Lisbon (Portugal), Palm Trees & First Dips in the Ocean

I had the opportunity to travel to Lisbon, Portugal for work. Normally that might sound like all meetings and tight schedules, but this time was special — I got to bring my boyfriend along. Even though I didn’t have tons of free time, we made the most of every moment. Lisbon is one of those cities where you don’t need a checklist — just walking around randomly is already magical.

The first thing that truly amazed me (don’t laugh) was seeing a palm tree for the first time in real life. As someone from Eastern Europe, it honestly felt like stepping into a postcard. I stood there like a total tourist, eyes wide open and pointing at the tree like I had discovered something rare. In a way, I had — the feeling of “oh wow, I’m really somewhere new.”

One of the most beautiful walks we did was along the canal under the 25 de Abril Bridge. The view is stunning — water, sunlight, boats, and that iconic red bridge stretching over it all. I’ve never been to the U.S., but it gave me such strong San Francisco vibes. For a moment, it really felt like we had jumped continents. There’s something about bridges that always makes a city feel bigger than life.

Another highlight was visiting the hilltop castle — Castelo de São Jorge. It’s already impressive just walking up through the winding streets, but when we reached the top, the view was unforgettable. What made it even more surreal? Seeing wild peacocks walking around freely. Like… actual peacocks, not in a zoo! It felt like we had stepped into a fantasy movie scene, with ancient stone walls, wind in our hair, and peacocks casually strutting nearby.

As much as I loved the city, the most unforgettable memory came on our last evening. We decided to drive out of the center and found ourselves near Praia da Cornélia — a wide, empty beach with barely a soul in sight. The sun was still high, the waves were gentle, and in a moment of pure joy and freedom, we went for a swim. Naked. Yes, in daylight, in the ocean, for the very first time. It felt wild, silly, romantic, and kind of like a personal movie scene. Definitely a memory I’ll never forget.

Besides the big moments, Lisbon is full of little treasures: charming tiled buildings, historic monuments, colorful streets, and warm air filled with the scent of pastries and sea salt. We didn’t follow any guidebook, and that made it even better. Sometimes we’d just stop in a random square and watch people pass by. There’s a rhythm to Lisbon that’s soft and vibrant at the same time — it welcomes you without trying too hard.

Even though the trip was short and a bit rushed because of work, it reminded me how a change of place, even briefly, can make everything feel new again. Sharing this with someone you love adds a whole other layer of meaning. We didn’t do everything. We didn’t see it all. But we felt Lisbon — and that’s more than enough.

So here are a few photos from our little escape. If you ever get the chance to go to Portugal, especially Lisbon, just go. Get lost in the city, let it surprise you, and maybe — just maybe — go for a spontaneous ocean swim too.