How to take a nature forward vacation to Portugal

The ten best places in Lisbon and Porto to have a nature-forward immersion while on vacation in Portugal. Plus, planning hints at more purpose and meaning on your trip. Includes an interactive map with crucial recommendations.

This article about a nature-forward Portugal vacation is for you if:

You’re interested in Portugal travel but still need to be reassured by your environmental impact.
You get overwhelmed with travel planning because there are so many options.
You acknowledge the benefits of nature immersion but need help implementing this concept into your Portugal travels.

A solution to all the above is grounding in the trees, plants, rocks, and water — or adopting a nature-forward philosophy to your travel.

And don’t worry, a nature-forward focus in Portugal won’t usurp your hopes and dreams to see the sites, learn about culture, and enjoy delectable food & drink.

Instead, it simply provides a thoughtful framework to ensure you can be present for the benefits of travel.

I recently returned from an inspiring nature-forward vacation to Portugal with loved ones to celebrate a milestone birthday. All of my photos in this article were taken in Lisbon and Porto.

A traditional brick building in Porto Portugal with green tile and a car parked on the cobblestone street below.

Nature forward vacation to Portugal, topics in this article.

The benefits of nature-forward vacations
Planning a nature-forward vacation to Portugal
Nature forward activities
How to “nature-forward” while on vacation
Where to find places for nature-forward immersion
Top 10 nature-forward locations in Lisbon & Porto
Interactive map for a Portugal vacation
Let me help you plan & practice in real-time.

A nature-forward vacation provides many benefits.

Here are a few examples:

Stay present: Daily nature immersion while traveling ensures you keep grounded. As a result, you’ll be more present to yourself and your travel companions and fully experience places like Lisbon and Porto.
Healing & well-being: Allocating as little as 20 minutes daily grounding in nature helps alleviate everyday travel stress and anxiety. Plus, you’ll have more energy for everything else.
Compass for travel planning: Leaning on the Natural World for support is an excellent backbone to travel planning and saving time and money while on the road.
Return refreshed: Grounding in nature empowers presence to the wonders of travel — which begets joy, fulfillment, and rejuvenation.

A nature-forward approach to travel is a way to actively make a difference in your environmental impact. You become part of a growing collective helping rebalance the planet by firmly grounding in nature. It might seem futile, but real, sustainable change will happen as rebalance happens.

For more information about nature-forward travel and why it matters, access the article on transforming your travel experience with nature-forward vacations.

A nature forward vacation in Portugal requires visiting the top of one of the famous seven hills. The view from the Castelo de S Jorge is impressive as all the orange tiles are evident across the town. In the foreground an ancient olive tree sways in the wind with bright green leaves.

Matthew Kessi poses for a selfie at the Castelo de St. Jorge atop Lisbon Portugal. He's smiling and behind him are the ramparts of the castle as well as a dense canopy of green trees. The sky in the background is gray.

Mystic tested and approved!

I’m a practical mystic, which means I actively integrate spiritual sensitivities and meaningful applications in daily life. Since age six, I’ve immersed myself deep within the spirits of the land and traversed the globe — to over 60 countries. Experiences are more rewarding when grounded in nature because you can be more present to yourself, your companions, and all the wonders of travel.

Planning a nature-forward vacation in Portugal

While nature-forward refers to grounding in the land around you, your “essence” or “nature” is an important consideration. So this article also focuses on how best to inject your authentic desires for travel into a fantastic experience.

For example, with the more profound clarity provided by nature, you can push away the fear of missing out (FOMO) that leads to unfulfilling checklists because you emphasize your intuition — even while on vacation in Portugal.

There is much to see between Lisbon, Porto, and the rest of the coastal nation. Be realistic about your timelines and ask critical questions when forming an itinerary. “Why is this activity important? What desire does it fulfill?” For example, if the answer is because it’s popular on social media, dive deeper into your heart to ensure it makes sense for the time and money.

A cable car in Lisbon Portugal moves along a cobblestone street. It is bright red and attached to wires from above.

A view of Porto, Portugal from the Douro River. There are layers of buildings and people from tents and cafes on the seawall walkway to the church high above.

I’ve written an entire article on planning a nature-forward vacation, so take a look if you’d like more specifics. There are also a lot of activity ideas included. Here are a few quick planning guidelines for a nature-forward vacation to Portugal:

Buy one airline ticket from your home to Portugal — preferably on the airline’s website with the longest flight.
Leverage your budget to stay in the center of Lisbon and Porto.
Stay for at least two nights in any given location.
Plan a rest day for every three days of active travel.
Anchor a nature immersion activity (at least one quiet hour without technology) into the daily itinerary.
Driving/parking can be stressful in Lisbon and Porto, and trains are very efficient between the two cities. However, you’ll need a vehicle to explore Portugal’s rural and southern portions.

If you want help planning, consider booking a Zoom meeting with me to set a strong foundation for your nature-forward vacation to Portugal. From hostels to 5-star hotels, lying on beaches to summiting mountains, I’ve experienced the gambit. I can help you narrow in on the best options. All the information is at the bottom of this article.

Nature-forward activities on vacation to Portugal

Lisbon and Porto are rich with things to do. The rural areas and the coast cater to agriculture immersion and beach life. But, no matter the consideration, Portugal is a gem of a vacation destination.

I’m partial to nature immersion activities, which I’ll explore later in this writing. Here are some other nature-forward considerations:

Boat rides — especially on the Duoro River in and around Porto — the rocking in the water keeps you deeply connected to nature. Well worth the time and money.
Walking tours are excellent for connecting with the land spirits and having fun. We loved our walk with the eccentric Xenia. She’s on Airbnb Experiences.
Any food & drink experience that allows you thorough information or access to the source provides nature-forward benefits. Try to “vote with your dollars” for such proprietors.
Plant-based travel limits environmental impact and is an excellent nature-forward activity for acknowledging where your nourishment comes from. Check out my friend Rebecca’s blog post, The complete vegan travel guide to Lisbon 2023.
Fado is more than a touristy craze. Instead, the experience feels like an intimate dinner party at a friend’s home — very grounding. We loved our first experience in Lisbon so much that we booked another night, later, in Porto.

A group of people on a nature forward vacation walk up the many steps to the top of a hill in Lisbon Portugal. A man looks back at the camera holding a red plaid umbrella as a lady in yellow rain jacket turns toward the camera too. The buildings in the background are white brick under gray skies.

A bright yellow flower opens up around green blades of foliage, some with purple at the tips.

How to nature forward on a Portugal vacation.

How do you begin to elevate your embrace of nature while on vacation in Portugal? As a mystic who’s spent my life leading myself and others into the unseen realms of trees, plants, rocks, and water, I’ve developed six fundamentals to engage in nature-forward experiences. They are explained HERE in more detail.

Suppose you want help practicing these steps in real-time. In that case, you can work with me on guided nature immersions that go deeper into the unseen realm of the Natural World through simple meditations — where profound healing and well-being exist. I’ll also teach you how to practice this daily and on vacation in Portugal. Continue reading to the bottom of this article for more information.

When you’re grounded in nature, everything has more meaning no matter what you do — even if you’ve forged an action-packed itinerary. Even if only subconsciously, you’re a part of something larger than yourself.

If you’d like to learn more about immersing in nature while on vacation, including specific examples and meditations, go HERE.

Have intention

Be clear with yourself and other travel companions about your Portugal vacation purpose. Then, dive deeper and manifest a desired outcome for the trip. Finally, when you arrive, ask the land spirits to help you.

Acknowledge the land

Nature will hold you tighter when offering a thoughtful gesture of respect. Ask for permission to enter as if knocking on a neighbor’s door. You could say, “I come with an open heart,” or something similar.

Remove distractions

It’s okay if your mind isn’t clear, but try to set yourself up for success. It’s not realistic to eliminate all technology all the time, but do your best to give yourself the gift of space from the demands of daily life back home.

Slow down, and then go slower.

Walking is a great way to slow down, and you get to connect with the charm of the cobblestone streets.

The first 20 minutes are crucial in setting the pace when practicing a nature immersion. After that, make a conscious effort to do everything slowly — maybe, as you’d imagine, in slow motion. Try to stay as quiet as possible.

Pay attention

You’re walking in a world with millions of little miracles — smell the leaves and look up at the trees.

Integrate afterward

Allow your experience to integrate into your life. On the way home, review your favorite nuggets of gold. Next, debrief with your travel companions about the highlights of the journey. Then, go a step further and write down notes.

A planter in the median of a street has two tulips blooming that are yellow and red. In the background is a cobblestone street with brightly colored buildings.

Where to enjoy a nature-forward immersion on vacation in Portugal.

Immediately upon arrival in Lisbon, I felt a welcoming connection to the land spirits. It should be easy to locate inspiring locations to connect with nature in the coastal areas to the south and in the rolling hills that follow the Duoro River.

Remember, quality is more important than quantity. From a nature-forward point of view, enjoying a tiny beach alcove on the Algarve Coast in stillness could be more potent than a five-mile hike — when engaging with distractions like talking to companions or social media. For more details access this article, where to find nature-forward immersions while on vacation.

If you’d like more details on practicing a nature-forward immersion, check out this article, or consider working with me on a guided walk in Portland or Seattle.

While traveling in Portugal, these were my primary considerations for locating the best nature-forward opportunities in Lisbon & Porto:

Spaces with old vegetation or elements have more wisdom to share. Tree-lined boulevards are suitable for this because, in many cases, the trees were planted a few hundred years ago.
Where water meets land is always powerful. Even a fountain in a tiny garden can provide a special nature connection.
In busy city parks, use benches or dry ground to lie down and look up. Or, face away from the main walkways. This helps lessen the impact of distractions.
Botanical gardens are great for a nature-forward vacation. Every large city has one. There are at least three in central Lisbon.
Lisbon is famous for its seven hills & Porto is layered on the side of a mountain over the Duoro River. Both cities have fantastic viewpoints over the terrain — inspiring places to immerse in nature. While firmly connected to the ground, you enjoy breathtaking big-picture views.

A manmade pond has two bubbling fountains while thin green reeds of aquatic plants emerge from out of the water. In the background is a restaurant with outdoor diners looking at the water feature.

A fountain in a square in Lisbon Portugal reflects the ornate history and adds the wavy mosaic tile and trees with historic buildings in the background.

The top 10 places to enjoy nature-forward immersion on vacation to Portugal — Lisbon & Porto.

Lisbon and Porto are bustling hives of action — complete with noise, smells, sounds, and textures of colors. All this activity might seem unfriendly to finding quiet spaces to find inner peace and nature connection, but rest assured, the land spirits are here, wanting to help.

Using the above criteria, I found numerous places to spend quiet time in nature in Lisbon & Porto. These are my top 10 favorites on a nature-forward vacation to Portugal.

Trees along Av. da Liberdade

I’m thankful I booked a centrally located hotel around the Rossio Train Station in Lisbon! Walking was accessible everywhere, and we were close to the magnificent Av. da Liberdade.

The trees lining this stately boulevard are majestic and abundant. Sit on one of the many benches along this avenue and stare at the bending trunks. Listen to the wind blow through the branches (and leaves in summer/fall) and glide away with your new nature friends.

If you want a lovely walking meditation, begin in Lisbon’s iconic Praça Dom Pedro IV — the one with the famous wavy black and white tile — and continue 2.5km (about thirty minutes) up the Av. da Liberdade to another of my favorites, Jardim Amalia Rodrigues. You’ll pass by several other city landmarks along the way.

A yellow and red building stand proudly on the other side of a Wide boulevard in downtown Lisbon Portugal. The trees in between are without their leaves because it is still winter. In the foreground is a beautiful black and white mosaic on the sidewalk.

Matthew Kessi poses for a selfie in front of a grand formal lawn in Lisbon Portugal. In the background can be seen a statue rising up in a ceremonial roundabout on the main avenue.

Jardim Amalia Rodrigues

This greenspace offers a commanding view of Lisbon with Parque Eduardo VII front and center. Viewing the patchwork of geometric lawns and shrubs from above provides a grounding sensation — and is worth a wander.

Simple pleasures abound here, including a circular pond and an arena where the spirits of the land will dance with you. Begin your day with a thirty-minute nature immersion here — it will change your outlook.

Botanical gardens (3) — Jardim Botanico de Lisboa, Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Estufa Fria

Close to Jardim Amalia Rodrigues, there are three delightful botanical gardens. I enjoyed Jardim Botanico de Lisbon, which feels like a secret garden, hugging the side of a hill with grace. In particular, there are ample benches to have a seat and reflect in the oxygen-rich air. Reach the park via one entrance at the top of the hill (SW corner).

The Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a beautiful museum of art pieces and nature integration. Estufa Fria is a wild garden of exotic plants, water features, and general botanical goodness.

Botanical gardens like this one in Portugal make for a great nature forward vacation location. Here, there are steps rising up into a forest with pine trees and their knarly bark add contrast the rich layers of green ground foliage.

The castello de S. Jorge is a dramatic bastion at the top of a hill in Lisbon Portugal. The ramparts are seen here leading to a bright red door framed in by an ancient olive tree and blue skies. This is a favorite nature forward thing to do while on vacation in Portugal.

Castelo de S. Jorge

I awoke in Lisbon on my birthday feeling a spry 50 but a little uneasy about the celebration slated for the evening. Of course, there was nothing to worry about — all the plans were made. But my birthday nerves were uncomfortable, so I sought a place to get “above it all.”

Not only is the walk to Castelo de S. Jorge through a whimsical cobblestone neighborhood, but the soul at the top of this hill is magical. It is worth the price of admission alone to see the brood of peacocks showing off their colors.

The castle is an impressive collection of stone towers connected by ramparts with sweeping views in every direction. I spent three hours slowly wandering through the grounds. Ancient olive trees blew in the wind below my perch — wedged comfortably into a stone casing under the proud Portuguese flag.

Cais das Colunas

Atop the Castelo de S. Jorge, I noticed a prominent square near the river below (Praça do Comércio), which was not on my radar during the Lisbon trip.

So, trusting intuition to guide me, I descended the maze of stairways and cobblestones to the stately square — and crossed the roadway toward the water’s edge. Although Cais das Colunas is an understated historical quay, it provided a divine connection to the Tagus River.

Even surrounded by tourists snapping photos, I slipped into a trance, watching the gentle waves splash onto the steps and disappear into the churning water. Visit this spot with time to find stillness within — then wade through the portal into a magical realm of clarity and healing.

A cathedral rises above the orange roofs of Lisbon Portugal under gray stormy skies.

A brilliant orange castle top at the Pena Palace in Sintra shines bright against a blue sky.

Park and National Palace of Pena (Sintra)

We organized a guided day trip to Sintra, which included a stop at the Palace of Pena. The castle is dramatically built into the crest of a mountain. It is statuesque, with bright colors and fairy-tale architecture.

The tour of the premises lasted about two hours, enough time to learn about the history, take in the ornate decorations, and enjoy birdseye views in every direction.

But the masterpiece of the experience is the nature surrounding the castle. Layers of trees — some indigenous and others exotic imports — fold into a symphony of forest texture that allows an excellent nature-forward opportunity to slip away into another world.

This is a place to return and explore more — primarily through the many hiking trails in and around the medieval town of Sintra.

The coastline between Cabo Raso and Cascais

We requested this drive be integrated into our Sintra day trip. It turned out to be a highlight for many’s vacations to Portugal. Meander along a prominent road view of the wild Atlantic Ocean — frothy waves dramatically crashing against the rugged lava coastline.

In particular, a wonderful dining experience is at Furnas do Guincho. Dine on fresh seafood while huge waves meet land mere feet from the outside patio — laying a salty mist on everything in the way.

The Atlantic coast of Portugal makes for a great nature forward experience. Here the frothy waves crash against worn down lava rocks with cloudy skies above.

A formal garden in Porto Portugal shows of a four flower bed combination with green textures and magenta ground cover around an ornate fountain. The Douro River flows in the distance.

Jardins do Palaico de Cristal — Porto

This spectacular example of urban nature-forward immersion elevates the soul even on a drizzly day. Formal gardens with fountains lead to nooks and crannies under rich canopies of inspiring trees. The power of the land spirits lends well to a meaningful nature-forward immersion and then the surprise.

It takes some wandering through the gardens that hug the Super Boch Arena to reach views of the Duoro River — but it’s well worth the effort. And engage this fascinating greenspace with more than just a photo-op. Instead, rest on a bench or a rock wall and soak in the elements.

Jardim da Cordoria — Porto

Although a hub of activity, especially on weekends, make this a place to start your day in nature. Rows of age-old sycamore trees proudly usher visitors into unseen realms of spirit. They were severely damaged in a hurricane years ago — and pruned back in a way that encouraged “new” growth. That grew into an elaborate winding canopy, which reminds me of nature’s resilience.

I offered to facilitate a nature-forward immersion with my friends and family on my vacation to Portugal. Four loved ones joined me to connect with the land spirits here (photo shown). Take time to enjoy the healing and well-being steeped in this urban greenspace.

Matthew Kessi and a group of smiling people in a nature-forward mystic experience in a park in Porto, Portugal. Behind them, ancient trees rise up to form a thick canopy with their twirling branches.

A metal bridge spans a river in Porto Portugal. Many layers of houses with orange tiled roofs can be seen.

Jardim do Morro — Porto

This garden is on a hill opposite the Duoro River from Porto. Walk across the iconic Ponte Luis I pedestrian and light rail bridge to enjoy views of the tile roofs — layered down to the bank. It will be busy on weekends and evenings, but worth a try to absorb nature and views.

Interactive map of my nature forward vacation to Portugal

This map is a collection of my favorite nature-forward experiences while on vacation in Portugal. Every item is a place we ate, drank, celebrated, or a reliable recommendation.

The nature-forward immersion recommendations listed above and a few other botanical locations are also on the map.

I enjoyed staying in the center of both Lisbon and Porto because walking was easy. There are many options to suit all budgets in these areas.

These suggestions are my point of view — I do not receive compensation for placement on the map or written articles unless expressly noted.

Have more nature-forward vacation planning questions?

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Let me help you plan and practice nature-forward vacations.

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A lifetime of wandering to over 60 countries across the globe — immersing deep within the mysteries of the land — gives me powerful practical wisdom to share about nature-forward vacations. From hostels to 5-star hotels, lying on beaches to summiting mountains, I’ve experienced the gambit. I can help you narrow in on the best options. So let me help you get started thinking and planning with a nature-forward focus.

No matter where you live or where you want to go, I offer zoom meetings customized to your interests and needs. Click the tiles below for more information.

In-person mystic nature experiences

Practice makes… more practice. You can work with me in person on guided nature immersions curated to meet you where you’re at with the natural world.

Then, we’ll go even deeper into the unseen realm of rocks, water, trees, and plants through simple meditations — where profound healing and well-being exist. You’ll learn how to practice this daily and on vacation too. Transformation is closer than you think.

These 90-minute low-impact walks are available in the Seattle and Portland areas. I’m also open to travel beyond the Pacific Northwest — message me to start a dialogue.

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This Pinterest Pin talks about planning a zoom video session with Matthew Kessi in order to get started planning a nature forward vacation. The tile is a brownish-red while the background photo is a formal garden with step leading down to a fountain surrounded on four sides with red flowers and pea gravel paths.

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Pinterest pin that talks about nature-forward immersion, guided walks to healing and well being in Seattle and Portland. The banner is lime green with photo in the background of green clovers and moss in the deep forest.

Selfie of Matthew Kessi sitting on a tree stump overlooking a lake with greenish water. His nature connection is great here, as he's smiling and leaning into the camera.

Let me be your bridge to an elevated relationship with nature

Practice makes… more practice. You can work with me in person on guided nature immersions curated to meet you where you’re at with the Natural World.

These 90-minute low-impact walks are available in the Seattle and Portland areas. I’m also open to travel beyond the Pacific Northwest — message me to start a dialogue.

more information

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How to take a nature forward vacation to Portugal