--- title: "Three Months in Lisbon, Portugal: Digital Nomad Life and Coastal Day Trips" description: This image: https://daveroma.com/hubfs/main-Oct-24-2024-05-23-00-7528-PM.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://daveroma.com/blog/digital-nomad-lisbon#main-content) [![](https://daveroma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dr-logo.png?width=50&height=23&name=dr-logo.png)](https://daveroma.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation [All posts](https://daveroma.com/blog/all) October 26, 2024 # Three Months in Lisbon, Portugal: Digital Nomad Life and Coastal Day Trips   David Roma  ·  3 minute read ![main-Oct-24-2024-05-23-00-7528-PM](https://daveroma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/main-Oct-24-2024-05-23-00-7528-PM.jpg?width=767&height=646&name=main-Oct-24-2024-05-23-00-7528-PM.jpg) After a month in Madeira, I couldn’t resist exploring Lisbon 🇵🇹. Known for its thriving digital nomad and entrepreneurial scene, the city drew me in with its vibrant energy, beautiful architecture, and laid-back lifestyle. I booked a stay at [Outsite’s Lisbon location](https://outsite.co/c/1IATZNWQ) in the Intendente neighborhood, which was quiet yet close to everything I needed. Initially, I planned to stay for a short time, but I ended up extending my stay to three months, exploring Lisbon’s best spots, day-tripping to nearby beaches, and connecting with some amazing people.   --- ### Where I Stayed The **Outsite house in Intendente** was perfect. This spot, nestled in a peaceful neighborhood yet close to the action, was a quiet retreat and base for exploring Lisbon. With Outsite’s relaxed, communal vibe, I had a fantastic group of digital nomads to explore the city with, which made the experience even better. --- ### What I Did #### Exploring Lisbon’s Walkable Beauty One of the things I loved most about Lisbon was how walkable it is. The city’s hills, tiled streets, and colorful architecture make every walk an adventure. I spent countless days exploring neighborhoods, admiring Lisbon’s classic azulejos (ceramic tiles), and just soaking up the atmosphere. Lisbon’s charm is unlike anywhere else. #### Costa da Caparica Beaches & Day Trips Only a short trip from Lisbon, **Costa da Caparica** became a regular hangout. The beaches 🏖️ are stunning, with golden sands and great waves for surfing. We took several trips with our Outsite crew, enjoying long beach days, sunsets, and Portuguese beach culture. I also explored nearby spots like **Cascais** and **Nazaré**, the famous surf town known for the world’s biggest waves. #### Learning to Make Pastel de Nata While in Lisbon, I had the chance to learn how to make **pastel de nata** (Portuguese custard tarts) with my digital nomad group. These sweet, flaky pastries are a Lisbon staple, and learning to bake them from scratch was such a fun, hands-on experience—and they were delicious! #### Incredible Food and the Famous Fish & Crab Spot Lisbon’s food scene did not disappoint. I explored countless restaurants, wine bars, and tried the famous **Ramiro** for their unbeatable seafood. The city has so many options, from casual spots to refined dining, making every meal an experience in itself. #### Exploring Lisbon’s Architecture Lisbon is packed with architectural wonders, from its historic neighborhoods to contemporary landmarks. I loved checking out the unique blend of old and new buildings, colorful façades, and classic Portuguese design that gives the city its charm. #### Hotel Ivens & Rocco Restaurant A highlight was **Hotel Ivens** in Chiado, with some of the most incredible interior design I’ve ever seen. I stopped by **Rocco**, their Italian restaurant, and it was fantastic—a beautiful space, great food, and the perfect spot to relax with friends. #### Road Trip to the Algarve We rented a car and took a road trip down the coast to the **Algarve**, Portugal’s southernmost region. Known for its rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and hidden beaches, Algarve’s beach hikes were incredible. I hiked through beautiful coastal trails, discovering secluded spots along the way, making it one of my favorite parts of my Portugal experience. --- ### What I Was Working On During my time in Lisbon, I didn’t have much client work, so I focused on a big personal project: building my **HubSpot website theme: [Generator](https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/website/generator-theme-by-drive-web-studio)**. One day, inspired by the mega menu on Stripe’s website, I had the idea for the **Mega Menu module**. I spent 24 hours straight developing it, and this feature became a major reason why HubSpot users love the generator. Creating this module in Lisbon was a breakthrough, and it’s still one of my most popular features. --- ### Living in Chiado After my stay with Outsite, I rented a beautiful penthouse in **Chiado**, one of Lisbon’s best neighborhoods. The apartment was on one of the city’s most scenic streets, offering amazing views and a perfect spot to end my Lisbon journey. I spent about two months here, getting to know the city even better and feeling like a true local. --- ### Friends Visiting: Sintra & the Castles Toward the end of my stay, my friends Peter and Kyle from Miami came to visit. We did all the classic tourist activities, including a trip to **Sintra** to see the castles. Exploring Sintra’s fairytale-like **Pena Palace** was incredible—the place is filled with vibrant colors, unique architecture, and views that look like something out of a dream. #### Introducing Peter to a Future Romance Funny enough, during their visit, I introduced Peter to a girl I met at Outsite, and they clicked instantly. They’re still together today, which is a pretty awesome bonus from our Lisbon adventure. #### Road Trip to Porto The three of us then road-tripped up to **Porto**. This city is smaller and more laid-back than Lisbon, with a charming riverside area, historic architecture, and incredible food. We enjoyed exploring Porto’s cobbled streets, tasting the famous Port wine, and taking in the city’s unique character. --- ### Conclusion Lisbon left a lasting impression on me. Between the vibrant Outsite community, the city’s incredible architecture, nearby beaches, and all the adventures we packed into three months, I felt like I got a true taste of what it would be like to live there. Lisbon has all the elements of a fantastic digital nomad city—beautiful scenery, a buzzing social scene, and endless things to do. It’s no surprise I ended up exploring options for a digital nomad visa and even considered calling it home. 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