Portugal is mainland Europe’s westernmost country and is bathed by the Atlantic ocean…
I invite you to visit it from North to South, including its islands. First place, let’s prepare our equipment! My choice is Manfrotto!

Tripod – 190go! MS Carbon Tripod kit 4-Section with XPRO Ball head

Bag – Pro Light camera backpack 3N1-25 for DSLR/CSC

Let’s start our trip…

In Porto, the country’s second city and capital of the northern part of the country. This is the city that gave Portugal  its name back when it was known as Portus Cale. Its Monuments, its People, its Bridges, the Douro River … are unique and make this city one of the most beautiful cities and settings in Portugal.

Pateira de Fermentelos is the largest natural lagoon in the Iberian Peninsula. Located in a triangular area where the municipalities of Águeda, Aveiro and Oliveira do Bairro meet, it is also the most downstream part of the Cértima River before its confluence with the Agueda River.

The lighthouse of Penedo da Saudade is a typical Portuguese lighthouse located in São Pedro de Moel, parish and municipality of Marinha Grande, Leiria district.

Magoito Beach is a magnificent swimming and surfing destination on the Sintra coast, in Portugal’s Lisbon district. It is located in the beautiful Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It spreads over a series of hills leading down to the great river Tagus. Walking through its colorful, picturesque streets, you are met with a constant show of beautiful and surprising landscapes, with belvederes and esplanades strategically located at the top of each hill.
Lisbon has an extensive network of electric trams, which run through many areas of the capital and are unique …

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is one of the bridges on the estuary of the river Tagus. At 12,3 km long, it is the longest bridge in Europe.

 

Continuing our trip, we reach Cape Espichel…

Cape Espichel is one of the most western points of mainland Portugal, and continental Europe too. The rocks on the end of the cape are its westernmost spot.

40 kms furtherwe reach Setúbal, a city with a deeply rooted maritime tradition, rich historic and artistic heritage and a lively fishing community. We discover Moinho da Mourisca, in the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, an area of salt marshes that seem to go on forever, surrounded by land that was once used for rice cultivation.

Going south ….
Carrasqueira Port Palafitic Pier – This masterpiece of popular architecture dates back to the 50s and 60s, and is unique in Europe: it is built on irregular, seemingly fragile wooden stakes that serve as mooring for characteristic fishing boats.

Leaving Carrasqueira, we travel for 240 km and reach the Algarve.

Along this 240 km stretch lies one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. The Costa Vincentina and the Southwest Alentejo Nature Park, south of the Alentejo coast, offer so many breathtaking views it is a challenge to portray them all in one trip. A future presentation will be necessary to show it all. We arrive in southern – Algarve / Cabo de São Vicente.

Cape St Vincent is the extreme southwest point of mainland Portugal and Europe.
We fly out to the islands, and reach the archipelago of the Azores, which consists of nine beautiful islands of volcanic origin located in the North Atlantic.

Paraiso … exists !!!

Out of the 9 islands, I choose two photographs of the island of Flowers. Yes, paradise is here on this island…

On the island of Flores, I discover the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life (until now). I’m talking about the Alagoinha Well, the image speaks for itself …!

Another place you can’t miss when you visit Flores is the bay of Alagoa, located near an uninhabited settlement. It is a natural extension of the Alagoa Ribeira, the ravine and valley that divides the coast.

We then jump to the Island of Madeira, beyond the luxurious blue of the sky and sea and the imposing valleys and mountains, a place that is home to a diverse and abundant flora. This is the sunniest coast, rich with banana plantations and wonderful gardens in which flowers bloom all year round.

Ponta de São Lourenço is the most easterly tip of Madeira, a natural reserve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular rock formations: a unique and wonderful landscape

Ribeira da Janela, in the municipality of Porto Moniz, more precisely at the mouth of the river Ilhéus da Rama, Ilhéu Alto, and Ilhéuzinho, and better known as the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janel.

In short, I recommend visiting my country … so you can discover all its magic … !!!
You’ll like it!!

If you’d like to see more of my work:

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All my travel equipment is Manfrotto.

Canon 5D II, Canon 17-40 f4 / 70-200mm f2.8 lenses and filters.