Many travellers explore Europe almost like a pack, armed with a bucket list sourced from buzzy TikToks and Reels that list the best or trendiest things to do in whatever city. And so independent travellers (like yourself) end up visiting the same locations to take the same photo or to eat a below-average avocado toast. In the end, it feels overwhelming and disappointing.
But travel doesn’t have to be like that.
I started this Portugal travel blog back in 2021 because I was tired of fly-in, fly-out creators writing or filming the same copy-paste itinerary. As a travel journalist and food writer myself, I knew I could share deeper ideas and suggestions with curious travellers wishing to explore the real Portugal (no brunch spots included).
A few years on, and I can see – just like AI content feeding on itself – certain sights and places have become too popular. Sure, you wouldn’t visit Paris and skip the Eiffel Tower, so I still suggest many of the most popular things worth doing around Portugal — but always through my local lens, with insider tips and ideas that allow you to go further.
If you’re looking for personalised help planning your Portugal adventure, I offer 1:1 calls and deeper itinerary planning. While you’ll find a lot of my best tips on these pages, sometimes there’s nothing better than speaking directly to an honest local friend. I’m an open book and will share ideas for what to do and what to avoid.
I’m an Australian travel writer, food journalist and a former restaurant critic. I’ve called Lisbon home since 2018, when I instantly fell for the beauty, flavours and variety of Portugal.
Why Portugal? The clever answer is: read a few of my blogs and you’ll see soon enough. But there’s a bit more to it than that.
When I dreamed of the classic Aussie “gap year” (or five) in Europe, I never pictured Portugal. In fact, I’d never set foot in this ancient little country on the edge of the Atlantic until I turned up with a single suitcase and a positive attitude.
My partner Jorge has always wanted to fill the bacalhau-shaped hole in his heart by immersing himself here and further connecting with his Portuguese family. He had a tough time convincing me, that is, until he pulled up the weather forecast. But now I have at least four dozen more reasons why I’d choose Portugal.
From hunting colourful tiles and historic architecture, to scouting out lesser-known dishes and makers, I’m someone who (attempts to) turn over every rock in my quest to discover new places and culture. But this country is teaching me to slow down — and it’s these intangible lessons that make Portugal special.
I’m on a personal mission to explore Portugal from top to tail. I started this website in 2021 to share and record my travels, and it’s packed full of practical guides, itineraries and stories based on my real experiences.
(If you prefer a physical guide, I contributed a couple of chapters to the latest Fodor’s Lisbon book)
I want to do my part to deepen the experiences people have while visiting Portugal. Beyond travel ideas, I’m incredibly passionate about all things made, grown and created here in this tiny Iberian nation. Whether that’s antique tiles on buildings, newly crafted baskets and blankets or what chefs are doing with seasonal produce. Portuguese cuisine is criminally underrated, and it varies from region to region.
Since I put down roots in Lisbon in 2018, I’ve seen the city I knew change dramatically. Little-known Lisbon has become one of the hottest stops in Europe — and with that popularity have come crowds, waves of gentrification and sky-high rents. If you’d like to avoid these crowds, I can suggest where to go.
As a trained journalist, I also think too much about the murky ethics of travel writing. My goal has been to share lesser-known experiences, promote sustainable tourism and keep my Portugal travel website independent and audience-focused. It means you’ll rarely see brand deals or collabs – and if you do, I’ll disclose it.
I’m grateful to every one of you who reads, shares and comments on my posts. Olá Daniela started as a passion project, and in the past 12 months (to September 2025), it has received more than 1.1 million views. Every click is encouragement and support. Obrigada!
Yes! I love to chat with independent travellers planning a trip to Portugal. My simple 1:1 calls will shortcut your research and help you avoid planning overwhelm. Every private call is different – I can help you navigate logistics, give an honest and independent opinion, and add a rich layer of recommendations and restaurants.
If you’d like even more help, I also offer a deeper itinerary design service where I can plan out each day of your vacation. For either service, just book a slot in my Calendly to get started.
Living in Portugal? I highly recommend subscribing to Jorge Branco’s weekly news wrap that summarises the top serious news stories in Portugal.