When I think about Portugal, one of the things that always amazes me is how many historic palaces have been turned into hotels. They’re not just places you visit during the day and leave behind. You can actually stay in them, surrounded by centuries of history. Bussaco Palace and it’s gardens is one of those rare gems, and during a visit to a friend in the area we decided to make it our home for a few nights.
Inside, the palace is as richly decorated as you’d expect, but what stayed with me the most was the outside — the gardens.
The Right Angle for Bussaco Palace Gardens
It was February, just after sunrise (07:54 to be exact), when I set out with my camera. The sky wasn’t particularly dramatic that morning, so instead of waiting for the light to change. I started exploring the palace grounds.
The Bussaco Palace gardens are full of details. Moss-covered pergolas, twisted branches, and quiet paths that invite you to wander slowly. As I walked, I realized that what I wanted to capture wasn’t just the architecture itself, but the feeling of taking a stroll there.
That’s how I found this point of view. The pergola frames the palace perfectly, while the path leads your eye forward. You don’t just see the palace — you feel as if you’re walking toward it.
The Technical Side
For those of you who like the gear talk:
Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: 19mm
Settings: ISO 64, f/8, 1/15s
Date & Time: 25.02.2023, 07:54
Shooting at 19mm gave me enough width to include both the palace and the garden path without distortion. I kept the aperture at f/8 to balance sharpness across the frame, and the slow shutter speed worked fine since the scene was still and I could hold steady.
A Photographer’s Tip
If you ever find yourself photographing Bussaco Palace gardens: wander through the gardens, look for natural frames like the moss-covered branches, and try to capture how it feels to walk there. Sometimes the story lies not in the grand architecture alone, but in the quieter details that surround it.
Staying at Bussaco Palace wasn’t just about having a beautiful room. It was about immersing myself in a place where history and daily life blend together. That morning, the gardens reminded me that even when the sky isn’t cooperating, there’s always another story waiting to be told through the lens.
If you ever doubt whether your work matters: remember that photography isn’t only about chasing perfect light. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, noticing the details others would walk past, and sharing that feeling with the world. That’s where the magic is.
Need more details about palace for your trip, check out Bussaco Woods on Center of Portugal official site for many great tips. If you love garden you can discover more from my other visit and blog post about Jeronimos Monastery and it’s beautiful gardens.
