Have you ever been somewhere on vacation and thought, “This would make a great photo trip!” That’s what happened to me a few years ago, and so in April I returned to Portugal to do just that. Organized by my old friend Rene Bastien of Highlight Photo Tours, we started in Porto, worked our way to Lisbon, then visited areas north and south of there before flying out to the Azores (islands 950 miles into the Atlantic Ocean).
Being mostly a landscape and city photo trip, I brought my favorite three Nikon Z travel lenses: Nikkor 14-30mm f/4, 40mm f/2 and 28-400mm f/4-8. I used a Nikon Z8 almost the entire time, but also had a Nikon Z6III as a second, or back-up camera. Our group of fifteen had a wonderful time, and I’ll let the photos below, along with some short captions, show you what we did.
We flew into Porto, and spent the first few days there:
Porto is a lovely city on the Duoro River in the far northwest of the country. Portugal is famous for their electric streetcars, or “trams,” so that was a subject we definitely wanted to photograph. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/200 at f/13 in Matrix metering, -1.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 15mm.
A little bit of architecture, color and daily life as seen from the cruise we took on the Duoro River. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/640 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 270mm.
We spent part of one morning exploring Avenida dos Aliados, and found the people to be friendly and welcoming. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 125, 1/640 at f/2 in Matrix metering, +1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 lens at 40mm.
I’m usually not a big fan of winery tours, but really enjoyed our visit and Port wine tasting at Real Companiha Velha. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/2500 at f/2.2 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 lens.
On our way back to the hotel after the wine tasting, we stopped at a small shipyard that offered some nice photos. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 80, 1/250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 47mm.
Our home in Porto was the Pestana Palcio do Freixom, a beautiful old castle. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 2000, 1/5 at f/4 in Matrix metering, -1.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
We started our second full day in Porto along the riverfront and the Ribeira, finding some nice views from the nearby bridge. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 100, 1/800 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
A view across the Duoro River from the Ribeira. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 100, 1/250 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 19mm.
I used an extension tube with my telephoto zoom to photograph this fella at the Crystal Palace Gardens. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/400 at f/7.6 in Matrix metering, +0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 180mm.
Feathers on a duck, also at the Crystal Palace Gardens. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 1000, 1/25 at f/10 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 400mm.
The cliffs above the Duoro River, near the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, offer great views of Porto. So we chose that location for our final shoot the last day in Porto. The sunset nicely lit this small, abandoned church on a hillside nearby. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/200 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 340mm.
The bridge by the monastery gave us nice views of Porto at sunset. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 1600, 1/20 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 43mm.
From Porto we headed south, making stops on our way to Lisbon:
The first place we visited was Ria de Aveiro, Canal Central, famous for their canals and gondolas. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/800 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 21mm. Each gondola had unique artwork decorating its bow and stern. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 250, 1/400 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 130mm. From there we went to the Batalha Monastery for a tour. I chose black-and-white for the old-time feel it gives, and a small aperture to create a “sun star” of the sun shining through an upper window. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 320, 1/6 at f/16 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm. The light streaming through the stained glass windows in the monastery created lovely patterns. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 320, 1/80 at f/4.5 in Matrix metering, -2.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm. One of my favorite stops that day was along the beach at Nazare. This lady was kind enough to let me photograph her with the dried fish she was selling. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/800 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 22mm. We spent that night in the walled city of Obidos, where we had just enough time after checking in to explore the wall and photograph the castle. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/100 at f/11 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 18mm. I liked the patterns created by these walls, windows and roofs inside Obidos, as seen from the parapet surrounding it. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 640, 1/125 at f/8 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 210mm. Our first stop the following day was the shore and cliffs at Peniche, where this person was headed out for some early-morning fishing. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 160, 1/400 at f/6.7 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 125mm. Since it was mostly overcast that morning, I chose black-and-white to photograph through this gap in the cliffs out towards the ocean. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/125 at f/10 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 30mm. Our final stop before arriving in Lisbon was for a tour of the Royal Palace of Mafra, where I found a couple of ladies dressed in period attire. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/160 at f/2 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 lens at 40mm.
The next couple of nights were spent in Lisbon, but we took advantage of its location to also visit Evora and Sintra:
Arriving at the Lumen Hotel in Lisbon mid-afternoon, we decided to walk to the nearby Parque Eduardo VII. Being Saturday, people were out enjoying the spring weather, like this man practicing soccer with a friend. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/1600 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 20mm.
And this young woman scrolling her phone. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 100, 1/160 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 400mm.
Leaving Lisbon the following morning for Evora, we first took the narrow, winding road up to the 16th century Castle of Evoramonte. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 125, 1/500 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 15mm.
A cyclist out for a Sunday morning hill-climb to the castle. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/2000 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
The Roman ruins in Evora (columns in back) are a challenge to photograph because of the buildings and crowds around them. So I chose to use them as a backdrop for the flower garden nearby. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 64, 1/800 at f/5.6 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 22mm.
We returned to Lisbon that day in time for a sunset cruise (with drinks and tapas!) on the Tagus River. In this case, I used a slow shutter speed to blur the waves in the foreground. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/2 second at f/22 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 62mm.
I also use a slow shutter speed to photograph the Monument of the Discoveries as we sailed past, this time zooming the lens as I shot. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/4-second at f/18 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 41mm.
The next morning we took our bus to Sintra, with our first stop at the National Palace of Pena. In addition to being impressive, it was also crowded! Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 125, 1/640 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Having some time to wander after lunch in Sintra, I found this unusual scene in a street above town. Not a person, but a mannequin. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 125, 1/640 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Returning to Lisbon from Sintra, we visited the Monument of the Discoveries. It honors the “Age of Exploration” that Portugal was a leader of in the 15th and 16th centuries. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/500 at f/10 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Our final morning in Lisbon was spent in the city itself. This scene was near the flea market. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 500, 1/1600 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 21mm.
Street performers in Lisbon. I’ve found that they’re always happy to let me photograph them, after I drop a little money in their basket. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 160, 1/1250 at f/2 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 lens.
The final few days of our trip were spent in the Azores, islands nearly a thousand miles off the coast of Portugal, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Our first morning was often rainy, but by the time we got to Vila Franca do Campo for a coffee break the sun had popped out and we headed to these rocks along the shore. I added a ten-stop neutral density filter to my lens, with the camera on a tripod, which allowed me to use a long shutter speed and blur the water. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 5-secoonds at f/13 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
We tried to get to Cascata do Segredo, a waterfall, but weren’t able to make it across the creek leading to it. But the hike down and back offered some other nice views, like this one. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/640 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 70mm.
We had more rain later that day, but it still resulted in some nice photos, like this one at the Parque Terra Nostra botanical gardens and hot springs. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 200, 1/80 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 19mm.
The following morning we started at the small fishing village of Rabo de Peixe. We had both sun and rain while there, which resulted in this. I used a polarizing filter to help bring out the rainbow. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 250, 1/500 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 89mm.
One of the inhabitants of Rabo de Peixe, who was kind enough to allow us to photograph him. I found the people in Portugal to be kind and friendly. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 250, 1/100 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 50mm.
There are some impressive calderas on the island we visited, like Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras. When we first arrived it was completely fogged in, but after waiting a bit we were rewarded with a view. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 500, 1/320 at f/11 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 19mm.
Not a wildlife trip, but we did see some nice birds, like this Azores Chaffinch, which is only found there. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 640, 1/200 at f/11 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 400mm.
The Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes is famous for its waterfalls, which we photographed. But my favorite picture was this, once more using my ten-stop neutral density filter for a long exposure, with the camera mounted on a tripod. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 800, 4-seconds at f/10 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 89mm.
We were surprised to learn there are tea plantations in the Azores, and so visited one. The lines created great patterns, but we really needed something more. Dara volunteered to sit on a bench in the midst of it all, and her red jacket was the perfect accent to the scene. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/640 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 150mm.
Another surprise was Termas da Ferraria (hot springs), nestled in lava rock at the western end of the island. Despite the cold wind and rain, there were plenty of people enjoying the chance to soak in warm water just off the Atlantic Ocean. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 250, 1/640 at f/5.6 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 15mm.
That was our last shoot before a farewell dinner and flights home the following morning. It was a wonderful trip, and I’d highly recommend Portugal to anyone looking for a different kind of European trip. (Rene and I are planning photo trips to Newfoundland and Scotland in 2027. If you’re interested in joining us, let me know!)
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