Portugal Through My Lens: A Photographers Journey!

Portugal has exploded as a hot new photo travel destination in recent years—and for good reason. It offers an unusually rich blend of beauty, variety, safety, and affordability. Photographers are flocking to Portugal for good reason: its dramatic and diverse landscapes, its iconic architecture and historic charm, its affordability compared to other European destinations, and the fact that it’s an absolute paradise for drone enthusiasts. Here are some of the places we visited while spending time in Portugal. Hope you enjoy the photos!

24-105mm lens; 1/160 sec.; f/11; ISO 100; AV mode

Pena Palace – Sintra

Sintra is one of Portugal’s most enchanting regions, located just about 30 km northwest of Lisbon. It’s a place where history, nature, and fairy-tale architecture collide, making it a paradise for photographers. We took a tour with a local guide winding through the hills on his three-wheeled tuk-tuk scooter. (Wild ride) The Sintra region came alive with vibrant colours, misty mornings, and enchanting, fantasy-style architecture. Perfect for photographic memories. Here’s a photo I captured from the Tuk-Tuk of the famous Pena Palace.

16-35mm lens; 1/100 sec; f/4; ISO 1600, TV mode

The Cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade – Lagos (Algarve)

The Cliffs of Ponta da Piedade are one of the Algarve’s most iconic and photogenic natural landmarks, located just outside Lagos in southern Portugal. Famous for their dramatic rock formations, sea arches, and turquoise waters, they’re a must-visit for photographers, boaters, and nature lovers. I woke up early to scout the area and start shooting before sunrise. To my surprise, many other early risers had the same idea. I always enjoy capturing silhouettes of people—it adds an extra layer of depth and storytelling to my landscape photos.

24-105mm lens; 1/200 sec.; f/5.6; ISO 100; AV mode

Alfama District – Lisbon

Alfama dates back to Moorish times and survived the 1755 earthquake, leaving much of its medieval layout intact. One of the best ways to get around Lisbon—and a favorite among tourists—is the city’s iconic streetcars. The mustard-yellow streetcars are a symbol of the city, and I must have snapped nearly 100 photos of them.

24-105mm lens; 1/40 sec.; f/18; ISO 160; AV mode

Cabo de São Vicente

Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent) is one of the most striking and historically significant locations in Portugal, situated near Sagres in the Algarve. Often called “the end of the world” in ancient times, it’s a place of dramatic cliffs, powerful Atlantic waves, and rich maritime history. We were heading back from Lagos and just had to make a stop along the way to capture this beautiful Lighthouse perched high on the cliff.

24-105mm lens; 1/100 sec.; f/11; ISO 5000; AV mode

Sunrise Over Lagos Marina

Lagos is a fishing town and has been for thousands of years. The sunrise over the marina was spectacular. We stayed about 5 minutes away at an Airbnb. At night time the marina is lined with restaurants where you can enjoy the fresh catch of the day. I love this place.

16-35mm lens; 1/40 sec.; f/11; ISO 3200, AV mode

Praia do Camilo Beach

The Praia do Camilo beach is idyllic, set amidst the golden cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade headland, the sands are soft and golden, and the sea waters calm and crystal-clear. To get to Praia do Camilo, you have to descend down a long wooden flight of stairs of about 200 steps. I loved going here early in the morning and waiting for the golden glow to rise up over the ocean.

24-105mm lens; 1/80 sec.; f/14; ISO 200; AV mode

Lisbon Sunset

On our final evening in Portugal, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a charming restaurant beneath the tree, watching the sun set as we said our goodbyes to this incredible country. There are still so many places on our Portugal bucket list—the Douro Valley, Cabo da Roca, Madeira’s Pico do Arieiro, and more. We’re leaving with countless fond memories of this remarkable place. Portugal is blessed with natural beauty, offering endless panoramas and breathtaking views just waiting to be explored.

The Finishing Touch

For this “Portugal” collection, I decided to use the Hahnemühle Baryta FB paper. This Baryta FB is a bright white paper with an extra smooth surface and ultra glossy coating. It corresponds to a classic baryta paper in structure and surface. The colours were outstanding and the 350gsm weight of the paper felt really nice. The paper is acid free and calcium carbonate buffered for longevity, so it will be a lovely addition to my wall gallery.

Happy Travels.

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