaginary, being a book that takes us back to an era. Tales from the Mountain consists of 23 stories, which represent descriptions of human behavior, feelings, and emotions. The reader should focus their attention on what the 23 short stories have in common since they focus on human actions.

This is not a criticism of the regime, but a faithful portrait of Portuguese rurality. The author always spoke of his indignations, and that was enough to suffer the consequences of the fascist regime of the time. The literary genre of this work had the purpose of questioning the meaning of human existence. The work reflects the apprehensions, hopes and anxieties of the Portuguese village’s population of that time, translating into a manifesto against injustices because it demonstrates a huge uprising against power abuses. This is an excellent narrative of travel in the form of a short story, and is one of the literary models most appreciated by Torga’s readers.

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4. National Road 2 on Wheels by Sérgio Amaro Bastos

This work by Sérgio Amaro Bastos is based on a personal experience from a bicycle adventure, taking the Estrada Nacional 2 from Chaves to Faro, a route that aims to be much more than a tour guide.

Along 720 km, there are countless cultural references, enriched with relevant geographical spots and humanized by the image that was sought to mirror the people of inner Portugal, so genuine, pure, and diverse. The book wants to take the reader on a discovery of the Portuguese soul. A trip that assures you a reunion with the interior of the country, where the authenticity of the past is combined with confidence in the future.

For those who want to go through the EN2, this book is a very complete guide because it includes its history, geography, technical aspects, and how to prepare the stages of the trip. Besides, it highlights striking references and does not forget the cautions to be taken during the trip. All toponymy such as mountains, rivers, traditional villages, historic cities and towns, and details such as typical cuisine and panoramic locations, are well described in a work that makes us want so much to travel. A portrait of the areas with the greatest tranquility, in what is the real Portugal, today.

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5. The Unknown Islands of Raúl Brandão

A travel description that elevates the Portuguese language to a unique splendor. The genius of Raul Brandão who manages to paint words as if they were a picture, combined with wise conclusions about the struggle for survival in a small country with an Atlantic vocation.

According to the writer himself: “This book is made with travel notes, almost without retouching them … I had heard from a naval officer that the archipelago’s landscape was worthy than Japan. And perhaps it is worth …” This is how in the Azores and Madeira Raúl Brandão finds his inspiration for one of the most creative examples of travel writing. The beauty of the islands is described in full in a book published in 1926. It is a kind of impressionist diary of island landscapes.

The writer leaves Lisbon on June 8, 1924, onboard the ship São Miguel. The book becomes unusual due to its aesthetic sensibility. Raúl Brandão describes life on board and the always different landscape, even the sea and sky have each day distinct details. The travel notes will be published two years later, “almost without retouching”, as mentioned in the book’s presentation. Like a reporter, he seeks to capture the essence of the islands and their beauty, sparkling colors of nature that dominate them, but not without portraying the darker side of the trip such as cyclones and the impressive whaling.

It is a work that discovers isolated worlds, in a scenario of humble people, such as those he met in childhood at the Douro river, where he was born, son and grandson of a fisherman. Raul Brandão is a portraitist of the harsh reality of the simple, which highlights the humanism he is endowed with and the desire for a more just society.

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Read these books and you will have a fantastic trip through Portugal even without leaving home.

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A Literary Trip to Lisbon Is the Best Way to Uncover Portugal’s Hidden Beauty

In portugal, novelist charmaine craig searches for the ghost of her hero, goes on a high-speed chase for delicious pork, and ponders the mystery of a writer’s trunk..

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Novelist Charmaine Craig reports back after an unexpected journey to Lisbon.

Illustration by Naomi Wilkinson

This story is part of Travel Tales, a series of life-changing adventures on afar.com. Read more stories of transformative trips on the Travel Tales home page — and be sure to subscribe to the podcast ! And, though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope.

I suppose we see the world through the lens of our losses as much as our loves.

When I find myself unexpectedly headed for Lisbon one morning in spring, two months have passed since a fire jumped from my neighbor’s house to mine, wiping out much of our property and displacing my family of four. We’re all OK, but still I hope that Lisbon—which I’ve never seen—will be a balm. And how can it not be, I reassure myself while hurtling over the Atlantic away from the children, who will sleep in our makeshift home without me tonight? Lisbon produced Fernando Pessoa, in whose timeless The Book of Disquiet I have been finding consolation for nearly two decades.

I arrive at midday. Through the window of a taxi, I look past the traffic and have the unexpected impression of being transported to the landscape of a richly hued painting whose subject is Iberian imperial glory. It’s not just the massive riverside square with its triumphal arch; it’s the vastness of the sky, the loftiness of the clouds, the hint of dust in the golden light. “And the light falls so serenely and perfectly on things, gilds them with such sad, smiling reality,” Pessoa wrote of his city. I expected something quieter, more diminished, yet everything here appears so proud, strong of scale, and luminous, the stuff of dreams.

And I do seem to be dreaming when, though tired from the journey, I take a walk as soon as I’ve dropped off my bags at a modest bed-and-breakfast in the historic Chiado district . Lisbon is a city of seven hills, and, without map or guidebook, I trip down cobblestone streets to a series of squares, each with a symmetry and splendor that reflect the next, like facets of a single, late-18th-century jewel. Pulled along by swells of tourists, I soon find myself on the jammed commercial Rua Garrett, where a placard with the seal of Guinness World Records informs me that I’ve stumbled onto Bertrand, the world’s “oldest operating bookshop,” established in 1732. I break through a stream of people exiting the place to find another placard, this one seemingly straight out of a dream, its words redirecting me: SALA FERNANDO PESSOA.

The room is only distractedly interested in its namesake author. A sparse display on one of its walls names Pessoa “one of the greatest poets in the Portuguese language”—though I’ve always considered the author’s greatness to reside in his prose writing. I leave quickly, but farther up the boulevard, outside the Café A Brasileira , I run into a bronze statue of Pessoa sitting eerily beside a tourist snapping a selfie. And back near my B&B, I encounter the four-star Lisboa Pessoa Hotel , whose shining lobby features a glass case filled with Pessoa texts and artifacts. It seems extraordinary, if also troubling, that a literary writer—one who is relatively unknown in the United States and who, during his lifetime, avoided the pursuit of both money and recognition—should be championed and commercialized by a city this way.

The next morning, I receive a message from a leading Pessoa scholar, whom I emailed before arriving. He proposes we meet that afternoon. Wanting some spiritual replenishment before then, I set out through a light rain to the nearby Belém district’s Jerónimos Monastery . Once inside the vaulted and colonnaded passages of the cloisters, I resign myself to being part of a crowd that seems to forbid the possibility of silent meditation. Until I see it: Pessoa’s tomb, a modern pillar of blocks, inscribed with the writer’s name and years of birth and death (1888–1935). How have I managed, without any kind of research, to walk headlong toward his remains? For half an hour, I sit peacefully across from the tomb, watching the crowds and internally conversing with the Pessoa I’ve read, or perhaps with an even more eternal Pessoa. “Ah,” he wrote, “how mysteriously the everyday things of life brush by us!”

I’m careening up the coast at more than 120 miles per hour, mentally apologizing to my children for leaving them motherless in such an idiotic way.

It is still raining when I meet the scholar, a fortysomething Italian named Antonio Cardiello, who immediately offers me his umbrella. He is gentle and unassuming, yet passionate when it comes to Pessoa. Within moments he has led me to the Largo de São Carlos, the square facing the apartment where Pessoa was born, above what is now a Godiva shop. Minutes later, as we sip mineral water and green tea in a nearby café, Cardiello is telling me about the first time he opened The Book of Disquiet in a Padua bookstore. “Of course, the subject is old Lisbon,” he says. “You have this man walking the street, looking out the window, seeing the light outside. But the subject changes; he’s talking about himself. Then he’s talking about the tobacco store or old ladies on the street, and he passes through these old ladies and becomes another person, changes his personality. . . . It was a revelation to me.”

We stroll the misty city. On the teeming Rua Garrett, where, amid ice cream shops and clothing boutiques, the sign for Bertrand’s orients me, Cardiello asks, “Do you know the story about this place?” Thirty years ago, the street was mostly abandoned. Then, in 1988, a fire took it out. “Everything was destroyed,” Cardiello says. “But now if you want to buy an apartment here, you need to be a millionaire.” As we proceed to old downtown, where Pessoa worked as a translator, Cardiello tells me that in 1755 a massive earthquake, subsequent tidal wave, and several days of fire leveled much of old Lisbon, before the Marquis de Pombal determined to re-create the city this glorious way. Cardiello’s narrative of Lisbon seems to be shaped by cycles of profound loss and overcoming. Maybe my own fire has made me sensitive, but I can’t help but be inspired. We pass under the arch that gives onto a square I first glimpsed from the taxi—the Praça do Comércio —and, beyond a massive equestrian sculpture at the center of the square, we pause to take in the Tagus River, where 15th-century explorers set sail.

On one side of the square, we enter the quiet Martinho da Arcada , Pessoa’s favorite café. “They never use this for customers,” Cardiello tells me, gesturing to a corner where a table—laid with a few books, an empty cup, and a glass—waits for the author to return for his coffee and grappa. We make our way to the Rua dos Douradores, where we stop in front of a row of buildings. Somewhere in one of these, much of The Book of Disquiet was written. “From my fourth-floor room looking out over the infinite . . . ,” Pessoa wrote, “my dreams . . . set off on journeys to unknown or imagined or simply impossible countries.”

“He saw the whole world from the window of this street,” Cardiello murmurs as we gaze up in search of the artist, as if to catch him gazing back at us over the infinite.

The next phase of my trip is hedonistic rather than heady. During breakfast at the guesthouse the next morning, Andreas and Nela, the young Romanian couple staying on the floor below mine, announce they’re about to head to the nearby town of Sintra, which Cardiello has urged me to see. Before I know quite what is happening, I’m in the rear of their friend Mihai’s car, careening up the coast at more than 120 miles per hour, alternately begging the driver to slow down, trying not to be sick, and mentally apologizing to my children for leaving them motherless in such an idiotic way. Mihai, I’m informed, is a Romanian transplant who has lived in Portugal for two decades. He opened several restaurants before starting a business exporting Portuguese luxury food items . More pertinently: He is also a former race car driver. He assures me repeatedly that the surest way to die behind the wheel is to over-rely on slowness and your brakes.

I all but fly out of the car when he makes a stop at the Cabo da Roca—the westernmost point on the continent, whose steady and gargantuan Atlantic views I gulp down along with clean gusts of ocean air. Then it’s torture time again, as Mihai beckons us back into the car and proceeds to shoot up impossibly winding roads all the way to Sintra.

I truly have no thought of ever getting into that car again when Mihai finally drops us at the base of Sintra’s crown jewel, the yellow-and-coral hilltop Pena Palace. A World Heritage site, it was conceived by King Ferdinand II in the late 1830s at the location of an abandoned monastery (another story of a ruin restored). Just to view the turreted fairy-tale castle rising into the mist from the wooded hillside is enough to transport me. After a brief attempt at jamming into the palace’s interior with the crowds, Andreas, Nela, and I relax into our equilibrium along stone paths that wind down through the adjacent park. Nearly everything in this spacious park is green, yet there is such variation of hue, of texture, of shape: Stems and trunks and leaves arch and reach, twist with delight, point out at us fiercely. European beech stands alongside Japanese maple, Madeira mahogany alongside Mexican cypress. Admiration soon gives way to inspiration as I entertain visions of how my fire-ravaged garden might be reimagined. We wander in an enchanted state all the way down to the village center, where we proceed to stuff ourselves on codfish delicacies and more sangria than is reasonable given the ride we recently endured.

Blame my next fit of impetuousness on the sangria. Soon after lunch, Mihai shows up in the village square, promising he’ll obey the speed limit if I join them on the return trip. What really convinces me is the absurd yet unsurprising thing he says next: “I know Portugal better than the Portuguese!”

Soon we’re zooming past Lisbon, toward a tiny restaurant 120 miles south, where, he promises, we’ll find the best pata negra , Portugal’s famed black pork. Mihai explains that Portuguese people wouldn’t complain about driving more than 100 miles to eat. “Everybody in Portugal would do this,” he says. “Imagine somebody call one friend when have lunch, and say, ‘Joseph, your mother die.’ Joseph say, ‘Please let me finish my meal, and we talk about later.’”

The eating we finally do that night, at the family-run Café Restaurante O Toy Faróis, outside the city of Beja, is outrageously rewarding. The mix of galega, cobrançosa, and cordovil olives! The tomatoes and onions, so sweet! The cheese! (“Sheep,” says Mihai, “but dry one—with salt.”) The red wine! And then five different cuts of pata negra, raised on aromatic grass and acorns. I’ve never had a meal so simple and so good in my life.

[Pessoa] was wedded not to the gratifications of the flesh or fame, but to a slow and sustained meditation on the world and its meanings, beautiful thoughts and words he kept primarily to himself.

“Everything is audacious to those who dare nothing,” reads a Pessoa line stenciled on the door of the Casa Fernando Pessoa, a museum devoted to the writer, located at the address in Lisbon where he lived his last 15 years. It is the afternoon following my adventure with Mihai, and I am determined to immerse myself in Lisbon’s literary world—past and present—to move beyond its touristy and commercial districts. In the empty, airy museum, I wander into the re-creation of Pessoa’s bedroom, where the author slept alone on a narrow twin bed and ultimately left a trunk filled with tens of thousands of pages of unpublished writings, including the unfinished The Book of Disquiet . This trunk, I think, represents Pessoa’s particular audaciousness. He was wedded not to the gratifications of the flesh or fame, but to a slow and sustained meditation on the world and its meanings, beautiful thoughts and words he kept primarily to himself.

A few hours later, seemingly worlds away at the Lisbon Book Fair, I meet a poet named João Luís Barreto Guimarães, thanks to a mutual contact. When I show up under his publisher’s tent, he is finishing an on-camera interview conducted by a sparkly, visibly admiring journalist. Moments later, the dignified, imposing poet stands to greet me with a smile before introducing me to his wife. Then we’re sitting side by side, occasionally interrupted by fans wanting his signature, deep in conversation about the state of the contemporary Portuguese soul.

His recent collection, Nómada , not yet published in English, is inspired partly by his concern for Portugal’s educated young, who are increasingly driven to seek better-paying positions elsewhere in Europe. No longer tied to the land of their ancestors, these adventurers “belong to everywhere,” he says. I think of the Portuguese navigators and colonists of old and of my own family’s recent seminomadic state. We had moved into our house only six months before the fire. A year before that, we had moved to a new city. The combination of repeatedly shifting dwellings and letting go of ever more stuff along the way has taught us to be skeptical of locating our identities in personal property or any particular place. If we don’t yet belong to everywhere, we’ve found home—again and again and again—wherever we happen to be.

But, as with the work of its most celebrated author, many of [Lisbon’s] astonishments await discovery.

I decide to spend my last night in Lisbon at the Lisboa Pessoa Hotel, and in the evening, Cardiello meets me at the rooftop bar. We spend a half hour marveling at the view of the city from the deck. Before night falls, we are joined by a man whom Cardiello calls “The Master,” a Colombian academic who happens to have arrived from Bogotá a few hours earlier. I’ve never met this man, Jerónimo Pizarro, though I know his reputation. He is the leading editor of the Pessoa archives. I have brought only one book with me on this trip, and, of course, it is Pizarro’s complete, chronologically sequenced edition of The Book of Disquiet , published last year. Pizarro has a scholarly seriousness, yet he smiles often, and after we’ve exchanged introductions, I watch as he and Cardiello take in the view from the bar, while Pizarro snaps a few photos.

When we’re later dining at a nearby seafood restaurant, I ask if Pizarro finds it worrisome that the artist whose work he’s been bringing to light is being franchised by the tourism industry. Pizarro answers by saying that 15 years ago in Lisbon, he opened Pessoa’s archives and found, with a shock, that he “didn’t recognize a thing.” Very little from the trunk had been published at that time, and something like 50 percent remains unpublished today. Even if Pessoa’s name has become an instrument for merchandising, “even if we continue to see that name on everything from hotels to T-shirts,” Pizarro says, the fullness of the artist is still unknown.

And as for Lisbon: It might be what Pizarro calls “the place to be,” with tourists all over the historic districts, and jet-setters making their claims on its real estate. But, as with the work of its most celebrated author, many of its astonishments await discovery. The rewards for seeking out hidden treasures in Lisbon are many. For me, they include the deeply consoling reminder that loss is always a component of hope, and often the starting point of audacious feats of beauty.

>> Next: Tokyo’s Long Lines Lead to Magic (and Life-Changing Ramen)

Discover the hidden gems of Portugal and beyond with Joana Taborda, a travel writer based between Lisbon and the Madeira Island.

My name is Joana Taborda and I’m a Portuguese Travel Writer from Lisbon.

For the past five years, I’ve been collaborating with travel brands sharing the best things to see in Lisbon and around Portugal. My clients include Atlas Obscura, Culture Trip, DK Eyewitness, Fodor’s, and many others. I enjoy writing about art, craft beer, and little-known spots around the country.

City Odes is my personal travel blog, where I write about the hidden gems of Portugal and my other adventures around the world.

When I’m not tapping away on my laptop, I’m probably outside sketching or taking pictures   of my weekly finds, which you can find on Instagram .

I take many road trips around   Portugal with my family, and I love hopping on a train on my own to explore a new place. I’m also a fan of craft beer, which is why I created this Lisbon Craft Beer Guide . I’m currently spending my time between Lisbon and the pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira.

Portuguese Travel Writer & Editor For Hire

I’m a freelance travel writer specialized in Lisbon and Portugal. Some of the brands I’ve worked with include Atlas Obscura, Fodor’s, Interval World, and DK Eyewitness Travel. You can read some of my articles here . I also work as an editor for the trivago magazine Portugal reviewing posts from other writers.

I can help develop your brand’s content strategy with the following services:

• Magazine Articles
• SEO-friendly blog posts
• Ghostwriting for your blog
• Copywriting for your website
• Email Newsletters & Press Releases
• Fact-checking travel guides
• Travel Brochures
• Personalized Itinerary Guides (Online and Print-versions)
• Reaching out and connecting you with local professionals/businesses in your industry.

For more information about my rates or if you just want to say hi, feel free to email me at joana[at]cityodes[dot]com

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Portugal is a country steeped in literary tradition, with a rich history of poets and writers who have helped shape the country’s culture and identity. From epic poems that celebrate the country’s maritime achievements to deeply personal books on the human condition, Portuguese literature is unique and impactful.

This article explores the lives and works of 7 iconic Portuguese writers and poets, each of whom has made a significant contribution to the country’s literary history . Let’s get into their life, writing styles, major works, and the impact they have had on Portuguese heritage.

Keep in mind that the order of this list is just for entertainment purposes as all of these are iconic Portuguese writers and poets, which are impossible to rank. Whether you’re a bookworm or a lover of history, let’s get into it!

1. Fernando Pessoa

Perhaps the most famous literary figure in Portugal, Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa, most commonly known as Fernando Pessoa, was a poet and writer from the 20th century. His work was translated into English and French and known all over the world. 

Pessoa did not write only under his name, as he had around 75 heteronyms (instead of pseudonyms). He felt heteronyms better suited his work as each “writer” was independent intellectually and had its own story to tell.

However, there were three heteronyms that Pessoa used the most: Alberto Caeiro, Ricardo Reis, and Álvaro de Campos. Caeiro was an uneducated poet from rural Portugal who wrote in free verse, while Reis was a doctor inspired by the poet Horace. Campos, one of his most famous, was a bisexual naval engineer who lived in London.

Unlike other writers, Pessoa wrote his first poems in English as he went to school in South Africa. Of the four literary works he published during his lifetime, three were in English and only one was in Portuguese, called Mensagem. 

One of the works he is most known for, the Book of Disquiet, was actually only published after his death. Originally published in Portuguese in 1982, this book was Pessoa’s lifetime project, described as a “factless autobiography”.

Pessoa died at 47 in 1935 due to liver failure, which most historians accredit to his alcoholism.

2. José Saramago 

Praise by the likes of Harold Bloom and James Wood, José Saramago was the recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature. Saramago sold more than two million copies in Portugal and his work has been translated into 20+ languages. His work was highly reflective of his political beliefs as a libertarian communist who criticized institutions such as the Catholic Church.

His writing what quite unique, featuring an experimental style with long sentences. In some of his works, he used to write sentences that were more than a page long. He preferred the flow of commas over periods. The dialogue in his stories is often not delimited by quotation marks. Instead, when the speaker changes, Saramago would capitalize the first letter of the new speaker’s clause. 

For most of his career as a writer, Saramago was not known to most. He only received recognition in his 60s with the publication of his fourth novel, Memorial do Convento in 1982. This book received international praise.

However, his work was often met with resistance. In the early 90s Prime Minister Cavaco Silva’s government ordered the removal of Saramago’s work, The Gospel According to Christ from the Aristeion Prize’s shortlist due to it being “religiously offensive”. This led Saramago to move to the Spanish island of Lanzarote where he lived with his wife until his death in 2010.

Saramago continued writing up to his death in his late 80s, having had a work published after his death in 2011 called Claraboia. 

3. Luis de Camões

Considered one of the Portuguese language’s greatest poets, Luis de Camões’ skill has been compared to the likes of Shakespeare and Dante. Camões’ work can be divided into three genres: lyrical, epic, and theatrical.

His lyrical work was some of the most popular, with his cantos, in particular, a principal form of division in medieval and modern long poetry. Moreover, his writing was filled with numerous sources in Greco-Roman mythology, ancient and modern European history, and classical literature, particularly Homer and Virgil. 

Camões’ most famous work, Os Lusiadas , is an epic poem that describes Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India and back, published in 1572. This masterpiece is considered the most important text in the Portuguese language and is mandatory reading in most Portuguese schools.

In addition to “Os Lusiadas,” Luis de Camões produced a substantial body of work in other genres. His lyrical poetry includes sonnets, eclogues, and odes, which often explore themes of love, nature, and mortality. One of his most famous works in this genre is “Sonnets,” a collection of 88 sonnets that cover a range of subjects, from politics to personal reflection.

Camões also wrote several plays, including “El Rei Seleuco,” a historical drama based on the life of Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Unfortunately, most of his theatrical work has been lost.

Despite the range and quality of his work, Camões struggled to earn a living from his writing and spent much of his life in poverty. 

4. Eça de Queiróz

A 19th-century Portuguese writer and journalist, José Maria de Eça de Queiroz is often credited with helping to modernize Portuguese literature, bringing social criticism to the genre. Eça de Queiroz’s works often explore the themes of corruption, hypocrisy, and the decline of Portuguese society during the 19th century.

Eça de Queiroz’s writing style is characterized by its realism and satirical tone. He often used humor and irony to criticize the societal norms and traditions of his country, earning him both praise and criticism. Queiroz was also known for his ability to create vivid characters and settings that captured the essence of Portuguese life during his time.

His most famous work is “Os Maias” (The Maias), a novel published in 1888. The book tells the story of a wealthy Portuguese family and their decline over three generations. It is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese literature, one that everyone knows. 

Eça de Queiroz wrote several other works that explored similar themes, such as “The City and the Mountains” and “The Crime of Father Amaro.” 

5. Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen

One of Portugal’s greatest poets of the 20th century, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen was a trailblazing figure in Portuguese literature at a time when the talent of female writers was dismissed.

Andresen’s work often explored themes of love, nature, and freedom and her writing style was marked by her use of clear, simple language and vivid imagery, which allowed her to convey complex emotions and ideas clearly.

Andresen’s most famous work is “Mar Novo” (New Sea), a collection of poems that was published in 1958. The book is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese literature and is often cited as one of the greatest works of the 20th century. 

In addition to “Mar Novo,” Andresen wrote several other collections of poetry, including “Coral” and “Dual,” which continued to explore themes of love, nature, and the human experience. She also wrote essays and children’s books, including “The Mermaid’s Purse” and “The Gentleman’s Garden.”

Andresen’s career was marked by numerous awards and honors, including the Camoes Prize, Portugal’s highest literary award, which she received in 1999.

She continued to write and publish throughout her life, and her work has had a significant impact on Portuguese literature and culture. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy as one of Portugal’s greatest literary figures.

6. Almeida Garrett

Once a government minister, Almeida Garrett was a prominent figure in 19th-century Portuguese romantic literature due to his poems and plays. Garrett was known for his elegant writing style and his ability to capture the essence of Portuguese culture and history in his work. 

Garrett’s most famous work is the play “Frei Luis de Sousa,” which tells the story of a nobleman who is wrongly accused of treason and sentenced to death. The play is a masterpiece of Portuguese literature and is still performed regularly in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

In addition to “Frei Luis de Sousa,” Garrett wrote numerous other plays, poems, and novels, many of which were highly acclaimed in his time. His work often dealt with political and social issues. Garrett was known for his fierce opposition to the conservative monarchy and his support for liberal reform.

Garrett was appointed as the Minister of the Interior in the Portuguese government, but his political career was cut short when he died in 1854 at the age of 48. 

7. Florbela Espanca

Known as one of Portugal’s first feminists, Florbella Espanca was a poet and writer who had a profound impact on Portuguese literature in the early 20th century.

Espanca was known for her powerful and emotive writing style, which dealt with themes of love, desire, and the search for meaning in life. She often used vivid imagery and metaphor to explore the complexities of human experience and to express her own innermost feelings.

Espanca’s most famous work is the poetry collection Livro de Soror Saudade , which is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese literature. The collection explores the themes of love, loss, and longing, and it is noted for its beauty, passion, and intensity.

Espanca also wrote several other poetry collections and a novel, As Máscaras do Destino. Her work was highly acclaimed in her time and has continued to be celebrated as a vital part of Portuguese literature and culture.

The author struggled with mental illness all throughout her life. After attempting suicide multiple times, Espanca’s career was cut short when she killed herself at the age of 36 in 1930. 

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14 things Portugal locals want you to know before you visit

Feb 25, 2024 • 7 min read

Learn how to act like a local in Portugal by following these key tips © AnnaTamila / Shutterstock

Many years ago, as a young backpacker, I made plenty of mistakes when traveling around Portugal – from trying to see everything on one trip to indulging in free appetizers that weren’t really free. 

Since becoming both an honorary Lisboeta (Lisbon resident) and Tripeiro (Porto dweller), I have learned some essentials about the country. From the best methods for getting around to wardrobe essentials. Here are the key tips to help you make the most out of your trip to Portugal.

Don’t try to see it all in one trip

Portugal is a small country – roughly the size of the state of Indiana in North America and slightly larger than Scotland. But there’s a lot to see here , from hilltop villages in the Alentejo to remote UNESCO World Heritage sites , not to mention over 100 beaches in the Algarve. A rookie mistake is trying to see all of Portugal during one visit. Even if you have a few weeks to spare, you won’t be able to visit everything in this diverse country. Instead, pick one or two regions and focus your trip there, allowing yourself time to see both highlights as well as local markets, vineyards and other less-visited attractions. 

Decide where to go

The mountains, the seaside, cobblestone-lined city streets? Portugal has plenty of options when it comes to travel. With a week at your disposal, you can combine a bit of urban adventure with scenic getaways nearby. If you have Lisbon in mind, you can spend several days there, along with day trips to Cascais , Sintra and the beach-dotted Setúbal Peninsula , or spend a couple of days in Évora or on the lovely Alentejo coastline. 

A great northern itinerary combines Porto with some vineyard visits along the picturesque Douro River . Beach lovers might skip city life altogether and spend their time in the Algarve , checking out cliff-backed beaches, hidden coves and quiet fishing villages. If you have something more active in mind, plan a hiking outing in the mountains of the Serra da Estrela , which you can pair with time spent exploring craggy villages like Manteigas and Linhares, as well as the university town of Coimbra . 

Book your accommodation well in advance 

Portugal’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance. This is especially true if you’re traveling in the peak months of June through August .  Once you have your itinerary organized, reserve your lodging. If you’re traveling off-season (November through March), you’ll have much more flexibility – so you can book your first few nights and plan your other nights on the go. 

Lower your carbon footprint by traveling on trains and buses

You can go green by ditching the car and getting around by public transportation. Portugal has a decent train network that connects major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Faro. Buses help fill in the gaps to smaller towns across the country. Service has expanded in recent years, particularly in the south, where the new Vamus Algarve covers just about every part of the Algarve, from tiny beach villages on the central coast to the soaring sea cliffs near Sagres . Skipping the car rental also means you won't have to hassle with parking, toll roads and heavy traffic, among other things.     

Don’t bother taking a taxi from the airport

Speaking of trains and buses, as soon as you arrive, you can save money and cut down on CO2 emissions by hopping on public transport from the airport. Portugal’s three international airports all have good options for whisking you into town. The Lisbon metro’s linha vermelha (red line) can get you into the center, as can the speedy Aerobus, while Porto’s metro (violet line E) runs from the airport to the heart of town. From Faro airport in the south, you can take the Vamus Algarve Aerobus, which shuttles into Faro and also to the key towns of Albufeira , Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos .

Remember the cardinal rule of dining in Portugal: nothing is free 

Servers often bring bread, butter, olives and even cheese or other appetizers to diners before their meal. Keep in mind that these unordered items will always be added to your bill if you choose to partake. If you don’t want them, just send them away – a polite "no thank you" ( não obrigado/a ) will do the job. Prices for couvert range from €2 per person and upwards. 

Bring a few smart-casual outfits 

Shorts are fine on the beach, but if you wear them around the city, you’ll quickly brand yourself as a tourist. At nicer restaurants, bars and nightclubs, you’ll want to follow the local lead and dress things up a bit.

Become an expert on tipping etiquette

At restaurants in Portugal, many locals don’t tip at all or simply round up when paying for a meal. In more tourist-oriented establishments, a tip is more common – usually around 10% – and may even be added as a service charge. Tipping is not expected in cafes or bars. However, if you’re in a fancy high-end place, you should plan on tipping (along the lines of €1 for a specialty cocktail). Rounding up the fare is also common practice when taking a taxi or rideshare. 

Bring your own bag to the market 

Portugal has huge markets where you can see stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as charcuterie, cheeses, olives, bakery items and other fare. Amid such culinary largesse, you can assemble a first-rate picnic, just be sure to bring your own bag to the market. You might want to throw in a corkscrew so you’re always prepared to pop open a bottle of vinho verde , an Alentejo red and other good-value Portuguese wines. 

Pack sturdy shoes

Even if you limit your travels to the city, you’ll want to have good shoes. You’ll find steep streets, loose cobblestones and uneven sidewalks in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and many other towns. Save the heels and dress shoes for nicer restaurants and nightclubs. Good shoes will also come in handy when you want to take a walk beyond the town. Across the country, Portugal has some magnificent hikes , like the stunning clifftop trail of Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos – not difficult to do, but you need proper footwear. 

Dress modestly when visiting churches

Save the shorts, short skirts and tank tops for the beach – keep things covered up when visiting the cathedrals ( Sés ) and monasteries of Portugal.

And don’t forget to throw in the swimsuit 

No matter where you roam in Portugal, you’re never far from the beach or a sparkling inland lake or river. Porto and Lisbon both have lovely beaches within easy reach of the city center, while remote corners of Portugal – like Peneda-Gerês National Park have waterfalls and natural pools. It would be a mistake not to bring your swimsuit, even if you think you won’t need it.   

Learn some Portuguese and use it

Outside of Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, you might encounter people with limited English. For smooth sailing, it helps to learn some Portuguese. If nothing else, locals appreciate the effort to speak their language, however rudimentary your accent. When entering a room, it’s polite to say " bom dia " (good day) or " boa tarde " (good afternoon) to those around you.

Be mindful of petty crime 

Portugal is generally a safe country to visit with a low overall crime rate – violent crime is extremely rare. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the main concerns to keep in mind, especially when traveling on the trams and metro in Lisbon or Porto. Avoid moving around during the crowded peak times, and don’t zone out on your phone. At night, be cautious walking around empty streets wherever you are: you’re better off taking a taxi. 

Car break-ins can also happen, and rental vehicles are sometimes targeted. Don’t leave anything of value in your car, and it's best not to leave luggage or other items in the trunk/boot of your vehicle (yet another good reason to embrace public transportation). 

This article was first published August 2022 and updated February 2024

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Mastering the Art of Travel Writing: Tips for Students

D o you love writing and traveling? Do you dream about seeing the world and discovering hidden gems in every country you go to? Then you might have considered becoming a travel writer. Even though this is one of the dream jobs many students have, it comes with challenges too. Mastering the art of travel writing is not hard, but you have to put in a lot of dedication, effort, and time. This is a captivating genre that allows you to share your experiences, observations, and adventures from your journey . Writing about travel is what you, as a student, might aspire to.

So, you are probably looking for some tips and tricks on how to get started. What is travel writing? Are there more types of travel writing? Learn more about some travel writing tips that can enhance your craft and help you create engaging stories. While some spots can inspire you to write fascinating posts, you can take matters into your own hands and improve your skill.

Immerse Yourself in Traveling

Well, you cannot be a travel writer if you are not traveling. This is why it is essential to travel extensively. Explore distinct places , cultures, and landscapes. Get to know the locals, talk with them and find out more about the local traditions and social norms. Every country is different from another one. And even though some beliefs or lifestyles might be similar, there are so many things that tell them apart. And you can learn more about this by traveling and talking with locals too.

However, as a student, you have academic responsibilities too. Getting an education in school is not only about attending classes or what notes you take during teaching but about writing essays and assignments too. And traveling around the world is time-consuming, which might make you fall behind your deadlines. Thankfully, there are essay writers for hire, essay writers that are skilled and professional and can help you complete your assignments. Getting some much-needed help will help you follow your passion and travel around the world . This way, you will gather experiences you can write about.

Maintain a Travel Journal

To write a travel short story or an article for your blog, you need to travel. But you also need to observe the peculiarities of every place you go to. You may not have time every day to write an article, but there is a solution. You could maintain a travel journal. Have it with you everywhere you go.

Write down your thoughts, impressions, and experiences while they are still fresh in your mind. This way, you make sure you do not forget anything worth mentioning. When you will sit down and write your articles later, this journal will be an invaluable resource.

Take Photos

If you want to become a travel writer, you have to write, of course. But photos can add more value to your travel stories or articles. So, whenever you can, aim to capture high-quality photos . Learn more about the art of photography to complement your words with images.

Read Widely

Besides practicing the art of writing more and traveling around the world, you could hone these skills by reading too. It is known that reading helps you expand your vocabulary as you learn new words that will help you convey the message effectively.

But, reading what other travel writers have published will help you learn more about writing techniques. How do they tell a story? How do they hook you and capture your attention? Reading widely does not mean that you will end up copying others. It just serves as a source of inspiration that will help you develop your unique voice.

Honesty and Authenticity

Many students who are aspiring to become travel writers think that they only have to share positive experiences from their travels. Indeed, when you discover new places and cultures, everything you see might be through some pink lens.

However, readers appreciate honesty and authenticity. So, help them see your experience through your eyes. Do not be afraid to share the parts of the trip that were not as pleasant. This will help them have a clear idea of what to expect from specific places. They are looking for genuine insights.

What to Keep in Mind?

Writing about traveling and trips around the world is an art. To excel in this craft, not only do you need to improve your writing skills, but also gain as much traveling experience as you can. For those who might not have the time or expertise, there are paper writers for hire who specialize in travel content. However, do not forget that travel writing is a journey in itself. Embrace the process, keep practicing, and let your passion for exploration and storytelling shine through your words.