Here is the main page covering our visits to Portugal since 2017, as well as our stay in 2020 – 2022 during the virus pandemic and afterwards, plus a slide show of pictures at the end.
For journal postings from Portugal, CLICK HERE. And share with us our initial impressions and pleasures from our very first visit to the country (click here to read High over Portugal.)
After our five months in African countries, including the former Portuguese-controlled Mozambique, we spent three weeks in this pleasurable country. It was the first time we had ever visited, and we spent most of our time in Lisbon and Porto. We returned to Lisbon in 2018, and sheltered in the capital city from 2020 to 2023. From those cities, we explored:
- Belem
- Sintra
- Sisimbra
- Alcobaça and Batalha
- Guimaraes
- Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Valença
- Braga
- Evora, Elvas, Estremoz (Alentejo region)
- Algarve
- Obidos, Peniche, Baleal
- Aveiro and vicinity
- Algarve (Tavira, Faro, Olhao, Portimao, Sagres, Burgau, Lagos)
You browse the map below for where we’ve been in Portugal (and posted an article). Click a pushpin to find the posted articles from the marked locations. Zoom into the Lisbon area on the map so you can discover the many adventures we’ve been able to enjoy in the city.
Loading map...

Dolmen of Zambujeiro 
Cathedral of Evora, the Se 
Cathedral gate 
Tower cap, the Cathedral 
Atop the cloister, Cathedral 
Cloister, Cathedral 
Cloister aisles, Cathedral 
Main chapel, Cathedral 
Rose window, Cathedral 
Back view, Cathedral 
Cream from heaven dessert 
Cartuxa monastery portal 
Cartuxa monastery altar 
Cartuxa monastery cloister garden 
Cartuxa monastery fountain 
Sao Francisco interior 
Ossuary 
Ossuary with decorated ceiling 
Ossuary portal 
Tiled stations of cross 
Folding Virgin 
Folding Virgin, detail 
Roman Ephebos 
Roman marble fragment 
City plaque, Giraldo the Fearless 
Trinity statue 
Bruges retablo 
Deposition from Bruges retablo 
Nativity collection, from Peru 
Nativity collection, from Portugal 
Giraldo Plaza, Evora 
Temple of Diana, Evora 
Streets of Evora 
Broader streets of Evora 
City walls, Evora 
Evora panorama 
Graca temple, Evora 
Houses in aqueduct arches, Evora 
Countryside aqueduct 
Elvas aqueduct 
Elvas aqueduct 
Evora aqueduct 
Graca fort gateway 
Model of Graca fort 
View of Elvas 
Elvas central plaza 
Walls and plaza, Elvas 
Consolation church, Elvas 
Along the walls, Elvas 
Cork oak 
Toasting the grape 
Ducal palace, Vila Vicosa 
Marbles on the hill 
Estremoz central plaza 
Queen Isabel, Estremoz 
Lower Estremoz 
Gulbenkian garden 
Floral 
Tree flowers, Gulbenkian 

Gathering hill, Gulbenkian 
Pond, Gulbenkian 
Floral 

Lalique vase 
Lalique vase 
Lalique etching 
Deco head 
Lalique silver 
Substances of Human Origin (2015), Aleksandra Domanovic 
Laurent (2011), Xavier Veilhan 
The Hunter and his Dog (2015), Oliver Laric 
Cast from Nature (2019), Christine Borland 

Lalique vase 

Museum collection 
17th century emblems 
Peaceable kingdom in tile 
Brilliant allegorical altarpiece re Eucharist 
Church within museum 
Tile scene in church chapel 
Mid-17th c polychrome stairway 
Scene from Ovid 
18th c Lisbon city center 
18th c Lisbon panorama 
Welcoming figure 
Overlook to church cloister 
Lisbon tiled street 
Marionette museum entrance 
STick-operated devils, Indonesia 
Healer mask, Sri Lanka 
Buddha story masks, Sri Lanka 
Devilish German hand puppets 
African ritual headdress 
Tiger, Colombia 
Condor, Bolivia 
Theatre of Master Gil, Portugal 
Don Quixote figures, Portugal 
Pessoa afoot in Lisbon 
Pessoa publications 
Orfeu magazine 
Pessoa epitaph 
Pessoa library shelf 
Sample annotations 
Pessoa heteronyms 
Rossio plaza with King Pedro IV 
Pimenta staircase and entrance 
Ruined buildings 1755 
Before and during earthquake 
Devastating 1755 earthquake 
Room honoring Joseph I and Pombal 
Print of a slave 
Fan images of mid-19th c Lisbon 
Garden peacocks 
Tribute to Bordalo Pinheiro 
Traffic on River Tejo 
Mafra library 
Mafra palace entrance 
Basilica and cloister 
Monastic room 
Hunting scenes 
Throne room 
Mafra Basilica 
Trophy room 
Detail, Mafra library 
Side aisle, Mafra church 
Statue, Dr. Sousa Martins 
Marble tablets honor the miracle man 
Jardim de Estrela 
Egyptian goose on pond, Estrela 
After kiosk drinks, Estrela 
Flora, Jardim de Estrela 
Up from Pombal, Eduardo VII 
Vista on the Tejo, Eduardo VII 
Cafe and pond, Eduardo VII 
Estufa fria 
Bird of paradise 
Moorhen, Eduardo VII 
Nymph, Estufa fria 
Estufa fria 
Cold greenhouse 
Flora, Estufa fria 
Estufa fria 
Ave da Liberdade 
Principe Real 
Our plaza 
Marques de Pombal circle 
On Liberdade 
On Liberdade 
Home-made spring rolls 
Alfama tiles 
On the way to Graça 
Arroios mural 
Rainbow buildings 
Monte miradouro 
Rua dos Remedios 
Old city walls 
The King’s Fountain 

Charming intersection 
Pastel crescent 
Typical doorway 
Milkmaid 
Urinal, Sao Jorge 
Mural, Graça 
Stony stare 
Theatre 
Massive pot 
Roman remnants 
Iron age deer 
Silenus 
Vista from castle 
Visitors 
Sao Jorge Castle entrance 
Steep descent 
Castle walls 
Denizen backside 
Denizen of castle 
The Sé, Lisbon’s Cathedral 
Santo Antonio altar 
Santo Antonio sacristy 
Sé museum room 
Symbol of the city, Sé museum 
Nave, the Sé 
Sé rose window 
Sé apse 
Roman remains exposed 
Carnivorous dinosaur print 
Carnivorous dinosaur track 
Dinosaur Monument 
Herbivore dinosaur track 
Herbivore dinosaur print 
Parque Natural at Aire 
Santo Antonio bat 
Santo Antonio cave 
Santo Antonio cave 
Santo Antonio cave 
Santo Antonio cave 
Santo Antonio cave 
Alvados cave 
Alvados cave 
Alvados cave 
Alvados cave 
Alvados cave 
Alvados cave 
Paddling the Mondego 
A stop on Mondego 
Soaking up nature 
Relaxing 
Mondego moment 
Mondego view toward the Quinta 
Tomb of King Pedro 
Villa pathway 
Fountain of Tears 
At the lovers’ fountain 
One of ancient trees at the Quinta 
The Quinta villa today 
Villa library 
Everyday items 
Roman playthings 
Conimbriga entrance 
Villa mosaic 
Villa and wall 
Villa mosaic 
Conimbriga mosaic 
Baths at Conimbriga 
Southern pool 
Pre-Roman village 
Grandest of the villas 
Mosaic, House of Fountans 
Defenses against Napoleon 
Peaceful hills 
Hercules column, Vila Franca 
View from Hercules column 
Torres Vedras castle 
Convent chapel 
Cork-adorned hallways, Santa Cruz 
Cruz Alta from the convent 
Palace at Buçaco 
Station of the cross, Via Sacra 
Station of the cross building 
Cruz Alta 
Viewpoint, Cruz Alta 
Hermitage, Buçaco 
Palace and convent, Buçaco 
Palace and convent, Buçaco 
Park stream 
Overlook on Tavira 
The inviting river 
City street, Tavira 
Rooftops 
Republica plaza 
Old castle 
St Mary’s church from the castle 
Doors of Tavira 
Old town portal 
Roman/medieval bridge 
Altar, Santiago church 
St Mary’s church 
Alabaster sculpture, St Mary’s museum 
Misericordia church 
Misericordia altar 
Retablo, Santiago church 
Chapel portal, Santiago 
St Mary’s church facade 
Nativity scenes, St Mary’s museum 
Misericordia portal 
Misericordia church 
Tile virtues, Misericordia 
Old Moorish houses 
Later Moorish jar 
Elaborate fragment 
Wedding bowl, Tavira museum 
Crazy cat vessel 
Flower pot, 11th century 
Architectural wash basin 
Moorish castle wall, Tavira museum 
Near the fish market 
Aveiro architecture 
Aveiro Grand Canal 
Convent of Jesus 
Setting out by gondola thru Aveiro 
Side canal and bridges 
Downtown along the Grand Canal 
Art Nouveau Aveiro 
Pedestrian bridge on the canal 
Tribute to woman salt-gatherers 
Old salt warehouses, Aveiro 
Black-winged stilt 
Today’s salt worker, Figueira da Foz 
Salt pans, Aveiro 
Flamingoes in the pans 
Traditional shack, Figueira pans 
Mondego wetlands 
Salt hauler, Figueira 
Umbrella pines, Ria Formosa 
Grey heron 
Groundcover, Ria Formosa 
Wetlands and dunes, Ria Formosa 
Flamingo 
Azure-winged magpie 
Curlew 
Red-billed oystercatcher 
Spoonbill 
Shoveler pair 
Roman fish tanks 
Noria, for drawing water, Ria Formosa 
Palm and fruit 
Roman harbor 
Shipyard with Joseph & Mary 
Amphitheatre and palace 
Central marketplace 
Presepio overview 
Textile shop 







Ancient Egyptian stele, Gulbenkian 
Alabaster bowl, early Egyptian 
Satyr head, Roman 
Greek coin 
Abyssinian bas-relief, Gulbenkian 
Mughal courtly scenes 
Seljuk bowl, Iran 
Kalil and Dumna, tale of a story 
Middle eastern glass bottle 
Illuminated bible, Istanbul 
Qing dynasty ceramics 
Biblical scenes in ivory, Gulbenkian 
Ghirlandaio Portrait of a Young Woman 
Durand silver centerpiece 
Diana the Huntress, Gulbenkian 
JMW Turner, Wreck of a Transport Ship 
Canova Roman Vestal 
Guardi’s Venice 
Degas 
Renoir, Mme Monet 
Rembrandt Old man 
Rodin Burgher of Calais 
Coromandel screen, China 
Church interior, Sao Vicente 
Monastery receiving room 
Tiled hallways, Sao Vicente 
Sacristy 
Tiled stairway 
LaFontaine, Cat and Mouse 
On the rooftop, Sao Vicente 
Rooftop view, Sao Vicente 
View toward Sao Vicente da Fora 
Fan collection 
Great room and tiled scenes 
Monti’s Veritas unveiling 
Timepiece collection, Medeiros e Almeida 
Early Chinese ceramics 
Wood paneled ceiling 
Typical showcase room 
Recreational room 
Dining room, Medeiros e Almeida 
Ming fish-bowl vase 
Amber hourglass clock 
Medeiros e Almeida mansion 
Street sign, Caldas 
Cunha Water Pitcher, Caldas 
Pinheio ceramic gourd 
Keldev tray, Ceramics Museum 
Ceramics Museum, Caldas da Rainha 
15th century church, Caldas 
Town market plaza, Caldas 
Caldas hospital and spa 
Caldas’ central park 
Pinheiro tableau, Malhoa Museum 
Malhoa Model’s Rest 
Sunset, beach bar 
Overlook, surfer’s hostel 
Fort at Peniche 
Baleal beach 
Dunes, Baleal 
Surfer’s haven, Baleal 
Cove on peninsula, Baleal 
Rocky point, Baleal 
Contemporary African sculpture 
Calder sculpture 
Robin in the garden 
Contemporary African sculpture 
Mini warthogs 
African herd, Buddha Eden 
Baobab and metal herd 
Buddhas and vineyards 
Xi’an warriors 
1000 hands Buddha 
Buddha hill, Buddha Eden 
Giant Buddha and us 
Ganesha 
Water feature, Buddha Eden 
Pavilion Hill, Buddha Eden 
Cliffs at Lagos 
Fortaleza de Sagres 
Cliffs of Sagres 
Church of Sao Vicente, Fortaleza 
Gravestones, Sao Vicente church 
Fishing from the cliffs, Sagres 
At the lighthouse 
End of the world, old style 
Vocie of the Sea 
Trailing African Daisy 
Wisteria 
Treasure flowers 
Ladybug and bud 
Egyptian geese 
Barberry 

Orchid tree 
Nightshade 
Red horse chestnuts 
All aboard the sailboat 
Praça do Comercio 
Older Lisbon and Alfama 
Wind-blown and loving it 
April 25 bridge 
Tower of Belem 
Munching on board 
Idling along the Tejo 
Masked on the tram 
Stop at the Se cathedral 
Wood-paneled remolado tram 
Portas do sol 
Avenida da Liberdade 
Nativity at Restauradores 
Teatro San Carlo 
Rossio tree 
Chiado 
Central streets 
Triumphal arch 
Praca do Comercio 
Comercio and the arch 

Christo Rei, Lisbon 
Panorama up the Tejo 
Promontory view, Almada 
São Sebastião de Caparica fort 
Queen’s Beach, Cascais 
Walkways, Cascais 
View toward the fort 
Walkway back from fort 
City and fishing tackle 
Boulevard, Cascais to Estoril 
Villa, Cascais 
Szenes: Sables et Golfes 
Vieira da Silva: Au fur et à mesure 
Vieira da Silva: La Cage aux Oiseaux 
Szenes: Interieur 


Backlit bachelor group, Tapada 
Turning tail on us 
Wary kestrel 
Hilly terrain, Tapada de Mafra 
Deer in valley 
Princes of the realm 
Oratory/portal Óbidos 
Villa garden 
Rooftops & streets, Óbidos 
Walking the walls 
Streets of Óbidos 
Overlapping buildings from Óbidos wall 
Hilltop Óbidos 
Along the walls 
Vineyards and tower 
Us along the walls 
Cubist painting of Óbidos 
Our Lady of Piety altarpiece 
São Pedro church, Óbidos 
Ordem Terceira/ Monserrate church 
Jesus da Pedra Church dome 
Santa Maria church interior 
Santa Maria Church, Óbidos 
São Tiago, now a bookstore 
Capela de São Martinho 
Jesus da Pedra Church, Óbidos 
Allosaurus 
Overhead dolphins 
Big fish in scientific pond 
Butterfly collection 
Natural Variations, Natural History Museum 
Riverine world, Natural Variations 
Amethyst quartz 
Barite/sulfate and anglesite 
Geodes and crystals, Natural History Museum 
Baroque organ, Pantheon 
View over Alfama and Tejo 
Nave of Pantheon 
Pantheon domes 
Lisbon’s Pantheon 
No. peninsula bridge 
Hoopoe 
Bairra approach 
Ferry stop, São Jacinto 
Isolated dune beach, São Jacinto 
Trail, São Jacinto 
Moth, São Jacinto 
Freshwater pond, São Jacinto 
Fishing boats, Costa Nova 
Bairra beach 
Bairra lighthouse 
Picture perfect 
Technicolor housing, Costa Nova 
More recent housing, Costa Nova 
Beach kiosk, Costa Nova 
New Costa Nova housing 
Glossy ibis, EVOA 
Bridge to Lisbon 
Black tailed godwit 
Marshy drought 
Wandering greater flamingoes, Samouco 
Stretched flamingo 
Wetland color, Samouco 
Black tailed godwit 
Northern lapwing 
Greater flamingoes 
Pinwheel yellow carpet, Samouco 
Skittish shelducks 
Black winged stilt 
John the Baptist chapel 
Protector São Roque 
Rich donations by King João V 
Ivory crucifixion 
Foundation stones, shrine 
Our Lady of Mercy chapel 
Church of São Roque 
Display hall, São Roque museum 
Shrine altar paintings, São Roque 
Relic of São Roque 
Queluz and its grounds 
Canals in the gardens 
Salon 
Hall of Azulejos 
Royal chapel, Queluz 
Florid decoration 
Formal gardens and fountains, Queluz 
Royal hosting, Queluz 
Ceiling, royal residence 
Throne Room 
Queluz ballroom 
Foxglove 
Nestling cricket 
Gum rock-rose, Óbidos lagoon 
Yellow sea-fig 
Attractive lavender 
Marsh trail, Óbidos lagoon 
Cliff face, Obidos lagoon 
Lagoon mouth, Óbidos 
Grey herons 
Marsh view of Lagoon mouth 
16th c Manueline cross, Óbidos 
Lamentation, Josefa of Óbidos 
Wedding, Santa Maria 
Assyrian panel, Gulbenkian 
Persian mosque lanterns, Gulbenkian 
Chinese screen, Gulbenkian 
Rembrandt Figure of Old Man, Gulbenkian 
Guardi Venetian scene, Gulbenkian 
From special Lalique exhibit, Gulbenkian 
Grassy hill in the public park, Gulbenkian 
Pond and museum, Gulbenkian 
Trail through the park, Gulbenkian 
Modern Portuguese art in one room, Gulbenkian 
Rodin burgher of Calais, Gulbenkian 
Gulbenkian museum 
Celebrating Ginjinha, local liqueur 
Overlook to castle and center, Graca bairro 
King Jose I in Praca do Comercio 
Praca do Comercio, central square on the Tagus River 
Ritzy Avenida de Liberdade, Lisbon’s Champs-Elysee 
Typical pedestrian street 
19th century gentlemen’s club salon, Lisbon 
Plaza in medieval Moorish Alfama 
Typical street, Graca, Lisbon 
Interior, São Domingos church, which withstood the 1755 earthquake 
Overview of Lisbon overlooks 
Stairs mount hills when streets are unable 
Main square of Bairro Alto, a center for night life 
Street scene, Lisbon 
One of many favorite tile displays, with modern addition 
Pedestrian street, graced by iron balconies and cafes 
Gilt, wood-carved chapel in Rococo style 
Tram rides give a great city tour, even on tight streets 
A hillside plaza celebrating the mournful Lisbon music, fado 
Interior, Church of Graca 
Carved story of Adam and Eve, Museu Medeiros e Almeida 
One of many grand rooms, Museu Medeiros e Almeida 
One of the countless fans collected from over three hundred centuries. 
One of the exquisite fans on display, Museu Medeiros e Almeida 
The grand finale on the tour, Museu Medeiros e Almeida 
Batalha cloister 
Bom Jesus church, Braga 
Looking back, Bom Jesus staircase 
Wooded access to Bom Jesus 
Baroque interior, Bom Jesus church 
Zig-zag ascent to Bom Jesus church, Braga 
Ducal palace, Guimaraes 
Chapel of ducal palace, Guimaraes 
Ducal palace, Guimaraes 
Medieval streets of Guimaraes 
Medieval castle, Guimaraes 
Ducal palace, Guimaraes 
Medieval stones marking burials, Guimaraes 
Baptismal font for first king of Portugal 
Ornate gateway to unfinished chapels, Batalha 
Main portal, Batalha 
Towering medieval nave, Alcobaca 
Side view, Batalha’s Manueline church and monastery 
Facade, Alcobaca mission and church 
Tomb of King Pedro 1, Alcobaca 
Central dome, Batalha church 
Tile art, “What is Porto?” 
Hand painted tiles of Sao Bento railway station, Porto 
Rites of fall. Uni students celebrating in the streets, Porto 
Porto, from atop Torre dos Clerigos 
Renowned Torre dos Clerigos and church, Porto 
Catedral with Vimar Peres, first ruler 
Riverfront, Porto 
Porto from across Rio Douro, where the port makers are 
Rio Douro overlook, Porto 
Double churches of do Carmo and dos Cermelitas, Porto 
Monument to the explorers, Belem 
Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Cloister, Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Manueline detail,of monastery, Belem 
Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Saint and spirit with selfie, Belem monastery 
Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Dining hall, Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Apse, Jeronimos monastery, Belem 
Vasco da Gama crypt, Belem 
Church nave, Belem monastery 
Swan Room ceiling, National Palace, Sintra 
Reception room, National Palace 
Blazons Hall, National Palace 
Tiled grotto, National Palace, Sintra 
Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra 
Grotto at Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra 
Alchemical Initiatic well, Regaleira 
Portal of the Guardians at Regaleira, Sintra 
Moorish fort, Sintra 
Jumble of Pena Palace 
Pena Palace on its hill above Sintra 
Chapel, National Palace, Sintra 
View of Sintra from Moorish fort 
Medieval chapel, Pena palace 
Saint and sinner, Belem cloister 
A watery scene under aqueduct, in tile 
Our Lady of Monserrate tucked under aqueduct arches 
One early fountain in Bairro Alto, Lisbon 
About 1km of aqueduct high over Alcantara valley 
Disused aqueduct channel run, Alcantara arches 
The 1948 neo-classical Fonte Luminosa 
Aqueduct near Mae Agua reservoir 
Hexagonal reservoir at Principe Real 
Church, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Meeting room, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Interior courtyard, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Azulejos scene, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Sacristy, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Sacristy,Sao Vicente de Fora 
La Fontaine fable in tile, Sao Vicente de Fora 
View of old Lisbon from Sao Vicente 
Royal tombs, Sao Vicente de Fora 
Sao Vicente de Fora church 
Villa and park, Benfica 
Downtown Lisbon 
Metro vending during pandemic 
Neighborhood building 
View from Edward VII park to Tejo River 
31 January market 
Masked metro 
Our dining group -1 
Quinta villa in neighborhood 
Our dining group – 2 
To Monsanto via the stately Lisbon aqueduct 
Under the aqueduct 
Aqueduct tower within Monsanto 
Along the trail, Monsanto 
Paper bark at Monsanto park 
Local fauna 
On the trail, Monsanto 
Cromeleques de Almendras 
Cromeleques de Almendras 
Menhir, or plinth, and silos 
Burial chamber of Zambujeiro 
Enjoying the outing 
Auges-Aliassime on the run 
Cilic takes a swing 
Reunion, Indian style 
La Piedade, Lagos 
La Piedade, Lagos 
Central plaza, Lagos 
Road to Praia do Amado 
Praia do Amado 
Ancient Moorish village 
Cove of Western Algarve 
Moorish castle overlook 
Viewpoint, Monsanto 
Grandeur of butterfly, Monsanto 
Vivid poppies 
Daisies and wildlife 
Cactus flower and more 
Viewpoint, Monsanto 
Effusive color 
Monsanto path 
Academia das ciencias hall 
Orquestra Metropolitana 
Signature 
Self-portrait, Banksy 
Police kids, Banksy 
Show me the Monet, Banksy 
Little girl covering a swastika, Banksy 
Madonna with a gun, Banksy 
Sale end today, Banksy 
Toxic Mary, Banksy 
Cameraman and flower, Banksy 
Walled off hotel, Banksy 
Girl with balloon, Banksy 
Bridge to Lisbon, Samouco 
Heart-shaped center 
Flying flamingoes 
Black-winged stilt 
Fair field full of storks 
Purple swamphen 
Pink flamingo 
Godwits and Company 
Pied avocet 
Buddies, heron and egret 
São Bento Palace 
Grand staircase, São Bento 
Chorus in cloister, São Bento 
Session chamber, São Bento 
Sessions Lobby, São Bento 
Library, São Bento 
Fronteira Palace 
Upper patio, Fronteira Palace 
Salon, Fronteira Palace 
Gardens, Fronteira Palace 
Fountains at night, Fronteira Palace 
Obsidian Senwosret from Gulbenkian 
Howard Carter letter to Gulbenkian 
Senwosret I and Horus 
Adapted Sekhmet statue 
Nectanebo I sphinx 
History in an offering tablet 
Real Nefertiti? 
Repurposed Nefertiti 
King Sened cult bas-relief 
Effacing past pharaohs 
Wooded prayer box 
Evoking the past, Sadat 
Praying ears 
Cleo Cola 
Entering NARC and millennia past 
Roman fish tanks 
Iron Age Phoenician homes, NARC 
Phoeniian boat image 
Later Roman baths 
Roman well 
Medieval burial, NARC 
Moorish vessels 
1200s Christian flooring, NARC 
Earthquake survivor, NARC 
Pombaline support structure