one week road trip portugal

One Week in Portugal Itinerary: Two Sample Itineraries for 7 Epic Days in Portugal

Posted on Last updated: June 10, 2023

If you’re planning to spend one week in Portugal, but aren’t sure where to go or what to see, you’ve come to the right place!

In this Portugal one week itinerary I will list everything you need to know to spend seven amazing days in Portugal.

However let’s start with the premise that seven days in Portugal aren’t really enough to travel across the whole country.

As small as this European country may be, it’s hard to spend a week in Portugal and properly see everything that deserves to be seen.

But don’t worry, I have just the right solution for you! I spent almost a month in Portugal spread out across various trips, and am here to share with you all my top tips for making the most of your week in Portugal.

Instead of speeding across the country, I would suggest focusing your Portugal itinerary either in northern Portugal or southern Portugal.

Admiring the famous azulejos facade of the Chapel of Souls in Porto

In this guide I included two sample Portugal 7-day itineraries. I also included information on all the best things to do in each city, where to stay, tips on where to eat, the best tours and more.

Each itinerary has its highlights and focus points, as well as being better suited for specific types of travellers and seasons.

For example northern Portugal is best suited for a winter trip to Portugal, or for travellers who are more interested in history and nature.

Whilst southern Portugal is perfect for a summer trip and people who want to visit the beautiful beaches of the Algarve.

So if you want to discover the best way to spend seven days in Portugal for your interest and travel style, just read on!

• 1 Do you need travel insurance for one week in Portugal?
• 2 How to get around Portugal in one week
• 3.1.1 Explore the Ribeira district
• 3.1.2 Visit the many churches of Porto
• 3.1.3 Wander around Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
• 3.1.4 Visit Livraria Lello
• 3.1.5 Some popular Porto tours you can join
• 3.1.6 Where to stay in Porto
• 3.2.1 Do a wine tasting at a local vineyard
• 3.2.2 Explore Pinhão
• 3.3.1 Cruise the canals of Aveiro
• 3.3.2 Discover Buçaco National Forest
• 3.3.3 Visit Coimbra
• 3.3.4 Where to stay in Coimbra
• 3.4.1 Batalha Monastery
• 3.4.2 Alcobaça Monastery
• 3.4.3 Explore Nazaré
• 3.4.4 Where to stay in Nazare
• 3.5.1 Explore Obidos
• 3.5.2 Relax in Peniche
• 3.5.3 Surf in Ericeira
• 3.5.4 Where to stay in Ericeira
• 3.6.1 Discover the castles of Sintra
• 3.6.2 Relax in Cascais
• 3.6.3 Where to stay in Lisbon
• 3.7.1 Enjoy the view from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
• 3.7.2 Shop at Rua Augusta
• 3.7.3 Praca do Comercio
• 3.7.4 See the famous Elevador Da Bica
• 3.7.5 Lisbon Cathedral
• 3.7.6 Wander around Alfama
• 3.7.7 Eat & drink at Time Out Market & Pink Street
• 4.1 Day 1: Start in Lisbon
• 4.2.1 Where to sleep in Evora
• 4.3.1 Discover Evora
• 4.3.2 Visit the cute town of Monsaraz
• 4.3.3 Stay in Mertola
• 4.3.4 Where to stay in Mertola
• 4.4.1 Explore Tavira & its beaches
• 4.4.2 Visit Faro
• 4.4.3 Beach & party in Albufeira
• 4.4.4 Where to stay in Albufeira
• 4.5.1 Sunrise kayak to Benagil Cave
• 4.5.2 Chill at Praia do Marinha
• 4.5.3 Where to stay in Lagos
• 4.6.1 Relax at the beaches in Lagos
• 4.6.2 Admire the cliffs of Ponta do Piedade
• 4.7.1 Road trip to Sagres
• 4.7.2 Surf at Praia do Amado

Discovering the cloisters of Batalha Monastery in Portugal

Do you need travel insurance for one week in Portugal?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance .

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo .

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance !

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

The distinctive architecture and colours of Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal

How to get around Portugal in one week

The easiest way to travel around Portugal and see every stop on this itinerary is to  rent a car  and drive. Renting a car will give you the most flexibility both in terms of destinations and timings.

Portugal has a good public transport system, with trains connecting all the major cities and cheap buses that can get you almost everywhere.

However, if you want to visit some of the off the beaten track towns of this Portugal 1-week itinerary, a car is the easiest way to get there.

Especially if you’re planning a Portugal family vacation , a car will give you the most flexibility.

You won’t necessarily need it all the time, for example in the bigger cities like Porto and Lisbon it’s easier to get around on foot.

Or places like Sintra and Evora are most easily visited on an organised day trip to avoid driving in traffic. But overall, a car will give you the most freedom.

Click here to search for the perfect car rental for your trip!

View over the beach and town of Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Portugal

1 Week in Portugal Summary

As already mentioned, it’s nearly impossible to explore the nation from A to Z in just seven days. There are tons of things to do in all the different cities, towns, and regions.

You could speed from Porto down to Faro in seven days, just about touching on all the main highlights, but you wouldn’t be able to properly soak in the vibe of this gorgeous European country.

Which is why instead of only one Portugal 7-day itinerary , in this guide you will find two itineraries!

One itinerary focuses on northern Portugal, from Porto to Lisbon , whilst the other focuses on southern Portugal, going from Lisbon to the Algarve.

Each itinerary is best suited for different types of travellers and seasons. Read on to discover my two sample 1-week in Portugal itineraries!

Admiring Belem Tower in Lisbon

Northern Portugal One Week Itinerary

This Portugal one week itinerary is best suited for travellers who have are more interested in history and nature, or who are visiting Portugal in the colder months from October to April.

Here’s what awaits during seven days in northern Portugal.

Day 1: Explore Porto

This northern Portugal 7-day itinerary starts in Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Porto boasts picturesque views, delicious food and fascinating architecture.

Here’s a brief breakdown of how to spend a day in the city – I do have a more in-depth Porto 1-day itinerary if you’d like to check that out.

Enjoying the view from Miradouro da Vitoria in Porto, Portugal

Explore the Ribeira district

This charming neighbourhood features narrow and cobbled streets lined with bars and restaurants ready to satisfy your taste buds.

This riverside district usually takes up most of the image results on Google when you search for “Porto”, and with good reason.

Cais da Ribeira, the riverfront street, features stacked 18th-century pastel houses reminiscent of a LEGO build. There are also cafes to take care of your coffee fix, and it is the perfect gateway to the famous Ponte Luis bridge.

A traditional rabelo boat cruising along the Douro River with the Porto cityscape behind it

Visit the many churches of Porto

Porto is packed with churches, many of which date centuries back. Apart from their religious importance, they’re also a marvel to witness thanks to their amazing architecture.

Some of the most interesting and famous that you have to visit include:

The Chapel of Souls is perhaps Porto’s social media darling, as its exterior boasts azulejos , traditional Portuguese blue and white tiles. Not only are they mesmerising enough to go viral on Instagram, but they also hold historical significance as they showcase how some saints lived.

The Chapel of Souls in Porto, Portugal

The Clerigos Church is perched on top of a hill and features a 75.6-metre (248-foot) high tower offering scenic views of Porto’s skyline. Beware, though, you’ll have to climb 240 steps to this viewpoint in all its glory.

If you want to visit the top of Torre dos Clerigos, make sure to book your skip-the-line entrance ticket online beforehand . That way, you won’t have to waste time queuing! 

Click here to purchase your Torre dos Clerigos skip-the-line entrance ticket , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Igreja dos Clerigos in Porto, Portugal

Porto Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the historical centre of Porto, close to Ribeira neighbourhood. It’s one of the most important Romanesque monuments, as well as offering gorgeous views over the rooftops of Porto.

Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas are two church located right next to each other. And when I say right next to each other, I really mean it!

They’re incredibly detailed and beautiful churches, both for their azulejos exteriors and their intricate interior decorations.

Porto Cathedral

View over Porto from Porto Cathedral

Wander around Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

If you’re a flora enthusiast, there’s no better place to visit than this garden which dates back to the 19th century.

Even if you aren’t into flowers, it’s a great stop for relaxing after all the sightseeing you’ll be doing and also overlooks the beautiful Douro River.

Visit Livraria Lello

Suggesting a library might seem weird, but I’m sure you’ve heard of this library specifically!

Livraria Lello supposedly inspired JK Rowling for some of the scenery in Harry Potter, and once you explore the Neo-Gothic and Art Deco elements of it, you’ll see why.

There’s always a huge queue to visit it, so make sure to head there early in the morning! You will have to pay 5 EUR to enter the library, but this is then redeemable as credit for a book purchase.

The shopfront of Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal

Some popular Porto tours you can join

Porto is a fairly small city, and I personally think you can quite easily see everything Porto has to offer by walking around alone.

However, since this Portugal 7-day itinerary is quite packed and you will only have one day in Porto, you might want to do a guided tour instead.

That way you will have a knowledgeable guide showing you around and telling you about the local history of everything you see, as well as being sure you’ll tick off all the highlights. Here are some of the most popular Porto tours online.

Porto City Highlights 3-Hour Guided Electric Bike Tour   – Discover all the most beautiful spots in Porto by bike (they’re electric bikes as well, so they won’t be too tiring)!

Porto: Guided Historical Centre Tuk Tuk Tour   – If you don’t want to cycle, this tour is perfect to save energy and still all the beauties of the historical centre of Porto!

Porto Historical Centre Walking Tour  – A classic walking tour, where you will learn the history of this gorgeous city.

Porto: Delicious Food and Wine Walking Tour  – Because visiting a city is good, but learning about it while tasting the delicious local cuisine is better!

Enjoying the sunset over Porto and the Douro River

Where to stay in Porto

In Porto I stayed at  Hotel do Norte . The hotel itself isn’t particularly grand, but it’s very affordable, the position is extremely convenient, and it even has great views over the azulejos of the Chapel of Souls just across the street.

It’s located right in the centre of Porto, and will be a great starting point for your Porto walking tour.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Do Norte!

If you want something a bit fancier, I have listed below some of the best places to stay in Porto  for higher budgets.

Mid-range –  Vera Cruz Porto Downtown Hotel  – This modern hotel is perfect for those who want something night, without breaking the bank. Centrally located, it has an epic terrace with Porto views.

Book your stay at Vera Cruz Porto Downtown Hotel here!

Luxury –  Oporto Home – River Front :  If you want to treat yourself, this wonderful apartment is the place to do so. The huge windows provide plenty of light, as well as epic views over the river and Porto.

Check out prices and availability at Oporto Home – River Front here!

Exploring Ribeira and Cais da Ribeira in Porto, Portugal

Day 2: Day Trip to the Douro Valley and its Surrounding Towns

The next part of your northern Portugal 1-week itinerary should be a day trip to the famous Douro Valley .

It’s one of the country’s most popular wine regions, but it has more to offer than just vineyards. Here are some of the best things to do in the Douro Valley and surroundings.

Do a wine tasting at a local vineyard

Would it be a trip to a renowned wine region without visiting at least one of the area’s wine farms? Probably not.

Enjoy a delicious lunch with views of the Douro Valley’s splendour while sipping on the region’s finest wines. Among the best wine farms to visit in the region include the Quinta do Crasto, Quinta da Pacheca, and Quinta das Carvalhas.

Check out prices & availability for your Douro day trip below!

Exploring the vineyards of the Douro Valley

Explore Pinhão

The sleepy town of Pinhão around the Douro Valley is famous for its natural beauty.

It also has other drawcards, including the Pinhão Railway Station, which draws in tons of visitors thanks to its beautiful azulejos. It also has the Casal de Loivos viewpoint, where you can take in the splendid landscape of the area.

Hike in the Douro Valley

The Douro Valley also offers many beautiful hiking trails. You can hike amongst the vineyards, taking in the gorgeous green rolling hills and sweeping river.

And after a tough hike, a vineyard visit and lunch is the perfect reward! There are many organised Porto day trips that will take you to the Douro Valley to hike, see epic viewpoints and taste delicious local wine.

Hiking through the vineyards of the Douro Valley, Portugal

We drove to the Douro Valley for our hike, but even if extremely scenic, the drive is very long and tiring. Joining an organised tour will allow you to sit back and enjoy the views, without having to worry about how to get there.

You’ll also be sure you won’t get lost amongst the vineyard trails, and that you will be visiting the truly best wineries. Here are some of the most popular Douro valley tours from Porto.

Porto: Douro Valley Hiking Tour & Boat Cruise with Brunch :  This tour is a great choice as it not only includes the transfer and hike, but also food and another Douro iconic activity; cruising on the river!

Click here to book your Douro Valley hiking tour with brunch & cruise!

From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch :  This highly rated tour is the most popular wine tasting tour of the Douro Valley. With this tour you know you can’t go wrong!

Click here to book your Douro Valley wine tasting!

Best of Douro Valley – Douro Valley Wine Tour – Private Tour :  If you’re going on this Porto day trip for a special occasion, you might want to do so on a private tour, instead of sharing with other people.

Book your private Douro Valley wine tour here!

Hiking in the Douro Valley, Portugal

Day 3: Road trip to Aveiro, Buçaco National Forest & Coimbra

On day 3 it’s time to properly hit the road! Next up in your 1 week in Portugal itinerary will be Aveiro and Bucaco National Forest, to then ultimately end the day by sleeping in Coimbra.

Cruise the canals of Aveiro

Known as the “Venice of Portugal”, this small city boasts fantastic waterways lined with colourful boats. Here, you can spend a few hours wandering through the streets while marvelling at the art nouveau architecture and street art.

To see the city from a different perspective, hop on a traditional Moliceiro boat and view Aveiro’s landscapes from its waterways.

You could also take a taxi or bus to the nearby Costa Nova beach town to view its quirky, striped houses and to enjoy a bit of beach time.

Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour :  This highly rated Aveiro tour will take you cruising along the canals in a traditional Moliceiro Boat, and is perfect if you plan to make your own way to Aveiro.

Check out prices and availability for your Aveiro boat cruise on  GetYourGuide  or  Viator !

Aveiro: Guided Tuk Tuk City Tour :  This option is perfect if you plan to make your own way to Aveiro, but still want a guided tour of the city.

Book your Aveiro guided tuk tuk city tour here!

The colourful boats and riverfront houses of Aveiro

Discover Buçaco National Forest

On your way to Coimbra, this nature haven is the ideal stop, especially if you’re a nature lover. This walled arboretum is home to over 250 trees and plants that eagerly await your visit.

Prior to visiting Portugal I hadn’t heard much about Bucaco National Forest, and we almost drove past it without stopping, but it actually turned out to be one of our favourite places in Portugal.

It’s still quite under the tourist radar, so you won’t find big crowds there. You can spend a few hours wandering around this green paradise, discovering the neo-Manueline Palace, small chapels and huge variety of flora and fauna.

Enjoying the views over Bucaco National Park in Portugal

Visit Coimbra

You’ll want to plan your first two stops in order to arrive in Coimbra during the afternoon, so that you can visit the cities many attractions.

This includes the Machado de Castro National Museum, the Chapel of São Miguel, and Portugal dos Pequenitos.

Another must-see sight in Coimbra is  the historic University of Coimbra, where you will find a unique baroque library. In Coimbra there are also countless striking churches, amongst which the 12 th  Century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a mouthwatering Portuguese fair at one of the many diners in the city before retiring to your hotel.

Exploring the main square of the University of Coimbra

Sé Nova, the new cathedral of Coimbra

Where to stay in Coimbra

Here are some Coimbra accommodation options for every budget, perfect places to rest after your first long road trip day.

Budget:  NN Guest House   – This guest house is close to all the attractions and a very affordable place to stay.

Click here to book your stay at NN Guest House!

Mid-range:  JR Studios & Suites   – Located on the opposite side of the river to Coimbra, this hotel has modern renovated suites and an epic view over the river and Coimbra. If you’re driving it’s also going to be easier to park and continue your road trip the following day.

Check out prices and availability for JR Studios & Suites here!

Luxury:  Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra   – If you want to stay somewhere truly unique and treat yourself, this is the place to do so. Located in the heart of the old town, this hotel offers deluxe suites with exposed bricks for a rustic feel.

Click here to see prices and availability at Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra!

Wandering the streets of Coimbra in Portugal

Day 4: Discover famous Monasteries and stay in Nazaré

On your way from Coimbra to Nazaré, you’ll have plenty of stops I recommend you make. On top of that list are the famous monasteries found between the two cities.

Batalha Monastery

The Batalha Monastery is one of Portugal’s most important gothic sites, having played a significant role in evolving the country’s gothic style.

While its beauty is its main drawcard, it was built to celebrate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the 12th century.

If you’re not big on monasteries and only want to do one historic stop, I recommend you make it at Batalha. The intricate detail of its cloisters and architecture is stunning, with the unfinished chapels attracting most of the attention.

The unfinished chapels of Batalha Monastery in Portugal

Alcobaça Monastery

This UNESCO world heritage site isn’t as significant historically as the Batalha Monastery, but it has a real charm worth seeing.

Personally we only visited the interior of the church and burial site, without visiting the whole monastery and cloisters.

It’s a good place to break up the drive and soak in part of of Portugal’s history, without necessarily dedicating too much time to it.

The imposing facade of Alcobaca Monastery in Portugal

Explore Nazaré

Nazaré is famous for its golden sand and crystal-clear waters, although it has more to offer than just that.

Drive directly to the Faro de Nazarè, as besides being a main attraction in an of itself, it’s close to many other must-sees in Nazare.

The lighthouse of Nazare is the spot where some of the world’s biggest waves form. If you’re visiting in winter, you might even be able to see them!

Here you will also find a small museum dedicated to explaining how the big waves are surfed, as well as surf boards and stories from the big wave surfers who surfed in Nazare. You also get beautiful views of the coastline.

The famous Faro de Nazare in Portugal

Some of the surf boards on display at the museum in the Faro de Nazare, Portugal

From here you can then walk along to another incredible viewpoint; Miradouro do Suberco. Perched on a cliff, from here you can enjoy splendid views of Nazaré town and its turquoise waters.

We already mentioned that Portugal has a ton of churches, and Nazaré follows suit. The Igreja Nossa Senhora da Nazaré is a must-visit thanks to its unique statue of Mary.

It’s located in the heart of the old town, so you can wander around the centre after visiting it.

View over Nazare from Miradouro do Suberco

Afterwards, take a tranquil stroll down the Avenida da Republica promenade, or enjoy fresh seafood at one of many seafront eateries. We had a delicious octopus dinner at Pangeia by the Sea .

Where to stay in Nazare

In Nazare we stayed at  Paz & Amor Guest House . This guest house is very cosy and affordable, plus it offers a huge rooftop terrace with views over Nazare and the sea.

It’s not located right in the heart of Nazare, but it’s in a convenient position close to the main street, so that you can easily find parking and then continue your road trip the following day.

Click here to book your stay at Paz & Amor Guest House!

Sunset on the beach in Nazare

If you want something a bit fancier, I have listed some options for other budgets below.

Mid-range:  Hotel Mar Bravo   – Located right on the beachfront and by the main avenue of Nazare, this hotel is perfect if you want something nice and conveniently located, without breaking the bank.

Check out prices and availability at Hotel Mar Bravo here!

Luxury:  Miramar Hotel Spa & Apartments   – If you want to treat yourself, this gorgeous property is the place to do so. With their spacious rooms and stunning pool with sea views, it’s the perfect place to relax after a long road trip day.

Book your stay at Miramar Hotel Spa & Apartments here!

The funicular leading down to Nazare from the old town

Day 5: Discover Obidos, Peniche, and Ericeira

After a day in Nazaré, you should make your way to Ericeira, with some stops along the way at Obidos and Peniche to experience what they have to offer.

Explore Obidos

This historic city boasts narrow cobblestone streets dotted with white houses and a number of diners with local delicacies.

A must-do here is to climb the city walls and enjoy panoramic views at the summit. Just beware that the cobblestones are slippery, and there are no guard rails, so don’t go out there acting like Spider-Man.

It’s one of the most beautiful small towns in Portugal, where you can walk around for a few hours and feel like you’re stepping back in time. The drive from Nazare only takes around 35 minutes.

A must-see sight in Obidos is Igreja de Santa Maria, a church famous for its beautiful interior décor of azulejos.

Walking the castle walls of Obidos in Portugal

View over Obidos from the castle walls

Relax in Peniche

Peniche is a seaside fishing city soaring in popularity thanks to its stunning beaches with calm waters. While everyone can take a dip in the ocean, you’ll find plenty of surfers taking on the relenting waves.

However the next stop of your Portugal itinerary will be the really famous surf spot, so don’t spend too long in Peniche. Personally, we only stopped as it was on the way and we wanted to have a nice seafront lunch.

One of the beaches in Peniche, Portugal

Surf in Ericeira

Like Peniche, Ericeira is famous for its beaches and is a treasure trove for both experienced and beginner surfers. One of the most famous surfing beaches is Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas.

If that doesn’t sound enticing to you, there’s more to do away from the many beaches. Although, I must stress that you shouldn’t miss the mesmerising sunset at one of them.

At the top of the list is exploring the charming old town with its blue and white houses, a quiet vibe, and narrow cobblestone streets.

There are also some local restaurants, cafes, and shops you can support in exchange for incredible goods. We had an amazing seafood dinner at Mar d’Areia .

Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas in Ericeira seen from above

Where to stay in Ericeira

In Ericeira we stayed at  Casa Branca . This accommodation offers both dorms and private rooms, both ensuite or with shared bathroom. The rooms aren’t particularly fancy, but the place itself is incredible.

The hotel is in a historical building, and has a huge outdoors area. It’s located just outside the old town, so you can relax away from the crowds at the end of the day, but without being too far from all the action

Click here to book your stay at Casa Branca in Ericeira!

If you’re looking for something different, I have listed below other options for other budgets.

Mid-range:  Reserva FLH Hotels  – The rooms in this hotel are spacious, modernly decorated and have terraces with epic views over Ericeira and the sea. It’s perfect if you want something nice without breaking the bank.

Check out prices and availability at Reserva FLH Hotels Ericeira here!

Luxury:  Vila Gale Ericeira  – This seafront hotel is perfect if you want to treat yourself after a long day of road tripping and surfing. Pair the great sea views with spacious rooms and you have a winner!

Book your stay at Vila Gale Ericeira here!

Casa Branca in Ericeira, Portugal

Day 6: Visit the castles of Sintra & Cascais

At the tail end of your 1 week Portugal itinerary, the charming municipalities of Sintra and Cascais await. The drive from Ericeira to Sintra is only 40 minutes, but make sure to hit the road early, as you have a packed day ahead!

Discover the castles of Sintra

Sintra boasts palaces, castles, historic villas, and a long history that garnered its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here’s a brief guide on how you can see the best of the town. Read this Sintra day trip for a more comprehensive guide.

Your first stop should be at the Palacio Nacional da Pena, a colourful castle that used to be home to the royal family. Perched on top of a hill, it’s worth a visit thanks to the panoramic views of Sintra it offers.

Click here to book your Pena Palace skip-the-line entrance ticket!

Getting up close to the gorgeous architecture of Palacio Nacional da Pena in Sintra, Portugal

Right next to it you will find Castle of the Moors, an older and more historical castle with unparalled views, but less famous than Pena Palace.

It was initially built as a fortress to protect Moorish trade during Medieval wars. Personally I liked it better, as it felt more interesting and has considerably less visitors.

Make sure to purchase your fast track entrance to Castle of the Moors before visiting!

Exploring Castle of the Moors in Sintra, Portugal

Next is Sintra Old Town, a small walkable centre with narrow streets and plenty of eateries for satisfying your palates.

You can also visit the Sintra National Palace, which showcases amazing artistry with an azulejo salon, painted ceilings, and walls with various paintings. Make sure to visit also Quinta da Regaleira, home to the famous Initiation Well.

Each palace has its own entrance fee and ticket prices vary, which is why I recommend joining a Sintra tour . That way you don’t have to worry about entrance fees, and will have a local guide showing and taking you around.

Check out here prices and availability for a Sintra guided tour on  GetYourGuide  and  Viator !

Relax in Cascais

After discovering the gorgeous castles of Sintra, you have one more stop before heading to Lisbon for the night. You can visit the beautiful town of Cascais, which is conveniently located on the way.

Initially a fishing town, the Cascais municipality stands out as one of Portugal’s wealthiest areas. While it’s dotted with grand mansions, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the plethora of sights here.

Your first stop should be Old Town Cascais, which boasts narrow streets and colourful houses like many Portuguese cities. The entire area is walkable, with plenty of restaurants and cafes selling Portuguese delicacies.

In Cascais, you can shop ‘til you drop at either the bustling Rua Frederico Arouca street or Praça 5 de Outubro plaza. At the latter, you can also hop into one of its many restaurants to grab food.

Afterwards, visit the breathtaking beaches to soak in the sun or dip into the turquoise waters. When the sun starts to set, drive over to Lisbon (around 30 minutes drive) for a fun night in the Portuguese capital.

One of the beautiful city beaches in Cascais

Where to stay in Lisbon

In Lisbon I stayed at  This Is Lisbon Hostel . They offer dorms and private rooms, both with ensuite or shared bathrooms. They also have a huge terrace where you can sit in the morning to enjoy your breakfast and sweeping views over Lisbon.

It’s also in a great position, located close to Alfama, central Lisbon and many of the beautiful Lisbon viewpoints.

Click here to see prices and availability at This Is Lisbon!

If you don’t fancy a hostel, I have included other great places to stay in Lisbon below.

Mid-range:  Alegria A Lisbon Boutique Hotel   – This boutique hotel is perfect for those who want something nice, centrally located and cosy, without breaking the bank.

Click here to book your stay at Alegria A Lisbon Boutique Hotel!

Luxury:  Lisboa Pessoa Hotel  –  If you want to treat yourself, this is the perfect place to do so. With their spacious rooms and gorgeous rooftop terrace, it’s the perfect place to relax after a Sintra day tour.

Book your stay at Lisboa Pessoa Hotel here!

The view from the rooftop of This Is Lisbon hostel

Day 7: See the best of Lisbon

Fittingly, the last stop of your 7 days in Portugal is its capital and largest city. As a result of its size, Lisbon has many attractions to visit and activities to partake in, some of which you can find below.

Enjoy the view from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

If you love viewpoints as much as I do, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy visiting the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Once you’ve made your way to the top, you’ll be spoiled with splendid views of the city centre.

Shop at Rua Augusta

After taking in the views, go shopping on Rua Augusta, which is the main shopping avenue of Lisbon. The street also features various diners you can stop by to eat.

The view over Lisbon from Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

Arco da Rua Augusta in Lisbon, Portugal

Praca do Comercio

At this large square, you can spend time wandering around marvelling at the incredible architecture, King Joseph I statue, and yellow walls. Then stop by one of the eateries in the square to recharge your batteries.

See the famous Elevador Da Bica

After filling your belly, get ready to enjoy the Elevador Da Bica, one of Lisbon’s most famous sights. The main attraction is a small, yellow tram that zips down a narrow street while offering passengers incredible views.

Alternatively, you can stroll down the avenue on foot for a slower-paced experience.

Walking next to the famous Elevador da Bica in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon Cathedral

With tons of churches in Portugal, it’d be a crime to not visit one in Lisbon. This Roman cathedral is the oldest church in the capital and features several architectural elements as it’s been restored and renovated many times.

Wander around Alfama

Make sure to spend some time wandering around the streets of Alfama. This is Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, and is a trove of cute cobbled streets and unique corners. You will also find many beautiful viewpoints.

Some of the most famous viewpoints in Alfama (if not all of Lisbon) are Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. The latter is especially good at sunset, as you can enjoy a sweeping view over the rooftops of Lisbon.

Enjoying the sunset over Lisbon from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

The view over Lisbon and the river from Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Eat & drink at Time Out Market & Pink Street

If you’re in Portugal for the gastronomic experience, then you can’t leave without having visited this market. It features several food stalls selling Portuguese cuisine and international grub like sushi.

Nearby you will also find the famous Pink Street, a street lined with fun bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a bit of Lisbon nightlife and end your Portugal itinerary.

This is the end of my first Portugal 7-day itinerary suggestion. If you have longer you can spend a bit more time exploring the Portuguese capital, or maybe stop for longer at some of the previous road trip stops.

The famous Pink Street in Lisbon

Southern Portugal 7-Day Itinerary

My second itinerary suggestion focuses on southern Portugal and the Algarve. If you’re a beach and nature fan, or are visiting Portugal in summer, here is how I recommend you spend one week in Portugal!

Day 1: Start in Lisbon

For the first day you can follow the same Lisbon itinerary I outlined above. If you have time, you could also visit Belem and Jeronimos Monastery, one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon .

Or you if you want to see all the highlights of Lisbon with a local guide, you could also join one of these popular tours.

Lisbon: 2.5 Hour Hills Tour by Electric Bike   – This tour will take you to all the famous spots and awesome viewpoints, with minimal effort since you’ll use an electric bike!

Lisbon: Daytime/Sunset City Cruise by Sailboat with Drinks  – See Lisbon from a different angle! I suggest the sunset cruise for the most beautiful golden hour light.

Lisbon: Food and Wine Walking Tour  – Because what better way is there to discover a city than eating your way through it?!

Lisbon Essential Tour: History, Stories & Lifestyle  – The classic tour that will take you to explore all of the highlights of Lisbon.

The beautiful courtyard of Geronimos Monastery in Lisbon

Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal

Day 2: Explore Sintra & Cascais

Day two of this southern Portugal itinerary is the same as Day 6 of my northern Portugal itinerary, so you can follow the daily schedule I outlined above.

These two days are the same since, even though the rest of the itinerary will go on to explore entirely different regions of Portugal, the capital city and its surroundings are so famous and beautiful I couldn’t help but include them both.

One key difference however is that at the end of your Cascais visit, instead of driving to Lisbon for the night, you will be heading to Evora. The drive is longer (1 hour 44 minutes), but well worth it!

Exploring the Romantic palace of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal

Where to sleep in Evora

In Evora we stayed at  Burgos Guest House . The guest house isn’t particularly fancy, but it has clean and spacious rooms and is located in the heart of Evora.

For an affordable price you can stay close to all the attractions, as well as to convenient parking spaces.

Click here to book your stay at Burgos Guest House!

If you’re looking for something a bit different, here are other accommodation options for other budgets.

Budget:  Heaven Inn Suites & Terrace  – This hostel offers a great option for budget travellers. It’s conveniently located in the centre of Evora, has spacious dorms and a terrace with views of Evora.

Check out prices and availability at Heaven Inn Suites & Terrace here!

Luxury:  M’AR De AR Muralhas  – Located just outside the old town walls of Evora, this beautiful hotel with pool is the perfect place to treat yourself and rest after the long drive from Lisbon.

Book your stay at M’AR De AR Muralhas here!

The Roman Temple in Evora, Portugal

Day 3: Explore Evora and road trip to Mertola

Day three of your southern Portugal itinerary will take you to Mertola, however before ending your day there you will have the opportunity to visit some gorgeous historical Portuguese towns. Starting with Evora, where you spent the night!

Discover Evora

Many travellers visit Evora on a day trip from Lisbon , without realising just how much they miss! This unique town is full of cute cobbled streets and quaint white houses lined with yellow borders.

The sleepy town of Evora is most famous for its Roman Temple, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also boasts the eerie Chapel of Bones, which is decorated with human bones, and the azulejo-tile Igreja dos Lóios.

You have to visit also Evora Cathedral, its cloisters and rooftop. From the top of the cathedral you will be able to enjoy stunning views over the rooftops of Evora and the surrounding countryside.

After spending a few hours exploring Evora, you can drive on to Mertola, breaking up the 2 hour drive with a stop in Monsaraz.

View over Evora and the countryside from the rooftop of Evora cathedral

The famous Chapel of Bones in Evora, Portugal

Visit the cute town of Monsaraz

Monsaraz is a quintessential stop on your way to Mertola. Sitting on a hilltop, it’s perfect for enjoying views of its quaint countryside.

Like in other Portuguese regions, the town’s cobbled streets are lined with white houses, providing a great opportunity to meet the locals.

You have to visit Monsaraz Castle. From the castle walls you will see the best views of the surrounding countryside, as well as enjoy the opportunity to learn of the castles history. This medieval castle is a must-see on any Portugal itinerary.

Enjoying the view over Monsaraz and the surrounding countryside

Stay in Mertola

Also perched on top of a hill, you can enjoy views of the town and its countryside from the medieval castle and city walls.

Located inside the Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana, it’s the perfect place to visit for nature lovers as it’s an enclave surrounded by greenery.

Mertola is particularly famous for its scenic position, perched on the Guadiana River. You will end the day tired by the long drive and sightseeing, but will have the opportunity to relax in this quaint Medieval town.

View over Mertola and the Guadiana River

Where to stay in Mertola

In Mertola we stayed at  Casa Amarela  and I can highly recommend it. Located on the opposite side of the river from Mertola, all the rooms have epic views over the river, town and castle of Mertola.

It will also be much easier to park, as there isn’t much parking space inside the old town of Mertola. From there you can easily walk across the bridge and into Mertola town in 15-20 minutes.

Click here to book your stay at Casa Amarela!

If you’re looking for accommodation of a different budget, here are other options.

Budget: Mertola Castelo Palace by Eden Lands – This lovely guest house is located in the heart of the old town. Set in a renovated historic building, it’s a great place to stay for travellers who want an authentic experience on a budget.

Check out prices and availability at Mertola Castelo Palace by Eden Lands here!

Luxury:  Quinta do Vau   – Located on the same side of the river as Casa Amarela, this beautiful property has an infinity pool with views over Mertola, the river and countryside. Do I need to say anything else?

Click here to book your stay at Quinta do Vau!

The view over Mertola from our room at Casa Amarela

Day 4: Road trip to the Algarve! Tavira, Faro & Albufeira

No one-week itinerary in Portugal would be complete without the historical Algarve province, which spans several cities and towns.

After spending the start of this itinerary learning about Portugal’s history and visiting beautiful castles and towns, it’s time to hit the beaches!

The rest of this Portugal itinerary will take you to the Algarve. So get bright and early on day four, hit the road and start the journey in Tavira!

Explore Tavira & its beaches

The Tavira coastline is its main attraction, with long, golden sand beaches waiting for you to soak in the sun. However the town of Tavira is also very pretty and worthy of a visit.

Here you’ll find more cobbled streets, cute white houses and pretty churches. Don’t forget to make your way to Praça da República, as the plaza has a string of bars and restaurants to dine alfresco during your visit.

Exploring Tavira in the Algarve by tuk-tuk

Rooftop views in Tavira, Portugal

I didn’t personally love Faro and wouldn’t dedicate it much time, but considering it’s the capital of the Algarve region, we figured we should do at least a quick stop there.

Historic cathedrals and convents, Moorish city walls, and the Castelo de Silves are the historic draw cards in Faro.

Faro Beach’s sandy shoreline is perfect for stretching your legs on the fun side. If you want you could also participate in watersports like kayaking or dolphin and marine life watching by the ocean.

However I would personally recommend to just do a quick stop, break up the drive and see the main sights of the old town. Then get back in the car and continue on to the prettier towns of the Algarve!

Sunset in Faro Marina, Portugal

Beach & party in Albufeira

As your resting point, Albufeira is a holiday destination fittingly renowned for its buzzing nightlife, which is the perfect nightcap after a day of exploring.

If that’s not your vibe, there are various Blue Flag beaches with water-sports like a thrilling jet ski experience waiting for you.

Whether you choose to wander the white streets of the old town, relax on the beach, shop till you drop on the seafront avenue or go on a thrilling jet ski ride, Albufeira is the perfect introduction to the Algarve.

Make sure to go to bed early, as you have an early start and intense day waiting for you tomorrow!

Praia dos Pescadores in front of Albufeira city centre, with Albufeira old town behind it

Where to stay in Albufeira

Albufeira is one of the most popular places to stay in the Algarve . I have listed below some accommodation options in Albufeira for every budget.

Budget –  Alfagar Cerro Malpique :  This residence has lovely studios that are perfect for budget travellers. It’s located a bit outside the centre of Albufeira, but it has a huge pool and epic views over the sea and town.

Click here to book your stay at Alfagar Cerro Malpique!

Mid-range –  Casa dos Arcos :  This charming guest house is the perfect place to stay for those who want to treat themselves without breaking the bank. You can relax in their lovely courtyard after a long day of exploring the Algarve.

Check out prices and availability at Casa dos Arcos here!

Luxury –  Hotel Baltum :  If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. This hotel has modern rooms and a huge rooftop terrace with epic views over the white houses of Albufeira and the sea.

Book your stay at Hotel Baltum here!

Exploring the streets of Albufeira Old Town

Day 5: Kayak to Benagil Cave & Relax at Praia do Marinha

This day was easily my favourite day of my whole Portugal trip. Today you will get to explore the gorgeous natural rock formations that make this part of Portugal one of the most famous beach destinations in the world .

Sunrise kayak to Benagil Cave

Benagil Cave is a popular sea-cave only accessible via the ocean. Inside the cave, which sits between the shoreline and the ocean, you can enjoy a picturesque setting and natural lighting thanks to the hole in the ceiling.

I was afraid this would be one of those Instagram vs Reality places, where it looks beautiful in photo but in reality it’s just overrun by tourist crowds. However I was very pleasantly proven wrong.

We did a 7AM kayak tour to Benagil Cave , and were the only group inside the cave at this time. This allowed us to spend half an hour in the cave, enjoying the stunning natural beauty, taking photos and just soaking it in without crowds.

Me in Benagil Cave at 7:30AM

The tour then took us to explore some more sea-caves and the Algarve coastline.

Since you can only reach Benagil Cave by sea, you have to join either a boat , kayak or SUP tour to visit it. I very highly recommend joining a sunrise tour (or the earliest available) to beat the crowds.

When we walked past Benagil Beach later in the day it was completely packed of tourists, kayaks and boats. Under those circumstances, Benagil Cave would very much appear as the ugly version of those “Instagram vs Reality” memes.

Click here to book your Benagil Cave kayak tour , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Kayaking into Benagil Cave from one of the grotto entrances on the sea

Kayaking to Praia da Marinha during our Benagil Cave kayak tour

Chill at Praia do Marinha

After waking up before dawn and spending the first couple hours of the day kayaking, we then went straight to Praia do Marinha to relax.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also hike part of the Seven Valleys Hanging Trail (45 minutes) to reach it.

Praia da Marinha is a mainstay in any Algarve itinerary and with good reason. Thanks to its clean, turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs and golden sand, it’s one of the most scenic beaches in the Algarve.

Spend the rest of your afternoon chilling on this beautiful beach, soaking in the sun and swimming in the clear sea. Once you’ve had your sun fill, it’s time to drive on to Lagos, where you will be spending the night.

The drive is only 45 minutes, but you can break it up with some stops in Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, two cute coastal towns.

Praia da Marinha at high tide seen from above

Where to stay in Lagos

In Lagos I stayed at  Topcity Hostel & Suites . The hostel is located in the heart of Lagos, with a rooftop pool, spacious terraces for every dorm and a fun atmosphere. It’s a great option for budget travellers, although more on the party side.

Click here to see prices and availability at Topcity Hostel & Suites!

If you don’t fancy staying in a hostel, here are some other options.

Mid-range –  Hotel Marina Rio :  Located in the heart of Lagos, this hotel is perfectly located for your evening wanderings around town. It also has a panoramic terrace and spacious rooms, without breaking the bank.

Check out prices and availability at Hotel Marina Rio!

Luxury –  Cascade Wellness Resort :  This 5-star resort is perfect if you want to treat yourself. With their epic pool, garden and sea view, you can fully relax after your busy exploring days. It’s also really close to Ponta da Piedade.

Click here to book your stay at Cascade Wellness Resort!

The rooftop pool at Topcity Hostel & Suites in Lagos

Day 6: Discover the best Lagos Beaches & Ponta da Peidade

Today you finally get to rest, as you won’t have to spend hours road tripping across Portugal. You will be able to discover some of the most beautiful Algarve beaches , right on your doorstep.

Relax at the beaches in Lagos

Lagos is blessed with some of the most famous beaches in Portugal. From Lagos town centre you can easily walk to Praia dos Estudiantes, Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.

I recommend visiting first Praia do Camilo, as it’s both the smallest and most famous. That way you’ll be able to enjoy it before the big tourist crowds arrive.

It’s famous for its picturesque setting between towering cliffs, and the wooden staircase leading down to it.

Praia do Camilo in the Algarve, Portugal

Praia de Dona Ana and Praia dos Estudiantes are also famous for their golden sand, towering cliffs and turquoise water.

During the day we stopped by at all the beaches, soaking in some sun, going for a tip in the cool sea and just generally chilling.

This is partly why I suggested that my southern Portugal 7-day itinerary is best suited for a summer trip, since there’s a lot of beach exploring and chilling.

That said, the Algarve is one of the most popular European winter sun destinations , so you could still do this itinerary even then!

View over Praia de Dona Ana in the Algarve, Portugal

Admire the cliffs of Ponta do Piedade

In between your beach hopping, make sure to pay a visit to Ponta da Piedade. Ponta da Piedade is a group of rock formations on the Lagos coastline, and one of the most famous attractions in Lagos , if not all of Portugal.

Here you will find many towering yellow-golden cliffs dotted around the crystal clear ocean.

You can walk along the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, enjoying the view of the turquoise sea and the trail of boats wandering through the steep rock formations.

I highly recommend also joining one of these boat tours of Ponta da Piedade . While at first I thought they were very touristy and unnecessary, they’re actually a great way to see these beautiful rock formations from a different angle.

If you think they’re impressive seen from above, just wait till see them from below!

Click here to book your boat tour of Ponta da Piedade,  or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

The stunning views of Ponta da Piedade, Portugal

The golden cliffs and coastline of Ponta da Piedade

Cruising along the coast of Ponta da Piedade

Day 7: Surf in Sagres & Chill

The end of your week in Portugal is approaching, and it’s time to close it in style! Jump into the car early in the morning, and head to the cute town of Sagres for a bit of surf vibes.

Road trip to Sagres

This small town is the perfect end to your Portugal trip as it’s a hidden gem that doesn’t attract travellers en masse.

As a result, it’s the ideal place to experience life as a local if you’d like to immerse yourself in that type of experience, and maybe extend your trip and stay longer.

Like the other points of interest along the Algarve, Sagres has several beaches. The Praia da Mareta is perhaps the best one. Apart from its golden sand and clean water, its promenade is dotted with several bars and restaurants.

Venture to the Cabo de Sao Vicente for a splendid sunset view that people in the distant past once dubbed the “end of the world”.

Afterwards, visit the Fortaleza de Sagres, the areas only “tourist attraction” to see how the Portuguese defended themselves.

The sunset at Cabo de Sao Vincente in Portugal

Praia do Amado in Portugal

Surf at Praia do Amado

Amado Beach draws in surfers, primarily experienced, like moths to a flame daily. The beach features the only wedge in the area and relentless Atlantic Ocean waves perfect for bringing along your surfboard.

Apart from the thrilling experience, the beach is great for just listening to the sound of waves crashing as the sun shines its rays on you.

Final Thoughts on Spending One Week in Portugal

There you have it, the two ultimate Portugal in 7 days itineraries!

As you can see, they’re both very action packed itineraries. Diluting them down to fit everything on this Portugal bucket list into only one seven day trip would mean not doing this beautiful country justice.

If you only have one week of vacation and want to visit Portugal, I suggest choosing one of these two itineraries based on your interests and season, and saving the second one for your next trip!

For the nature lovers, you can also head to the Portuguese islands. I spent 10 days in the Azores , hiking , whale watching and discovering the beautiful islands . It’s the perfect extension of a week in Portugal!

Have you been to Portugal before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! I personally loved Portugal, and the huge variety it offers. As many Portugal quotes say, it’s a country with much to offer.

I hope you will find my Portugal 1-week itinerary useful in planning your time in Portugal. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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One week in Portugal: The Ultimate Portugal Itinerary

Portugal has quickly become one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The promise of exciting cities, a beautiful coastline filled with beaches, good food and wine, and reasonable prices is hard for any traveller to resist. But what if you are short on time? Is it worth it to do just one week in Portugal? As someone who has done it, absolutely! Here is my suggestion for a 1 week Portugal Itinerary.

Getting Around Portugal

There are two main options for getting around Portugal. The first is to rent a car which provides a lot of freedom and can actually save on travel time. Most people prefer this, especially if you want to visit smaller towns and get out of the main cities. 

That being said, some people may be intimidated by driving in a foreign country, which is totally ok! If this is the case, Portugal has a pretty good train system that connect the major cities. Tickets can be purchased in advance online here . The farther in advance you book, the cheaper the price. The train stations are all in pretty central locations as well; within walking distance of the city centre or close to a metro or tram station. It’s an easy, and affordable, way to get around.

One Week in Portugal Itinerary

Portugal is a small country, but even then one week is a quick trip. That being said, you can still see and do a lot in this short amount of time. For 1 week in Portugal I suggest the following itinerary, which I did myself:

Day 1: Porto

Day 2: Porto

Day 3: Douro Valley Day Trip

Day 4: Lisbon

Day 5: Lisbon- Day trip to Sintra

Day 6: Lisbon- visit Belem

Day 7: Algarve

How to Spend 1 Week in Portugal

 2 days in porto.

Porto is a must when visiting Portugal. I know most people tend to highlight Lisbon, but Porto was my favourite stop thanks to the beautiful tiled-buildings, the colourful cais da Ribeira, and of course the port cellars. Porto has a ton of charm that make it impossible not to fall in love with and while you could spend longer, 2 days in Porto is perfect for those who only have one week in Portugal.

Porto is best known for its  port wine . Which is kind of funny since most of the area’s port cellars are not actually in Porto, but rather across the Douro river on the Gaia side. It’s an easy walk (or drive) across the bridge. It’s worth exploring as well, not just for the Port cellars but also because it offers beautiful views over to Porto. Don’t worry, 2 Days in Porto will give you plenty of time to experience both sides of the river.

Porto isn’t too big, and while it does have a public transit system, the best way to get around is by foot. It can be pretty hilly, so wear good walking shoes that offer some support and traction.

My top suggestions for 2 days in Porto include:

Dom Lu ís Bridge

Porto has several bridges, but this one is the most iconic. At one time it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world. Today however, it’s great for photos and offers an easy way for both pedestrians and drivers to cross back and forth between Porto and Gaia. During the warmer months, you may even spot some local boys jumping off the bridge, similar to the bridge jumpers in Mostar.

Cl érigos Church and the Torre dos Cl érgios

A beautiful baroque church with a tall bell tower. Visitors can climb the tower for 5 euros, and will be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views across the city.

S ão Bento Train Station

A train station may be an odd recommendation, but when you walk inside and see the walls and ceiling covered in beautiful azulejos , the famous Portuguese tiles, you will be amazing. There are over 20,000 tiles in the train station which tell the story of Portugal’s history. It took 11 years for the tiles to be placed. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello has become one of the most famous bookstores in the world thanks to Harry Potter. Nicknamed the Harry Potter Bookstore, this beautiful book shop is ornately decorated with the focal point being a winding wooden staircase. JK Rowling is said to have visited this bookshop many times when she lived in the city, and it definitely resembles the staircase of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies.

Visitors do have to get tickets to enter. However, if you buy something the ticket money will be reimbursed towards your purchase.

Porto Walkers Tour

Free walking tours (the ones where you tip at the end) have become a popular way to explore many cities around the world, and Porto is no exception. However more than just a walking tour (although it’s a good one) the Porto Walkers Tour offers a unique perk that the others do not: a local dessert from a secret spot. The woman, who bakes desserts for top restaurants in the city, has an agreement with Porto Walkers and will sell those on the tour a slice of her delicious desserts out her window for a fraction of the price. It’s not somewhere you can go (or find) on your own. Learn more about Porto Walkers tours here.

Cais da Riberia

The waterfront area of Porto is busy and filled with restaurants, shops, and crowds. But, it’s also a must-see. There’s a walkway by the water’s edge and it makes for a perfect spot to take photos.

Igrega do Carmo

Another of Porto’s beautiful churches. This one is quite younger than the other two on this list, however the highlight here is the blue and white azulejos that decorate one of the sides. The tiles tell the story of the Carmelite Order and Mount Carmel in Israel.

Eat a Francesinha

A Francesinha is Porto’s famous dish. It’s essentially a sandwich made with bread, ham, sausage, and steak then covered in melted cheese and served with an egg on top and french fries. I didn’t try one myself, but was told that it can easily be shared between two people. Check this article for the best spots to get one in Porto. 

Porto Cathedral

This Roman Catholic Church is one of the city’s oldest buildings. It’s a tall and imposing structure located in the oldest part of the city.

Port Cellars

Most of the port cellars are located along the waterfront of the Gaia side of the Douro River. There are dozens to choose from but some popular choices include Cálem, Sandeman, and Grahams. You can also try a port wine tour such as this one. 

A River Cruise

While there are a few nice viewing points around the city, a boat trip down the Douro River offers beautiful scenery and some great photo opportunities. Rides are about an hour long and are a great way to rest your feet while still experiencing the city. You can book a Porto river cruise here . 

Pal ácio de Cristal

This glass and metal structure is a popular spot for locals and visitors to come and wander the gardens, though I loved it at sunset. While it’s not a typical sunset spot (the sun sets behind you where you can’t actually see). The view looking over Porto, Gaia, and the Douro River is beautiful. Especially as the light fades, the sky changes colour, and all the lights turn on and twinkle.

Where to Stay in Porto

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Porto my biggest suggestion is to choose a spot near some of the main attractions as listed above. That way you know you are in a central location.

When it comes to types of accommodation, Porto has everything from hostels to luxury hotels. I travelled solo through Portugal so chose to stay in hostels. Portugal has some amazing ones that are clean, central, and offer family-style dinners to make it easier to meet others. If that’s not your style, or you prefer something more private, there are a number of hotels varying in price as well. Here are some recommendations on where to stay in Portugal.

Hotels: Porto Spot Hostel ,   , Pilot Design Hostel and Bar 

Mid-range hotels: HF Ipanema Porto , Porto Antas Hotel , Mercure Porto Centro

Luxury hotels: Pestana Palacia do Freixo , Palacio Das Cardosas , Crowne Plaza Porto

1 Day in the Douro Valley

The Douro Valley is easily accessible as a day trip from Porto, so keep your base there for the night but plan on spending the whole day exploring one of the most beautiful regions of the country.

There are a few options for seeing the Douro Valley. Most people will recommend that you rent a car and do it by yourself. It’s definitely a more freeing option, but not always ideal for those who don’t want to rent a car and drive. It’s also possible to take a train to one of the smaller towns and explore on your own. This will allow you to see the scenery and enjoy a river cruise, but you won’t be able to get into the hills to visit the different quintas (port or wine makers). The third option is to do a guided day trip to Douro Valley . This is what I did and I loved it. The tour included roundtrip transportation, a visit to two different quintas, lunch in a village, and a scenic boat trip offering views of the stunning landscape.

I have to say, I think that the Douro Valley was the highlight of my one week in Portugal. So I highly recommend a visit. If you are looking for a day trip, try this tour that I did and loved: Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise, and Lunch

3 Days in Lisbon With Day Trips to Sintra and Belem

The capital city of Portugal is teeming with beautiful sights, delicious restaurants, and tons of things to see and do which is why I suggest spending the most time in this part of the country for your one week in Portugal.

Lisbon is much bigger and Porto, so you will probably want to make use of the metro or city trams occasionally but, of course, walking is the best way to explore. Again, bring proper walking shoes; it’s just as hilly and the roads and walkways can be incredibly slippery, especially when wet.

You could easily spend one week in Portugal here, but 3 days in Lisbon is a good amount of time to experience the city and see the nearby highlights.

I have huge list of all the things to do in Lisbon , so I’m just going to highlight a few of my favourites here. Part of the charm of Lisbon is exploring the streets and alleyways on your own and seeing what you discover. With that being said, don’t miss the following:

Visit St. George’s Castle

If you look from any of the miradouros (viewpoints) around Lisbon, the commanding Moorish building known as St. George’s Castle is impossible to miss. The imposing hilltop castle dates back to the second century and is fun to explore. Plus the views from the walls overlooking the city are pretty impressive.

Ride Tram 28

Lisbon’s trams are iconic, and no tram is more well-known that tram 28. This is, basically, the tourist tram and offers the best viewing route around the city. However, it can get incredibly crowded and uncomfortable. Your best bet is to go first thing in the morning, or later in the day to help avoid the crowds. Note: be wary of pickpockets while on board!

Visit Sintra

The fairytale town of Sintra, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site, is an absolute must when in Lisbon. You can go on your own or join a tour. It’s impossible to see it all in a day but if you pick a couple of spots you can make a good full or half day trip out of it. Consider these day trip options:

• Full day Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais
• Sintra Highlights

Explore Alfama District

Alfama is one of the best places to get lost in Lisbon. Winding alleys, staircases, and steep cobblestone streets surrounded by old houses and buildings. It’s one of the oldest parts of Portugal and it’s incredibly charming. 

Alfama is also home to Portugal’s best-know flea market which is called the Thieves Fair. Despite the name, vendors claim nothing has been stollen, but you will find all kinds of good for sale. The Thieves Fair runs twice weekly, on Tuesdays to Saturdays, and opens at 6am. Go early for the best buys. 

There are lots of great restaurants in the Alfama neighbourhood as well, so I suggest planning on spending a morning or afternoon exploring with the intention of stopping for lunch or dinner. 

Visit Belém

Belem is only a short tram ride away from Lisbon, and has quite a few attractions to see. The reason most people go to Belem is for Pasteis de Belém which is believed to serve up the most delicious pasteis de nata (egg tarts) in the area. Along with the pastries, you should also visit the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the Monument of Discoveries.

Listen to Fado in Bairro Alto

You can’t go to Lisbon and not listen to Fado at least once. It’s an important part of the city’s culture and if you are lucky enough to come across a good Fado singer, you will be amazed. Try Café Luso or Adega Machdo, both of which are in Bairro Alto.

Grab some food at the Time Out Market

This food hall is basically heaven for foodies. From wines to pastries to meals, you can find pretty much everything here. There’s a bunch of tables in the middle where you can eat, or you can take your food to go. It’s a great lunch or dinner stop, and most vendors have very affordable prices.

Take a Sunset Cruise

Lisbon has a pretty good sunset from the water. You can go down to the waterfront and watch with the crowds or escape them and watch the sunset from a boat. A tour hour cruise offers a different view from the city and goes up to Belem and back. You can book a sunset cruise here.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

As I mentioned above, Lisbon is a lot bigger than Porto, so there are more neighbourhoods and areas to choose from. The city centre is a good choice since everything is then easily accessible. I like the historic areas of Chiado and Baixa. Though keep in mind that Chiado is right beside Bairro Alto- the nightlife district, so it can get loud at night.

Lisbon offers all kinds of accommodation choices. Here are some recommendations on where to stay in Lisbon, depending on your budget and what you are looking for.

Hostels: Yes! Lisbon Hostel , Lookout! Lisbon Hostel  , Sunset Destination Hostel

Midrange hotels: Doubletree by Hilton Lisbon , Novotel Lisboa , HF Fenix Garden

Luxury Hotels: Pousada de Lisboa,   Sofitel Lisbon , Iberostar Lisboa

1 Day in the Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve is one of the most well-known areas of the country. Beautiful clifftop views, beaches, and hiking trails make it a popular destination in the warmer months. However, unless you are renting a car it can be really tricky to get around, which is why I’m recommending that if you only have one week in Portugal, you only visit this region for a day. 

Faro has a large airport which is perfect for flying out of (or even catching a cheap flight back to Lisbon airport to catch a flight), however Faro is really small. I made the mistake of spending my full day here and was disappointed. You can base yourself in Faro for the night, but do yourself a favour and hop on a bus to Lagos or Albufeira to explore to really see the Algarve. It’s about 1.5-2 hours away by public transit, so it will make for a long day, but trust me when I say it will be more fun than Faro.

If you aren’t up for a long bus ride, you can explore town for half a day (again, it’s tiny) and then take a boat cruise to see part of the Algarve from the water. If you are up for a bit of an adventure, try this pirate ship cruise which has a swim stop. You can also go dolphin watching ( get tickets here ) or take a boat tour through Ria Formosa, which is one of the 7 natural wonders of Portual (get tickets here )

The Algarve is about 4-5 hours by train from Lisbon, so your best bet is to catch an evening train on your final day in Lisbon so you arrive at night, then have the full next day to explore. If this seems like too much effort for one day, consider spending an extra day in Lisbon. It’s a big enough city that you can easily add on another day of sight-seeing, or visit some of its nearby beaches.

Portugal Packing Ideas

Portugal can be hot, even in the fall (I went in October and wore dresses and tank tops). So I definitely recommend layers. A few other suggestions include:

• A good reusable water bottle . The tap water is safe to drink so stay hydrated for free and bring your own bottle!
• If you are heading to the beach, don’t forget a towel! 
• Sunscreen is a must, and if you are going to the beach please bring reef safe sunscreen . Normal sunscreen kills reefs and marine life, so do the ocean and solid and go with a reef-safe brand.
• Forget the flipflops and sandals, Portugal is FULL OF HILLS and trust me when I say those streets get super slippery. Running shoes or walking shoes with good treads are a must.
• Visiting shoulder or offseason? Bring a raincoat- a good waterproof one because it can be very rainy, especially in the north. (I love Columbia raincoats for this, they have options for men and women ).

Final Word on 1 Week in Portugal

One week in Portugal may not seem like a lot of time, but you can do and see a lot in seven days. Portugal is a beautiful country and I had the best time exploring it. If you use this one week Portugal itinerary as your guide, I bet you will love it too!

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance  here . If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend  SafetyWing . For Canadian readers, take a look at  SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend  booking.com  for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is  GetYourGuide . They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my  travel essentials  and  camera gear  if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!

42 Comments

Thank you for the insight into your one week in Portugal. It appears you’ve just been there; we see the recent rains and storms and even tornados have damaged some of the Algarve in February and early March; was it bad weather when you were there? It appears you were in sandals and sleeveless but it would have been quite damp and blustery, what time of year were you there?

I was there in October actually. There was a heat wave and it was like 30C every day. I think the Algarve is more of a warm weather destination so if you are planning on visiting during winter months I might suggest adding another day in Lisbon instead.

I would say more than a day in the Algarve!!! I actually really liked Faro but it wasn’t the Algarve that everyone pictures. But lots of people holiday around the Algarve and don’t leave the beach, so I think Faro provides a bit of culture away from that. Love Lisbon though, I really want to go back!

With more time I’d suggest longer in the Algarve, but I with 1 week I think a full day gives you at least a taste. It’s trickier to get around too than Lisbon or Porto so when time is a constraint, that’s why I suggested longer in other spots to see more.

Thanks for this article! This is an itinerary I would be interested in traveling in Portugal, perhaps this winter.

Go for it! It’s a gorgeous country to explore.

I remember.. more than a few years back I did a 2 week road trip around Portugal. It is till this day one of my best travel memories. It was before my blogging days and in a way I’m bummed about that, because there were amazing memories to share. But I get excited when I read posts like yours and I can say.. hey I’ve been there, I miss that place.

Time for a re-do maybe? 😉

I’m very tempted! I absolutely LOVED Portugal!

In love with your photos! that train station is gorgeous such a treat to see! I’ve never been to Portugal before but my grandparents are there often and love it!

You should go with them some time 😉

[…] out the real must-dos; especially when some of the best bits aren’t super obvious. With one week in Portugal, I only spent three days in Lisbon. And while I crammed those three days as full as I could, I […]

[…] spent an amazing (though fast) seven days in Portugal and quickly fell in love. The beautiful cities, affordable prices, and friendly locals made it a […]

I am thinking about traveling to Portugal next year and this itinerary seems really great for such a short time.

I managed to see and do a lot without feeling too rushed!

Hello Hannah, great trip tips and just in time as my husband, 17 yo son and I will be traveling March 8th to Lisbon. We will return the 16th, so your recommendations are wonderful with such tide schedule. Our trip was a great Expedia find. Our package w hotel, air & even breakfast was inclusive but I feel this arrangement restrains our plans. Reading your article I sense we must spend one night in Porto (I was planning to do so in Lagos instead and view the rugged terrain & beaches), but leaving w/o experiencing Douro Valley sounds like a true shame! Please feel free to share your thoughts…thanks!

I think it depends on what you want. I didn’t go to Lagos so I can’t really judge but to me, that area is more beaches and since it wasn’t beach season when I went (October) I skipped it. I have to say that Porto and Douro Valley was my favourite part of my trip to Portugal though

Hannah I’m so impressed with your itineraries! I’m a meticulous planner and you’ve really found the highlights, combined them with the practicalities and then made sure to mention other points of interest. Thank you! With pleasure I’ll click thru to make some bookings. You surely deserve the commission.

Aw thanks Laura! I always try to share my favourite bits of what I’ve seen and found. Figure if I enjoy them others will too 🙂

Hi Hannah- I’m in the midst (a little late) of planning a week in Portugal with my 2 adult kids (21 and 25) in early August. So many interesting things to do but, I’m nervous about the crowds and heat. I’m wondering if you think it’s too much to cover Porto to Algarve in 8 days or is it better just to focus on north of Lisbon?

I’m all over the place!! Ha! Flying into Lisbon at 6am sat august 10 Planned to stay 3 days in Lisbon, go to Porto (My son is interested in wine) Is it too much to go to Algarve or is there a cool town to stay on north coast? Thank you so much or any help. We are not into waiting in huge lines to get into restaurants, museums or sitting in the crazy heat. Be happy for any help or cool ideas! Thanks Sharon

If you are starting in Lisbon, I don’t think it makes sense to go up to Porto then backtrack down to the Algarve in that amount of time. Portugal isn’t huge, but I think you’d find it more relaxing to focus on Lisbon and Porto rather than travelling back and forth. Cascais isn’t too far from Lisbon and is a cute seaside resort town thats beach-y. There are also some beaches near to Porto, though I didn’t go to any to speak from experience. The Douro Valley though is a must if you son liked wine!! The tour I mention in the itinerary is awesome if you don’t want to rent a car. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for this helpful itinerary! It’s great 🙂

You are welcome!

Hi, Would you say Portugal trip together with Greece is doable this coming September 2019? Considering the distance of each from each other? Planning on a 2 weeks stay in Europe and love go to both, hitting 2 birds in one stone?

It is doable for sure. However, I have to say, I just came back from a month in Greece (haven’t written about it yet) and you could easily spend 2 weeks there alone, especially if you are island hopping. That being said, if you want to combine both then why not!

Great post on Portugal! It’s one of my favorite countries and I can’t wait to go back.

We will be flying to Porto from San Sebastián, Spain and then will have a week in Portugal. Will you please help me decide the number of days in each town, telling me how many days to sleep in the towns. I want to start in Porto where we can see the Douro Valley by boat; then see Sintra and Cascais; then visit Lisbon and the Algarve. I’m trying to avoid carrying our luggage to too many cities and having to pack and unpack. Thank you so much.

This itinerary allows for that 🙂 You can do day trips from Porto to the Douro Valley (the Port day tour I mention does a boat tour). Then from Lisbon you can do day trips to Cascais and Sintra. You’ll probably want to combine them both in 1 day if you only have a week though and still want to get to the Algarve. Then end in the Algarve. That way only 3 stops (Porto, Lisbon, Algarve) where you need to bring your luggage.

Hi There. I loved reading about your trip. My husband and I are landing in Faro on Saturday June 13. We are flying home from Faro one week later. I have an airbnb booked in Lagos for the week. Initially we were planning on staying in the Algarve for the week and just exploring the area in our rental car. The more I research Portugal, the more I wish we were travelling to Lisbon (or Porto) during our week. I just cant get my head around the logistics. I suppose we could take a train from Lagos to Lisbon on Wednesday then from Lisbon to Faro on Friday night to catch our flight home on Saturday. I just don’t want to eat up a lot of time. Any suggestions?

I took the train between Faro and Lisbon and it wasn’t too bad! A few hours but since you have a week I think it might be worth it because Lisbon is a really cool city! Renting a car would probably cut down on time but not sure if that’s something you are interested in or not.

Love reading the advice on this site. We are flying into Lisbon early on March 12 and leaving Lisbon morning of March 22. Never been to Portugal before so having difficulty deciding where to go, and at this time of year. Know it’s not beach time.

Don’t want to move too often but would love to see it all! Thought we’d save Porto for another time but having second thoughts.

Was going to do Lisbon, 4 nights, with side trips, then rent car and go to Nazare for 2 nights, with side trips, then Evora for 1 night, then The Algarve for 2 nights, then back to Lisbon.

Now I’m thinking we should skip the Algarve….any suggestions? Want culture, food, wine, views, relaxation…

Hard for me to say because I only did Faro in the Algarve which I didn’t love. That being said you are right, it’s not beach weather, so I might skip it and do more North in the cooler months and save south and the Algarve for a Beachier visit. If you don’t want to move around a lot, then Lisbon does make a good base for a few days for sure. Porto was my favourite part of the country as I loved the city and the day trip to Douro Valley. Plus if you want wine… Porto has all the awesome port places.

Great reviews and suggestions. I am in Portugal now with my husband and dog for two months. We started in the Algarve, first Quarteira (we did side trips to Loule, Amancil, Tavira) next we go to Lagos. We have several side trips planned there too. We are skipping Lisbon because of Covid, but will try fir a day in Alfama. We will be two weeks in Porto. I have a bad knee. Walking is difficult. Any suggestions on easy side trips from Porto?

I did the Douro Valley from Portugal which is amazing. If you join a tour or rent a car it might be a little easier with your bad knee. You can tour many of the Quintas but you can also just do tastings in the main buildings. There are also nice scenic boat rides in the area which you may enjoy as well!

Hi, thx for all the great info in this article. Doing a 1 week mother/daughter trip with my 15 yr old in late June. Want to see Fatima, Sintra & Porto. Was planning on staying in Lisbon and just doing day trips. Is that doable?

Sintra is an easy day trip from Lisbon but Porto is far enough out the I suggest spending at least a couple of nights there.

I know you wrote this great article several years ago, but it’s still valuable info, so thank you! I’m interested in the suggested free walking tours in Porto. Question- what is the suggested tip amount? I have no idea. Thanks in advance!

In my experience, most people do 10-20 euros per person depending on the guide, but it is totally up to you!

Hello, I am taking my wife to Portugal for her Birthday (its a secret so don’t tell her…lol) in September for 9 days not including travel days from Florida. My plan at the moment is 3 days in Porto, 3 days in Lisbon and 3 days for flexibility. Maybe see the Algarve area if there is time. We will have a rental car if we decide but may do the trains if they are relaxing. Do you know if they have cabins or just open seating on the trains? And if they have restaurant / bar cars? Also, do you have any suggestions of something we may want to see or do as we some extra time that may not be on this itinerary you made? Thank you very much for your article as it was very helpful and one of the main reasons I chose Portugal for this trip with my wife.

I think the trains are pretty basic since they aren’t big long distances. I don’t remember cabin or bar carts on my trains. There is still most to see if you decide to stay central. Cascais can be a good day trip. I’ve also heard good things about Obidos. You can also easily spend longer in Lisbon if you don’t want to feel rushed.

Is it crazy to go to Portugal first week of January?

I haven’t been so can’t really comment. Lisbon and central might be ok. I’ve heard that the north gets very rainy during the winter

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One-Week Itinerary

One Week in Portugal: The Perfect Itinerary

Portugal is a delightful country, featuring exquisite beauty and fun surprises at every turn. Despite its relatively compact size (especially compared to its next-door neighbor, Spain), Portugal is home to an abundance of intriguing ancient sites, historical landmarks, heavenly beaches , picturesque mountains, stunning wine country, and more. It’s tempting to remain in one region, as there is plenty to see and do in each destination, but the country is exceptionally tourist-friendly to those who wish to explore several areas.

Overall, when visiting, it’s most convenient to rent a car . The good news for drivers is that the highways in Portugal are well-paved and easy to navigate. Best of all, traffic jams are rare, unless you find yourself in the center of a busy area at rush hour.

If you have a week in Portugal, this itinerary will guide you from Southern points around Lisbon up to Porto in the North. Tip: Most of these destinations are day trips from the major cities, so you can avoid switching hotels daily.

Day One: Lisbon

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is the country’s largest city with an array of beautiful architecture and scenic vantage points situated around the town’s distinctive neighborhoods. Surrounded by seven hills, the downtown area of Lisbon is an ideal area to explore on foot, as most streets are lined with restaurants, retail stores, and outdoor cafes. Begin your Lisbon exploration by strolling around (or take a famous city tram car) from the central plaza, Praça do Comércio uphill to the majestic São Jorge Castle in the quaint Alfama neighborhood, which is a worthwhile tourist attraction and offers exceptional city views from its grounds.

There’s also plenty of shopping around this area, and you can purchase a variety of locally-made items, including sardines and other fish in colorful tins, cork products, Portuguese tiles, and of course, locally-produced wines. You don’t need to venture far to see some of the most impressive attractions. There are several museums nearby the city center, including the National Azulejos Museum , featuring exquisite and unique examples of classic Portuguese tiles and the expansive Calouste Gulbenkian art museum with thousands of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.

After working up an appetite soaking in the sights, you’ll want to enjoy some local cuisine. In recent years, Lisbon has become quite the foodie town, and there are many great places to experience traditional as well as modern fare. Award-winning chef José Avillez heads up the Michelin-starred Belcanto , but he also owns several other casual restaurants in town, each featuring diverse and clever concepts—so any of these are excellent choices for a memorable meal.

Although Lisbon is an extremely walkable city, if you’re planning to explore on foot, be sure to wear sneakers or your flattest, most comfortable shoes, as the beautifully designed mosaic sidewalks here are often very steep and slippery.

Day Two: Setubal

Situated only about twenty minutes outside of Lisbon, the industrial port city of Setubal is a quick day trip from the city that features a historic fishing village. It’s a noticeable slower pace than busy Lisbon, and it’s fun to meander around the charming pedestrian shopping area that winds around the old town and the harbor.

When visiting, you’ll feel like a local as you peruse the area’s iconic fish and produce market, Mercado do Livramento, which is considered the best in the country. It's legendary for its architecture as well as its fresh offerings (although it usually closes by 1 p.m.). While in the area, be sure to stop and admire the Convento de Jesus and the Museu de Setúbal, a church featuring Portuguese gothic architecture.

Most impressive, Setubal is situated on the Sadu Estuary, an unassuming locale that’s known for its wild dolphins that reside in the surrounding waters. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll adore this fascinating pod of dolphins has been protected and studied for years, and most importantly, respected by the locals. In the afternoon, take a boat ride to (possibly) see the dolphins . You’ll notice that the tours follow strict rules and regulations, such as keeping a distance from the dolphins and not allowing too many visits per day. It’s an exciting experience, as the guides are familiar with this family of dolphins and share knowledge of their habitat, health, and history.

If you have time, check out a local beach, or have a meal at one of the many restaurants along the harbor, as these local spots serve up fresh seafood dishes daily.

Day Three: Cascais

Start your day by heading to the beach! This popular resort area is located about 30 minutes west of Lisbon and well-known for its gorgeous coastline and golden sand beaches. On summer weekends, it’s best to arrive early, but it’s a quick trip by car. (If you prefer not to drive, it’s also a comfortable train ride or ferry from the center of Lisbon). Once you arrive, pick up a free (yes, free!) bicycle near the center of town to explore the area—look for the signs that point to “Bicas.” It’s fun to pedal along the coastal pathway and admire the panoramic views along the ocean (and yes, you can rent a lock, too).

At Cascais, as there are many great spots for sunbathing, surfing, or just hanging out by the shore. Three beaches are protected and just steps from the city center (Praia da Conceição, Praia da Duquesa, and Praia da Poça), and all of these are ideal for swimming. In the heart of Cascais, visitors will find the main “boardwalk” with many shops, restaurants, and taverns. The area features narrow, winding pedestrian walkways, so if you prefer to stay out of the sun, you can spend hours meandering through the town.

But Cascais offers more than beaches. After a morning playing in the waves, visitors can explore the Museum Quarter that’s home to an exceptional destination, the Castro Guimarães art museum , which is situated on a sprawling estate encircled by fountains and colorful gardens. Also, the Casa de Santa Maria is not to be missed. This coastal villa is adjacent to a lighthouse and was constructed in the early 1900s as a summer home for royalty, and showcases classic painted Portuguese tiles.

Day Four: Evora

Less than a two-hour drive from Lisbon and Cascais is the capital of Portugal’s expansive Alentejo region, Evora, a charming medieval city that’s home to many historical monuments, churches, and ancient artifacts. Located in the South-central part of the country, Evora is a walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, so there are plenty of intriguing tourist attractions to tour while you’re here.

Start by taking in a few of the most enthralling sights in town, which are located within steps of each other, including the surprisingly intact Roman Temple of Diana. Across the street is the Se Cathedral with its asymmetrical towers and nearby is the gothic style church of St. Francis and its macabre yet fascinating “bone chapel” that’s creative from thousands of human skeletons.

Afterward, enjoy a lighter activity, such as shopping. Although you might be tempted to try and see all the sights, be sure to take a break and browse some of the stores (keep in mind that most close in the early evening). The Alentejo region is known for its cork trees and cork products, so be sure to head to the quaint shops that offer these authentic handicrafts—and you can purchase everything from clothing, handbags, jewelry, and much more at reasonable prices. This region is also famous for its wines, so be sure to sip a varietal or two while enjoying dinner at one of the town’s cozy cafes.

Day Five: Fatima

Fatima, a centrally-located city in Portugal, is about a two-hour drive from Evora. Nearly everyone who visits this destination is here to see the Sanctuary of Fatima, a famous pilgrimage site that honors the place where the Blessed Mother allegedly appeared to three young shepherd children in the early 1800s. This controversial sighting (often called “Miracle of the Sun”) attracts religious visitors as well as tourists of all ages from around the globe.

You can spend an hour or the better part of the day here, as there several churches to visit, a fountain where you can obtain holy water to bring home, and the famous oak tree where there the apparition was first seen. The impressive neoclassical basilica is the central point of this massive complex, and it towers 200 feet above the town. For the casual visitor, Fatima is a fascinating spot to stroll around, even if you’re just interested in learning about the historical elements.

If you want to tour or attend mass, it’s best to plan in advance and be aware of the timing. Note: Keep in mind that Fatima was created to welcome big crowds. On particular festival anniversaries, Fatima gets mobbed by pilgrims—some who arrive on busses and others who walk from miles away—so plan your visit accordingly. It’s most popular on the 12th and 13th days of the month from May until October.

Day Six: Coimbra

On your way up to the northern part of the country, be sure to stop in Coimbra for the afternoon. Located about 90 minutes south of Porto, Coimbra is less than an hour from Fatima and a charming town. A highlight is a visit to the University of Coimbra, the oldest in Portugal. A World Heritage and site, it is perched atop a hill in the middle of the city and encompasses many historical buildings and churches, as well as a massive botanic garden with a forest and bamboo plantation. If you visit during the school year, you’ll find the area to be extremely busy – and students just about everywhere in town.

Harry Potter fans are fascinated by this ancient picturesque town because British author J.K. Rowling spent time here teaching English and was inspired by her surroundings. The Hogwarts school uniform is a version of the university students’ official outfits here—especially the formal black capes worn atop the clothing that gives them a slightly mystical look. And while you’re touring the university, be sure to check out their exquisite library, Bibliotheca Joanina, which resembles the famous library where Harry Potter and friends spend time at Hogwarts. Featuring thousands of books stacked high on polished wood bookshelves, this jaw-dropping structure is worth a visit, whether you’re a bookworm or not.

For sure, Coimbra is a great destination to enjoy even if you’re not an avid Potter enthusiast, as it’s steeped in history and visitors can enjoy plenty of sites, architecture, stunning views, shopping—as well as great cafes and restaurants as well.

Day Seven: Porto

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

If you thought Lisbon was hilly, wait until you stroll around the steep, undulating streets of Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal. With its dramatic scenery and jaw-dropping riverfront views, along with many narrow, winding streets, Porto is a dreamy destination that encourages visitors to explore.

Start your morning by enjoying breakfast, as you’ll need the energy to hike around the city. Begin by walking over the Dom Luis bridge, an architectural landmark that spans the Duoro River. From this ideal vantage point, you’ll have an exceptional view of the city and get an immediate lay of the land. A few not-to-miss attractions include the Clerigos bell tower that overlooks the city (and yes, you can climb the steps to the top); the Crystal Palace gardens, a sprawling and peaceful oasis, and the spellbinding Church of Saint Francis, also referred to as the “golden” church. It features gothic architecture, and its interior ornate wood carvings are covered in brilliant gold.

If you prefer to stay outside, the beauty of Porto is that it’s home to many small parks and places to rest, so you can enjoy the sights by just meandering around and discovering its understated charms without going to the top tourist spots.

Of course, this is the area where Port wine is made, and you will see it everywhere. If you’re a wine lover, in the afternoon head over to the Vila Nova de Gaia area, grab a bite to eat and enjoy a tasting or two at the Port Houses along the river, such as Calem and Kopke, as they all offer tours and tastings. Most are open to the public, and you can sip and savor for hours, but if you have your heart set on particular Port wine, be sure to make a reservation in advance.

And you’re up for more Harry Potter experiences…Porto has plenty of them. One of the most noteworthy is Livraria Lello, the legendary gorgeous bookstore that is known to have influenced Rowling. Swing by in the afternoon, but if you visit, be sure to pack your patience. During high season, the line of enthusiastic fans stretches for blocks (be sure to purchase your ticket first before cueing up!), and visitors only get a few quick, crowded minutes inside.

For dinner with a view, choose an outdoor table at one of the many restaurants lining the Douro River, against the backdrop of the iconic Dom Luis bridge, which is especially stunning at night. It’s a festive area with plenty of pedestrian traffic—and the cafes serve up an array of local specialties—along with a generous pour of Port wine, of course!

15 Top Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal

Best Cities and Regions to Visit in Portugal

Best Day Trips From Lisbon

Best Spain Tours Starting From Madrid

Your Trip to Portugal: The Complete Guide

20 Best Things to Do in Portugal

Tours of Spain and Portugal from Lisbon

Best Day Trips From Porto

How to Travel From Lisbon to Porto by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

Plan the Perfect Trip to Spain

Weather in Portugal: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Porto Travel Guide

October in Portugal: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Fatima, Portugal Guide: Planning Your Trip

A Food Guide to the Alentejo Region in Portugal

November in Portugal: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

• Miranda do Douro
• Viana do Castelo
• Corvo, The Crow Island of the Azores
• Faial, The Blue Island of Azores
• Flores, The Yellow Island of Azores
• Graciosa, The White Island of the Azores
• Pico, The Black Island of Azores
• Santa Maria, The Sunshine Island of the Azores
• São Jorge, The Brown Island of Azores
• São Miguel, The Green Island of Azores
• Terceira Island, The Festive Island of Azores
• Central Portugal
• Lisbon and Tagus Valley
• Porto & Northern Portugal
• Portugal Survival Guide
• Entering Portugal
• Guide to Learning Portuguese
• Portugal Holidays
• Average Temperatures in Portugal
• Weather in Portugal
• Portugal Visa Guide
• Golden Visa Portugal
• Portugal Digital Nomad Visa 2023
• D7 Visa Guide
• D2 Visa Guide
• Food & Drink
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Millions of tourists travel to Portugal every year, but it can be hard to figure out where to go. Luckily, this 1-Week Portugal Itinerary guides you on where to spend 7 days in Portugal. 

The itinerary starts in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and then heads south. You can enjoy the journey fully through public transport, but when leaving Lisbon to head to the Algarve, we do recommend renting a car.

When renting your vehicle, you can select to pick up the car at Lisbon airport and return it at the end of your trip at Faro airport, where this itinerary ends.

While both Central Portugal and the north have a lot to offer, this 7-day itinerary is perfect for a first-timer who hasn’t yet visited the country. 

For everything you need to know before traveling to Portugal, check out our  Portugal Survival Guide.

Day 1: Arrive in  Lisbon

This 1-Week Itinerary in Portugal starts in the capital of Lisbon. Many cities around the world fly directly to Lisbon. You can fly directly to Lisbon from many US airports, including Miami, Boston, Washington, San Francisco, and New York. 

One of the oldest cities in western Europe, Lisbon has seen a boom in tourism due to its unique beauty, historical attractions, and affordability.

The birthplace of Amália Rodrigues, the iconic  Fado  singer, Lisbon is rich in culture, history, and striking views. 

Guide to Lisbon

For your visit day in Lisbon, start your day off in Alfama. The oldest neighborhood in Lisbon and the home of fado. Explore the neighborhood and look out for Fado spots, as well as historical monuments such as the Lisbon Cathedral, the Convent of the Grace, and more.

For lunch, take a look at our  favorite restaurants in Lisbon. 

For a traditional Portuguese meal, we recommend Alfaia, one of the oldest restaurants in Lisbon that opened in 1880.

If you are vegan but still want to try Portuguese food, we definitely recommend Ao 26 Vegan Food Project.

For the best pizzas in Lisbon, head to Casanova in Santa Apolonia to take some pizzas cooked in a large wood-burning stove and enjoy views of the Tagus river. 

Then head to Miradouro da Graca, one of the most iconic viewpoints in Lisbon. At the top of the seven hills of the city, you get to see historic neighborhoods and take photographs of the surroundings. 

Then take the iconic 28 tram from Miradouro da Graca that passed by Praca do Comercio and other locations. Hop off in Chiado.

Chiado is well known for being home to the best stores a nd luxurious cafes, located in the heart of the city. The 1700s Bertrand book store is located here, as well as the emblematic cafe A Brasileira. 

Take a 15-minute walk to Praca do Comercio, the city’s central waterpoint front. The large square used to be the site of the former royal palace that was destroyed in the Great Lisbon Earthquake in 1755. 

There are multiple shops and restaurants in the square. You can also climb the Rua Augusta Arch for 360 views of the city and the square. 

For dinner, head to 1 de Maio in Bairro Alto for an affordable Portuguese meal. This hidden restaurant offers delicious fresh seafood that you can see from the window and a variety of meats like lamb. 

After dinner, head to Pink Street in Cais do Sodre. The street features pink pavement and was once Lisbon’s Red Light District. Today, it is a nightlife hotspot.

Many bars today still reflect the Red Light District such as the iconic bar Pensao Amor which has memorabilia from the time. Walk around to experience the nightlife which often fills the street, locals bringing their drinks outside. 

Best Hotels in Lisbon

• Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel:  Awarded the Best Luxury Green Hotel in 2019, Inspira Liberdade provides a relaxing Feng-Shui vibe for its guests. The hotel has a SPA, fitness room, bar, and a restaurant with Portuguese food called Pen Brasserie Mediterrânica.
• Selena Secret Garden :  The hostel also has a rooftop deck, CoWork space for professionals, and a movie room. In the heart of Cais do Sodre, you are close to contemporary art galleries, bars with riverfront views, and within walking distance to Chiado.
• Bairro Alto Hotel:  This hotel is situated in the best location in Lisbon, between Bairro Alto and Chiado in an 18th-century building in central Lisbon. The hotel features a restaurant with award-winning Chef Nuno Mendes and Executive Chef Bruno Rocha.

Day 2: Lisbon

For your second day in Lisbon, we recommend exploring Belem. Belem lies along the Tejo Estuary and is home to two UNESCO sites, Torre de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. 

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a former monastery in Belém constructed in Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style and you can visit the church for free. 

Torre de Belem is a 16th-century fortification that once served as an embarkation spot for Portugal explorers. It features a Manueline style and has been a World Heritage Site since 1983.

A 2-minute walk from the monastery, head to Pasteis de Belem where the traditional Portuguese custard tart was first invented.

In the afternoon, we recommend booking a sightseeing tour. Since you only have 2 days in Lisbon, this is a great way to see as much of the city as possible. Here are our favorite guided tours of Lisbon:

• Lisbon 3-Hour Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk : This tuk-tuk tour rides up and down the hills of Lisbon, going through the city’s oldest neighborhoods and main attractions.
• Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:  Book a 24-hour ticket which includes an audio guide. This affordable ticket allows you to visit different routes and hop in as you would like. 
• Lisbon 3-Hour Tour by E-Bike:  This tour allows you to cycle through Lisbon on comfortable e-bikes with a guided tour. You will get to visit different viewpoints and historical attractions.

At night, walk to Bairro Alto, the most popular area for drinking outdoors. Tons of locals and tourists line the streets of Bairro Alto with a beer in hand. We recommend Ze dos Bois Gallery, a musical center that has live music and serves tasty drinks. 

Best Restaurants in Lisbon

• Ze dos Cornos: For a Portuguese person, this place is like arriving at your Avó’s (grandma´s) house for dinner. Everything off the menu hits the spot, but try their codfish with potatoes or their rabbit. You can have a large full meal here with wine for under €15. 
• The Green Affair: Open since 2018, the Green Affair serves Portuguese and international dishes. The restaurant offers lunch menus for less than €11 including a starter, main, and drink. For dinner, you’ll pay around  €30 for two people. 
• Alma: Henrique Sá Pessoa’s, Alma also has two Michelin stars. The menu includes Portuguese dishes with influences from his worldwide travels. The menus start at €145 per person and do not include drinks. The wine tasting menu costs €80 per person. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Cascais & Sintra from Lisbon

Book Sintra & Cascais Tour

The great thing about Lisbon is its proximity to quaint coastal towns. Our favorites: Sintra and Cascais. We recommend either driving to these locations (both around 30 minutes from Lisbon), booking a guided tour , or taking a 30-minute train to each town. 

In Sintra, we recommend heading to Piriquita for the staple deserted called a “travesseiro”. After this energy boost, head to the Castle of the Moors. This is a medieval castle that sits on a hilltop and was built by the Moors in the 8th century.

Then, head to Pena Palace, one of the most iconic palaces in all of Portugal. The palace has a Disney-like feel, painted in beautiful colors in a romanticist style. You can also wander around the castle and see the beautiful green area that surrounds it. Tickets cost around €15.

Guide to Sintra

We recommend having lunch at a seafood restaurant in Cascais. Our favorites are Furnas do Guincho and Baia do Peixe, the latter being a more affordable alternative.

Then it’s time to explore Cascais, the richest municipality in the country! Head to “Praia da Rainha”, a secluded  beach  with a wonderful view, perfect for a family photograph.

Find Frederico Arouca street, a high street with major stores selling Portuguese souvenirs. Then walk to the City Hall in Praca 5 de Outubro, a beautiful building surrounded by cobblestoned streets.

To wrap up your day, head to Guincho beach,  a 10-minute drive from the center of Cascais, to watch the sunset. If the weather is nice, take a dip! But be careful with the waves as they can get quite high. 

Guide to Cascais

Day 4 & 5: Tavira

A 3-hour drive from Lisbon, drive south to Tavira, in the beautiful region of the Algarve. Alternatively, you can catch a train to Faro or a bus directly to Tavira. 

Tavira was built alongside River Gilão and features some of the best beaches in the Algarve, as well as picturesque narrow streets with traditional houses. Along with the stunning beaches, the town has multiple attractions such as shops and historical buildings.

Your two days will be more slow-paced than the past days in Lisbon. You will be spending most of your time at the beach.

Our favorite beach is Praia do Barril. The beach features a wooden path over golden sand which provides a gorgeous contrast with the dark blue waters. Due to the large size of the beach, you will rarely feel like it’s too busy, despite its popularity.

Praia de Tavira and Praia da Terra Estreita are also great alternatives in Tavira. If you want to discover multiple beaches this affordable  4-hour boat tour  takes you on an octopus tour and stops at multiple beaches.

In between resting at the beach, we recommend exploring Tavira. Take a walk through the city and explore the Chapel of Sao Bras, castle, and convent. Book this 100% electric 1-hour tuk-tuk tour  if you want a guided tour of the city from a local’s perspective. 

Tours in Tavira

Best Hotels in Tavira

• São Paulo Boutique Hotel:   São Paulo Boutique Hotel is located less than 5 kilometers from the beach and features an outdoor swimming pool, bar, shared lounge, and large garden for guests to enjoy. 
• OZADI Tavira Hotel:  A 4-star hotel AZADI Tavira Hotel is 3 kilometers away from the beach and features a large outdoor pool, a fitness center, and two restaurants. 
• Quinta Dos Perfumes:  An 8-minute walk from the beach, Quinta dos Perfumes is an 88-acre farmhouse that features beautiful orange groves and a salt-water outdoor pool.

Guide to Tavira

Day 6: Day trip to Benagil Caves

Benagil is a fishing village known for its stunning beaches and sea caves. The Benagil caves are a must-see if you head to the Algarve. We recommend booking a guided tour, many of which start in Albufeira. Here are the best day tours to Benagil Caves.

• Dolphins and Benagil Caves from Albufeira : This boat tour allows you to discover dolphins, marine life, and Benagil caves in an inflatable boat. A stop for a swim is included!
• Caves and Coastline Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil : This catamaran cruise takes you on a scenic route between Albufeira to Benagil. You will get to explore the sea caves and go for a swim. 
• Boat Tour to Benagil Caves from Armacao de Pera : A boat cruise from Armacao de Pera that takes you to see the Benagil Caves with a crew that will tell you about the region.

Benagil Tours

Day 7: Morning at the beach and travel home

Enjoy your last day at your favorite beach in Tavira. Again, we recommend Praia do Barril. Then travel back home from Faro Airport, only a 30-minute drive away from Tavira.

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Efficient 7 Day Portugal Road Trip Itinerary With Map

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You want to road trip through Portugal and are looking for the best Portugal itinerary? With our efficient 7 days in Portugal itinerary, you’ll see Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve, Monsanto, Tomar, Coimbra, the west coast, and much more!

Road trips in Portugal are amazing! We have gone on a road trip to Portugal to show you how you can explore the country on a fast paced Portugal travel itinerary yourself.

In this blogpost, we teach you:

• How to plan a trip to Portugal in an efficient way.
• Our 1 week Portugal itinerary.

Is 7 days in Portugal Enough?

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Yes, but a Portugal 7 day itinerary requires:

• A lot of driving.
• Moving most nights.
• Efficient planing.

Start your driving tour of Portugal in Porto .

End your driving tour of Portugal in Faro .

This way you save the time circling back. The one way fees for rental cars are super low in Portugal!

On a 7 day itinerary Portugal you can see:

• The West Coast of Portugal

Northern Portugal Itinerary

Our itinerary for Portugal starts in the capital of the north, Porto.

1 day is enough to explore the highlights of Porto:

• Climb the Clerics Tower and enjoy the view.
• Buy a book in the Harry Potter bookstore Livraria Lello .
• Find some beautiful Azulejos like in the São Bento Station.
• Visit some of the amazing churches like the Cathedral.
• Let yourself drift through the cute alleyways of Ribeira .
• Make your way over the Ponte Luís I Bridge.
• Try port wine in one of the many port wine cellars.
• Take a boat tour on the Douro River .
• Try a francesinha . This combination of cheese, meat and tomato sauce is the perfect food for pre-drinks, post-drinks or a hangover.
• Don't miss a night out in the hip university area.

Check out our complete one day in Porto itinerary:

One Day in Porto Itinerary With Map 2023

How to see Porto in a day? Here are some Porto tips + an efficient itinerary for Porto including a map.

On the first driving day of your north Portugal itinerary, you’ll encounter the three beautiful cities Aveiro, Coimbra, and Monsanto.

Aveiro is known as the “Venice of Portugal”. Of course, the highlight is cruising the canals on a traditional Moliceiros boat.

Additionally, Aveiro is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture.

Coimbra’s claim to fame is the UNESCO Word Heritage university where you can find the baroque Joanine Library.

Coimbra University expanded along Rua Sofia. Don’t miss the 12th-century Sé Velha Cathedral, the elegant 16th-century Sub Ripas Palace, and the historical 12th-century Santa Cruz church on the way.

Monsanto is hands down one of the most picturesque places we have ever been. Huge granite boulders are nestled in the cutest little village full of stone buildings you'll ever see. And everything is topped off with a castle, which gives you amazing views all over the area, perhaps even all the way to Spain.

On day 3 of your 7 day Portugal itinerary, you’ll drive from Monsanto to Peniche.

When road tripping Portugal, don't miss Tomar with the famous monastery. The Convento de Cristo was founded in 1162 by Templar knights and is really worth the hype. Do not only check out the inside with the castle, church, and cloisters, also walk along the outside wall for some great views over the Convento, the city of Tomar, and the surrounding area.

Nazare  is famous for some of the biggest waves in the world. You’ll have a chance to see them in winter. In the lighthouse you can learn more about how the big waves are surfed.

Of course, you can always just choose to hit the beach with its its golden sand and crystal-clear waters.

Obidos is famous for its medieval city wall on which you can walk around the entire city. The historic city centre is filled with cobblestone streets dotted with white houses.

Of course, there’s also a castle.

Peniche is a seaside fishing village with stunning beaches with calm waters.

The main reason to come here is the Berlengas Nature Reserve . It is located on the Berlengas Islands which means you need to budget at least four hours for the round trip by boat if you want to visit.

Today is a rather short driving day from Peniche to Lisbon via Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.

On your way from Tomar to Lisbon check out Sintra . Don't try to see all sights in one day but you'll get a taste. If you ask us, the Pena Palace is a must-see. Other noteworthy places include the Quinta da Regaleira with its Instagram famous well and the Castle of the Moors . We found the town centre itself to be rather touristy and did not spend too much time exploring.

Cabo da Roca

If you have a lot of stamina or you're not too much into castles, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, the Cabo da Roca , is close.

Additionally, Cascais with its hell-mouth or Boca do Inferno is worth a visit. Of course, you can also spend some time relaxing at the beach.

Your car can have a rest day today.

If you want to see the highlights of Lisbon in one day, you have to be efficient:

• Start your day by getting an overview of the city from the Castelo de São Jorge .
• Get lost in the many alleys of the old town Alfama .
• Make your way back to the central square Praça do Comércio.
• Wander along the Tejo River and enjoy the lively local atmosphere with loads of street music on the promenade.
• Explore Downtown ( Baixa ).
• Take one of the famous elevadores or lifts to get to the Barrio Alto .
• Head to street food heaven Time Out Market .
• Take the tram to Belem and visit the Belem Tower . While in this area, don't miss the Jerónimos Monastery , one of our unexpected Lisbon favourites. And of course, eat some (or all) Pasteis de Belem at the place they originated from.
• In our experience, the perfect end for the day is cocktails at a rooftop bar (we can recommend PARK ) – who doesn't love drinks with a view?

Check out our complete one day in Lisbon itinerary:

One Day in Lisbon Itinerary With Map 2023

Efficient Lisbon itinerary if you have 24 hours in Lisbon or less!

Southern Portugal Itinerary

Start your south Portugal itinerary at all the beaches on the West Coast of Portugal until you reach your final destination, Lagos.

West Coast of Portugal

When you head to the Algarve make sure to drive the coastal road and stop along the way for some of the amazing beaches on the west coast like:

• Praia do Cavalo
• Praia do Cavaleiro
• Praia de Odeceixe-Mar

Cape St. Vincent

Also don't miss Cape St. Vincent , the southwesternmost point of the European mainland. Maybe this is notoriously German but we quite enjoyed eating the Letzte Bratwurst vor Amerika (the last sausage before America).

Today, you decide your own schedule. Relax on the beach or explore the Algarve.

Lagos is a great base to explore the Algarve. You find a cute town centre with loads of restaurants and bars and some amazing beaches. Go on a short hike along the coast to explore some of them or take a boat.

Rocky Algarve

Of the many outstanding beaches of the Algarve, the cave beach of Benagil is our favourite. The nearby Carvalho Beach also has a lot of nooks and crannies to explore.

Sandy Algarve

We advise you to also check out the eastern Algarve coast where the beaches feature less dramatic cliffs but are much flatter and hence more accessible. Taking a boat from Tavira to Santa Luzia was one of our all-time favourite holiday experiences. Santa Luzia is called the octopus capital of Portugal for a reason. Go and try some!

Algarve Hinterland

If you have a limited capacity for beaches, the hinterland of the Algarve with its many cork trees is well worth a visit as well. The small town Monchique with its hot and cold springs is charming and the bone chapel in Alcantarilha is a true hidden gem.

Check out our complete Algarve itinerary:

Roadtrip Algarve Itinerary: 1-5 Days with Map (2023)

Algarve blog post for your perfect Algarve road trip. Including an Algarve 1-5 day itinerary with map.

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How to Spend One Week in Portugal: The Perfect Portugal Itinerary

Planning your trip to Portugal and not sure where to start? Use this step-by-step Portugal itinerary packed with everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

So you’re travelling to Portugal and are looking for the perfect Portugal itinerary?

This one week in Portugal guide will help you plan your getaway: complete with a day-by-day itinerary of places to see, things to do and where to stay for each destination.

Don’t get me started talking about Portugal. Each trip I’ve taken (ten, but who’s counting) to this striking country has made me appreciate it just that little bit more.

It might be small, but Portugal is both fiercely proud and boasts a unique culture that is guaranteed to have you coming back for more. So much so that it’s a running joke with my buddies that if I ever disappear off the radar, Portugal will be the first place that they look.

Anyway. Enough of all that. Let’s get to it: the ultimate one week Portugal itinerary.

Portugal Itinerary Days 1-2: Porto

Portugal is a long and skinny country so it makes sense to start near the top and work your way down to the bottom during your trip.

Beautiful Porto sits at the end of the Rio Douro, an enchanting maze of hilly streets, the houses and shops clustered around narrow walkways begging for you to get lost in.

Lisbon may well be making a name for itself as one of the coolest destinations in Europe but Porto should not be overlooked. In fact I *may* just prefer it to the capital… just.

This effortlessly endearing city boasts a relatively quiet and easily walkable center, which includes the UNESCO heritage Ribeira District.

Things to do in Porto

Take a walking tour of the city.

Porto’s centre is easily walkable, so I think that taking a few hours to walk around the city is the perfect start to your time in Portugal. Meander through narrow lanes and twisting streets.

Most of the city’s must-sees are within striking distance of each other. The UNESCO-listed Ribera district should be at the top of your list.

Must-Sees: Clérigos Church and its iconic tower, Lello Bookstore (which is said to have inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter), Cathedral Se, the old city walls, Sao Bento station (with its beautiful Portuguese azulejos tiles), the Dom Luis I bridge and opulent Igreja de Sao Francisco.

I’m a sucker for learning about the history and culture of a destination so I almost always book onto a guided tour when I arrive in a city .

Take a Port House Tour

I’ll level with you, you can’t visit Porto without paying homage to the city’s most famous export: port.

There are several Port houses in Porto, mostly clustered in the Gaia area: take a guided tour and sample the tipples to learn about the fortified wine (you’re tasting for purely informational purposes of course).

I’d recommend booking a Port wine tour , which visits two port houses, with tastings and food pairings at each.

Food + Drink

Popular port houses include : Sandeman I Taylor’s I Graham’s I Cockburn’s

Dinner at Restaurant DOP

I’m a huge fan of famous Portuguese chef Rui Paula’s food. Paula’s high-end Portuguese restaurant, DOP is the place to treat yourself to a delicious meal out in Porto. Paula showcases the very best Portuguese ingredients in a minimalist setting

Party at Hard Club

Part club, part concert venue, Hard Club is one of Porto’s coolest spots. Don’t arrive too early (before midnight) and prepare to stay until the early hours.

Hop on the Tram

Hop onto the tram line number 1 close to Praca do Infante Square. The old-school tram is the perfect way to see a different side of the city, it rattles its way through alongside the Douro river towards the coast, dropping you off into Foz do Douro.

Once there, stop off at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira for petiscos (Portuguese small plates) at affordable prices.

Visit the Mercado do Bolhão

Step into history at the Mercado do Bolhao. The market opened in 1914 and has been feeding the city within its rather spectacular walls ever since. Trust me when I say that you should make room in your suitcase, because you’re going to want to bring some of this food home.

Hang Out at Baixa

The neighbourhood of Clerigos is brimming with bars and nightspots – join the throng for a few tipples at Baixa. The cocktails are divine.

Practical Information for Porto

Getting to porto.

Fly into Porto’s Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport if you can, otherwise you can fly into Lisbon and take the train (the journey takes just under three hours).

Suggested Stay for Porto: The Yeatman

A luxury wine hotel in Gaia with stupendous views out over the Douro and central Porto. This is one of Porto’s best hotels and certainly one of its most stylish.

The Yeatman is a personal favourite I’ve stayed in a few times and easily could stay in a few times more! Even if you can’t stay, splash out on a meal in their Michelin-starred restaurant.

Check prices at The Yeatman. Not up for The Yeatman? Search for accommodation in Porto

If You Have Extra Time: The Douro Valley

Take a trip into the Douro Valley to tour the vineyards. Producing the Port from which Porto takes its name, you can also take the opportunity to try the vineyards’ stellar wine. 

You’ll need at least a day to visit: you can visit the Douro Valley on a day trip from Porto (this one is great) but it’s even better to spend a night in the valley. 

Bed down in luxury at the Six Senses , both the views and the rooms are divine.

I cannot rave enough about the food at DOC , the sister restaurant to DOP in Porto I mentioned earlier in this guide. Chef Rui Paula turns out absolutely incredible contemporary Portuguese dishes in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Rio Douro. Don’t miss it. 

Portugal Itinerary Days 3-4: Lisbon

It’s time to move on to the next stop in your Portugal itinerary. Our destination? Lisbon , Portugal’s beautiful and surprisingly laid back capital.

I’ve visited Lisbon time and time again and it never fails to make me love it just that little bit more…

Relatively affordable, delicious food (wear stretchy pants) and a buzzing nightlife – it’s the cool kid that everyone can’t help but love. It’s also where you’re going to be spending the next three days, so settle in and enjoy the ride.

Things to do in Lisbon

Hop on a sidecar tour of lisbon.

You know how I said that I liked to take a walking tour when I visited a new city. Scrap that. I took this vintage sidecar tour when I was in Lisbon and it was some of the most fun I had in the city.

Toot toot, beep beep!

Who doesn’t love whizzing around the city tucked into the sidecar of a vintage motorbike with a cooler than cool Lisboeta dude telling you about all the secret spots, bags of history and taking you to the best panoramic points in the city? It was 100% one of the highlights of my Portugal itinerary. 

I’m not going to lie, I basically rave about this tour to anyone I know that is visiting Lisbon, and right now, that includes you.

The tour is completely tailor-made, so if there’s stuff you’re not that interested in, are desperate to see, or have already seen, you can just let your guide know at the beginning of the trip.

To be honest, some of the best bits of the tour where he took me to places I had no idea about before (I realise that sounds a bit 70 Mills & Boon lol). I’m still sworn to secrecy about a lovely local cafe that served THE BEST CAKES. Mmmn cake. Anyway, moving on.

Book your sidecar tour

Dine at Cervejaria Ramiro

I’m guessing that you are going to be pretty hungry after your whirlwind tour of Lisboa, so do like the locals do and head to Cervejaria Ramiro for a traditional Portuguese seafood lunch.

If you’re a seafood-lover (me! me! I love seafood!), you are going to love your trip to Portugal. There are few European countries where seafood plays such a huge role in the national cuisine.

So why Cervejaria Ramiro? For one, the traditional setting couldn’t feel any more Portuguese – it’s filled with clusters, brisk waiters with a cheeky glint in their eye, but the seafood is the real star of the show. Lobster, langoustines, oysters, all freshly caught and simply prepared.

Be prepared to queue during peak hours.

Check out my review of Cervejaria Ramiro

Explore Alfama

Head to Alfama in the afternoon, when the area’s narrow lanes and tall buildings catch the hues of the golden Lisboeta light.

Alfama is one of the few areas of the city that wasn’t destroyed in the earthquake of 1755, so it’s a chance to see the Lisbon of a period that has been largely erased.

Alfama could be described as the centerpiece of the Lisbon of times past – fado music and dancing, ginjinha – it’s the beating heart of them all. 

Pop into the Museo do Fado to learn about the history of the much-loved music,

If you can – go to the Portos dos Sol for sunset – the views of the city are pretty wow-worthy.

Other must-see spots in Alfama : Cathedral Se, Castelo de Sao Jorge.

Have a Meal at Bairro Avillez

First up, time to fill up. We’re headed for Bairro Avillez .  

Chef Jose Avillez is another stellar Portuguese chef with a whopping seven restaurants dotted across the city (another has just opened as I’m writing this).

How has one chef come to dominate Lisbon’s culinary scene?

It’s simple, he makes banging dishes that make you happy to part with your cash and sad that your stomach isn’t actually a bottomless pit and at some point you’re going to have to stop eating the tasty, tasty food.

I received the tip to go to Bairro Avillez from the PR at the Four Seasons and believe me, that was a woman who knew every single restaurant in Lisbon and wasn’t afraid to be frank about her opinions on each (thanks Catarina).

Jazz at Hot Clube de Portugal

Hot Clube de Portugal has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best jazz clubs in the world. I first visited as a (mildly pretentious) 17 year old and it’s still my evening destination of choice several (I mean several) years later.

See the Sights in Belem

Sun drenched Belem is home to big-hitter after big-hitter. A few kilometres out of the centre, it’s the elaborate playground of times past. Few places have been shaped more by Portugal’s Age of the Discoveries.  

From the Gothic Manueline architectural fantasy of the Monastery of San Jeronimo to the stalwart Belem Tower and striking Monument to the Discoveries , this is an area packed with history. 

Oh, and it’s the place to snap up the sweet, flaky and impossibly moreish pasteis de nata – they’re said to originate from the Pasteis de Belem , where you can still buy them today.

If, like me, you’re at least 50% driven by food, you are going to want to block out some time in your diary to visit.

Queues to takeaway can be long – my insider’s tip is to go and sit inside, there’s often no wait time and you can be tucking into your pasteis in a matter of minutes.

Spend Time in LX Factory

An old textile factory that’s turned into one of Lisbon’s biggest hipster hangouts? Sign me up!

LX Factory is a cool conglomeration of indie businesses, including shops, restaurants and bars housed in industrial-chic quarters.

It’s not that hard to see why this has become one of the city’s popular hangouts: the street art is off the hook and the food (yes, food again, it’s always food with me) is fab. There’s even a shop dedicated to cheesecake.

LX Factory, Why You Need to Visit Lisbon’s Hipster Hangout

Go Street Art Hunting

Lisbon is one of the big destinations on the street art scene, thanks to a roster of talented home-grown artists and lots of creative spaces for them to show off their skills.

Hotspots include LX Factory (above), Calcada de Gloria, Rua das Gaviotas and Avenida Conselheiro Fernando de Sousa. 

Get ahead by booking onto a street art tour

Eat Your Way Around Time Out Market Lisbon

The international arbiters of urban culture and cool, Time Out opened their first market in Lisbon in 2014.

Safe to say, it’s been drawing in the punters ever since. Many of Lisbon’s hottest restaurants and chefs have bagged a spot in the ever-changing rotation.

I’m a total sucker for a well-curated food market. 

The chance to have a small plate from a few different restaurants is a great experience, particularly when I’m trying to see the best of Portugal in 7 days and have a limited number of meals in each city.

My biggest tip? Go hungry and dine well.

Practical Information for Lisbo n

Getting to Lisbon

I’d recommend getting up and getting on with the journey from Porto to Lisbon as early as you can bear so you can make the most of your stay in Lisbon.

You could fly from Porto to Lisbon but it’s a bit of a waste of time. You’re much better off booking a private transfer, going by train or, at a push, hiring a car and driving down yourself.

If you do the latter, just remember that, like most cities, parking in Lisbon is not the easiest task. Trains and transfers take around three hours.

I recommend buying The Lisboa Card. It will save you a lot of money if you are planning on visiting quite a few attractions and includes public transport too. Pick yours up here .

Suggested Stay: The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz

I’ll be blunt. The Four Seasons is a treat. A very expensive treat.

It’s my favourite hotel in Lisbon, but I have to admit that it comes at quite a steep cost. If you can afford it, you can look forward to decadent interiors (including marble bathrooms), eye-catching city views and a breakfast that’s to die for.

There’s even a rooftop running track to help you burn it all off afterwards.

Check prices for the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz 

Or search for alternative Lisbon accommodation.

Portugal Itinerary Day 5: Day Trip to Sintra

Travelling to UNESCO World Heritage Sintra is like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale.

Brightly coloured palaces, exotic gardens and Moorish castles, you won’t regret making the trip.

Things to do in Sintra

Visit the palacio nacional de sintra.

Make a beeline for the Palacio Nacional, one of Sintra’s much-loved (and photographed) spots.

A curious mix of architectural styles, it’s the kind of building you won’t find outside of Portugal – spacious courtyards, opulent decor and Insta opportunities galore.

You can buy tickets on the day, book online (which gives you a 5% discount) or pay a little more to buy a skip the line ticket . If you’re doing this Portugal itinerary in the peak season, it’s well worth considering going for the skip the line option.

Pena Palace

The building that launched a thousand clicks – I was enamoured with the vibrant yellow exterior of the Pena Palace before I even clapped eyes on it in real life.

See what I mean?

Weird, wacky and all-out fabulous, the Pena Palace might look like an architectural romp, but in reality, it’s one of the most important expressions of the 19th century Romantic movement in Portugal.

As with Sintra Palace, you can buy tickets on the day, book online or buy skip the line tickets .

Castelos dos Mouros

Just when you thought that Sintra couldn’t get any more dramatic… you come to the Castle of the Moors. Often shrouded in cloud, this striking castle is a 2km walk from Sintra-Vila.

Buy tickets on the day, book online or buy skip the line tickets .

Getting to Sintra

The trip from Lisbon to Sintra isn’t difficult – a simple matter of hopping on the train from Rossio or Oriente station in Lisbon for around 40 minutes. Tickets are cheap (less than €5) and trains are frequent.

If you’d prefer to go on a tour, there are plenty of tours from Lisbon to Sintra – quite a few, like this one, take you to Cascais too .

If you do book a tour, make sure that it covers all of the entrance and ticket fees – when they do, they’re a surprisingly cost efficient way to do the trip.

Portugal Itinerary Days 6 and 7: The Algarve

Why should you go to the Algarve on your Portugal Itinerary? That’s easy. 

How do sun-soaked beaches with crystal clear waters and miles of Atlantic views, medieval towns and cities, fresher than you thought possible seafood washed down with crisp whites from the neighbouring Alentejo sound to you?

For many people, a week in Portugal starts and ends with a beach in The Algarve and I can see why. It is really quite enticing to plop down and simply appreciate that good, good Portuguese sunshine.

You’d be missing out though. 

Sure, the Algarve has spectacular beaches, but move away from these and you’ll discover a region with a vibrant culture and unique history that’s waiting to be explored.

Things to do in the Algarve

Explore lagos.

I suggest that you stay in Lagos during your time in the Algarve – not only is it a rather charming destination in and of itself, it’s a good base to explore the rest of the region in the limited time that you have left.

The centre of Lagos really isn’t very big – grab a map and walk to the baroque fantasy that is the Igreja de Santo Antonio.

Nature has created many of Lagos’s biggest attractions: the rugged Ponta da Piedade comes complete with sandstone cliffs and nesting birdlife.  Closer to town the Meia Praia is a good spot to try your hand at surfing, or simply sit back and enjoy the sun.

Visit the Market in Loul é

Stop off in the quaint town of Loule in the morning to see it’s famous covered market in full swing.

I’ve always stocked up on ingredients for the bbq during longer stays, but it’s worth popping in, if only to look at a traditional Portuguese market in action.

The Benagil Cave is a short drive away from Loule and one of the area’s best natural sights.

A complete guide to visiting the Benagil Cave

Walk Around Tavira

I personally think that Tavira would take the prize for the most picturesque town in The Algarve.

With a church on practically every corner, castle ruins and a gorgeous setting on the Rio Gilao, not to mention numerous buildings with elaborate tiled facades, Tavira is just lovely.

Once you’ve had a look around the city, strike out to the nearby beaches , including the Ilha de Tavira (only reachable by boat).

I loved the nearby Praia do Barril: a wild and rather windswept beach accessed by a short hop on a narrow-gauge railway and home to the quirky anchor cemetery. Yes, you read that right, anchor cemetery.

An insider’s guide to Tavira

Ilha Deserta + Estamine Restaurant

In case you didn’t get the memo, Ilha Deserta means… deserted island.

It might not be quite deserted, but this quiet island off the coast of Faro in the Rio Formosa Natural Park is the perfect place to escape the crowds residing on other of the Algarve’s heaving beaches.

Take one of the informative eco boat tours over to the Ilha , they leave a few times a day from Faro’s harbour. Speedboats provide a noisier but more direct means of transport.

The Ilha Deserta has another attraction though. Estamine Restaurant . 

This eco-friendly restaurant serves up astoundingly good meals with sea views.

By now you know how much I love Portuguese food (and hopefully you will too) – if you trust me at all, trust me when I say you need to get yourself to this restaurant.

Practical Information for The Algarve

Getting to the algarve.

There are plenty of transport connections between Lisbon and The Algarve, but it will depend on where you stay.

If, as I suggest, you stay in Lagos, you will need to get the train from Lisbon to Tunes (fast service) and then another slower service from Tunes to Lagos.

Book ahead – tickets can (and will) sell out during the high season.

Express buses run between Lisbon and Lagos, and take around the same time as the train.

Getting Around The Algarve

You can get around some parts of The Algarve without a car – particularly along the coast.

Other destinations can be a bit more difficult. I’ve listed four of my favourite spots in The Algarve, and in all honesty, I haven’t attempted getting between them without a car. Seeing as you only have a couple of days left of your 7 days in Portugal, I’d suggest hiring a car – it just makes life much easier for this part of the country.

If that’s not practical, Lagos is the easiest destination to base yourself in as there are plenty of hotels in the centre of town, with many stunning beaches in easy walking distance. It’s a great place to discover.

Suggested Stays in the Algarve

I’ve stayed in Lagos, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago on various Portugal itineraries and can recommend all three as good bases for your stay.  

• Casa Mãe in Lagos is a good five-star boutique option.
• If you are going to spend longer than a few days in the Algarve (a week or more), book a villa at the Four Seasons Fairways.
• Looking for high-end luxe but with hotel amenities? The Anantara Vilamoura is the perfect spot.

So, there we are, we’ve finished up your week in Portugal. I hope you have a wonderful time discovering the best this vibrant country has to offer. 

If you have more than a week in Portugal, I’ve suggested a couple of additional destinations you may want to consider below, otherwise skip along to the Practical Information and Tips section at the end. 

Have More Time? Additional Locations for a Portugal Itinerary 

Evora .

A gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage town in the Alentejo with Portugal’s best-preserved Roman temple. 

Evora is a glorious passage through Portuguese history, with architecture charting pretty much every stop from the Romans to the Moors and present day. Spend a day or two exploring its winding alleys. 

Tucked away in the Alentejo, you can add this to your Portugal itinerary between Lisbon and The Algarve. 

Cascais 

If you think resort means plastic sun loungers and all-inclusives, Cascais will make you rethink your position. Imposing mansions and a flashy marina are grounded by cute fishermen’s houses that wind away from the harbour. 

Cascais is a short hop from Lisbon – beware, it does get busy in the summer. Add to the itinerary either before or after Lisbon as a beach stop . 

The former capital of Portugal (the first in fact), Coimbra is a genteel spot with a host of historical spots including a stunning Baroque Library. The large university and its resident student population keeps things lively. 

Add to your itinerary between Porto and Lisbon. 

Practical Tips for Your Portugal Trip

• Language: Portuguese. Obvs.
• Time Zone: GMT in winter, GMT+1 in Summer
• Currency: Euro €
• Telephone Country Code + 351
• Emergency Services Number: 112
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Pretty much everywhere. You can use your phone normally if you’re from the EU, otherwise you are better off buying a local sim card to use to avoid steep roaming fees.
• Tipping: Portugal isn’t a big tipping country, but a small tip is always appreciated.

Read more about tipping in Portugal here

Getting There

The main airports in Portugal are the Aeroporto de Lisboa in Lisbon, the Aeroporto Francisco Sa Carneiro in Porto and Aeroporto de Faro in Faro.

If you are travelling to the south Algarve, you can also fly into Seville in Spain and transfer from there, sometimes it’s cheaper.

Check flights on Skyscanner

Getting Around

You have three main options when it comes to transport for your 7 days in Portugal: train, bus and car.

There are benefits to each but I’d suggest taking trains and then hiring a car for the last two days in The Algarve.

Driving in Portugal isn’t hard but I’ve noticed that sometimes drivers can be a bit aggressive on smaller roads. Just keep your own pace and let them do their thing. Drive on the right.

Useful Portuguese Phrases

Hello – Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa Noite

Goodbye – Adeus

Thanks – Obrigado/ Obrigada

Please – Por favor

Yes – Sim

What to Pack

• Sunglasses :  Portugal is no stranger to the sunshine, you’ll need them.
• Universal Travel Adapter
• Microfiber Beach Towel
• Portable Battery Pack – to keep everything fully charged while you’re on the move. And also in case you end up staying in one of those hotels that think charging sockets are completely optional (why?!)
• Comfortable shoes:  Those super-cute cobbled streets might look #thatsdarling in your Instagram pictures but believe me when I say that they wreak havoc with your feet. Plus, with cities this walkable, it makes sense to do as much of it as you can.

And there we are, you’re all ready to set off. I hope you’ve enjoyed this itinerary and you’re ready to see the best of Portugal in 7 days.

Got any feedback or suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below.

Check out my other Portugal travel guides:

• The Insider’s Portugal Travel Guide
• 20 Unmissable Spots in Portugal
• The Coolest Things to do in Lisbon
• Secret Spots in the Alentejo
• The Best Beaches in the Algarve

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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I will forever appreciate the amount of detail you have included in this post. The Estaminé and Bairro do Avillez recommendations got me drooling. Thank you for sharing your experiences, as they have definitely shaped my itinerary for Portugal this summer. All the best!

Thanks Arina. So glad that you found it useful and it gave you a few ideas for your time in Portugal – absolutely love the country and hope you have a wonderful time.

Great post on Portugal! This is one of the best places to visit in Europe!

Thanks Whitney! Couldn’t agree more.

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Top 7 road trips in Portugal

Dec 19, 2023 • 7 min read

Exploring Portugal’s natural beauty and enchanting cities is easy to do by car © FranciscoMarques / Shutterstock

Portugal is an ideal destination for a scenic road trip. The roads are generally in good shape, and the nation’s relatively small size allows you to see a diverse array of attractions, even if you have only a few days to spare. Throw together an Iberian soundtrack, and you're all set to hit the open road in Portugal .

Where you go will depend on your interests – you can plan a trip focussing on beach-hopping, seeing UNESCO World Heritage sites or drinking in the great views of the vineyard-covered Douro Valley. And backcountry lanes will take you to places you simply couldn’t reach without a car, including wild cliff-backed beaches, remote mountain villages and lone promontories perfect for watching the sunset over the sea.

Here are seven of the best road trips you can take in Portugal.

1. Coastline of the Alentejo and the Algarve

Best road trip for beach lovers

Vila Nova de Milfontes–Vila Real de Santo António, 320km (199 miles), 2-3 days 

Portugal’s southern coastline offers an almost Mediterranean idyll with scents of pine, rosemary, wine and grilling fish drifting over some absolutely stunning beaches. However, since this is the Atlantic rather than that sheltered sea, you can also count on seriously surfable waves, important maritime history and some great wildlife-watching opportunities. This drive takes in some of the finest beaches in the region as well as intriguing towns with tightly-knit, North African-inspired street plans. 

Highlights include the sandy paradise of Praia da Amoreira in Aljezur , the hulking and forbidding fortress of Fortaleza de Sagres and the vibrant, nightlife-loving town of Lagos . You can also ditch the car for the day and take a ferry ride to Ilha Deserta, a long, undeveloped island with a picture-perfect beachfront. The drive ends at the Portuguese border town of Vila Real de Santo António. If you’re not ready to quit, however, take a look around on the Spanish side. Seville is only 150km (93 miles) up the road.

2. The Central Coast

Best road trip for surfers and seafood fans 

Praia do Guincho–Aveiro, 330km (205 miles), 2-3 days

If endless crashing surf sounds like your idea of heaven, you’ve come to the right country. Get ready to ride the big ones on Portugal’s wild, wave-lashed west coast. This Atlantic strip is an alluring mix of first-rate (and inexpensive) surf camps, gleaming white towns and villages with authentic seafood restaurants, golden beaches fringed by dunes and pines, and memorable sunsets.

Surfers and kitesurfers of all levels will be in their element in the sparkling Atlantic surf, while the small towns along the coast make great stops for seafood feasts and après-beach cocktails. Highlights include the popular beach town and surfer hotspot of Peniche , the gorgeous swoop of sandy beach in Foz do Arelho and the big-wave town of Nazaré .

You can also take a boat ride through the sparkling canals of Aveiro – Portugal’s answer to Venice – and look for wildlife in the dune-backed coastal wilderness of the Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto .

3. The Douro Valley

Best road trip for wine lovers

Porto–Miranda do Douro, 358km (222 miles), 3 days

The Douro is a little drop of heaven. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed region offers some of Portugal’s most evocative landscapes with mile after swoon-worthy mile of vineyards spooling along the contours of its namesake river and marching up its terraced hillsides. Along seemingly every road, fabulous food, sumptuous wines, medieval stone villages, palatial quintas (countryside villas) and postcard views beckon.

Stop by the picturesque terraced vineyards at Quinta do Crasto or sample the world’s best port wine amidst the rolling hills of Pinhão . Just 4.5km (2.8 miles) from Pinhão is the stunning Casal de Loivos and its fine miradouro (viewpoint). From here, the uplifting view presents the Douro in postcard format, taking in a full sweep of stone-walled terraced vineyards, stitched into the hillsides and fringing the sweeping contours of the valley, with the river scything through it all.

4. North of Lisbon

Best road trip for UNESCO World Heritage sites

Lisbon–Tomar, 230km (143 miles), 1-2 days 

This drive takes you from Lisbon , Portugal’s romantic capital, through landscapes softened by cork oaks and pines. Before leaving the capital, stop at Belém , where you can see two architectural icons (and UNESCO listed sites) in one stop – the 16th-century Jéronimos Monastery and the equally majestic Tower of Belém , offering memorable views over the Tejo River. Be sure to pick up what could be the world’s best custard tart before leaving Belém.

Next up is Sintra , a village with palaces, whimsical mansions and enchanting woodlands, plus some enticing places to stay for the night.    

From here, you’ll head to a trio of stunning architectural monuments – all UNESCO World Heritage sites. At Alcobaça , you can wander the corridors of one of the finest monasteries in Iberia. About 30 minutes northeast, you can gape at the Gothic grandeur of Santa Maria da Vitória , yet another monastic masterpiece. The most mysterious site of all is in Tomar , home to the magnificent Convento de Cristo , built by the Knights Templar. 

5. The Minho

Best road trip for history lovers

Guimarães–Peneda, 217 km (135 miles), 1-2 days 

Portugal’s northwestern corner was made for road-tripping with splendid medieval cities, spirit-lifting pilgrimage sites and dune-flanked Atlantic beaches. Begin this road trip in Guimarães , where Afonso I, Portugal’s first king, was born in 1110. This UNESCO World Heritage site hides one of the most exquisitely preserved medieval centers in the country. Just north of Guimarães, you can explore the ruins of Citânia de Briteiros , a Celtic settlement founded more than 2,500 years ago.  

The Minho’s biggest town is Braga , an important center of Portuguese spirituality – home to the country’s oldest cathedral as well as Roman ruins and flower-trimmed plazas dotted with outdoor cafes. The Costa Verde’s biggest stunner, Viana do Castelo , offers a double shot for visitors in the form of medieval architecture and gorgeous beaches, while Ponte de Lima features the finest medieval bridge in all of Portugal – the 31-arched Ponte Romana . End the journey by taking walks amid the rocky hills and ancient stone villages of the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês , Portugal’s most impressive wilderness reserve. 

6. The Alentejo

Best road trip for soulful, off-the-beaten-path adventures

Évora–Monsaraz, 360km (224 miles), allow 3 days

If you’re looking for the heart and soul of Portugal, head to the Alentejo , a region of clifftop castle towns, traditional villages and rolling plains covered in vineyards and olive groves. Start off in the beautifully preserved town of Évora . Here you can feel the centuries wind back while visiting medieval monuments , a chilling bone chapel and Portugal’s finest Roman temple . A short drive beyond the city gates, you can search for ancient symbols on the Cromeleque dos Almendres , Portugal’s most important megalithic site. 

You’ll leave the crowds behind as you head to Estremoz and Vila Viçosa, two photogenic towns where everything seems to be made of marble (visit the quarry nearby to see why). Further north, you can explore Marvão, a clifftop village with sweeping views over the sun-baked countryside. You can go on some surprising adventures nearby, including taking a spin along an abandoned railway line with Rail Bike Marvão . Looping south, you’ll ascend to Monsaraz , yet another mesmerizing hilltop village with a medieval castle and more astonishing views.

7. The Portuguese Highlands 

Best road trip for mountain adventures

Coimbra–Viseu, 390km (242 miles), 2-3 days 

This wide-ranging trip takes in many of Portugal's highlights, from a buzzing historic university town to stern borderland fortresses, intermingled with picturesque villages and the natural majesty of the Serra da Estrela mountains. The journey starts in Coimbra , a hilly city that’s home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. Grand views await in Monsanto, a stunning village that towers high above the surrounding plains. A stroll through its steep streets, lined with stone houses that seem to merge with the boulder-strewn landscape, is reason enough to make the drive.

Dramatic views come with every turn on the uphill drive into the Serra da Estrela, where you’ll find Portugal’s highest summit – 1,993m (6,539ft) Torre. Enjoying a spectacular natural setting cradled at the foot of the beautiful Vale do Zêzere, the lofty village of Manteigas is a great base for mountain walks. Here, craggy ridges and forest-draped slopes dominate the horizon in all directions. 

End the road trip in the well-preserved center of Viseu . This historic city is a delight to explore with its cobbled streets, meandering alleys, leafy public gardens, and its central square graced with flowers and fountains.

This article was first published Aug 27, 2020 and updated Dec 19, 2023.

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Musings of a Rover

The Perfect Portugal Itinerary

Seven days was all I needed to fall in love with this little country.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Only have one week in Portugal? Don’t worry! This small country has a lot to see, but you still be able to get a great taste of what it offers in just seven days with this Portugal itinerary .

We spent about a week in this little country and loved it. We travelled to the south and explored the Algarve’s beaches, then we headed north to see hilly Porto and try its namesake drink, and lastly we ended in Lisbon – a capital city that blew me away with its beauty.

So don’t be intimidated by only having a week here. I loved our time in Portugal. And I felt like we were able to both see a lot and spend more than a couple hours in each place.

So without further adieu, I hope you find our Portugal itinerary helpful for planning your own trip . And that you fall as equally in love with this country as we did.

Table of Contents

Portugal itinerary overview, day 1: explore lagos & its beaches, extra day: take a surfing lesson (or more beach hopping or a boat tour…), day 2: go hiking, how to get to lagos, where to eat in lagos, where to stay in lagos, day 3: head to porto, day 4: explore porto’s tower & port cellars.

• How to Get to Porto

Where to Eat in Porto

Where to stay in porto.

• Day 5: Head to Lisbon
• Day 6: Explore Lisbon’s Miradouros
• Day 7: Day Trip to Sintra

How to Get to Lisbon

Where to eat in lisbon, where to stay in lisbon, sample portugal itinerary, what to wear in portugal, final thoughts, days 1-2: lagos.

This itinerary starts off in Lagos. If you land in Lisbon, head to Lagos on the same day (information on how to get there below)!

If you want to mix up this itinerary’s order, definitely do what feels right to you! I wanted to experience the south, north, and Lisbon, which is why we jumped around. But you can also skip one of the destinations and spend more time in the other places.

Our mornings in Lagos started off with an amazing breakfast at our B&B . So many mini pastel de natas.

After fueling up, it was off to explore the beaches of Lagos. Well, that’s not entirely true. There was only one beach in Lagos that I had to see : Praia do Camilo.

Camilo beach is located very close to our accommodation and we easily walked there. And though the beach was packed and the water was cold ( like icy ), I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Read Next: Camilo Beach: The Beach I Had to See

After a couple of hours on the beach, it was time to head into town. Sangria at an open air cafe, music on every corner (though there was a beat box guy that, I’m sorry to say, we tried to avoid), octopus for dinner, and finally a stop at three of Lagos’s bars: Sky Bar , Taberna de Lagos , & Bon Vivant .

At 1am, Lagos was starting to come alive, but I was starting to collapse. ( I was just getting over a cold, plus jet lag is rough you guys. ) But I wished we could have stayed out longer.

Read Next: Lagos, Portugal: Should You Go?

We were supposed to have an additional 3rd day in Lagos, which would have given us a little over a week. But we lost it do to delayed and missed flights.

Our plan for this day? To go surfing. But instead it had taken us more than 24 extra hours to reach Portugal due to delayed flights out of Greenville, SC. So this was the day we cut.

If you have an extra day for your vacation, you could definitely use it here. Surfing. A boat tour. Beach hopping. Kayaking. Mini road trip. Whatever you want.

But if you don’t have the vacation days then you can do as we did and just spend 2 full days in Lagos.

After eating more breakfast ( like seriously those pastel de natas ), it was time to burn off some calories. So we decided to hike to Ponta da Piedade .

Because  Villas D. Dinis (our B&B) is located on the south side of town, the point was only 1km away. But due to our plans that afternoon and evening, we knew we could only spend about 2 hours exploring it.

It was not nearly enough.

This is one of the places that must be on your Portugal itinerary . You know all of those postcards and photos of Lagos or the Algarve? Probably more than half of them were taken here. And I now wish we would have spent a whole afternoon exploring Ponta da Piedade.

Read Next: Postcard Perfect Ponta da Piedade

If that morning was amazing, then our afternoon and evening blew me away. We had booked a tour with the West Coast Adventure Co. to explore the other side of the Algarve. The western, wild side. The side not everyone sees.

It was one of the best tours I’ve ever been on.

Seriously. No joke here. If you love hiking, exploring, climbing hands over feet on craggy trails and seeing a part of a country that not everyone experiences – then this is for you. Thinking back on our time in Portugal, this was one of the best things we decided to do.

And I now see that the off overnight tours! They are a bit pricey, but I bet they’re totally worth it. Next trip for sure!!

Read Next: Exploring the West Coast of Portugal

By rental car.

Our original plan was simple. We were going to take a train (albeit a long one) from Lisbon to Lagos. This is definitely a possibility – especially if you land in the morning at Lisbon airport.

But sometimes plans go awry. We hit flight delays which put us into Lisbon 30 hours later than we had planned.

By the time we got to Lisbon and looked at the trains still running that afternoon, we realized we wouldn’t arrive in Lagos till much later that evening. So instead we decided to book a car for the Lagos portion of our journey.

If you plan a similar trip, you definitely don’t have to rent a car. And, after all the lines and waiting for the car, we only saved a couple of hours. But it did give us flexibility on what time we were able to arrive and leave Lagos.

The downsides of renting a car? It’s expensive, gas is also very pricey, and there are tons of tolls on the roads. If we did this trip again and arrived on time, we would not rent the car.

The drive itself took about 2.5 hours (but we easily spent over 2 hours waiting in all the lines for the rental car, so 4.5 hours total).

By train, the journey will take between 3-4 hours (1 change in between) if you can catch a morning or early afternoon train. You’ll want to leave out of the Oriente train station.

To get there, take a metro (subway) from the airport to the train station – it’s only 3 stops on the red line. Check the metro map before you get started.

You’ll have one connection to a slower regional train once you reach the Algarve.

To book train tickets and to see schedules, go to www.cp.pt . They even have an English version of the site. To determine your schedules, I also found Trainline to be helpful. Though I would book through the Portugal site to be safe.

Traveling by bus is also possible, but I seriously struggled to figure it out at the time. Though it does look like they updated their website! Have a poke around the bus system if you are interested in this option.

You can also fly straight to the Algarve if you’d like! The main airport is in Faro and its easy to get around the Algarve from there.

Depending on how you book your flights, you could fly from your home straight to Faro. I wouldn’t do a roundtrip from here though as you’ll probably head up north to see Porto or Lisbon. So make sure you plan out your itinerary in advance before buying your tickets.

(To do this you’ll need to select the multi-city option on the airline booking sites.)

Once you are in Faro, you have several options on how to get to Lagos. You could rent a car, take a private shuttle or bus ( Green bus is a more affordable option I found), take a taxi (this would probably be very expensive), or take a train.

The train station isn’t close to the airport, so you’d probably need to take a bus or a taxi to the train station. But then it’s just a 1.5-2 hour train ride to Lagos.

I sometimes check Rail Europe or Trainline to get a general sense if the route is doable. Then drill down with  Portuguese rail site for more details (and sometimes more options).

O Camilo , I won’t lie, you were probably a bit overpriced. But I loved that you gave your customers blankets for the balcony. And it was you who taught me that sardines are actually delicious.

Cayo Coco is located right in the heart of downtown Lagos. And is probably more touristy than I would have liked. But the octopus that night (and let’s not forget the sangria) were still delicious. I don’t regret stopping there at all.

Perhaps you can already tell I loved our B&B in Lagos. The rooms, the pools, the service, and the food. It was all perfect. Located outside of town, it was our little sanctuary in Lagos. Plus it’s almost across the street from Camilo Beach.

It was definitely a splurge for us – but it’s one we loved and don’t regret.

Read Next: Tranquil

Read Next: Tranquility at Villas D. Dinis

Days 3-4: porto.

On our last morning in Lagos, we woke up early and headed straight for Camilo Beach. I needed to say goodbye and I wanted to do it with no one else around.

I’ll always love that beach.

From there we ate our last breakfast at Villas D. Dinis and then drove to Lisbon to return the car and catch the train to Porto.

Fun fact! You don’t have to walk from the Lisbon airport to the closest train station, there is a metro you can take. Another fun fact! We didn’t know this until after we got to the train station.

We caught the train and though we arrived a little after the check-in time, MyStay Porto (now Historical Porto Studios) graciously stayed open and waited for us.

From there we quickly headed down to the Ribeira to grab dinner and to finally see Porto.

I’ll let you in on a secret right now – Porto was probably my favorite city in Portugal . It was the one I could easily see myself living in. Definitely don’t miss it.

Read Next: Scenes From Porto

This was the day we walked all over Porto and ate everything. But our first stop of the day? The Clérigos Tower.

Being the highest point in Porto, we got one hell of a view. But trust me – you have to earn it.

There is one staircase for going up and coming down . One NARROW staircase. I probably got to second base with more people that day than I could count.

If you’re claustrophobic, stay away. Far away. Or go really early to avoid the crowds.

You’ve been warned.

From there, we wandered across the river to Taylor’s to do a port wine cellar tour. If you haven’t made the connection yet, Porto got its name from the drink port. You know, that stuff you imagine aristocrats from times long ago drank. But! Newsflash!

Port is delicious !

Like really, really good. And if you sign up for a tour with Taylor’s, you get to try three different kinds. Before we left Porto, I even bought a small bottle to bring back. Don’t leave a port wine cellar tour off your Portugal itinerary!

Read Next: Taylor’s Port Cellar Tours (Or How I Learned To Love Port)

From there we ate some more, took a nap, and then decided to find out what Porto has to offer in terms of nightlife. The answer? A lot. We had a great time drinking cocktails and bouncing from bar to bar.

How to Get to Porto

We drove from Lagos to Lisbon, dropped off the rental car, and then grabbed a train to Porto. If you are following the rest of this itinerary, you definitely do not need a car anymore. You’ll be spending the rest of your time in cities. Plus gas is expensive in Portugal (and they have many tolls).

So if you have a car, I’d plan to drop it off in Lisbon or Porto. I can’t imagine trying to find parking in either.

To get to the heart of Porto, the train station is Sao Bento. If you are coming from Lagos or Lisbon, you’ll have a transfer at Campanha (in Porto). Or you can do like we did and just take a taxi from Campanha to your hotel if you are tired and are trying to hurry.

From Lagos. This will be a long day. And I would suggest trying to catch the train that allows you to skip stopping in Lisbon ( though it leaves very early in the morning ). But you’ll only have 2 transfers.

First a regional train from Lagos to Tunes (one of the main Algarve stations). Then a fast train from Tunes all the way to the main Porto station (Campanha). And lastly a metro into the heart of Porto (Sao Bento).

If like 6am doesn’t work for you, then you have other options (often with a transfer in Lisbon at Oriente).

Total Time: 7-10 hours

From Lisbon.  If you rented  car and dropped it off at the airport, you can catch the metro to the Oriente station (it’s only 3 stops on the red line: see the metro map ). And then catch the train to Porto (with a transfer at Campanha to get to Sao Bento).

The train from Lisbon to Porto: 3 hours.

You can always book your train tickets (and check out schedules) in advance too!

If you flew to Faro (or took a train or bus), you can also fly to Porto to cut this travel day down! You may be able to find some budget airlines and flights to hop around Portugal on. Just be sure to read through what you have to do very closely! Some airlines like Ryanair are very particular.

And you’ll need to get from Lagos to Faro by either shuttle or taxi or train. See the How To Get To Lagos section for my recommendations here.

Clérigos Vinhos e Petiscos was just what we needed. Quick. Delicious. And on our way to the train station.

Restaurante Flor dos Congregados was hard to find. Tucked down a small alley with black and white cobblestones, it seemed unobtrusive. But here you’ll find amazing staff who will read you the menu if you don’t speak Portuguese. And, of course, great food. Their main lunch special? For €7 I got a great sandwich and a bottle of champagne. A bottle!!!

Mercearia Das Flores was a quick stop. After drinking a fair amount of port, we needed some food. And I was intrigued by the idea of sardines on toast. The verdict? Actually quite delicious.

Miss Opo was perhaps the oddest place we ate at. With no sign but a small business card in the corner, I wasn’t sure if it was even restaurant at first. But the people I saw packed inside told me otherwise. And the food? Well, the food convinced me it was worth the trouble to find.

Read Next: Where to Eat in Porto

MyStay Porto was perfect for our stay. It’s been renamed since our trip. It’s now called Historical Porto Studios.

But regardless, it’s located right in the heart of Porto, so we were close to everything. And the staff graciously stayed late when I let them know we missed the earlier train. Definitely consider MyStay Porto  if you are coming to this awesome city.

Days 5-7: Lisbon

Day 5: head to lisbon.

This was the day we left Porto and headed to Lisbon. The train ride and the subsequent metro to our hotel ( Hall Chiado ) were uneventful. Lisbon welcomed us easily.

After a quick nap, we headed up to our first miradouro to see Lisbon from above. Standing at the top of the Bairro Alto at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara , I got my first view of Lisbon.

But before I could linger too long, a rumbling to my right caught my attention and I spied my first elevador. This was the Elevador da Glória, and I loved watching it rumble up and down the steep, steep slope.

But with just one look at its cost, we decided to hoof it both ways. That night we ate a glorious dinner at Casa do Alentejo and then hit up Noobai Cafe for a drink.

Just so you know, Lisbon sangria is much different than Lagos sangria. And not in a good way. I don’t know what it was, but I left Noobai Cafe feeling nauseous.

Day 6: Explore Lisbon’s Miradouros

This was our day to explore Lisbon. We started off with a quick lunch and then caught Tram 28 across town.

Many consider catching a ride on Tram 28 to be a must for their Portugal itinerary. But I think you should only do it if you are going to ride it completely in one direction . Hopping on for just a few stops isn’t worth it.

We spent most of the afternoon walking to Lisbons’s miradorous.

What’s a miradouro you ask? Well it’s basically a viewpoint. And with all the hills in Lisbon, there are several. Just be ready for a hike. Cause, you know, they are on top of hills.

Read Next: The Miradouro and My Quest for the Best Views in Lisbon

From there, we headed to Lisbon’s castle (Castelo de S. Jorge). Earlier in the day we had decided to skip it but, passing by it again, I pulled Ryan to a stop. After seeing this castle from the outside all day, I couldn’t not take a peek inside.

Read Next: Visiting Lisbon’s Castle: Amazing Or Underwhelming?

From the castle we meandered down through the Alfama and made our way slowly across town, stopping at several sights along the way until we finally reached our hotel.

Then (after a quick nap), it was game time. This was our night out in the Bairro Alto.

Narrow alleys. Bars and clubs on every block. Drinking in the streets. The Bairro Alto is one giant party.  And one with very low prices. It’s a definite must, if only for a night.

But as the clock ticked past midnight, I needed to dance. So it was down to the clubs and, after searching for one with a cover that wasn’t too steep, we decided on Discoteca Jamaica.

This was perhaps our biggest mistake of the night.

After only 15 minutes inside, I came to a disturbing realization. This club had a love for 90s rock that could not be matched. And I’m sorry to say, but clubs are not where I want my 90s rock.

It now looks (I think) to be closed, but Lisbon has an amazing nightlife and if clubbing is your thing, it’s got several to choose from.

Day 7: Day Trip to Sintra

Our last day in Portugal. But I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it. A day trip to Sintra is a must for any Portugal itinerary . With various palaces and castles, Sintra really deserves more time. But a day was all we had.

Catching the train from Lisbon was easy. Use Lisbon’s Rossio station, and keep an eye on whether you have a transfer. Journey should take less than an hour.

Even though the clouds that day weren’t looking favorably upon us, we didn’t let that deter us. It was onto Castelo dos Mouros, Sintra’s own Moorish castle.

Perched high above the small town, getting to the castle was a journey. But after it started raining and the fog rolled in thick, exploring the castle became an adventure.

Read Next: Castelo dos Mouros: Sintra’s Misty & Magical Castle

After a couple of hours exploring the castle, we bid it adieu and took a look at our watches. With just a couple of hours left, I knew we didn’t have time to see the Pena Palace. We’d have to catch the bus there.

But there was one other palace that was calling to me.

Situated in the heart of Sintra, the National Palace was a no brainer. It was here that the actual kings and queens of old lived during the summer months.

It blew me away and left me wondering why more people don’t give it a chance.

Read Next: Sintra’s National Palace: 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss It

After catching the train back to Lisbon, our evening consisted of packing and, of course, eating.

Taking a train from Lisbon to Porto is easy! And this is definitely what I would recommend. Renting a car between these two cities would be a hassle with tolls and parking. So as long as you don’t have a rental car, I’d recommend the train.

From our Porto accommodation we walked to the Sao Bento train station and took the train to Lisbon (transfer at Campanha).

Once we were in Lisbon, we used the metro to go to the closest stop to our hotel.

The train from Porto to Lisbon: 3 hours. You can also see schedules and book your tickets in advance.

Casa do Alentejo was hard to find. Located among many other restaurants, it doesn’t have someone standing outside shoving a menu in your face. And in fact, when we were there, the front of the sign was under construction causing us to walk by it twice without realizing it.

But inside? A glorious Moorish interior and amazingly delicious fish.

Thinking back, Restaurante 1º de Maio was probably my favorite dining experience out of everywhere we ate. The restaurant was small and packed. We had to wait almost 30 minutes to grab a small table.

And there was no English menu. But the staff were amazing and were happy to give us recommendations on what we should order.

And the food? Traditional, simple, and delicious.

The Decadente Restaurante & Bar wasn’t a restaurant we were planning on. But the food turned out to be great and its location perfect.

The thing that sticks out to me the most though? The fact that they served tap water, and it was free!

Hall Chiado was our hotel and it was quite unique. There was no reception, and we never saw a single member of the staff. Instead we were emailed an access code for the building and room.

The downstairs is littered with signs and booklets offering restaurant recommendations, activities, and walking guides. And the room? Two words: simple and elegant.

Okay so this is a super long post. And you want like a cheatsheet version of it. So here you go!

• Grab a quick breakfast and then head to Praia do Camilo as early as you can to grab some sand space.
• Beach hop to some other beaches or stop by for photos on your way into Lagos proper. Beaches: Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Pinhão, Praia dos Estudantes, & Batata Beach
• Explore Lagos and grab dinner in town
• After breakfast, head for Ponta da Piedade and explore to your heart’s desires.
• Fuel up and then head out on a hiking adventure with West Coast Adventure Co.
• Wake up early to wish goodbye to Lagos. In particular Praia do Camilo sans crowds.
• Head to Porto.
• Grab dinner in Porto and, if energy allows, go out for a beer at As 7 Maravilhas .
• Wake up early and go to the Clérigos Tower first thing to beat the crowds. Explore this side of Porto (north side of the river).
• Grab lunch at Restaurante Flor dos Congregados if open for lunch – check their days.
• Head across the river to Taylor’s and sign up for a port wine cellar tour.
• Head back into Porto for dinner. (If you didn’t grab lunch at Restaurante Flor dos Congregados, I’d suggest making a reservation for dinner.)
• Take the train to Lisbon
• Wander Lisbon, taking in the view at a Miradouro (if you are near the Bairro Alto, head for Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara).
• Grab dinner at Casa do Alentejo
• If you wake up early enough, catch Tram 28 across Lisbon. Try to snag a window seat and enjoy the ride.
• Make your way to the city’s miradouros: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro da Graça, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, & Miradouro de Santa Catarina.
• Buy a ticket for Castelo de São Jorge if you want to know more history (the castle is a bit underwhelming), but the views themselves may be worth it.
• Grab dinner at Restaurante 1º de Maio . (Reservations would be a good idea!)
• Experience Lisbon’s nightlife in the Bairro Alto.
• Wake up early and head to the Rossio train station to catch the train to Sintra.
• Decide on the sites you want to see. The 3 main ones are: Castelo dos Mouros, Pena Palace, and the National Palace. But there are others (including Quinta da Regaleira).
• Grab dinner at Decadente Restaurante & Bar.

I visited Portugal in late summer / early autumn. And overall it was a lot cooler than I expected. I brought a good mix of summer and autumn clothes (though I could have done with 1 or 2 more cover-ups). And I think it worked out pretty well.

I also found that people in Portugal tend to dress a bit more stylishly than back home. So I made sure to pack items that I would look good in (and not look like I rolled out of bed in).

When it comes to these week-long trips, I don’t like to do laundry. If I have to, I have to. But I don’t plan too. Which is why my list is longer than some people’s. So keep that in mind.

I also tend to over-pack rather than under-pack. So use these items as a guideline not a rule.

And if you don’t want to do some things (like the hiking I did), then you don’t need to bring some items. I tried to indicate below if I used a particular item for a particular activity so you can make your own judgment.

Here is what I packed (and/or recommend):

• 1-2 jeans (Black skinny jeans are always in my bag. But if jeans aren’t your think, maybe throw in another pair of leggings.)
• 1-2 pair of shorts (I brought just one nice pair, but I wore them a lot.)
• 1-2 bathing suits
• 1 beach coverup
• 3-4 casual tank tops
• 3-4 nice tank tops / dresses
• 2 long sleeve shirts (Great for the days and nights it’s cooler.)
• 1-3 pullovers/jackets (I had a sporty one for hiking and light-weight button down. I wish I had brought another, slightly heavier jacket .)
• 1-3 “flashier” shirts/outfits if going to bars / clubs is something you do.
• 1 pair of boots
• 1 pair of sneakers (I brought actual sneakers but I could have done with converse .)
• 1 pair of sandals
• backpack (You’ll need a small one for hiking if you want to bring some snacks, water, long sleeve shirt, etc.)
• water bottle (The tap water is safe to drink.)
• mini febreze bottle (Yes I use this so I don’t have to do laundry sometimes – please don’t judge me too much.)

Okay so I think that is like everything I packed that was significant. Don’t forget your essentials though! Bras, underwear, socks, deodorant, toiletries, etc. these all need space in your bag!

In so many ways Portugal delighted me. With its cliffs, sangria, crystal blue water, friendly locals, simple and lovely food, bright sunshine, hilltop castles, rich history, and amazing architecture. Simply put:

I loved this small country.

Is there anything I’m missing in my Portugal Itinerary?

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something through these thinks, I may earn a commission from the sale (at no extra cost to you!). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for reading along!

Related Posts

Taylor’s Port Cellar Tours (Or How I Learned to Love Port)

Lagos, Portugal: Should You Go?

Camilo Beach: The Beach I Had to See

61 thoughts on “ the perfect portugal itinerary ”.

This is such a fab writeup! I’m planning a similar trip for May, and have saved this post to come back to. Great pictures and great tips!

Hi Tamara! Thanks for reading and for sharing! I loved our time in Portugal. And though there are other places I definitely want to see, I felt like Lagos, Porto, Lisbon, & Sintra gave us a perfect introduction to this country. Definitely try to hit up a couple on your own trip!

Hello! This is one of the best blogs that i’ve read about this trip! I’m deciding between Faro and Porto. Do you have any recommendations? Did you hear anything about Faro?

Thanks! I read a little about Faro in preparation for the trip. I had heard that it was larger and more built up. I wanted a smaller beach town which is why I picked Lagos. And I wanted to be near the cliffside beaches – there are several near Lagos. But on a plus side – you can also fly to Faro from Lisbon.

If you’re deciding between Faro and Porto, I would think about the time of year you are going and what you are looking for. If it’s summer, do you want to sit by the beach or do you want to retreat to a cooler hilly town? If you aren’t going in the summer, the beach will be cooler. We went in very early September and it was only about 80 degrees F with the water very very very cool. If it’s not summer, would you want to go to a beach destination and not sit by the beach? Or would you enjoy experiencing the town without hordes of other tourists around?

Definitely think about when you’re going and what you’ll want to do!

Portugal is not in the Mediterranean Sea – it is the Atlantic that’s why it is so cold!!

Yep you’re right! When I was planning my trip I had just assumed the southern coast of Portugal was part of the Mediterranean. It was a rude awakening when I put my feet into the water! The Atlantic is very cold here! Sorry for the confusion above in the post above!

Great blog, thanks for sharing! I stumbled over here on Pinterest after researching Portugal and my ears perked up when I saw you were flying out of Greenville. I’m from Greenville, too! haha… small world! 🙂

That is a small world! And thank you! Greenville, SC has been my base for the past few years now and I love it!

Thanks for such a lovely article! These are the exact places I wanted to include in my one week portugal itinerary and your article has inspired me more. The only thing I would be travelling from Nov 18-Nov 27. Do you suggest changing the itinerary based on weather? I am particularly concerned about Lagos/Algarve.

Thank you! I think you’ll have a great time on your trip. The weather in Lagos in November will be cooler, so it won’t be beach weather. But there will probably be far less crowds which can be a good thing. If you want to go to Lagos to see its beauty, then I think this would be a great time to visit. Just know that you won’t be sunbathing on the beach.

Thank you so much for the recommendation on West Coast Adventures! We did it yesterday and it was amazing. I’m sure it will be a highlight of our trip as well.

That’s great! We loved that part of our trip and we still talk about it often. I’m glad you had such a great time with West Coast Adventures!!

Such a great post. We are headed there in May ’18 and you have some great details that will come in handy as we plan our trip. What month were you there?

Hi Amy! Thanks for reading! We went to Portugal in early September. Even by then it was a little cool at night (especially in Porto). And the water was very cold in September (in Lagos), so I would expect it to be the same in May as well!

Hi! Thanks for all the great pictures and tips! I stumbled on your blog today as my husband and I are planning a trip to Portugal in May, and we already had just about the same itinerary as you planned. We were looking for more specifics about what to do in the 3 locations. I was showing him the blog when we read you flew out of Greenville, SC. That’s where we live too! I noticed another person on here made this very same comment. I knew this town was full of cool people! 🙂 Thanks again!

What a small world!! I love living in Greenville. There are definitely some pretty awesome people here. 🙂

And I hope you have a great trip in May!

We are planning on Early Sep 2018?from N Myrtle Beach! We have an 11 day itinerary that I am trying to reduce. Don’t want 4 hour plus days of driving to get from Porto down to Lagos. Are the Lagos beaches and towns worth it? We drove in Ireland in 2017 and it was aweful.

Another person from South Carolina! I love it!

The day you’ll travel from Porto to Lagos (or vice versa) will be a long travel day no matter how you do it. If you go the most direct route it will be mostly on highways (until you reach the city). But if you take backroads then expect small lanes and high speed limits. I did find the driving here to be less stressful than Ireland. Especially since you are on the right side of the road.

The question of whether Lagos is worth it is a hard one to answer. Lagos was the reason I wanted to go to Portugal. I saw the pictures online and needed to go. There was no way I was skipping it. Hence why we headed there first.

But if you’ve already had a lot of beach time, then I would consider what you want to do there. The temperatures will be warm but not hot like a South Carolina summer. And the water will be very, very, very cold. I swam for about 10 minutes and came out shivering. And then it took me a good 15 minutes to warm up since it was only about 80 degrees. (And I went around Labor Day – early Sept.)

There are a lot of things to do in the Lagos area though that aren’t beach related. For one day we went hiking over on the West coast with a guided hike and it was amazing.

I thought Lagos was beautiful and that the long travel day was worth it. I loved it. But if you see pictures of the scenery, beaches, and cliffs online and aren’t drawn to them, then maybe you could skip it.

Thanks for this guide! I’ve been debating between Lagos or Porto for 7-9 days in Portugal and I didn’t know if it be possible to do both with that time. However, I won’t be driving, I’ll only be training it. Do you think this is realistic for me?

Traveling between Lagos and Porto is going to be a long travel day. Think between 7-10 hours of travel time (depending on the train you catch). But this was our original plan. We only drove to/from Lagos because our flight to Lisbon landed at 3pm instead of 9am.

I definitely think it’s possible to do both as long as you are okay with the fact that one of your days is going to be spent on a train. I remember looking that a train out of Lagos left at about 6am and took 7 hours or so to get to Porto. Which would get you to Porto in the afternoon.

Plus if you think about it, when we drove it was still about 7 hours since we dropped off the car in Lisbon and then trained it the rest of the way. But you’ll just need to be more aware of schedules since there are only a few trains between Lagos to Porto.

My husband and I are considering Portugal for a trip this year and this post is really making me lean toward it! Is it hard to navigate the train/public transportation if you don’t speak or read Portuguese? I speak Spanish nearly fluently, but Portuguese has always been tricky for me to try to pick up.

We didn’t find it too difficult. I know some Spanish and that really helped me understand signs and the like. And most people we met spoke some English. We learned a few words (hello, thank you, please, etc.) so that we could communicate a little bit. But we found that most people who worked around transportation (train station, rental car, etc.) knew English and were happy to speak to us if we asked.

Oh and I definitely understand about Portuguese being difficult to pick up! I thought my Spanish knowledge would help me, but Portuguese sounded so different!

Thanks for your great write up! I’ve already book MyPortos for our upcoming month long trip through Italy, south of France, north of Spain and Portugal mid Sept through mid Oct. Your blog inspired me to change our plan and continue down from Lisbon to Lagos and fly out of Seville instead of Lisbon to Madrid. Thanks! Now to review your Italian blog. We will be driving the whole time, I know you only had a car to Lagos – what do you think our biggest challenge will be? I’m guessing parking but interested in your perspective. Thanks again!

I hope you have a wonderful time! Your trip sounds fantastic. In terms of driving, I would definitely think about parking – both where to park and considering the cost of how much it will cost to park. Also traffic. We only hit traffic coming back into Lisbon, but it was stressful. The roads and cars are smaller, plus all the round-abouts kept us on our toes. Also definitely read up on some of the road signs. There may be a few new ones so it helps if you know what the symbols mean.

But overall have a fantastic trip!!

Nice short trip but too bad you didn’t get to stay a little longer as there really is so much to see and do especially for such a small country.

The small villages and towns in the countryside are well worth a visit and some such as:

Bom Jesus Sanctuary Convento de Christo in Tomar Monsanto Batalha Alcobaca

are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and should be included in any Portugal itinerary (unfortunately a week isn’t long enough to see them all.

I spent 16 days in Portugal a few years ago including 3 on the island of Madeira and while I self drove and covered a lot of the country from north to south there was still much to see that I just didn’t have the time for, especially Lisbon.

If your like me your short taste of this beautiful little country will lead you hungry to see more!

Oh yes the struggles of the limited vacation time. I would have loved to have visited for longer and hit up some of the places you mentioned. And I definitely will go back to Portugal! I really loved it.

Hello Laura, I really enjoyed reading about your travel to Portugal. I will be traveling to Madiera, Portugal first week in September from NY and is so looking forward to it. I plan on spending a full day in Lisbon before heading over to Madiera which I already have accommodations booked. I just have to book my flight to include an over night stay in Lisbon. Any recommendations on a place to stay that is decent and not too expensive?

Looking forward to your response.

We stayed in Hall Chiado which was in our budget for a hotel. It was a bit lower-end but still hotel prices. I also really liked the Independente when I was looking, but a private room there was expensive. But they do have shared rooms (dorms), that could be more in your budget if you’re willing to go hostel!

Thank you for the great write up! I am heading to Portugal for 11 days and trying to plan our itinerary and your post has been so helpful as it has all the spots we want to go to! I am trying to decide which airport to fly into (I am flying from NY) and it looks like there are flights to Porto. I am thinking that makes the most sense to fly into and then head down to lisbon and lagos from there to avoid the long travel day from lagos to porto. Is this not actually possible/not a good idea?

I definitely think it’s doable to fly into Porto. Would you fly out of there as well though? If so you can catch a flight from Faro to Porto (I think) so that might be an option for getting back to Porto. But you can definitely fly into Porto if that makes sense from NY!

Fabulous. Hugs and Thanks. Finally a write up to help me create a perfect itinerary. Keep sharing. Keep inspiring ?

Thank you! I’m glad you’ll find it helpful planning your own trip!

I loved your blog on Portugal. My boyfriend and I are going in June and only have about a week as well. I was planning on hitting all the same places, so your write up helped tremendously! I will follow your blog for sure in the future! 🙂 As far as the west side of Lagos, how difficult is the terrain? It just looks spectacular, but I am 50 and he is 52, and the photos seemed to be mostly younger people. We are both in good shape, but certainly aren’t rock climbers or marathon runners by any means. What are your thoughts? Also, do you know if Portugal has individual cabins on any trains or just 1st and 2nd class accommodations? It would be nice to lie down, especially on the long hauls. Thanks so much!

The terrain is definitely difficult. Think craggy and steep hillsides. When I went, there was a couple in our group that didn’t feel as confident. They took their time and if there was a section they didn’t feel comfortable with, they just didn’t do it. I think if you’re in good shape, you can definitely still go. I’m also not a rock climber. And marathon runner? (Hah!) I’d definitely still try it out.

And I don’t remember seeing any cabins on the trains. I think some trains in Europe are “sleeper” trains, but I don’t remember seeing any of these in Portugal.

Hi Laura –

I LOVE this blog and it is so helpful with our upcoming trip to Portugal. I need your opinion: We are flying from Barcelona to Porto and staying there 2 nights. We then fly to Faro for 2 nights. We then fly to Lisbon for 3 nights (and fly home from Lisbon). You did not mention flying – does that make sense to you? We have our flight booked into/out of Portugal – but we haven’t booked our inner flights yet. I’m okay with paying more if we are saving time and it allows us to see more. Thoughts? My other question: Even though we fly into Faro – does it make sense to then head to Lagos and stay there (we really want those beaches) or should we do a day trip to Lagos and stay closer to airport in Faro. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

You can definitely fly! We met a few other couples who were doing this as well. I happen to love traveling by train so this was our go-to. Flying will definitely be quicker (especially for the Porto->Faro section).

In terms of staying in Faro or Lagos…that’s really a tough one. If you just want Lagos for the beaches, I definitely think you could just go for the day. You may be a bit stretched on that day bouncing between them all, but I think you could do it.

We had other things we wanted to do in Lagos, hence why we stayed there. But Faro also looks beautiful, and one of my friends stayed in Faro on her trip and she loved it.

Since you just have two nights in southern Portugal, it may make sense to stay close to the airport and not have to worry about lugging your bags on and off trains (or taxis).

I have And I fell in love I want to go back ❤️❤️❤️

Yes! I love Portugal too! I’m definitely planning a trip back.

Thank you for this post! We just booked a flight to Portugal (from San Francisco) with our baby girl for September and are so excited! I Googled “a week in Portugal,” and your post popped up. It’s been incredible helpful in our planning! Thanks again!!

Thank you! I plan for trips soooo much. I definitely wanted to share my itinerary to help others as well! I’m glad it’s been helpful!

Hi Laura, thanks for your blog, it’s amazing! I’m traveling to Portugal the first week of July and I have some questions for you, please give us some advice. * We (the bro and I) are staying for a week and we’re following pretty much your itinerary. We already rented a car until we come back to Lisbon from Porto. Is this necessary? We really want to have the freedom to leave and arrive whenever we want, we don’t like to follow strict schedules (also, how do you pay for tolls?) * In our way to Porto from Lagos we are spending the night in Coimbra to spend the next morning exploring the city. Do you think is a good idea? * I know most people recommend not to drive in Porto but we would like to visit a couple of places around the city, so we will spend 2 days in Porto, do you think is enough? * What area/neighborhood do you recommend to stay in Lisbon? Also, do you think we need a whole day to go to Sintra? We only have 2 1/2 days to enjoy Lisbon and we wanna make sure we are spending our time in the best possible way.

Thanks a lot!

I hope you have a wonderful time! I’ll try to answer your questions as best as I can. – It’s not necessary to rent a car for the Porto portion, but if you are people who thrive on that kind of freedom, you can definitely keep it for that long. Just be careful driving (and parking) in Porto. It has very small, windy roads! For the tolls they were like automatically added to our license plate and so we paid when we returned the car. – I think staying an evening in Coimbra would be great! I was sad it didn’t make this trip and I definitely would love to see it. It’ll also help break up a long day. – We spent about 2 days in Porto. I could have definitely done more, but 2 days allowed me to get a taste of the city. And if you stay more outside the historic center and then just travel in, that might be easier. But I wouldn’t give up Porto just because you have a car. – We stayed in the Chiado area since this was close to everything without being in the middle of the nightlife area. And if you go to Sintra, I would expect to spend most of the day. If you do it by train, it’ll be almost an hour each way. And though you can take a bus around to the main sites, you’ll still be waiting for the bus (instead of walking). If you only want to go to 1 site, you could probably do it in half a day. However if you go fast through the sites, you may be able to cut down some time.

Have a great time!

Great post, but I have to say, Lisbon blew me away!!! I never made it to Sintra, Cascais or Estoril…. I was so overwhelmed by Lisbon’s beauty, one week was not enough…. I’ve never been so capitavated by a European city, with the exception of Rome that has left a longing in my soul…. Everything about this city just captivated me…. I was there this past October, 2017, and felt that the throngs of tourists are going to destroy such a gorgeous city…. All I ask, is that my dear Lisbon please stay the way you are, and never conform to the Madonna’s, David Beckham’s etc. that are flocking to your “Barros” and stay true to your roots…. I’ll be back to explore Coimbra, Oporto, Évora…. I promise ❤️

i’m so glad that you have loved my small big country. We have so much to offer and i hope that you come back to see what you didn’t see yet! Come back and bring friends … we would love it … and you too. p.s: Porto is my hometown … if, one day, you need help to find really good places, remember me, please! p.s2: we have really beautiful beaches outside Algarve. Go check Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast 😉

I loved Portugal and I’m definitely coming back. There’s still so much that I didn’t get to see (like the beaches you mentioned!). Porto was one of my favorite places and I definitely want to head back there. So jealous that it’s your hometown!

Long overdue, but thanks so much for your insights into Lisbon and Sintra! My wife and I went late last May and found them to be very helpful! We only wish we could have stayed longer and explored more of Portugal. Thanks again and have a great 2019 with hopefully more fun trips for all!

I’m so glad you found my insights helpful and that you had a great time in Portugal. Hope you have a wonderful 2019 too!

Amazing overview. You are an excellent writer and provide really good info. I am going soon and have found your article extremely helpful. Thank you so much and happy travels!

Thank you! I’m glad you found my itinerary above helpful. I hope you have a fabulous time in Portugal!!!

This is a wonderful post. You are a great writer, and I found the content to be very useful and direct! Thank you for all the suggestions 🙂

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Portugal in june but will only have 6 full days in the country, before traveling to spain. what do you feel we might be able to leave out to make the most of the trip?

Thank you! I tried to provide as much information as I could about our trip.

In terms of what to cut…that’s a tough one!! I think it relies on what you like the most. The obvious answer would seem to be Lagos. It’s the furthest away, the longest to get to, etc. But I loved it so much. It was the reason I wanted to go to Portugal. But for my boyfriend who wasn’t such a beach person, he would have cut that one. And then just taken a day trip from Lisbon out to the beaches nearby.

So if beaches are something you like but not love, you can still do a day trip from Lisbon and see one. So maybe Lagos.

If you really want to go to Lagos, I think my next recommendation would be Porto. Especially if you’ll be traveling in and out of Lisbon, it would next make sense to cut Porto. That hurts me to say, but it makes logistical sense in terms of travel time vs. experiencing time.

Hi! I’m looking at trains going from Lisbon to Lagos and there is a connection at Tunes, but I only have 15 minutes to make the connection. Do you think that is doable? Not sure how big/hard to navigate the Tunes station is

The Tunes station is probably small. I’ve had connections in like Munich with only 15 minutes and have made it. The only thing to watch out for is if the train gets delayed then 15 minutes doesn’t give you too much time.

Wow! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I am heading to Lisbon for work in May and I have booked 5 extra days to see the rest of the country. I will see a bunch of Lisbon during the work event so I googled “lagos vs porto” and your blog post came up! What a gem! I am still so torn, I want to do both places so badly. I can’t decide if trying to squeeze in both a beach and a city trip will be too much, since they are in opposite directions! (maybe I will do both and just not sleep! ha!) Looks like Alyssa – who posted in February had the same issue – what to cut!? Thanks for the great post!

Why would anyone choose to go from the far south then north then middle? Wouldn’t it be smarter to start Porto and end in Lagos or vice versa?

I flew out of Lisbon which is why I saved it for last. Just worked out better for me that way due to my flights since I knew I was going to have to head back to Lisbon at the end of my trip. Sorry for any confusion there!

Great post on Portugal! It’s one of my favorite countries and I can’t wait to go back.

Thank you for the amazing post! We are going to Portugal in April and this answered a lot of my questions since I wanted to see all three places. Fortunately we live in Southern California, a few miles from the beach so I am going to cut Lagos and spend more time between Lisbon and Porto. Sintra is definitely on our list, as it comes highly recommended from a friend for a day trip. We like to stay in one place for a few days to really explore the area and culture and we also want to stop by Nazare to see the famous surf! We are visiting our daughter in Madrid first and then all heading to Portugal for the week. Do you think it makes sense to fly into Lisbon and fly out of Porto back to Spain? Or vice versa? I will research Coimbra from the above recommendation. If anyone on this blog has any recommendations for what else to see between Lisbon and Porto, please advise. We will rent a car so we can maximize exploring the coast between the two cities. Thanks again!

I’m so glad you found this helpful! I’d love to go back to Portugal and spend a couple more days in Sintra – there really is so much to see there! I’d love to spend like 2-3 days touring all the amazing sites. And I’d LOVE to go to Nazare to see the surfers. I believe the surf is the most intense in the winter, but it should still be impressive! If the flights work out, I think it’s totally fine to fly into one city and out the other – that way you don’t have to go back to the original city just to fly home. I was on a tight budget when I did this trip so it didn’t work out for me.

Hi Very helpful, couple questions? We r flying into Lisbon and was going to rent a car to go to nazare because didn’t seem like u could get there and explore otherwise? After that we r going down to Lagos for 3 days but was wondering do we need a car for that portion? Can u get around all those beaches and ponta da piedade and faro without a car? How did u get around? U didn’t explain that part, Uber? I’d rather not rent at all because of parking, but at same time want to see as much as possible and stop here and there. Wonder if we can get from Lisbon to nazare for the day? Thanks! Would also love pricing of what u paid to give an ideal for b&b’s and restaurants. I realize this was pre pandemic but it helps. Thanks again 🙂

Thanks so much for this information! We were going to rent a car in Porto at the airport and drive to Lagos to give us flexibility but wanted to get your advice on car rentals, are the car rental lines really long at the airport and would we be better off renting a car in Porto? And we are thinking, Porto, Evora, Tavira, Lagos for 10 days -or is that too much? ANd would you suggest Coimbra or Evora for a stop over on our way to the Lagos? thanks, Lisa

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One Week in Portugal Itinerary | From Lisbon to Porto

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: March 14, 2024

Categories Europe , Portugal

Looking for the perfect one week in Portugal itinerary? Maybe one that includes castles, boat tours, and plenty of food and wine? Look no further!

Portugal is known for its medieval castles , golden beaches , culture , tradition , history , idyllic sceneries , and its many captivating cities .

You’ll come to find that there are many reasons to fall deeply in love with Portugal, as I did when I first visited Portugal in 2014. I fell for it, I went back a couple of times, and I still talk about Portugal with heart eyes to anyone who will listen.

If you want to truly experience the best the country has to offer, you should spend at least a week in Portugal . This should give you enough time to immerse yourself into the historical past of this country – palaces and castles, anyone ? It will also give you a chance to taste the flavors of Portugal and its different regions, and to take in the impressive scenery that everyone who gets to visit it raves about.

By following this Portugal travel itinerary, you’ll be able to see more than just Lisbon and Porto in one week – so, let’s begin.

Table of Contents

HOW TO GET AROUND PORTUGAL

➤ Public transportation in Portugal works pretty well, and you won’t have any problem moving from one place to another by train or bus . I’ve included detailed information in each destination’s section, which you can find under the “HOW TO GET TO…” paragraph.

➤ If you have less than one week (maybe because you want to combine Portugal and other destinations and spend 10 epic days in Europe !), you can visit Lisbon and Porto and keep the rest for your next visit.

I wrote a very detailed post about how to get from Lisbon to Porto.

➤ If you prefer to make this one week in Portugal itinerary into a legit Portugal road trip , maybe that’s another great option.

You can easily rent a car at Lisbon’s airport when you fly into the city or pick one up on day 3 when it’s time to head to Sintra. I probably recommend this second option as parking in Lisbon can be a hassle . I always recommend booking a rental car in advance. I use Discover Cars to find the best options. ➥ COMPARE PRICES HERE

READ ALSO : 22 Epic European Road Trips to Take This Summer

ONE WEEK IN PORTUGAL ITINERARY FROM LISBON TO PORTO

Your Portugal itinerary (one week) starts from Lisbon , the Portuguese capital, and ends in Porto . Check out the detailed itinerary to be sure you make the most of your visit.

Days 1 and 2: Explore Lisbon

There is plenty to do in Lisbon, check out these other posts as well that will help you plan your two days in Lisbon.

READ MORE: 25 Unmissable Things To Do in Lisbon

HOW TO GET TO LISBON FROM THE AIRPORT

Most of you will fly to Lisbon, so the first thing you have to plan is how to get to the city center from the airport. There are 3 options for every budget .

➤ This affordable  Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport  is the most convenient option. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The  Lisbon Shared Transfer To/From the Airport  and from/to your hotel is available 24/7 and affordable.  ➥ BOOK IT HERE  

➤ The AeroBus Lisbon Airport Shuttle runs daily from 7.30 am to 11 pm and makes multiple stops around the city. This is the cheapest option to get from the airport to the city and viceversa, but it won’t bring you to your hotel. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON

LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Santiago de Alfama Boutique Hotel SUSTAINABLE BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Inspira Santa Marta Hotel & Spa LUXURY FOR LESS (<$100): Lux Lisboa Park ON A BUDGET: House Sao Bento

BEST THINGS TO DO IN LISBON

Here is a short list of some of my favorite activities and destinations in Lisbon for helping you plan your trip. Of course, you could spend weeks in Lisbon and not see it all, so this is just a taste of what the city offers.

➤ If you want to join a city tour to make the most of your limited time, the top-rated Lisbon Essential Tour is great to learn not only about the history of the city but also about its lifestyle and curious stories and anecdotes. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you’re going to visit a few attractions and museums in Lisbon, you might be able to save a good chunk of money by purchasing in advance a Lisboa Card for 1, 2, or 3 days that include unlimited transportation and free access to 25 attractions and museums and discounts for many others. ➥  BUY IT HERE

Explore the Alfama Neighborhood

The Alfama neighborhood is the old soul of Lisbon, as it survived the 1775 earthquake. Its narrow alleyways and quiet streets exude history, and they’re perfect for just wandering around at your own pace.

St. George’s Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge) is a must-visit, with its towers, lookouts, and magnificent views over the Baixa district and the Tegus River. St. George’s Castle is probably the most famous attraction in Lisbon , and the queues can be very long. Consider purchasing in advance a skip-the-line ticket .

Another place to visit is the Lisbon Cathedral , also called the Sé. It’s the oldest church in Lisbon , with construction dating back to the 12th century. Admission is free.

Sample Portuguese Food at Time Out Market Lisboa

The Time Out Market in Lisbon is home to over 40 different stalls that serve up a variety of Portuguese food items. This has all of the best tastes and flavors that Portugal has to offer under one roof – it’s a perfect place to go for foodies . You’ll find from curated burgers to curated cod, sandwiches, and more. This market is located at Cais de Sobre, which is a trendy district in Lisbon.

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 AM to 12 AM

Climb the Belém Tower (Torre de Belem)

Torre de Belem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Portuguese capital, along Tagus River, and is a towering display of genuine architectural fusion at the seafront. The tower features a blend of Moorish, Mudejar, Gothic, and Romanesque architectural styles. Go up the tower and enjoy some incredible views over the Tagus River, the April 25 bridge, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

➤ You can visit the tower for free with the  Lisboa Card .

➤ Otherwise, I recommend buying a skip-the-line ticket to avoid waiting or a Belem combo ticket which includes access to both the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery.

Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6.30 PM from May to September. The rest of the year it closes at 5.30 PM

Entrance Fee : €6 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free, and seniors 65+ pay half the entrance.

Explore the Youngest Museum in Lisbon – MAAT

If you are a fan of contemporary art, head to the MAAT or Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology . Because of its unique architecture, it almost looks like a ray deflecting off the river . This is a project by the EDP Foundation that launched in 2016, and it has plenty of temporary and permanent exhibitions held throughout the year that are worth visiting. 

Opening Hours : Wednesday to Monday from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Ride Tram 28

The Tram 28 is like the iconic tram lines in San Francisco, California – they are a must-try. The vintage Tram 28 has been riding up and down the steeped and cobbled roads of the old Alfama District for many decades now . The journey begins at the hills of Graca and ends at the stunning Estrela Basilica, you’ll drive by some of Lisbon’s most famous destinations.

➤ You can choose a tour that combines a ride on tram 28 with a walking tour of the beautiful Alfama neighborhood. ➥  BOOK IT HERE

Otherwise, you can buy your ticket directly on the tram. It costs €3 at the time of writing.

Get Rid of Your Sweet Tooth at Pasteis de Belem

You can’t visit Lisbon without tasting its most popular delicacy – pasteis (also known as Portuguese tarts). The Pasteis de Belem bakery is known as the best place in Lisbon to enjoy a bite of them so it’s a recommended pit-stop for tourists. Yes, there might be a line, but trust me – totally worth it. Combine this sweet stop with a visit to Torre de Belem.

Pasteis de Belem Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 8 PM

Party at Bairro Alto

The Bairro Alto is considered the top nightlife spot in Lisbon packed with international restaurants, alfresco cafes, bohemian drinking joints, and old Fado music holes. Imagine that many shops in this area don’t even open in the morning! Sip Morangoska (a cocktail made with vodka and fresh strawberries) and Caipirinha in one of the many bars.

Looking for something different? Check out these wine tours in Lisbon and this list of the best Lisbon boat tours .

Day 3: Take a Day Trip to Sintra

On your 3rd day, you can travel to Sintra for a day filled with sightseeing, colorful palaces, and pastry sampling.

HOW TO GET TO SINTRA

➤ Sintra is only 25 km away from Lisbon and the travel time is about 30 minutes by train (which is the recommended mode of transport if you want to go on your own). Take the train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station which is close to the popular tourist areas and easily accessible.

READ ALSO : How to get to Sintra from Lisbon – Train, Bus, or Tour?

➤ If you’re looking to visit the palaces with a guide, then it makes a lot of sense to book a day tour from Lisbon . This one brings you not only to Sintra and the Pena Palace, but also Cascais and Cabo da Roca (other two great destinations near Lisbon). It’s affordable and it comes with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO VISIT IN SINTRA

Sintra is a popular day trip route from Lisbon, and you’ll see how a day trip is enough to see the best of what Sintra has to offer. This picturesque town is best known for its stunning scenery , ancient castles , and magnificent palaces . 

Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)

A beautiful castle in Sintra is Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors). This is a hilltop medieval castle in the midst of a lush rainforest. Established in the 9th century, it was meant to guard the town of Sintra but it later fell into despair following the Christian conquest.

➤I recommend buying the Castle of the Moors Skip-The-Line ticket to enter directly. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Opening Hours : Daily from 9.30 AM to 8 PM in the summer months, and from 10 AM to 6 PM in winter.

Pena Palace (Palacio da Pena )

Howewer, the one palace you absolutely can’t miss adding to your Sintra day trip itinerary is the Palacio da Pena (Pena Palace). This is the most eccentric palace in Sintra, and it exemplifies the Romantic style of architecture from the 19th century. It’s so fun and colorful, it almost looks like a kid designed it!

➤ If you want to avoid the very long queues, it makes sense to book in advance a  Pena Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket  ➥  BOOK IT HERE

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM 

National Palace of Sintra (Palacio Nacional da Sintra)

The last stop on your exploration of Sintra can be the Palacio Nacional da Sintra , which is known as the best-preserved medieval royal palace in the country .

Although it features a minimalist gothic architectural style, on the inside it’s filled with wonderfully decorated state rooms. The palace is also famous for its two massive chimneys that have made it an icon in town.

➤ Get the National Palace of Sintra Fast Track Ticket to skip the line. ➥ BOOK IT HERE  

Opening Hours : Daily from 9 AM to 6 PM (Last Entry at 5.30 PM)

Eat Traditional Pastries from Sintra

Just like in Lisbon, trying out traditional Portuguese pastries and sweets is also a great idea when in Sintra. One of the must-try sweets is the Travesseiro de Sintra , which literally means “Sintra’s pillow” . It’s a dough-based pastry that comes in a stick form filled with egg cream and almonds.

This pastry originated here in Sintra and one of the best spots to enjoy them is in Casa Piriquita where you can also try other pastries like Pasteis de Cruz Alta (pictured up here), Nozes Douradas , and Queijadas .

Day 4: Coimbra

On the fourth day in Lisbon of your one week-Portugal itinerary, make your way to Coimbra , a charming and historic college town. You’ll find it 200 km north of Lisbon , halfway towards Porto. In fact, I recommend staying in Coimbra for one night to break the journey between the two cities… plus, the destination totally deserves it.

HOW TO GET TO COIMBRA

➤ The train is the fastest and best option to travel from Lisbon to Coimbra even though it’s more expensive than the bus. You can take the Alfa Pendular train (high-speed train) for around 23 Euros. The entire train ride will take 1 hour and 30 minutes .

➤ Another option is the intercity train , which will cost 19.20 Euros and will take nearly 2 hours of travel . You can buy the ticket on board or book it at the station ticket office or online.

WHERE TO STAY IN COIMBRA

LUXURY HOTEL: Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas – Small Luxury Hotels LUXURY FOR LESS (<$100): Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra ON A BUDGET: Change the World Hostels – Coimbra Almedina

THINGS TO DO IN COIMBRA

Once you arrive at Coimbra, you have a variety of things to see or do. Here I put together just the highlights.

➤ The city is pretty compact and you don’t really need to book a tour. However, if you prefer to visit with a guide , check out this private tour of Coimbra or this free tour of Coimbra .

Visit the University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This university is built on a hill in the middle of the city.

You can reach the highest point of the university by climbing up 180 steps to the top of the 16th-century tower. If you have the chance to visit, the 17th-century ceremonial hall, Sala dos Capelos, is also a must-see.

Monastery of Santa Cruz

The Monastery of Santa Cruz is another must-visit tourist attraction in Coimbra. Although this monastery was built in the 12th century with ties to the Portuguese monarchy, the current architecture of the monastery is a result of a restoration in the 16th century. The features that really stand out in this building are the impressive portal, unique cloisters, and eye-catching ceiling. 

Old Cathedral of Coimbra

The Old Cathedral of Coimbra is another historical attraction and the proof of the glory days of Christianity and Islam in Coimbra so you can’t miss it when in the city.

Day 5 and 6: Porto

Just my two cents, but I love Porto even more than Lisbon . Porto is quieter, more charming, and more authentic. It makes for the perfect end to this Portugal one-week itinerary.

HOW TO GET TO PORTO

➤ As seen before, the train system in Portugal is remarkably efficient, which makes it a great option to get from Coimbra to Porto. The Comboios De Portugal is the main service provider for this route, and there are train services available on an hourly basis. The cost of your ticket journey from Coimbra to Porto is around 8 to 12 Euros for a one-hour trip by train .

➤ Another option is to take the hourly bus from Coimbra to Porto , which is available at 9-12 Euros. However, the trip takes longer at 1 hour and 25 minutes.

WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO

BEST LUXURY HOTEL: The Yeatman LUXURY FOR LESS (<$100): Gran Cruz House ON A BUDGET: OportoHouse

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PORTO

The second-largest city in Portugal is famous for its wine production and stately bridges , but the architecture and art lovers, foodies, and Harry Potter fans will find plenty to do here as well.

➤ Looking for an introductory tour? You can join this 3-Hour Guided Tour to explore all the main monuments as well as hidden gems and the beautiful azulejos. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Explore Cais da Ribeira

The riverside area of Porto called Cais da Ribeira is one of the most chaotic yet fun districts to explore in Porto. Go and sit down at Ribeira Square, a picturesque square where you can mingle with locals and tourists alike . From here you can admire the iconic Luis I Bridge before you get lost in a maze of steep stairways and narrow streets.

That bridge has become an industrial symbol for the city of Porto; it’s a twin-level metal arched bridge that was officially opened to the public in 1886. Besides the famous bridge, you shouldn’t miss the pastel-hued houses in this district.

Go on a Boat Tour Along the Douro River

Going on a Douro river cruise is one of the most popular activities in Porto. You’ll drift under the 6 bridges of Porto and take some great shots of the city. Rather than paying for the boat tour individually, most visitors choose to buy a package that on top of that includes other attractions.

➤ The top-rated tour on Get Your Guide includes a boat tour, a porto tasting at the historical Caves Calém cellars, and a 2-days pass for the hop-on-hop-off bus, all for little over $30. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Taste Porto Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia isn’t technically Porto, but you just have to cross Dom Luis I Bridge to get here, and trust me, you want to get here. This is where all the port wineries are!

Some of the most famous wineries you can visit for a tasting are Graham’s Port Lodge , Sandeman Cellars , Espaco Porto Cruz , and Ferreira Cellars.

➤ For a good wine tour, check out Porto Wine Tour which will bring you to 3 wineries in the city and includes wine tastings, of course, plus traditional Portuguese snacks ( you gotta eat, Port’s pretty strong stuff! ). ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Go Chasing Azulejos

Azulejos , or glazed ceramic tiles, are the white a blue tiles you can find all around in Portugal. I personally love them, and in Porto, there are some incredible examples of buildings decorated with azulejos (which, just saying, also make for some great IG photos) .

A few places to check them out are the Sao Bento Train Station , the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso (Church of Saint Ildefonso), which is my favorite one, and Capela das Almas .

READ ALSO : Where to Find the Best Azulejo Tiles in Porto

Feel the Magic at Livraria Lello

One of the oldest bookstores in the world , Livraria Lello is also on every list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world…. and it’s rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling for the Harry Potter books. After all, she lived in Porto and was a regular customer at the bookstore, so it totally makes sense. There’s always a line to enter, but the place is so magic that it’s worth the wait.

➤ Harry Potter fans will love this Inspiration Tour that’ll bring you around all the locations that inspired the books, including Livraria Lello and the cafe where the books were written. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Wander around Praça da Liberdade

The Praça da Liberdade is a square and boulevard with grand open spaces which was laid out in the 18th century and features the Neoclassical Palacio das Cardosas nearby (a convent that was converted into a hotel).

A curiosity: on this square, you’ll find the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world – no kidding. Have you ever seen one with crystal chandeliers and stained glass windows? Even if you aren’t a fan of the brand, go and check out the interiors of the buildings.

Day 7: Take a day trip to Douro Valley

The majestic Douro Valley in Portugal is something that should be on your itinerary. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and is an adventure waiting to happen for those who visit. On your 1 week in Portugal itinerary, you simply can’t miss the oldest designated wine region in the world .

READ ALSO : The Perfect Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto

HOW TO GET TO THE DOURO VALLEY

You have two ways to get to the Douro Valley by public transportation. However, once you get to the Douro region, it will be very difficult to get around.

➤ Take the train from Sao Bento or Campanha stations in Porto. There are quite a few trains a day, check out the  timetable . They say it’s a super pretty train ride, it takes about 2 hours.

➤You can also take the bus that links  Porto to Régua  6 times a day. It takes about 2 hours but the train ride is more pleasurable.

➤ Renting a car is a good option (compare prices on Discover Cars ) as it only takes about 1 hour and a half by car to get here from Porto. However, there will have to be a designated driver, and who wants to be that person where there are tons of wine tastings to be made?

➤ This is one case where I strongly recommend joining a tour , and that’s how I did it myself. The company I went with doesn’t offer the Douro tour anymore, but I found one that is an exact copy. Joining a tour doesn’t mean you have to visit with a big group: this top-rated Duoro Valley Tour is for a maximum of 8 people.

You’ll start off your tour by visiting two of the best wine estates in the area, and you’ll also get to enjoy a hearty lunch and get onboard a traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat for a cruise along the Douro River. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE DOURO VALLEY

I included here some of the other highlights you could enjoy on your day trip to the Douro Valley. 

Learn about Porto’s History at the Douro Museum

Museu do Douro (Douro Museum) is a modern and high-ceiling museum and a great place to visit for those who want an in-depth lesson about the wine culture and history of the region. I was afraid I’d be bored but it was actually really interesting! Aside from the exhibition areas, there are also a library and a wine bar where you can get a tasting.

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM

Incredible Views at Quinta do Seixo

Quinta do Seixo is another must-add to your itinerary in Douro Valley. This old winery dates back to the 17th century but boasts of a cellar with a contemporary design.

Aside from that, the highlight of your visit will be the breathtaking views of the winery’s amazing landscape. The picturesque Pinhao village offers a beautiful contrast to the Douro River nearby. I mean, look at this picture!

Opening Hours : Daily from 10.30 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6.30 PM

Visit the Pinhao Train Station

Pinhao is right at the heart of the demarcated wine region in Douro Valley. The picturesque town of Pinhao is home to the beautiful and historic Pinhao train station , along with unmatched views of the wine region landscape.

Go for a Wine Tasting at Quinta do Popa

Quinta do Popa is another stellar winery within the Douro Valley region, named in honor of Francisco Ferreira, also known as Popa. His son and grandchildren eventually went on to continue the legacy of the family’s famous winery and it’s now known as one of the top producers of the best wines in Portugal’s Douro Valley region.

When you visit this vineyard, you can go for wine tasting, picnic on the vineyard, and even participate in the wine harvest . If you want to visit this famous winery, I’d recommend booking in advance, unless of course it’s included in your guided tour.

Have a Hearty Meal at Tasca da Quinta

This small restaurant in Douro is one of the most popular ones so I’d definitely recommend booking in advance, also because it’s pretty tiny. It’s an authentic restaurant in Peso da Regua that offers traditional Douro cuisine showcasing the best flavors from the region. Order a little bit of everything.

Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 7 PM to 10 PM, on weekends it also opens from 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM.

And if you have some extra time, why not stay at one of the best eco resorts in Portugal ? There are a couple of stunning hotels in the middle of the wine country!

This day trip concludes your one-week trip to Portugal. See how much you can see of Portugal in one week only? I’m sure by now you’ll have already fallen in love with this beautiful country and you’ll start planning the next trip soon!

PORTUGAL IN A WEEK: TIPS & FAQ

What’s the best time to visit portugal.

➤ The best time to visit Portugal, especially for this itinerary which doesn’t include the beach, is either the spring ( April and May ), or the fall ( September and October ). The temperature is great at this time, and you won’t find big crowds even in the most touristy places.

➤ I’d say avoid the summer if you can . The period from June to August coincides with the high season, which means bigger crowds and higher prices. Plus, it can get extremely hot in Lisbon and Coimbra.

➤ It never gets super cold during the winter in Portugal so that is an option too. It might not be as pleasurable as during the spring and the fall, but you will find discounted rates during this time.

Is Portugal safe?

Yes, yes, yes. In fact, Portugal was ranked as the 3rd safest country in the world (yes, in the world) by the Global Peace Index. Of course, you should always pay attention to pickpocketers and use common sense, especially if you’re traveling alone .

If you have any questions or suggestions to add to the itinerary, please let me know in comments below.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you book something through one of my links I might get a commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Best Road Trips in Portugal: 10 Super Scenic Routes

As much as I love city breaks, I will never say no to a road trip. One of my favorite scenic drives was in Portugal, a perfect destination to explore by car. Since then, I’m in an endless search for the best road trips in Portugal that I can add to my bucket list.

With the help of a few fellow bloggers, I finally have an epic roundup of road trip ideas, which I’m super excited to share with you. They are all adjustable, so whether you have a few days or full 2 weeks in Portugal , you’ll find your inspiration here.

* This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure ). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

* I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Table of Contents

10 of the Best Road Trips in Portugal

The algarve.

Contributed by Linn from Brainy Backpackers

Route: Faro to Lagos.

The south coast of Portugal is incredibly beautiful and offers so much to see and do. Going on an  Algarve road trip  is a great way to explore as much as possible.

For a one-week road trip, I suggest you start in Faro and end in Lagos, Portugal . You can easily drive back to Faro in 1 hour and 45 minutes to return your rental car and get on your flight back.

But on this seemingly short stretch, there is so much fun, and you should at least spend a couple of days in Albufeira, Carvoeiro, and Lagos.

Not all places are easily accessed by public transport, so a car is a must if you want to experience the best of the coastline.

You can spend a day in Faro and then enjoy the best things to do in Albufeira or get from Faro’s airport to Albufeira and save Faro for the last day of your road trip.

Get ready to see some spectacular beaches along the way, take the astounding Seven Hanging Valleys coastal hike (aka one of the best hikes in Portugal ), or paddleboard to the most mesmerizing cave in Portugal, Benagil Cave . Walk the boardwalk from Carvoeiro to the Algar Seco’s natural pool and caves.

Want to learn how to surf or scuba dive? Lagos is the place. This quaint town is just a short driving distance from the spectacular Sagres cliffs and the Ponta da Piedade cliffs, which I personally think are the most beautiful cliffs in the Algarve. 

São Miguel Island, the Azores

Contributed by Megan from Megan Starr

Route: Circular from Ponta Delgada.

One of the most scenic drives in Portugal is on the main island in the Azores, Sao Miguel. The best way to conduct this road trip is to start in the capital city called Ponta Delgada and circumnavigate the island.

I recommend taking a minimum of four days to complete the road trip as you will have many amazing stops on your  Sao Miguel itinerary .

From Ponta Delgada, you’ll want to head to the west of Sao Miguel toward Sete Cidades. This area is known for its gorgeous views, volcanic crater lakes, and more.

If you’re keen to stay on this side of the island, there are plenty of accommodations around Sete Cidades .

From there, you can start making your way to the north on the second day. The north coast is rugged and actually has the best weather, so enjoy the thermal pools, the views over the high cliffs, and a kind of hidden gem in Portugal called Salto do Cabrito.

The best place to stay on the north shore of Sao Miguel is at Sao Vicente Lodge or Santa Barbara Eco-Resort . Both are fantastic places with epic views.

From there, head to the east of Sao Miguel, a geothermal wonderland. Furnas is the highlight of the east, where you’ll find many natural parks, botanical gardens, and the chance to enjoy cozido das furnas , a local stew made underground with geothermal heat.

On your last day, head toward Ponta Delgada and stop at a few places along the way. If you’re feeling adventurous, try snorkeling or taking a tour to Vila Franco do Campo, a small islet in the sea.

End your road trip with some delicious food in the capital, Ponta Delgada, where you can enjoy the city life at an Azorean pace.

Alentejo Region

Contributed by Faye from Delve Into Europe

Route: Ėvora to Mertola, then onto the Algarve.

We had planned an  Alentejo road trip  for years because we thought it would be a great deal to see this rural province in southeast Portugal. It’s packed with whitewashed towns and medieval castles, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some of the best Portugal scenery.

The only downside was that we didn’t have more time – we could easily have spent two weeks or more exploring the region.

It’s full of amazing places to stay, and we settled on three – the capital, Évora , and the fortified villages of Marvão and Monsaraz, both overlooking the Spanish border.

We also stopped at various places along the way, including the famous Saturday market of Estremoz, the stunning historic border city of Elvas, and the picturesque unexplored town of Castelo de Vide.

Évora makes a great starting point, and it warrants a couple of days or more. The tight cobbled streets of the Old Town are incredible and lead to a superb 2nd century AD Roman temple and a fine concoction of a cathedral overlooking the whole scene.

Marvão is a magnificent mountaintop fortified village with one of the most spectacular castles in Europe, located high in the Serra de São Mamede range.

Monsaraz has a less dramatic setting but wins out on sheer beauty. We visited early in the season and had the whole village to ourselves at night, including the two main streets lined with stunning whitewashed buildings.

The view over the Basrragem do Alqueva lakes on the Spanish border at sunrise was unforgettable too.

Lisbon to Porto

Route: Lisbon to Porto.

Starting off with a classic, a road trip from Lisbon to Porto is a must-have experience in Portugal.

From palaces and monasteries to ocean views and enchanting villages, this is a fantastic route that combines a little bit of everything. Excluding 2 days in Lisbon and 1- 2 days in Porto , you can complete it in 5-7 days.

Begin your journey in Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point (and one of the most Instagrammable spots in Portugal ), which provides some jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic coast.

Continue to Sintra, where you’ll find the iconic Pena Palace and other visit-worthy Portuguese landmarks like the old town, the Palace of Quinta da Regaleira, and the Sintra National Palace.

There are also plenty of things to do in Ericeira , which you can visit after either Cabo da Roca or Sintra.

From there, you must spend at least half a day strolling through the alleys of the picture-perfect village of Obidos, lose yourself in the beauty of the Bussaco Forest, unwind in the coastal town of Espinho, and enjoy some Port wine-tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia.

This route covers some of the country’s greatest highlights and is suitable for every type of traveler, which is exactly what makes it one of the best drives in Portugal.

Northern Portugal

Route: Circular from Porto.

Renting a car in Portugal is a fantastic way to explore its northern regions. Often overlooked, Northern Portugal is an incredible destination full of landmarks, vineyards, and scenic roads.

Start your journey with a couple of days in Porto , stroll through its colorful neighborhoods, sample some exquisite port wine, and visit its most amazing monuments like the Carmo Church and Bolsa Palace.

Continue to Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal, and then head to Barcelos, a town famous for the European legend of the Rooster of Barcelos. Next is the stunning city of Braga.

Braga has a lot to offer and can be a great weekend getaway destination, but most people visit it to admire the nearby religious complex of Bom Jesus do Monte.

The remarkable stairway consisting of over 570 stairs, along with the monastery at the top, is truly an impressive sight.

End your northern Portugal road trip with a day in Guimaraes (and its castles), the founding city of the kingdom of Portugal, and visit the charming town of Viana do Castelo.

Madeira Island

Contributed by Darek from Darek and Gosia

Route: Circular from Funchal.

If you love driving and looking for something unique, you have to go for a  road trip around Madeira Island .

Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, this Portuguese island is known as the island of eternal spring – meaning it’s a perfect spring destination in Europe but is also great to visit at any time of the year!

You will start your trip in the capital of the island – Funchal. You should stay in Funchal for the night too and explore the main attractions of the city. Those will include the old town, the CR7 museum, and Monte Palace tropical garden.

You can also head to Praia Formosa, one of the best beaches in Madeira , located only a short drive away from the city.

Start your second day on a high note – the Cabo Girao skywalk, which is one of the tallest viewing platforms in the world. Ponta do Pargo lighthouse and Porto Moniz and its natural pools will be the highlights of 3rd day on the road.

On the next day, explore the northern part of the island with its amazing viewpoints and São Vicente caves. You will be excited to see Casas Típicas de Santana on your 5th day, followed by one of the best hikes in Madeira – Ponta de São Lourenço.

If you love wildlife experiences, you could also book a tour of whale watching in Madeira .

For the best experience, it is recommended to dedicate at least 5-6 days to complete the road trip around Madeira, but nothing will stop you from spending a bit more time on the island – there are many incredible places to explore!

Planning an off-season trip? Here’s a great Portugal winter itinerary and the best winter city breaks in Europe (including Lisbon)!

Central Portugal

Contributed by Cath from Passports and Adventures

Route: Circular from Faro/Lisbon/Porto.

Beginning and ending in Faro, one of the best road trips in Portugal is one in which you explore the Central Region of the country. This road trip can also start and end in Lisbon or Porto, covering the three airports in the country.

From Faro, this trip will take 7 days, covering towns and cities in Portugal from Lousã to Nazaré, Obidos to Sintra, and finally Lisbon before returning to Faro. The journey from Faro towards Lousã will take approximately 4-5 hours along the main A2 motorway.

Once in Lousã, you can explore the surrounding area, with a visit to the Praia Fluvial da Bogueira recommended. This river beach is great on a hot summer day, and you should also visit the small ruined castle.

After two nights, visit the historic city of Coimbra, which is only 30 minutes by car on your way to Nazaré.

Nazaré is famous for its surfing thanks to the huge waves that roll in from the Atlantic Ocean. However, it is also a great base for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Sites nearby.

Three sites are easily accessible, being the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, and the convent in Tomar. You could visit them over one or two days.

After two nights, head south towards Sintra, stopping at the historic walled town of Obidos and the Buddha Eden Garden in Bacalhôa, before reaching Sintra.

Stay overnight and spend a day exploring the Pena Palace and Moorish castle before heading to your destination of Lisbon, where there is a wealth of things to explore during the two to three nights we recommend for your stay before returning to Faro.

This  7-day road trip exploring Central Portugal  is ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers.

• Free things to do in Lisbon
• What to pack for Lisbon

The Monasteries of Central Portugal

Contributed by Cate from Sacred Wanderings

Route: Coimbra to the monasteries.

For an amazing road trip through three  UNESCO World Heritage Listed Monasteries in Central Portugal , begin in Coimbra.

To see all three monasteries, and have some leisure time to explore the countryside of Central Portugal, allot 3 days and 2 nights to this itinerary. Coimbra is easily accessed via train from Porto or Lisbon and is a wonderful city to explore in itself.

From Coimbra, head to Batalha. Batalha Monastery is a stunning place, with abandoned cloisters and once-in-a-lifetime architecture. From Batalha, you can easily reach Alcobaça for the night and stay in one of many incredibl e hotels .

Walking around by the monastery at night is a magical experience. There are also plenty of wonderful, intimate seafood restaurants to try.

Grab dinner in Alcobaça and then explore its UNESCO World Heritage monastery, very different from Batalha. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the countryside to get from Alcobaça to the city of Tomar.

Explore the city before heading to Tomar’s famous Convento de Cristo. A monastery and castle in one, the Convento is a wonderful place to explore with children or as adults.

Stay in adorable Tomar for the night at a leisurely pace, or turn in the rental car and take the train to Lisbon.

Costa Vicentina

Contributed by Paulina from Paulina on the Road

Route: Lisbon to Costa Vicentina.

One of the best road trips to undertake in Portugal is from Lisbon to Costa Vicentina in the south of the country. You can complete this road trip in a couple of days, stopping at various places in between.

When you happen to reach your destination, then one of the  best things to do in Costa Vicentina  is hiking the Rota Vicentina and admiring the beach and water views you get in the network of hiking trails spanning hundreds of kilometers.

One of the best hiking trails in the area is Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar, which provides 22.5 km (a little under 14 miles) of scenic landscapes. Another great hike is the Fisherman’s Trail.

When exploring the place, you should also visit tourist places like Zambujeira do Mar, Odemira, and Odeceixe.

On this road trip, you get to see a range of sceneries, from rolling hills and splendid wooded river valleys to olive groves and cultivated fields that back the exciting Atlantic coast.

When it comes to accommodation, you can book private rooms called ‘quartos,’ where the price ranges between 30-40 Euros.

Porto to the Douro Valley

Contributed by Stephanie from History Fangirl

Route: Porto to the Douro Valley.

One of the best Portugal road trip ideas is the drive from Porto to the Douro Valley, one of the top wine regions in Portugal .

Starting in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto, you can pick up your rental car at the airport, but don’t skip visiting the city itself.

Sprawled over both sides of the Douro River, the city has one of the most beautiful (and colorful) skylines in the world. Set aside at least two days in Porto before moving on.

If you love seeing UNESCO sites, you will enjoy spending a day or two in the town of Guimaraes.

From here, you can move on to the Douro, where you should give yourself at least two days to enjoy  Port tasting at the Quintas (wineries) located alongside the river . The Duoro Valley is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tasting wine has never been such an educational experience!

While the Duoro Valley is a joy to drive around, if you want to enjoy wine tasting once you get here, prepare to spend a bit extra on taxis or even hire a private driver to take you safely around the area.

If you have extra time, you can drive south and add a day in Fatima,  Tomar , or even Coimbra before heading back to Porto to drop off your car. 

Do you love European road trips? You should also read:

• Best road trips in Spain
• The ultimate Andalusia road trip itinerary
• Places to add to your northern Spain road trip itinerary
• The best northern Italy road trip itinerary
• Northwest Italy road trip itinerary
• Best road trips in Italy
• Road trips from Milan

Which One of These Portugal Road Trips Is Your Favorite?

Tell me in the comments and pin this post for later!

About Or Amir

Hey, I'm Or! I'm a passionate traveler with a severe coffee, chocolate, and pastry addiction (or any other carb for that matter). I'm always planning my next trip to Spain, Italy, or any other country in Europe, and my goal is to help you make the most of each destination.

21 thoughts on “Best Road Trips in Portugal: 10 Super Scenic Routes”

This site has inspired me! My husband and I planned on doing the “tour” thing, but really wanted to go at our own pace. He is a photographer and likes to stop if he sees something he wants to shoot pictures of! You have made my fears disappear! We are 66 & 70 years old, so we know there are a few limitations for us, but now I have a comfort level of striking out on our own using your itineraries and suggestions! We will probably go in October…any insights?

Your comment just made my day, Janet! Thank you! Portugal is a very tourist-friendly destination, so with the right preparation, you can totally explore it on your own. October is a great time to visit as there are fewer crowds than in summer and the weather is more than pleasant 🙂

Hello Or, I am planning an independent, self-guided road trip with my daughter sometimes in june-july for 12 days. I love your suggestions. Do you know any local and affordable agency in Portugal? I live in Augusta, GA, America.

Thank you for your help.

Hi Christine! I’m so happy you liked this post 🙂 Are you referring to a self-drive tour agency? I usually plan my own trips, so I don’t have any personal experience with these companies. If you want to share your budget (you can email me), I can try to consult some colleagues.

You’re welcome!

Thanks for the tips, I’ll read more when it’s time to prepare for our trip to Spain and Portugal.

You’re welcome 🙂 I’m here if you have any question.

I’ve always wanted to do a longer trip through Portugal after i did an Algarve road trip. This is so useful and has so mucj inspo for when I can next go back!!

I’m happy it was inspiring! Portugal definitely deserves to be visited over and over again 🙂

This is a great guide – Portugal is so high on my bucket list. I’ve only ever heard good things about it 🙂

Thank you! Portugal is truly amazing, and I think a road trip is the best way to explore it 🙂

We LOVE road trips! We spent a couple of weeks road tripping around Spain and Portugal last year, but clearly we need to go back. The monastery and coast hike look amazing.

I clearly love road trips too 🙂 I hope you get to go back soon!

We’ve done a road trip from Lisbon to Porto passing by Fatima, Aveiro and Cabo da Roca. I want to come back to explore more of those beautiful places! Great guide 🙂

That sounds like a great road trip 🙂 I’m glad you liked this post!

I love going on road trips. We stopped in Portugal while doing a road trip of southern Spain, but only for a few hours so I would love to go back!

Yeah, a few hours are definitely not enough! I hope you get to go back soon 🙂

OMG! Is it possible to say that I want to eat these pics? 😀 Why does Portugal have to look to appetizing and beautiful?

I think you’ve described it accurately – appetizing 😛

Amazing itinerary! I went to Lisbon a few years back & have been dying to go back to Portugal! There are so many beautiful places to see!

Thank you! And yes – there’s too much to see lol

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Hi, I'm Or!

I'm a passionate traveler obsessed with traveling in Europe and discovering hidden gems in each place I visit. For me, it's not about ticking destinations off the bucket list but experiencing each one of them to the fullest. Read more about me and my story.

10 Exciting Portugal Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Tips!)

From the dramatic coastline of the Algarve to the stunning terraces of the Duoro Valley, and from the quaint charms of Obidos to the otherworldly palaces of Sintra, there is no shortage of amazing places to visit on a Portugal road trip.

Nestled in the southwest corner of mainland Europe, driving through Portugal offers a neverending supply of sublime views and hidden gems.

Long an overlooked corner of the continent (though that has changed dramatically in recent years!), road trips in Portugal are bound to leave you hoping for more.

When we moved to Lisbon as American expats, we knew we wanted to spend lots of time exploring by car–and we have!

Even still, there are many Portugal road trip itineraries still left on our long wish list, so we’ve teamed up with several other travel bloggers to show you a wide variety of the scenic drives that the country has to offer.

Here are the best road trips in Portugal–plus some essential tips to keep in mind as you plan your adventure!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Essential Tips for Your Road Trip in Portugal

Rent the smallest car you can..

Especially if you’re coming from the USA like us, you’ll likely find Portuguese roads–especially in small villages and in the countryside–are smaller than what you’re used to.

Save on gas, rental costs,  and  stress while driving in Portugal by renting the smallest car you can manage to fit yourselves and your belongings into.

We recommend searching for your (tiny) rental car through Discover Cars , which will allow you to sift through all your options and choose the right car for you based on price, the reputation of the company that is renting it, and the terms of the rental contract.

Shop rental cars for your Portugal road trip today!

Plan on renting a manual, or prepare to pay.

Like the rest of Europe, manual cars are the norm in Portugal.

If you only drive automatic, you’ll absolutely be able to find a car to rent for your road trip… but be prepared to plan ahead (especially if you’re traveling during the busy season when the cars get reserved quickly), and to pay extra fees for the privilege.

Prepare to pay lots of tolls.

Portugal is notorious for its number of toll rolls, especially on popular routes like driving from Lisbon to the Algarve.

The easiest way to pay the tolls is to get a “Via Verde” pass from your rental car company (they will almost certainly offer you one), which will keep a tally of your tolls and charge you automatically.

We generally get charged by the rental car company for the tolls we racked up using our “Via Verde” pass within a week or so of turning the car in.

Plan your parking in advance.

This especially applies overnight parking–ie, look for hotels that include parking or have a plan for parking listed–but also during day trips. 

Whether you’re visiting a small village, beach, trailhead, or city, knowing where to park before you arrive will save lots of time, stress, and often money.

For overnight parking, we use  Booking.com  and ideally look for places using the “free parking on-site” filter.

Depending on where you are going during your road trip in Portugal, though, free parking may not be possible–in that case, carefully check and see what hotels have reasonably-priced parking nearby.

A hotel that is an extra 10 Euros/night may end up being an excellent deal if there’s inexpensive parking nearby!

Your life will be much easier if you have a Portuguese SIM Card.

This assumes your phone is unlocked, of course, but seriously: getting a local SIM card before taking off on your road trip in Portugal will make your life so much easier!

Having access to everything from a GPS to restaurant reviews is a huge benefit of traveling in the modern age, and bringing those tools along with you as you explore Portugal by car is a fantastic idea.

You can absolutely purchase a local SIM card once you arrive, but if you want to get everything set up before you go, you can also purchase an EU SIM card for your trip  in advance.

Know that you’ll need reflective jackets in the car.

This is a standard rule in Portugal, and the jackets must be worn during any breakdowns or accidents.

If you’re renting a car for your Portugal road trip itinerary, this will likely be included in your vehicle.

On the off-chance that you’re driving your own vehicle into the country, though, it’s important to keep in mind!

The Best Portugal Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

The best of the algarve road trip.

From Campbell of Stingy Nomads

The spectacular Algarve coast in the south is one of the most picturesque places to road trip through Portugal.

The region is famous for little fishing villages with white-washed houses and cobbled stone streets, beautiful sandy beaches backed by jaw-dropping limestone cliffs, and delicious seafood.

A road trip is a perfect way to explore the charming towns and unique turquoise coastline.

With good roads and facilities and relatively short distances between towns, driving is easy in the area.

The capital of the Algarve, Faro, is a popular entry point to the region with an international airport.

Carvoeiro, about an hour’s drive from Faro, is a small town packed with attractions.

Spend a day on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, Marinha Beach with golden sand and crystal clear water.

Visiting Benagil cave is a must-do activity from Carvoeiro and you can enter the famous cave by boat trip, paddleboard, or kayak.

If you enjoy hiking don’t miss the striking Seven Hanging Valleys Trail .

From Carvoeiro drive to Lagos, home to a beautiful marina, one of the nicest old towns to explore, and plenty of unreal beaches.

Don’t miss Praia do Camilo, Praia Dona Ana and Porto de Mos Beach.

Keep on driving to Sagres, the south-western tip of Europe with dramatic scenery the Romans used to call the end of the world. The wild ocean here is known for excellent surfing.

Make your way back to Albufeira, this once fishing village has some beautiful beaches to enjoy.

Driving Distance

Recommended road trip length.

This road trip can comfortably be driven in 7 days.

Loop from Lisbon through Portugal’s Medieval Southern Interior

By Emily of Wander-Lush

Brimming with charming medieval towns, historic castles and majestic cathedrals, a road trip through Portugal’s southern interior is a dream for history and architecture buffs.

This loop route starts and ends in Lisbon, making it ideal for travelers who are flying in and out of the capital.

Ease into things with a short but scenic drive to Obidos .

Just over an hour from Lisbon, this picture-perfect town of whitewashed houses and red roofs is a popular day-trip destination; linger on after the tour buses have departed and wander the quiet streets, visiting the impressive aqueduct and Obidos Castle.

Allow two nights to see the various monuments, and make sure you budget enough time for getting lost down the cobblestoned streets.

When it’s time to leave, duck inland to Santarem, a gorgeous Portuguese city on the edge of the Tagus River.

Catch the view from Santarem Castle and take in the gorgeous vernacular architecture before leaving the city behind to discover forests, wetlands, and river ecosystems in nearby Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park and beyond.

From there, it’s a short drive to Tomar, a former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar and home to one of the finest examples of Portuguese Renaissance architecture in the Convent of Christ.

Set aside a full day to enjoy the longest leg of this drive as you take the scenic back-road into the Alentejo region, stopping at Arraiolos, Pavia, and any other picturesque village that catches your eye.

Finish up with a few days in medieval Évora , visiting the 12th-century Gothic cathedral and the mythical Chapel of Bones.

318 miles or 512 km.

The total driving time for this Portugal road trip is just over 6 hours, but you should take your time on this historic route and make the most of each town.

A full week to 10 days is ideal.

Lisbon to Porto Road Trip

From Or of My Path in the World

With so many  beautiful places to visit between Lisbon and Porto , it’s no wonder why driving from the Portuguese capital to the country’s second city is such a popular road trip in Portugal.

From colorful palaces and castles to charming coastal towns to medieval villages and landmarks, there’s a lot to see and experience.

First, you can visit Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point.

After taking in the views of the Atlantic coastline, head to the UNESCO-listed Sintra, one of the best Portuguese cities for those who love fairytale palaces.

These include the Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate Palace.

Next, visit Obidos, one of the most enchanting medieval villages in Portugal.

Stroll through the cobbled streets, walk along the walls, or even book a night at the Obidos Castle.

Continue to the city of Tomar, where you’ll find the infamous Covent of Christ, and visit Coimbra, the home of one of the oldest universities in the world, and enjoy the local version of Fado music.

If that’s not enough, you can also hike through the enchanted Bussaco Forest, and before arriving in Porto, stop at Vila Nova de Gaia for a tour at some of the best Port wine cellars in the area.

About 351 miles or 565 km.

We recommend dedicating at least 5-7 days to this road trip, though it could easily be extended to 2 weeks.

Vicentina Coast Road Trip Route

From Alya of The Algarve Family

A road trip along the wild and beautiful Vicentina Coast in southern Portugal is an incredible experience.

The coast stretches between Odeceixe in the north and Sagres in the south.

The Costa Vicentina is still to be discovered by international tourists. It’s very different from the popular southern Algarve.

The road trip can be done from Lisbon. The route follows the famous Fishermen’s Trail , one of the most beautiful coastal hiking routes in Europe.

You can combine a road trip with a beach holiday or a weekend filled with outdoor activities such as hiking or surfing.

The Vicentina Coast road trip starts in the small town of Porto Covo, 170 km south of Lisbon, and finishes at Cabo de S.Vicente, the southwesternmost point of continental Europe.

From Porto Covo, drive about 45 km south towards Zambujeira do Mar. 

It is a quiet town with a couple of beautiful beaches and stunning views of the rugged coast from the cliffs.

On the way make stops in Vila Nova de Milfontes, Praia do Almograve, and Cabo Sardão. 

The next day continue driving along the coast from Zambujeira do Mar towards Sagres.

This part of the route has many stunning beaches and breathtaking lookout points.

Places to stop on the route are Odeceixe Beach, Amoreira Beach, Arrifana, Bordeira Beach and viewpoint point, Cabo de S.Vicente, and Sagres. 

Driving Distance 

This Portugal driving route is perfect for a 3-day weekend trip.

An Azores Road Trip on Sao Miguel

From Megan of meganstarr.com

One of the best road trips in Portugal (and the rest of Europe ) is on the beautiful island of Sao Miguel in the Azores.

The island may be small (744 sq km / 290 sq mi), but it is jam-packed with incredible viewpoints, diverse landscapes, some of the best hikes in the Azores , and so much more.

The best way to see Sao Miguel is to rent a car and do a road trip!

On your first day, start off visiting the western side of the island.

Western Sao Miguel is brimming with lush greenery and volcanic lakes … which is a stark contrast to the eastern side of the island.

During this day, be sure to visit Miradouro da Boca do Inferno, Kings View (as well as the abandoned hotel called ʻMonte Palaceʻ there), Sete Cidades, and the sea stacks of Mosteiros.

For the second day of the trip, you will be visiting the dramatic landscapes of central Sao Miguel.

Some of the best landmarks and places to visit are Pocos, the famous Pineapple Plantation, Lagoa, Estacao Emissora do Pico da Barrosa viewpoint, and Salto do Cabrito… one of the most  beautiful waterfalls on Sao Miguel .

Finally, for the third day, you will head east! The east is the ʻhotʻ spot with a lot of hot springs and volcanic activity.

You can start your day in Lagoa das Furnas (be sure to try a Cozido das Furnas!), Parque Terra Nostra, and Salto do Prego.

End your day at the mind-blowing Miradouro Ponta do Sossego before heading back to Ponta Delgada (where you will spend your last day on Sao Miguel).

Taking a road trip of Sao Miguel will allow you to deeply connect with the island and never feel like youʻre spending more time driving than enjoying the scenery.

There are plenty of stops and the diversity of each will make you yearn for a second trip even before heading home from the first!

You will need a minimum of three days to travel the island (to get a good sense of it) and an additional day to spend in the capital city of Ponta Delgada.

A Scenic Drive Up the Silver Coast

From Jenifer of The Evolista

A road trip from Lisbon to Nazare will give you an up-close look at why people love the stunning Silver Coast of Portugal. 

The first village is Ericeira, a cool surf town, 30 minutes north of Lisbon.

Surfers flock here for the best waves in Europe.

Wander through the white cobblestone streets for shopping, delicious restaurants, and charming Ericeira hotels with ocean views for an overnight stay.

Next, head to Peniche for a dose of history. You’ll find a well-preserved fort that dates back to the 17th century.

If you have time, take the 45-minute ferry to the Berlengas Islands. 

The road heads inland to the walled, medieval city of Obidos. This picturesque town, filled with narrow streets lined with shops and cafes, is perfect to explore for a few hours.

Then you’ll head back to the beaches of Foz do Arelho.

It’s a beachy town overlooking a gorgeous lagoon where people enjoy a variety of water sports including SUP, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Last but not least is the town famous for big wave surfing, Nazaré.

So whether you’re looking to catch some waves or relax and rejuvenate, you’ll find plenty of things to do on a road trip from Lisbon to Nazare along the Silver Coast in Portugal.

114 miles or 183 km.

The drive time is only 3 hours in total but you should definitely plan at least 2-4 days for the trip so you have time to explore and take advantage of the charming towns and fun activities available.

Offbeat Peneda-Gerês National Park Road Trip

From Coni of Experiencing the Globe

When a country has only one national park, and you love nature, you might consider a visit.

When it’s a perfect loop from one of the country’s top destinations, then you must add it to your itinerary.

Gerês is not on most people´s  travel bucket list , but it absolutely should be!

Located only 60 miles from Porto, in the northern corner of Portugal, if you’re into culture tourism, hiking, or sightseeing in nature, Gerês will make for the perfect road trip.

The park is huge, and everything you will want to see is spread out, so jump into your car early, maybe make a quick stop in Braga, and head to Rio Caldo, where you can find a few restaurants and hotels (and campsites), and where the day will fly by swimming or walking around the river.

The next day, start by visiting the village of Gerês.

You’ll see shepherds leading their cattle to graze, and grannies selling homemade goodies.

Stop in Miradouro Pedra Bela for incredible views, in Cascatas de Fecha de Barjas if you want a bit of a trek with an amazing waterfall for a swim at the end, or in Cascata de Pincães if you want an easier hike.

Finish the day by going down an old Roman road to Ponte da Misarela, known as the Devil’s bridge, a beautiful man-made medieval building cohabiting with the stunning landscape.

You can find accommodation looping back to Gerês.

On the third day go towards Mata da Albergaria, a magnificent oak forest, and then to the small village with a top-of-a-hill castle of Lindoso.

Finish the day in Soajo, where you’ll see  Espigueiros , a collection of granite granaries built above the ground, where corn is still being kept.

From Porto to the village of Gerês lay only 60 miles, and your north Portugal road trip itinerary will determine how much driving you’ll do.

If you stick to the three days detailed above, you’re looking at around 230 miles.

Portugal Driving Tip : if you’re running out of petrol, from Lindoso cross into Spain. In a short 15-minute detour you’ll find a gas station.

There are many other waterfalls, viewpoints, small villages, and sanctuaries that you can visit if you have more time.

A minimum to take in the most important sites is 3 days, but if you have a week or more, the park will keep you entertained.

Porto + Duoro Valley Road Trip Loop

From Moumita and Sankha of Chasing the Long Road

The road trip from Porto to Douro Valley is one of the most incredible road trips in Portugal and is one of the best  things to do from Porto .

This Portugal road trip is structured as a loop starting and ending in Porto.

Start your Portuguese road trip adventure by exploring the city of Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal.

The old Historic Centre of Porto, alongside the nearby Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From taking a short cruise over the Douro River to exploring the magnificent Livraria Lello (one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world), Porto offers a lot. 

Spend at least 2-3 days in Porto before exploring the Douro Valley.

The drive to Douro Valley is very scenic.

The entire valley is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its terraced vineyards.

You will be treated to stunning sceneries and some delicious wine and food. The road follows endless gorgeous vineyards over the lush green hills and the historic wine villages. 

There are numerous miradouros (viewpoints) on the way, where you can stop to take photos and admire the view.

Don’t miss the famous Double Viewpoint or Miradouro do Penedo Durao.

For wine lovers, many of the wineries here offer Port wine tasting and a tour of their cellar. 

Be sure to stop by the small village of Pinhao, with its famously charming train station, along the way.

About 127 miles each way.

It takes around 4 hours to drive between Porto and Vila Nova de Foz Coa.

We would suggest spending at least 4-5 days exploring Porto and the towns and villages of Douro Valley.

Island Road Trip on Madeira

From Marjut of The Smooth Escape

Madeira lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 700 miles off the coast of mainland Portugal.

Home to dramatic volcanic landscapes and lush vegetation, this sub-tropical island is known as the Hawaii of Europe.

The best way to witness the beauty of Madeira is by taking a road trip.

As the island is quite small, you can use the capital city Funchal as your base and take day trips via car to the different parts of the island.

Start your trip by spending a day in Funchal. With its tropical gardens, cobblestone streets, and endless ocean views, it’s a fantastic city to explore.

Next, drive to Madeira’s northwestern coast where you’ll find towering cliffs, natural pools, and picturesque villages.

Make sure to visit the black sand beach in Seixal which is considered one of the best beaches in Madeira . 

The next stop is Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak where you can enjoy striking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

If you’re up for an adventure, you can hike the challenging trail to Pico Ruivo.

Visit also the traditional thatched houses in the village of Santana and do the scenic ‘levada’ walk to Caldeirão Verde waterfall.

Round off your trip by exploring the moon-like landscapes of the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. 

Although you could cover this whole distance in a couple of days, I recommend spending at least 5 days on this Portuguese road trip because there’s so much to see and do along the way.

Alternate Lisbon to Porto Driving Route

From De Wet of Museum of Wander

Yes, you can drive from Lisbon to Porto in about three hours, but do you really want to do that if you could slow down and see rural Portugal and a stunning surf town along the way?

This road trip takes you inland from Lisbon to the Alentejo region with whitewashed villages, cork forests and vineyards before heading back to the coast.

Stop in  Nazare  on the Costa da Prata for the freshest seafood,  long stretches of empty beach and enormous waves to surf before ending your trip in gorgeous Porto.

Leave Lisbon and head east towards Evora in Alentejo.

Evora is a stunning medieval town surrounded by a city wall.

In Evora, explore the cobblestoned old town, see the famous Bone Chapel and Roman Temple, dine on exquisite regional food, and do some wine tastings.

The countryside around Evora is peppered with vineyards, wineries, cork forests, and megalithic complexes to explore with your own wheels, too.

Then head back to the coast for some beach time and relaxation in Nazare.

In Nazare, head down to the lighthouse and Praia do Norte to see (or surf) the giant waves that Nazare is famous for.

After visiting Nazare, it’s about a two-hour drive to Porto, where your road trip ends.

357 miles or 576 km.

You enjoy this Portugal road trip in a weekend, but five days or more will be much more relaxing.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

7 thoughts on “10 Exciting Portugal Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Tips!)”

Good morning!

My husband an I are planning a road trip in Portugal in mid-Sept. to mid-Oct. 2023. How difficult is it to find overnight accommodations on the fly? We’d like to take our time each day and then find a place to rest to maximize our time. We are thinking of leaving from Porto, continuing through Douro Valley, north through National Park and the coast on return.

Assuming you’re flexible with where you stay (and especially if you’re open to staying in more rural properties), it’s not a problem at all. Based on your route I think you guys will be just fine going on the fly.

If you want to stay at a winery in the Douro Valley, you might consider booking that in advance, but if you’re just hoping to stay in the general area, you should be able to find something.

Hi Kate and Jeremy, Thank you for your invaluable blog!

We are planning a trip to northern Portugal the last two weeks of September. We would like to do a walking tour in the Penada- Geres National Park. Do you have any personal recommendations for companies who organize such tours? We are keen to spend approximately a week there, and want to visit smaller villages. Our home base will be Porto.

Many thanks in advance for any advice you may have,

Unfortunately I don’t, as we haven’t had a chance to visit yet! I do know that Get Your Guide, one of our favorite aggregates to book tours through, has a few options leaving through Porto that are listed.

Thanks, Kate. We have gone ahead and booked with MACs Adventure. Really looking forward to it!

All the best, Anne

Very nice compilation. It would be even nicer if you put a caption under pictures telling where they are.

Thanks for the feedback, Jeff! We have started slowly adding location captions on some of our new posts, but it’s quite the job with 8+ years of archives to go through! 🙂

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What are you looking for?

The ultimate 10 day portugal road trip itinerary.

As part of our round-the-world trip , Bradley and I visited Portugal for around 10 days, and we had the most amazing time.

Our road trip in Portugal took us from the north of the country, the whole way to the south and we got to see so many amazing Portugal attractions. 

We started in Porto and finished in the Algarve and our route includes the epic Douro Valley, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful road trip drives in the world - and I confirm it is!

So if you want to see the highlights of what Portugal has to offer then this 10 day Portugal road trip itinerary is the perfect one for you.

Travellerspoint

Have you got your vehicle sorted?

You can’t road trip Portugal without your own set of wheels and whether you opt for a car or a campervan, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

We recommend you opt for a campervan as there are some really unique campsites and places to park in Portugal. 

For help finding and booking yours, here's a guide we put together on the best campervan and motorhome rentals in Portugal .

However, if you'd prefer to drive something smaller then check out our guide to the best car rentals in Portugal .

Ultimate 10 Day Portugal Road Trip Itinerary

Below we take you through our ultimate Portugal road trip itinerary! Remember you can do this route back to front too, and it’ll be just as awesome. 

Stop 1: Porto (1 night)

Straddling the river Duorro, Porto is a charming and beautiful city with plenty to keep you occupied.

You could easily take an extra day here before you continue road trip Portugal.

Think quaint cobblestone streets, bright colourful buildings, great views and beautiful churches.

And follow in the footsteps of famous chefs like Anthony Bourdain by experiencing the many culinary delights Porto has to offer.

Porto really does have something for everyone.

Explore the historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with its narrow lanes and old buildings, wander along the Ribiera (waterfront quarter) lined with bars and restaurants and don’t forget to climb the Torre dos Clérigos for awesome views of the city.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan you can even see the cafe that J K Rowling supposedly wrote the famous books in and visit some sites that many think inspired aspects of the books.

We did a six bridges boat tour and it was such a beautiful way to see the city.

Porto is a city that should be seen from the water.

Our tour was excellent and great value, you can book the exact one here .

Book your 6 Rivers Bridge Cruise right here!

Where to stay in Porto

• ‍ Stay in Apartments Ribeira 24 is a convenient hotel that offers comfortable but affordable accommodation that’s close to some great sites. ‍
• Parque de Campismo Orbitur Angeiras is a campsite just 8km north of Porto, opposite the beach in a lovely fishing village.

Stop 2: Douro Valley (2 nights)

• Drive time from Porto: 55 mins
• Miles from Porto : 46

Honestly, I would put driving through the Douro Valley as the absolute best thing to do in Portugal !

The Douro Valley isn’t just some beautiful countryside, it’s also the most famous wine region in Portugal and easily one of the most beautiful road trips Portugal has on offer!

The biggest draw for most is the chance to stay at one of the many wineries in the area and enjoy a wine tour.

Think endless rolling vineyards, a plentiful supply of excellent wines and delicious food to match. What’s not to love!

Even if wine isn’t your thing or you’re travelling as a family, the area is well worth a visit for the beautiful scenery.

Take a drive through the rolling green mountains and capture some beautiful shots.

Don’t forget to take a leisurely cruise down the Douro river to really appreciate the scenery.

Pssst, want another great European country with a brilliant wine region? Check out Montenegro!

If you just want a day-trip to the Douro Valley, then this is a fantastic, highly rated tour option from Porto.

Where to stay in the Douro Valley

• ‍ Vila Gale Douro Valley is a truly special place to stay with amazing views over a tributary of the river Douro. It’s hidden amongst the vineyards and well worth a visit. The view from the restaurant is particularly impressive. ‍
• Quinta da Padrela is where we stayed and we highly recommend it! It’s free, has a swimming pool and even wifi!

Stop 3: Serra da Estrela Natural Park (1 night)

• Drive time from Douro Valley: 2 hours 30 mins
• Miles from Douro Valley : 120

This beautiful park is home to Portugal's highest mountain range and the countries only ski resort (although there is only snow during winter). Don’t worry though there is plenty to see and do all year round!

If skiing isn’t your thing, it’s still well worth a visit to take in the scenery and swim in one of the chilly natural pools (or just sunbathe if you’re not game for the icy water).

You can drive or hike to the top of Torre Mountain for some great views and on a really clear day, you might even be able to see all the way to the Atlantic.

All in all, it’s a beautiful spot and the scenery is constantly changing from green wooded valleys to rocky mountain terrain and crystal clear lakes. Well worth a look!

Where to stay ‍

• ‍ Luna Hotel Serra da Estrela is conveniently located in the National Park making it easy to explore the area. It has an indoor and outdoor pool and even a ski school during the winter months. ‍
• Camping Piao offers basic facilities inside the national park that are affordable and convenient.

Stop 4: Nazaré (1 night)

• Drive time from Serra da Estrela Natural Park: 2 hours 45 mins
• Miles from Serra da Estrela Natural Park : 139

Think white sand, picturesque seaside village and seafood and you’ve got Nazaré.

The really unique thing about this town though is the giant waves that pound the shore between October and February.

The giant waves attract serious big wave surfers and it’s even a stop on the world surf competition.

Whether it’s surfing season or not, definitely head up to the Farol da Nazaré lighthouse for a great view of the beach, waves and surfers.

The annual Our Lady Of Nazaré Festival begins on the 8th of September and is a 10 day spectacular that includes music, parades and bullfighting.

Even if you’re not around at these times, Nazaré is still well worth a visit for the picturesque fishing village vibes and some excellent seafood with a view of the beautiful beach and ocean.

Where to stay in Nazare

• ‍ Nazaré Hostel offers affordable accommodation right next to the beach. They have double rooms, family rooms or mixed dormitories and there are shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities. It’s a no fuss place to stay that’s clean, comfortable and won’t break the bank. ‍
• Ohai Nazaré is a great spot for campers but it’s more than just a campsite. Located 3km from Nazaré beach, it’s actually a full on resort that also offers bungalows, apartments and glamping. There’s swimming pools, playgrounds, a restaurant and more.

Stop 5: Óbidos (1 night)

• Drive time from Nazare: 35 mins
• Miles from Nazare : 26

Óbidos is a unique medieval village, filled with traditional whitewashed houses, that’s loaded with culture and history.

Óbidos Castle is a must see. The interior is now a hotel so the only way to see inside is to book a room. Anyone can still walk the exterior wall that was built to defend the city. 

There are many more churches and historical buildings to explore too.

Don’t miss the chapel lLagoa de Óbidos located at the southern gate and the Igreja de Santa Maria in the town square.

From mid-March to early April the International Chocolate Festival takes over the streets of Obidos.

There’s tasting events, live entertainment, demonstrations, market stalls and more.

If chocolate isn’t really you’re thing, there’s also the Mercado Medieval de Óbidos taking place in July and August.

There are market stalls, re-enactments, jousting and an abundance of atmosphere.

Where to stay in Óbidos

• ‍ Casa de S. Thiago do Castelo is a quaint little family run guesthouse that’s full of charm and located right in the historical centre of Obidos. Guests can make use of the free wifi throughout and enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast on the outdoor terrace. ‍
• The Obidos Aquaduct is the most convenient place to camp if you want to explore the town which is just a 10 minute walk away. It’s a basic site just on a concrete car park/block but it has facilities to empty waste and fill your water.

Stop 6: Sintra (1 night)

• Drive time from Obidos: 1 hour 5 mins
• Miles from Obidos : 59

Itineraries for Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the historical town of Sintra. It has it all.

Medieval buildings, awe-inspiring palaces, beautiful walks, delicious food and even pristine beaches.

Get there early to avoid the crowds. ( Get skip-the-line tickets cheap online here and skip the queues ) 

Make sure to visit Pena Palace with its quirky colourful towers, named one of Portugal’s seven wonders.

There’s also the Palace of Sintra which is the oldest building in Sintra but impressively well preserved.

Don’t miss the ​​Castle of the Moors either which is set into the cliff face and impressive from below but also offers great views out to the Atlantic.

If you want some exercise, hike up to the scenic lookout at Cruz Alta. It’s the highest point of Serra de Sintra, the trail winds through the forested landscape and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views.

You’ll also find some of the best beaches in Portugal at Sintra.

Praia da Ursa is sheltered and safe to swim thanks to the lack of big waves. It is down a cliffside trail but you’ll be rewarded with some great rocky scenery.

There’s also Praia da Adraga that you can drive down to.

There is a bit more surf but there’s also a lifeguard all year.

Book your entry tickets for Sintra ahead of time (cheap) right here and skip-the-line!

Where to stay in Sintra

• ‍ Sintra Boutique Hotel is in an excellent location right in the heart of the historical centre of Sintra with plenty of great things to do and see within easy walking distance. Rooms are clean, modern and comfortable and you even get an excellent breakfast included. ORBITUR Guincho is about 30 minutes drive from Sintra
• but there are very few camping spots closer than this. It’s still a great place to spend the night though amidst pine trees and overlooking Guincho Beach.

Stop 7: Algarve: Lagos, Portimao, Albufeira (Seven Hanging Valleys Trail) 3 nights

• Drive time from Sintra to Lagos: 3 hours 10 mins
• Miles from Sintra to Lagos : 200

The Algarve is best known for its pristine beaches and stunning rocky coastline. Road trips in Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a visit and it’s a great place to spend a few days exploring outside.

Many of the best beaches in the Algarve are near Lagos so it’s a great place to base yourself in the area.

Make sure to take a boat trip or kayak tour out to see the coast and visit the famous Bengali Sea Cave.

The town of Portimao is worth a visit so you can see the double arch beach of Tres Irmaos and take in some more rocky scenery.

The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is a must do when you’re in the area.

It’s an easy 11.5km return hike along some stunning coastline that is well worth it.

There are a couple of steep sections and stairs but nothing too strenuous and it’s very well signposted.

Albufeira is just as filled with rugged coastline and pristine beaches as any other town in the Algarve region. It’s also a great spot for a night out though. Whether you want a good seafood restaurant where you can sip on great wine or a full-on night with nightclubs and bars - there is an area in Albufeira to suit your needs.

Book a cave tour from Portimao right here.

Where to stay in the Algarve

• ‍ Hotel Marina Rio is a great little hotel overlooking the marina right in the middle of Lagos and it even has a rooftop heated pool. If you like the idea of enjoying a bit of nightlife a stay at Hotel Sol e Mar Albufeira will put you close enough to the old town to explore but still right on the beach. ‍
• Camping Alvor is a quiet little campsite that’s got great facilities and is close to the town of Portimao. It would make a great base to explore the Algarve from or just an easy spot to pull up for the night.

14 day Portugal Road Trip itinerary 

Portugal road trips can definitely last longer than 10 days. If you have more time, you can add these extra stops to your itinerary.

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is right next door to the historical town of Sintra so it would be super easy to slot a day or two into your itinerary for Portugal.

There are so many great things to do in Lisbon and you'll need to start early if you want to do everything.

The Lisbon trams make it super easy to get around and riding for a few stops is a bit of a novelty and a great way to take in some of the quirky narrow streets.

The iconic tram 28 in particular is a lovely ride up through the cobbled streets in a vintage tram.

Be sure to head over to the Alfama District for a wander around and to check out St. Jorge’s Castle.

Walk around exploring the ruins and looking at the historical artefacts and there’s also a lovely view of the city.

Take a 30 minute tram ride from the city centre and you’ll reach the Belem area.

Here you can visit the famous Belem Tower and Jeronimo Monastery, which together have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Where to stay in Lisbon

• The Madalena by The Beautique Hotels is close to the Alfama District and St Jorge’s Castle. It’s quirky, stylish, comfortable and the service is excellent.
• If you want to camp, Lisboa Camping and Bungalows has all the facilities you’ll need and the city is easy to reach by bus so you can leave the van parked up.

This well preserved medieval town lies to the east of Lisbon that is filled with traditional whitewashed houses with red roofs and beautiful azulejos tiles.

At the highest point of the city lie the ruins of a Roman temple that was built in the 1st century and is surprisingly well preserved.

Close by you’ll find the Evora Cathedral that is open to the public and you can get a view of the town from the rooftop.

The Evora University and the town’s museum are also worth a look and the town square is an adorable cobbled area that makes a great starting place to explore the maze like streets.

If you’re not particularly squeamish and want to do something a little bit different, take a trip to Capella dos Ossos (the Chapel of Bones). Here you’ll find a beautiful old building where the walls and pillars are covered with the bones of dead monks!

Where to stay in Evora

• ‍ ADC - Albergaria Do Calvário is a bright and modern hotel within a 16th century olive mill with thin the city walls of Evora. There are some great attractions within a 5 minute walk so it’s a great base to explore the city from. ‍
• Orbitur Evora is a campsite that’s just 2km from the city and has everything you need for a comfortable stay as well as a swimming pool if you fancy a dip.

Monsanto is probably the most unique town in all of Portugal.

It’s perched on a small mountain top and all the houses are built into, squashed between and underneath huge boulders.

Spend the day wandering through the quirky cobbled lined streets and try to spot the quirkiest possible houses.

There is also a signposted 4.5km hike that will take you higher up the mountain to enjoy even more spectacular views.

Make sure to make a visit to the Castle of Monsanto to check out the castle walls and ruins of the old Roman chapel.

Where to stay in Mosanto

• ‍ Casa Pires Mateus is a beautiful traditional guest house with a small terrace and shared kitchen for guests. It’s only 400m from Monsanto Castle and you’ll get a comfortable night sleep and be close enough to the action to get an early start.
• There aren’t any camping spots actually within Monsanto but Parque Campismo Monsanto is just a 25 minute drive away. It’s a quiet, rural area that’s perfect if you just need somewhere to pull up for the night.

Portugal road trip FAQ

When is the best time to road trip Portugal?

Travelling Portugal is enjoyable at pretty much any time of the year but which month you should visit might be affected by what you want to do the most.

If you want a large part of your Portugal trip to involve sunbathing and enjoying some hot weather, you’ll want to visit during the summer months (June to August).

If the idea of really hot weather fills you with dread but you still want it to be nice then September would be a great time to tour Portugal. The hottest of the summer months are over but it’s still nice and warm.

How do you get to Portugal?

Depending on how you are travelling you will probably either be driving or flying into Portugal.

If you’re driving, there are plenty of spots you can cross the border from Spain into Portugal up and down the country.

Flights land in Lisbon but you won’t need to hire a car on the first day as Lisbon itself is very easy to explore using public transport.

Should I drive north to south or vice versa?

This Portugal 10 day itinerary just like any road trip could be driven either North or South and both will be a really enjoyable trip.

Which direction you should drive Portugal will largely depend on how you plan on actually getting there in the first place.

If you plan on flying in and out of Lisbon, you’ll need to do a loop and could really go in either direction first. Either way, at some point you will end up backtracking a little but just enjoy the experience!

Is a Portugal Road trip expensive?

As with most things, the cost of a road trip in Portugal is dependent on many different factors.

If you are travelling by motorhome and staying at cheap campsites or ASAs, the cost will be very minimal as food, fuel and other basics are pretty affordable in comparison to some other European countries.

However, if you really want to splash out, there are plenty of fantastic hotels and wonderful restaurants to cater to all budgets.

Wild Camping in Portugal: Explained

There used to be very few restrictions on wild camping in Portugal. Then at the beginning of 2021, there was a ban placed on wild camping all together and motorhomes had to be parked up on an “approved site” after 7pm.

The rules then changed slightly once again on 25th August 2021.

You can now wild camp in Portugal but with very strict rules around where and for how long.

The law now states:

“...the overnight stay and parking of motorhomes or similar are prohibited in areas of the Natura 2000 Network, protected areas and areas covered by the Coastal Plans, except in the places expressly authorised for this purpose...”

For the rest of the country the law states:

“...motorhomes approved by the IMT - Institute of Mobility and Transport are allowed to stay overnight for a maximum period of 48 hours in the same municipality…”

What this means is that, for most international visitors to Portugal, wild camping is now not allowed unless you get your motorhome approved by the IMT first.

Luckily there are a lot of ASAs (Service Areas for Motorhomes) that have facilities to fill water and dump waste. Many of these are very basic but they are also legal overnight stays and only cost a few euros per night.

So there we have it, I hope you've enjoyed this Portugal road trip itinerary and hopefully it will help you plan your next Portugal road trip!

If you've got any questions, let me know below.

Other posts to check out:

• The Best Things To Do In Portugal
• Best Campervan Rentals In Portugal
• Best Car Rentals in Portugal

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Need a 1 week Portugal Itinerary? Here are 4 to Choose From

Portugal is certainly having a moment — or a decade — as a travel destination darling. People are finally realizing that between the architecture, landscape, culture, and food, this country deserves more than a passing glance or a quick trip to Lisbon . But when you are planning your one week Portugal itinerary, it can be hard to decide what to squeeze in.

On my second trip to Portugal, I spent 17 nights traversing the country, moving from place to place almost every day. But that is no way to spend a true vacation. While it is a small country, if you only have 7 days in Portugal, you are better off just visiting two (or max three) major cities or regions and saving the rest for a return trip.

To help make planning a trip to Portugal a little easier, I’ve put together four different 1 week Portugal itinerary options to choose from. These 7 day Portugal itineraries make sense geographically and logistically, and I’ve tried to provide some guidance to help you choose between them to find the right match for the type of trip you are looking for.

These 1 week Portugal itineraries focus on the mainland and don’t include to the islands, since those really deserve a week on their own, but I do have some tips for visiting the Azores and great suggestions on things to do on São Miguel , the largest of the nine islands.

Before you start planning your trip, you may also want to see my breakdown of how much a trip to Portugal costs to see how long you can afford to stay. While Portugal is still more affordable than some neighboring European countries, it is no longer a pure budget destination.

If you want some help planning your Portugal trip and finding unique activities and places to stay, be sure to reach out to my partner EPIC Travel . EPIC is a bespoke travel company focusing on luxury travel in Morocco and Portugal. Its travel planners live in the country and have close relationships with boutique and luxury hotels, tour guides, and vineyard owners. Nothing beats that local expertise!

EPIC will consult with you and then create a custom Portugal itinerary, designed especially for your interests. Just mention that you read about them on We3Travel to receive a free VIP welcome gift or upgrade on arrival. (As a partner I will receive a small commission if you book a trip through EPIC Travel but I’ve traveled with EPIC twice and can’t recommend them highly enough!)

One week Portugal Itinerary Options:

I have put together four options so that you can pick the Portugal travel itinerary that is most interesting to you for your one week in Portugal:

• #1: Lisbon, Douro, and Porto (Main Cities and Historic Wine Region)
• #2: Lisbon and Interior Alentejo (Capital of Portugal and Countryside with Small Villages)
• #3: Lisbon and Algarve (Capital City and Gorgeous Coastline/Natural Attractions)
• #4: Lisbon and Comporta (Coastal Alentejo) (Largest City and Sandy Beaches)

Portugal Itinerary #1: Lisbon, Douro, Porto

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

One of the most popular choices for a one-week Portugal itinerary is to visit the capital city of Lisbon, along with Porto and the Douro River Valley. This is a great choice for couples, wine lovers, solo travelers, and even families that enjoy a mix of urban exploration, history, and agritourism.

I would recommend the following:

While best time for this trip is during the early fall, when the wine harvest is in full swing, it can be taken year-round. I would recommend trying to avoid the most popular summer months and holiday/school breaks, as the cities can get extremely crowded at those times.

Getting There

What I love about this itinerary is that it is really doable as a car-free vacation if you are willing to travel by train or pay for a transfer. While you can drive from Lisbon to Porto easily enough, you do NOT want to have to drive (and especially park) in either Lisbon or Porto. And, if you are going to be wine tasting while in the Douro Valley, it is better to take a wine tour or hire a driver there as well.

You can either fly into Lisbon and fly out of Porto, or the reverse. TAP Airlines is generally going to have the most options, with direct flights to Lisbon or Porto from a number of major USA cities including Boston, New York (EWR), Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco. 

Day 1: Lisbon

You can start your trip in either Porto or Lisbon, but I like starting in Lisbon because there is just so much to do here that I wouldn’t want to save it until the end when you are getting tired. If you are flying in from the United States, you will likely land early in the morning. A good way to overcome jet lag on your first day is with a quick overview tour of the city. You could sign up for a free walking tour, but since you will be tired, the best way is either a sidecar tour or a tuk-tuk tour .

The tour will start to get you acquainted with the city, and you can identify some of the best places that you will want to return to later on your own. Another option would be to use the historic Tram 28 as a fun way to see the city, but these tend to get really crowded so you might have a hard time getting a spot on board. Plus you won’t get the personal attention and history that you will get on a private tour.

A few sites that you want to make sure to visit over the next few days include the following. If you have the energy, walk to a few of these on the first day and save the rest for later. For more details, be sure to check out my 3 days in Lisbon itinerary .

Also, when you are in crowded areas, be sure to watch out for pickpockets and keep your valuables in theft-proof bags or wallets. You will also need some proper walking shoes for the hills and the slippery tile walkways.

• Rossio Square (black and white tiled square)
• Elevador da Glória (Funicular)
• Terraços do Carmo (overlook)
• Santa Justa Lift (elevator)
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (overlook)
• Bairro Alto district (restaurants & bars)
• Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)
• Rua Augusta Arch (you can buy a ticket to climb this too)
• Se Cathedral Lisbon
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol (overlook)
• Miradour de Santa Luzia (overlook)
• Alfama district (oldest neighborhood with narrow, winding streets)
• Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte (overlook)
• São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge – Gothic architecture castle)

Where to stay in Lisbon

I’ve stayed in three different places in Lisbon and each would appeal to a different type of traveler. First, I would recommend staying in a central location, just keep in mind that the historic center is busy and can be quite noisy at night. The first was the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa , which is a luxury hotel on the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. While it is quiet just on the outskirts of the city center, it is also a short walking distance to get to the heart of the action. The rooms are spacious, the service top-notch, and there is a lovely rooftop bar and restaurant.

The next place, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado , is perfect for families. These suites offer plenty of space and everything you would need when traveling with kids — from step stools in the bathroom or kid-friendly utensils in the kitchen. See my full review of family hotels in Portugal .

The last was Baixa House , which has a set of luxury apartments in an 18th-century building in the heart of the historic city center. These are perfect for families, couples, or friend groups that want to be centrally located, with self-catering options and a stylish “local living” feel. Just keep in mind that this area can get noisy.

Day 2: Lisbon & Belem

On your second day in Lisbon, you will want to hit the ground early, as there is much to explore! Start off with a trip out to Belem (you can take a tram or train, but an Uber isn’t that much more and cheaper if you have a few people.) In Belem, there are a few major attractions you don’t want to miss.

• Jerónimos Monastery   — the line can be very long so buy your ticket in advance and go early
• Belém Tower — you can see this 15th century tower from the outside, or, when it is open buy a ticket to climb up to the roof terrace
• Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
• Pastēis de Belēm — line up to purchase these famous custard tarts, some claim these are the best

Once you have seen these main attractions, if you have more time, you can also check out the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology.) Also note that if you are going to visit quite a few of these attractions, you may want to look into purchasing the Lisbon Card .

If you can squeeze all that into your morning, I would recommend heading over to Time Out Market in Lisbon for lunch. Stroll through this food hall and market and sample small plates from a range of vendors. You may also want to taste the pastel de nata from Manteigaria and see which you like better.

In the afternoon, take some time to get lost in the Alfama district . Try some of the local Ginjinha cherry liqueur and check out the street art. If you have time, pay a visit to the Fado Museum or the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum.)

In the evening, take a sunset sail on the Tagus River . You will sail from the docks and go under the 25 de Abril Bridge to Belem. On the return trip, you will have great views of the Sanctuary of Christ the King statue, which is a smaller version of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. For a special splurge, treat yourself to a private sailing with Lisbon ByBoat .

At night, make sure you take in a fado show . There are many places in the Alfama neighborhood famous for this soulful song and guitar performance, but you can also book a reservation at O Faia (Rua Barroca 56) in Bairro Alto, just be prepared to pay the minimum cover charge for your meal and drinks.

Day 3: Sintra

Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon by train, a day trip to Sintra is a must when you visit Lisbon! Sintra has been a summer retreat for monarchs and today Sintra is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a hilltop, it is easiest to either take the train into Sintra or hire a driver for the day because parking in town is crazy. If you take the train, you can then take a bus to the various attractions.

A few “must-see” stops in Sintra include:

• Peña Palace and Park — you can select to visit either the Palace and the Park, or just purchase a ticket to the park. The Palace ticket will get you into the interior, to view the royal rooms. To be honest, unless you have a particular interest in castles and palaces, you will be just as well off just visiting the Park and enjoying the panoramic views from the Palace grounds. Even the park entrance gets you into the ground of the castle. To visit the main Palace area, you will need at least an hour, more if you are going inside. But you will also want to leave time to walk through park, with its winding paths, pavilions and stone benches. Much of this is behind the palace and could take you half a day or more to fully explore.
• Quinta da Regaleira — make your next stop this residence and park that was built at the end of the 19th century and blends romanticism and fantasy in a parklike paradise that kids will absolutely go crazy over. Plan on spending a half a day here if you can (there is a cafe onsite.) The gardens are full of secret tunnels and passageways, grottos and towers and the things that make your imagination come alive. One thing that can’t be missed is the Initiation Well (Poço Imperfeito) and Lago da Cascata. 
• Palacio de Setais — is a five-minute walk from Quinta da Regaleira and worthy of a stop. If for nothing else, you should get a photo here with a view across the valley below. However, it is also a peaceful oasis for a luxurious lunch at the Seteais Restaurant at the Tivoli Palacio de Setais .
• Castelo dos Mouros — climb along the ancient walls of this Moorish castle.

Day 4: Cascais or Quinta de Sant’Ana

If you have time for a fourth day in Lisbon, I’d recommend either spending time exploring Lisbon or taking another day trip. If you want to just relax, enjoy more time strolling the small streets, historic sites, and boutiques in Lisbon. Otherwise, I’d recommend taking a food tour with Devour Tours . If you want to learn a little more about Lisbon’s historical landmarks, take a walking tour with Inside Lisbon .

However, this is also a great opportunity for another day trip. In warm weather, a popular spot is Cascais . This seaside holiday town has a beach, walking or bike paths along the coast, and a charming downtown with tourist shops, restaurants, and bars. A fun spot for sundowners is the rooftop at  Cafe Galeria House of Wonders . You could also visit Praia das Maçãs (Apple Beach), another popular beach, but it is a little further north than Cascais and puts you a bit further away from Lisbon.

If you prefer something a bit more culturally immersive, plan a visit to Quinta de Sant’Ana . This family wine estate is a popular wedding venue, but they also offer special experiences like wine tasting, vineyard tours, Portuguese bread making, and even a flower arranging workshop using clippings from the farm’s own flower fields.

Day 5: Douro River Valley

The long drive from Lisbon to the Douro River Valley in Northern Portugal takes about four hours. You can always break up your trip with stops in Nazaré , famous for its surfing beach, or Coimbra , a university town and one of Portugal’s largest cities. However, I’d recommend trying to drive right through and enjoy a lovely lunch overlooking the terraced vineyards of the Douro River Valley.

I’d recommend either DOC, from Chef Rui Paula, in Folgasa, or Cantina de Ventozelo in Ervedosa do Douro for lunch. Afterward, enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Douro River on one of the traditional boats that was used to transport Port barrels downriver to Porto. A great spot for this is in the town of Pinhão.

Where to Stay in Douro

If you take the train, Pinhão is a good spot to make your home base. The Vintage House has a prime location on the river, with a full-service restaurant, wine workshops, tennis courts, and a pool.

If you are driving a rental car or have a driver, and you have the budget, you can’t beat a stay at the Six Senses Douro Valley . This centrally-located luxury hotel has plenty of activities and amenities on the property if you can relax and enjoy your stay. I’ve also written about other options for where to stay in the Douro Valley .

Day 6: Douro River Valley

Take a full day to enjoy the gorgeous landscape and wineries of the Douro River Valley. Keep in mind that you need appointments to go wine tasting at the Quintas. Navigating the narrow roads along the river and up into the hills can be challenging when you are sober, so it is highly recommended that you take a wine tour or hire a driver for a day tour.

We loved our day exploring with Lab Portugal Tours . Our driver and guide Miguel arranged three tastings and lunch for us, giving us a chance to sample all varieties of Port and table wine. At the end of the day, you can enjoy some activities or relaxation at your hotel.

Day 7: Porto

The drive from the Douro Valley to Porto takes about an hour and a half, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy Porto . After you arrive, I’d recommend you head across the river to Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia), which is actually its own city but it feels a lot like Budapest with Buda and Pest divided by the river.

In Gaia, you will want to visit one of the Port houses for a tour and Port wine tastings , such as Taylor’s , Churchill’s , Sandeman , or Calem . Right next door to Taylor’s is the fabulous WOW (World of Wine) entertainment district . WOW is home to seven different museum experiences and twelve restaurants in one large entertainment complex. One of these experiences is  The Chocolate Story , which covers the history of chocolate and explains the details of the cacao harvesting and chocolate-making process. Here you can arrange a Port and chocolate pairing workshop.

At WOW you can also visit the  Pink Palace , which immerses visitors in the world of rosé wine or learn more about Porto history at the Porto Region Across the Ages museum. Plan to have dinner at one of WOW’s many restaurants, like the Golden Catch Fish Restaurant or PIP, the family-friendly restaurant.

Where to Stay in Porto

If you want to be close to the action in the city center, you may want to look at Gran Cruz House  right on the river,  Canto de Luz  in the center of town, or the Myo Design House , which was owned and refurbished by an architect. Personally, I loved our stay at the Vila Foz Hotel & Spa .

While Vila Foz is outside of the city center, it has a lovely location across from the ocean and they offer transportation to downtown (or you could hop on a tram.) This luxury, boutique property offers top-notch guest service, gourmet dining, a relaxing spa, and modern design rooms or more traditional decor in the manor house.

Day 8: Porto

Take your last full day in Porto to explore. I’d recommend taking a guided walking tour with Explore Sideways , but if you want to do a self-guided tour, see my guide to Porto . Some of the must-see sights include:

• Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francisco) — famous for its gold-dust interior and the crypts
• Igreja do Carmo — check out the blue and white tiles on the side of the church
• Clérigos Tower — the Clérgios church and its tower is one of the most recognizable monuments in Porto. It was built between 1735 and 1748 in a baroque style. Today, you can visit the church (for free) and the tower (for a fee). For a great view of Porto, climb the 200+ steps of the tower and see its 49 bells.
• Livraria Lello  bookstore — buy tickets in advance and skip the line. Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss this fantastical bookstore. While it is rumored to be J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for the dramatic staircases in the Harry Potter books and movies, Rowling never actually visited the shop, despite living in Porto for a while.
• São Bento train station – step inside to see some of the gorgeous tile murals that tell the story of Porto
• Porto Cathedral — see amazing views of the city from this perch
• Ribeira Square and the waterfront
• Dom Luís I Bridge — connects downtown historic Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and offers beautiful views of the city and up and down the Douro River

You may want to end your day with a river cruise to see the six bridges that connect Porto.

For dinner, make sure you sample one of Porto’s most famous sandwiches, the francesinha. The Francesinha sandwich was created in Porto at A Regaleira and is a Portuguese take on the French Croque monsieur. You will see it advertised all over Porto, but A Regaleira serves up the original. 

Day 9: Fly Home

If you left on a Friday night and stayed in Portugal from Saturday to Saturday, you can fly home on Sunday and still only take one week of paid time off for your vacation. If you do have extra time, you can start in Porto and then tack on a few days in the Algarve, Comporta, or Alentejo at the end of your stay to create a 10-day Portugal itinerary.

Portugal Itinerary #2: Lisbon and Alentejo

If you have never heard of the Alentejo region of Portugal, you are not alone. This under-the-radar destination is the Tuscany of Portugal. Comprising one-third of the country, this arid landscape of rolling hills, cork trees, and vineyards is the breadbasket of Portugal. You will find remnants of Ancient Roman ruins, fortified medieval towns and castles, and large wine estates.

With all the wide-open spaces, this is a great region for a Portugal road trip that would appeal to history buffs, wine enthusiasts, families, and adventurous travelers looking to connect with the land, the people, and agriculture. Given the size of the region, it can be tempting to divide your stay into two different places. However, where you stay depends on how much time you want to spend driving between accommodations and how many times you want to move in a short one-week vacation.

Personally, I would recommend spending three nights in Lisbon and four nights in Alentejo of the perfect amount of time. I would pick a central location near Evora or Monsaraz and give myself more time to relax on the property and take a couple of day trips from there.

The thing to keep in mind about Alentejo is that it is dry and can be very hot in the summer , with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to do a Lisbon and Alentejo Portugal itinerary, it would be best to plan it during May-June or September-October . April and November can tend to be rainy in Alentejo and some properties close or have more limited amenities in the winter. I visited in October and the weather was still warm enough to want to enjoy an afternoon or two by the swimming pool.

How to Get There

Plan to fly in and out of Lisbon, as described above. Then, when you are ready to leave Lisbon, rent a car for your drive to Alentejo. While many activities can be enjoyed on the property at many of the hotels, you will want a car if you want to explore the countryside and the medieval towns. When traveling in Europe, I usually use Auto Europe to find the best rates and coverage for rental cars.

Days 1-3: Lisbon

I would suggest starting your trip in Lisbon so that you can relax and enjoy your downtime after some busy city exploration. Follow the suggested Lisbon itinerary from above.

Days 4: Evora

On the fourth day of your Portugal itinerary, I recommend heading east to Alentejo. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Lisbon to the popular city of Evora. Evora has become a popular day trip from Lisbon, but you can spend a little more time if you are actually staying in Alentejo.

A few of the “must-see” sights in Evora are:

• Bone Chapel Of The Church Of St. Francis (Capela dos Ossos) — The Bone Chapel of Evora was built by a monk during the 16th-century church with a goal of encouraging people to reflect on the transitory nature of life. The chapel is constructed using the bones of approximately 5,000 bodies exhumed from the city’s graveyards. Quite macabre, but a popular attraction none-the-less.
• The Roman Temple of Diana — Built in the 2nd or 3rd century, this temple is still in good condition, with 14 surviving columns topped by Corinthian capitals on a granite base.
• Evora Cathedral (Se) — there are many churches to see in Evora, but if you only have time for one you should check out the cathedral near the Temple of Diana. The inside is more impressive of the outside, featuring an 18th-century high altar and polished marble chancel. The treasury houses many sacred artifacts, including rare and priceless pieces made of gold, silver, and other precious metals. 
• Aquaduct of Silver Water — completed in 1530 and designed by Francisco de Arruda (who designed the Tower of Belem), stop to see this impressive aquaduct on your way in or out of town.

After visiting Evora, continue on to your accommodation. I would recommend São Lourenço do Barrocal if your budget allows, but I have visited four hotels in Alentejo and truly loved all of them.

Where to Stay in Alentejo

• Torre de Palma — near the village of Vaiamonte, the historic Torre de Palma Wine Hotel dates back 1338. Restored in 2014, the Torre de Palma offers a range of unique and individually decorated rooms and suites. On property, you can relax at the pool, walk through the vineyards, or enjoy either a horse-drawn carriage ride or horseback riding. Torre de Palma also has an impressive wine tasting room and winemaking operation, offering tours, tastings, and wine blending classes.
• Octant Hotel Evora — this hotel offers 56 rooms and five villas, all of which have an open-air balconies or terraces and the villas have a balcony and private pool. Some rooms are even outfitted with family-friendly bunkbeds in addition to the double bed.
• São Lourenço do Barrocal — São Lourenço do Barrocal has earned the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Award for Top Hotel in Spain and Portugal for 2021 and it is easy to see why. On property, guests can enjoy estate tours, wine tasting, horseback riding, birding, archeological visits, garden visits, and family-friendly treasure hunts. In addition to relaxing at the spa or outdoor pools, the hotel can also arrange hot air balloon rides, star gazing experiences with an astronomer, sky diving, boat tours, and more.
• Herdade da Malhadinha Nova — This  Relais & Chateaux  property is unlike other wine hotels in Portugal. Spread out between six uniquely different buildings on this 450-hectare wine estate, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova blends into the magnificent landscape, offering authenticity with high-touch service and luxurious surroundings. Daily activities can include: archery, quad bike rides, horseback riding, fishing, running and workout classes, hikes, tennis, mountain biking, guided walks, wine tasting courses, cooking workshops, family treasure hunts, painting, jeep tours, carriage rides, riding lessons, star gazing, pottery, canoeing, bird watching, hot air balloon rides, gourmet picnics, and so much more.

See reviews of these wine hotels in Portugal and more.

Day 5: Relaxation

After a busy few days, you will appreciate the opportunity to relax. Many of the hotels in this area offer a range of on-site properties. I’d suggest starting your stay off on a high note by pre-arranging a hot air balloon ride over Alentejo . Granted, it makes for an early morning (not as bad in the fall as it is in the summer), but the views can be spectacular. Just keep in mind that wind or weather conditions can cause the excursion to get canceled (this is what happened to us but luckily I’ve gone hot-air ballooning before in Ronda, Spain, not too far away.) That is why you want to plan this early in your stay so you have a chance to reschedule if the weather improves.

After an early morning start, you will want to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some of that delicious Portuguese orange juice, honey, and pastries. This may also be a good day to sit by the pool, enjoy a traditional Alentejo picnic, or a relaxing horseback or carriage ride .

End your day with a personalized wine tasting, winery tour, or wine pairing workshop before enjoying some of the gourmet dining on the property.

Day 6: Redondo

A great way to connect with the local culture is to spend a day on a cork farm with Cork Trekking . You will take a 4×4 safari through the farm property and learn more about one of Portugal’s most popular products. You will see cork trees and learn how cork is harvested. Cork is actually a type of oak tree and trees need to be at least 25 years old before they can harvest cork (although some wait up to 40 years). The bark is carefully shorn from the trunk and lower limbs and then farmers wait at least nine to eleven years between harvests.

A cork trekking expedition will include a walk through the trees, along with a 4×4 ride up to a stunning viewpoint overlooking Alentejo. You can also include a picnic lunch and a wine tasting from the farm’s award-winning winery. This is truly a unique experience that you can’t do anywhere else!

Finish your day with a late-night stargazing session. Your hotel can probably arrange a private stargazing session with an astronomer, but if that isn’t in the budget, all you really need to do is walk outside and on a clear night, you can see the Milky Way with your bare eye. There are also two observatories nearby, the Observatorio Dark Sky Alqueva and the Observatorio Lago Alqueva.

Day 7: Monsaraz & Estremoz

On your last full day in Alentejo, you may want to take some more time to explore. Start off with a hike to the nearby Roman Ruins or Megoliths (if you are staying at Torre de Palma or São Lourenço do Barrocal.)

Then set out to explore the nearby walled small town of Monsaraz . This little village is totally enclosed within fortress walls and is home to a well-preserved medieval castle. Also be sure to stop in the town of Sao Pedro do Corval , which is known for its pottery and home to more than 20 artisanal pottery workshops.

Next, I would recommend getting lunch in Estremoz and taking some time to explore this sparkling white town, where many of the buildings are built using locally-quarried marble. Only Carrara in Italy exports more marble than Estremoz , and the quarries outside of town have been in use since Roman times. When I visited, we had a very nice lunch at Alecrim .

Day 8: Return home

On your final day, try to schedule a mid-day flight back home, giving you plenty of time to get back from Alentejo, return your car, and still get to the airport in time. If you can take an extra day, you can either spend more time at your hotel in Alentejo or split your stay between two hotels, so you can have some time enjoying both properties.

Another option is to come back to Lisbon, but stop for the afternoon and spend the night in Cascais. Alternatively, you could spend an extra day in Lisbon before heading to Alentejo.

Portugal Itinerary #3: Lisbon and Algarve

The Algarve region is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Portugal. Located along the country’s southern coast, this region is famous for its coastal towns, gorgeous cliffs, and sea caves. While many people could spend a full week in the Algarve, I would recommend spending three to four days in Lisbon and then three to four days in the Algarve.

The Algarve is a popular destination for Portuguese, British tourists, and other travelers, especially in the summer. In fact, for some, a vacation to Portugal means a week or more spent in the Algarve. So, if you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to go in the shoulder season, from mid-April through June and September-October, although the Algarve can really be lovely year-round. Even in the winter, the Algarve coast sees temperatures from the mid-40s F to the 60s, but it will be a bit rainier from November through February.

I visited in October and found the weather absolutely perfect with sunny days for hiking the cliffs and even warm enough that I was tempted to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

It takes about three hours by car to get from Lisbon to the Algarve. If you prefer, you can take a train in about four hours, but I would recommend having a car to explore the Algarve.

Days 1-4: Lisbon

Use the itinerary above for the beginning of your stay in Portugal with a home base in Lisbon. Since you will be visiting the coast for the rest of your trip, I would skip the day trip to Cascais and spend more time in Lisbon with a food tour or history tour, visit more of the museums, or plan an excursion to Quinta de Sant’Ana or a day trip to Fatima, Nazare, or Óbidos where you can walk the walls, visit the various churches, and explore the cobblestone streets.

Day 5: Sagres and LagoS

Make your way down the coast, stopping in Sagres, the southernmost point of Portugal. Sagres is known as a surfing destination, but if that isn’t for you, make a stop to see the Fortaleza de Sagres (Sagres Fortress). This fortified sea wall and surrounding cliffs make a natural look-out point. Sagres’ remote location on a peninsula keeps some of the crowds away, so you may want to check out the golden sands of Praia da Mareta .

If you want to see the westernmost point of mainland Europe,  Cabo São Vicente lies around four miles from Sagres. There isn’t much to see beyond the lighthouse, and the winds can be whipping, so don’t worry about missing anything if you decide to skip it.

On your way to Lagos , make a stop in the former fishing village of Burgau . There are many scenic walking paths around Burgau and you will enjoy the colorful houses in town.

Next up, head to Lagos, one of the larger towns in the Algarve, it still maintains a small-town feel with a sparkling clean historic center and narrow streets with tiled sidewalks that are lined with shops and restaurants. You may want to take time to explore the town and the ancient city walls, and appreciate the influences of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors who all invaded this region at one point in history. Another point of interest is the Igreja de Santo António, also known as the golden church due to the impressive baroque gilt work on display featuring cherubs and animals fashioned out of Brazilian gold.

Where to Stay in the Algarve

If you want to make the most of your stay in the Algarve, I would recommend avoiding some of the very popular towns like Albufeira or Faro. You are better off either staying slightly off the coast or all the way east or west in the Algarve. Personally, I loved the towns of Lagos and Carvoeiro , and I know Sagres is popular with surfers and families. A few recommendations on where to stay include:

• Morgado do Quintão — if you prefer a self-catering, authentic winery experience, take a look at the Morgado do Quintão. While not on the scenic coastline, this wine hotel is just a short drive to the dramatic cliffs and seaside villages. This landmark vineyard offers a rustic, but idyllic farm stay experience with three-bedroom cottages featuring a full farm kitchen and private pool. Breakfast can be provided by the kitchen in the main house as well.
• Casa Mae — located in Lagos, Casa Mae offers easy access to restaurants, shops, and historical attractions as well as the beaches and cliffs. The hotel features a farm-to-table restaurant, pool, and contemporary but minimalist decor using Portuguese traditions.
• Casa Modesta  — located in Olhão, Casa Modesta is a family owned hotel that overlooks a natural park. 
• Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort — every since staying in the Tivoli in Lisbon, I’ve been a fan of these luxury hotels. If you are looking for a larger resort property with a prime location and amazing views, the Tivoli Carvoeiro delivers.
• Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort — no one beats Martinhal when it comes to family-friendly resorts and this sprawling complex has something for everyone, making it one of my picks for best family hotels in Portugal .

Day 6: Lagos

If you are staying in Lagos (or even if you are not), I would recommend spending the day exploring the nearby beaches and walking paths along the cliffs. Praia da Batata is a beautiful beach with a small beach bar. However, if you want something more intimate, walk over to Praia dos Estudantes . Set in a small cove, you can walk through a rock tunnel for a quieter beach with a view of the Roman bridge. Just keep an eye on the tides!

One of the prettiest spots is Praia do Camilo . You will need to wind your way down the 200+ wooden stairs to get there, but it is worth it. Next, drive or bike down to Ponta da Piedade . You can spend hours walking the paths along the coast here and just sitting and taking in the stunning viewpoints. Do make the effort to walk down the stairs to see the rock formations and cliffs from up close. Just keep in mind that going down is a lot easier than coming back up.

See more things to do in Lagos on your trip!

Day 7: Explore Towns & Beaches

You will also want to take a day to explore more of the towns and beaches along the coast. If you are staying near Sagres or Lagos, start in Carvoeiro. Carvoeiro is a fishing village turned tourist destination, but while it has some of the signs of the tourism influx from Irish Pubs to souvenir shops, it still maintains its small-town charm. There are plenty of restaurants and bars (I had a great peri peri chicken at Don Carvoeiro) too if you want to stop for lunch.

From Carvoeiro, you can walk along the cliffs to see some of the beautiful rock formations, like Algar Seco , which is for its rock windows. If you end up coming back through Carvoeiro, Restaurante Boneca Bar is a great spot to have a drink and dinner and enjoy the sunset. Also check out Praia de Vale Covo , where you can get a great view inside one of the Algarve’s cliff caves.

If you would like to visit some beaches, Praia da Marinha is often praised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Located between golden cliffs, you need to walk around a promontory of rock to get there so pay attention to the tides. Praia de Albandeira a little further east is another great pick. The right side of the beach offers a view of the Arco de Albandeira – a striking natural arch leading from the cliffs into the sea. 

If you continue east along the coast, you will find Praia da Coelha , one of the quieter beaches in the Algarve. Or, if you prefer to explore towns, stop at Olhão . This cute fishing town has a pretty waterfront, fishing harbor, and a maze of cobblestone streets to explore. This is more of a working town than a tourist town, so it is where to go if you want to see an authentic Portuguese fishing village.

The town opens onto the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa , made up of saltwater lagoons and protected waterways that are home to extensive bird and marine life. You can explore this area by walking paths, kayaks, or boat tours that depart from the Olhão Harbor.

Don’t miss a visit to postcard-perfect Tavira . This is a white-washed village that is often cited as one of the prettiest towns in Portugal. Popular with tourists and Portuguese alike, take some time to explore the Moorish influences in the city center and enjoy the colorful buildings and intricate tilework. You can also visit the Praia do Barril, which is a pretty beach and home to the “Anchor Cemetary.”

Day 8: Watersports

You shouldn’t leave the Algarve without getting out onto the water. Of course one of the most popular excursions is a boat tour to the Benagil Sea Cave , whose domed arch and natural skylight are Instagram famous. Just keep in mind that this is extremely popular and can get very crowded. If you want to do it, it might be worth hiring a private boat.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other boat tours along the coast. I think a great way to explore the nooks and crannies of the coastline would be with a kayaking tour. If the water is calm, you can also enjoy stand-up paddleboarding. Families especially would also enjoy either a dolphin-watching tour or a snorkeling excursion in the summer.

It is possible to fly from Faro, in the Algarve, to Lisbon to connect to your return flight home. However, you will want to check the times to make sure it can work. Otherwise, you need a very early morning drive up to Lisbon or to overnight in Lisbon before your return home.

Portugal Itinerary #4: Lisbon and Comporta

If you are visiting Portugal in the summer, it is nice to balance out a bit of city touring with downtime at the beach to beat the heat. If you don’t have a lot of time and want to spend more time relaxing than exploring towns or driving long distances, I would recommend pairing four days in Lisbon with three to four days in Comporta.

Comporta is a beach and golf town just one and a half hours south of Lisbon which has recently become popular with celebrities (Madonna has had a house here). The area is surrounded by rice fields, pine forests, and the gorgeous coast. The best beaches are wide and long, with soft sand and rolling dunes, so you won’t need to fight for a spot for your beach blanket, unlike some of the smaller beaches in the Algarve.

It makes sense to choose this itinerary if you are visiting from May through October, but beach lovers can appreciate the beauty of Comporta year-round.

With its close proximity to Lisbon, you can always arrange a transfer for a car-free vacation, but then you are reliant on hotel shuttles to get you to the beach and back, as most aren’t located directly on the beach, and lines for those can get long. For the most flexibility, you should rent a car on your way out of Lisbon at the airport and then drop it off before you fly out.

Follow the Lisbon itinerary from above for the first three days of your stay. However, on the third day, I would recommend either taking more time to explore the city with a food tour or other activity or enjoy a day trip to Óbidos, Nazare, and Fatima . I would skip Cascais this time around since you will be spending the next few days by the sea.

Where to Stay in Comporta

The Sublime Comporta would be my pick for accommodations for both couples, solo travelers, and families. This eco-friendly property has a nature lodge feel with the upscale amenities of a luxury property. The standard rooms are a bit small, so I would splurge for a bit of an upgrade, and families will love the multi-bedroom villa options. On-site you can enjoy the pool, spa, restaurants, and activities. A quick shuttle ride will get you to the beach and the independently-operated Sublime Comporta Beach Club.

Just a note that if you are looking at other properties, beware of those that are located close to the rice fields, especially in the summer. Those wetlands attract mosquitos that could make your stay unpleasant unless you are heavily doused in DEET each day.

Day 5-8: Comporta

The nice thing about this itinerary is that it is very laid back. If you want to spend the next four days at the beach — go for it! However, if you are interested in a few excursions, one to put on your list is a sunset horseback ride along the beach.

You can also give paddleboarding, kayaking, or even kite surfing a try in Comporta. Sublime Comporta can also arrange for wine tasting, picnics, dolphin tours, bird watching, tennis, golf, or private yoga sessions.

Flying home is easy as Comporta is only an hour and a half or less to the Lisbon airport, making it a good option even if you only have five days in Portugal.

So there you have it, four different one-week Portugal itineraries. Remember, if you want some help planning your Portugal itinerary and discovering unique activities without the headache and time suck of doing all the research and planning, reach out to my partner EPIC Travel to see how they can help (and don’t forget to tell them you read about them on We3Travel!)

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 25, 2023

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• Portugal Road Trip: Itinerary & Planning Tips for 2024

This is a non-pretentious guide for a Portugal road trip along the coastline. This will allow you to drive along one of the wildest areas and most idyllic landscapes of Portugal. Information fully updated for 2024.

It’s funny how all the conversations I have about my home country with foreigners follow a trend.

• Chit-chat about Cristiano Ronaldo. Yeah, he’s an awesome player, makes a lot of money and I don’t get his love life either, bla bla .
• Random discussions about Portugal as a country. May or may not include clarifications that Portugal is NOT part of Spain.
• Where do you recommend to go to in Portugal?

Now, #3 is where the conversation gets interesting. My answer is always: explore Costa Vicentina on a road trip!

This article is a full guide and itinerary to explore southwest Portugal on a road trip. Pumped up? Let’s start the engines!

Why do a road trip in Portugal?

See, Portugal has million of tourists but the overwhelming majority is heading to Porto , Lisbon and Algarve, neglecting the rest of the country.

And trust me: despite being a small country, Portugal has a LOT to uncover. For starters, 500 km of Atlantic coastline home to a tremendous set of landscapes and experiences. There are dozens of other reasons why Portugal is worth visiting .

Plus, a road trip alone is something magic by itself. It’s all about the journey , not the destination, right? The adventure. Sticking your head out of the window and feel the wind ride your hair.

A road trip is one of the best ways to practice slow travel and budget travel . Not rushing things, enjoying the moment and investing deeply in getting to know a country.

Costa Vicentina: Southwest Portugal’s coast

Costa Vicentina sits on the southwestern coast of the country, belonging to the Alentejo region.

It still retains the authenticity and wild feeling, but with the same delicious food, the friendly people and the stunning landscapes that you can find in the rest of Portugal.

It’s characterized by dramatic beaches separated by dramatic cliffs, untouched landscapes and a raw Atlantic ssence hard to find elsewhere. Apart from the kilometers of beaches, there are also quaint villages, blissful coastal cities and vast natural parks.

While it’s starting to get a lot of hype, it’s still overshadowed by Algarve and generally overlooked by foreign tourists.

Portugal road trip itinerary

After almost 10 years living in Lisbon, I had the chance to do a few road trips and several summer explorations. I’m now delighted to share with you my guide for a road trip in southwest coast of Portugal .

• Starting Point : Lisboa
• Ending Point : Faro
• Recommended Duration : 10 Days
• Journey : Going south from Lisbon, it includes beach paradises like Comporta and Odeceixe and the untouched natural landscapes of Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e da Costa Vicentina (70.000 ha of pure virgin landscapes in the west coast of Algarve ).
• Transportation : I highly recommend renting a car for this trip.

Here are the stops I recommended on this road trip if your trip is 10-day long.

If you have more time, great, spend more time in each place of just take some of my extra suggestions .

Portugal road trip map

Nothing like a map to see where you’re going, right?

I’m about to mention several places in this guide, so I created this map to follow the journey easily.

Orange pins : Main road trip stops – preferred places to base yourself Yellow pins : Scenic landscape spots – don’t miss these if you’re a nature lover Blue pins : Beaches within route – places for a dive along the way Green pins : Extra & Add-Ons to this route – try to squeeze these in!

You can also open the map in a new window following this link . Find detailed descriptions of some of these places below.

LISBON: Starting off big!

You’ll need at least 3 days to get to know Portugal’s capital. To help you plan, I’ve put together a 3-day itinerary for Lisbon, with detailed tips on what to see and do .

Walking around the downtown is a must, but more than ticking off tourist attractions off the checklist, you might want to explore the most typical neighbourhoods of Alfama , Sé and Graça .

The awe-inspiring miradouros (viewpoints) and the narrow steep streets crowded with the moorish castle on top – Castelo de São Jorge -are the true essence of Lisboa .

Make sure you reserve some time to indulge in some experiences not to miss in Lisbon and to explore some of its secret places .

Before you’re gone, don’t forget to grab a stock of pastéis de nata and start your trip south, crossing either the Vasco da Gama or the 25 de Abril bridges.

Best hotels in Lisbon

I’ve made the hard work for you. This is a pre-filtered list of hotels in the safest areas of Lisbon.

My choice: Hotel Fenix Music

Charmingly music-themed hotel, super close to the center. Oh it comes with this stunning rooftop swimming pool.

ARRÁBIDA: Green and blue landscapes

Stretching along the south coast of the peninsula of Setúbal , Arrábida natural park is rich in golden beaches edged by impressive green mountains. It’s home to some of my favorite beaches around Lisbon .

The ex-libris of this area is the stunning Portinho da Arrábida with azure waters and a 17th-century fort. Personally, I’d rather endure a 20-min hike and reach Praia dos Coelhos to a more off the beaten track experience in direct contact with nature.

Both options ensure an awesome beach day.

Getting around Arrábida

Arrábida is a special place to get around. First of all, the road along the coast is one-way which means you always need to start your journey in the city of Setúbal to get there.

Secondly, parking is a mess. Since 2018, parking can only be done until Praia da Figueirinha (paid). Especially in summer weekends, this can be a nightmare. I recommend you get there as early in the morning as possible.

★ Where to stay in Arrábida ★

Casa da Adôa

Superbly located between the sea and the mountains, it’s a refreshing place to spend a day or two.

COMPORTA: The perfect beach getaway

When you arrive here, you’ll officially be in the Alentejo region. I’ve praised Comporta before and how this perfect beach getaway is still kept a semi-secret beach destination is beyond me turned into a luxury getaway for the European elite doesn’t surprise me.

Imagine a small village, stuck between the Atlantic, endless rice fields and the plain landscape (sort of an european savana) of Alentejo . Oh and 15km of the wildest beaches you’ll find in Europe.

It’s the perfect pitstop to disconnect and step into a new state of mind for the rest of your trip. The Royal family of Monaco, who comes here every summer, appears to agree.

💰 My value-for-money hotel recommendation in Comporta 💰

Comporta Villa Suites

Comes with an outdoor pool, but the ocean is just 3km away.

PORTO COVO: Summertime charm

Title of a well-known and melancholic portuguese song, Porto Covo is also a little hidden gem close to the port city of Sines . Somewhere in the maze of bright blue, red and white houses you’ll find many family-run restaurants with delicious and inexpensive food.

A 5-min drive out of the town center takes you to beaches with golden sands and turquoise waters. Try Praia de São Torpes – popular amongst surfers – or Praia da Ilha – with a great view for the small Pessegueiro islet.

Where to stay in Porto Covo

Monte Cerro, Porto Covo

Peaceful country house, perfect to relax a few days in a rural setting.

ZAMBUJEIRA DO MAR: Music for your ears

Zambujeira do Mar is not particularly exciting as a town. Period.

Apart from the MEO Sudoeste summer festival happening each August (had a great time there partying my ass off at the sound of Calvin Harris!) there’s nothing much going on.

However, it’s a VERY interesting strategic point to spend a few days. There are lots of great affordable accommodation available as it generally attracts younger crowds.

Zambujeira is close enough to explore some of the best spots like the western most point of the whole Alentejo’s coast,  Cabo Sardão , and some more striking beaches such as Praia do Tonel and Praia do Carvalhal . Great hiking trails available as well.

Find your place to stay in Zambujeira

Search amongst the places to stay in Zambujeira do Mar with WiFi and a minimum overall rating of “Very Good” . Hard to go wrong with these!

ODECEIXE: Atlantic bliss

Where the river Ceixe meets the Atlantic, lies Odeceixe , technically already in the Algarve region. But this is not the typical Algarve you are used to.

Odeceixe is well known for one of the largest and glorious beaches in Portugal, surrounded by giant tree-covered cliffs of a giant natural park. Little confession to make: this is my favourite place of them all.

Save 2 or 3 days to explore the surroundings of Odeceixe . I’ve been here several times, but never stayed more than one full day. I REALLY want to come back not only for the top-notch local beach, but also to hike some of the surrounding cliffs.

💰 Where to stay in Odeceixe: my value-for-money suggestions 💰

Monte do Cardal, Odeceixe

A peaceful guesthouse surrounded by nature and the sound of the ocean in the morning. Breakfast with healthy homemade food.

Casa Vicentina, Odeceixe

Quiet, peaceful and charming, it’s the ultimate getaway spot. Just a short drive away from beaches.

Or… find your own!

Search amongst the places to stay in Odeceixe with WiFi and a minimum overall rating of “Very Good” . Hard to go wrong with these!

ARRIFANA: Cliff fantasy

Hidden at the bottom of a steep cliff, Praia da Arrifana is both a postcard landscape and a paradise for surfers. Down there,  Restaurante da Praia has great grilled fish, yummy salads and is also great for a relax drink at the evening at the sound of the waves.

Kayaking, windsurfing, SUP, surfing and water sports in general are HUGE in Portugal. If you haven’t tried these before, this is absolutely the time to do it. Arrifana in particular is a well-known destination for watersports lovers.

Where to stay next to Arrifana Beach

The Amazigh Bed & Breakfast is a great value place to stay next to the beach.

Utopia Guest House, Aljezur

Luminous rooms with private bathroom and breakfast included.

FARO/ALGARVE: The perfect farewell to Portugal

Although I prefer hands down the wild and vibe of Alentejo’s coastline, I got to say I’ve always enjoyed my time in Algarve .

Even though massive tourism threatens to take away some of its personality, it’s still home to some top-notch beaches in the world. There’s nothing wrong in saving 2 or 3 days to lay on them. It’s the perfect farewell to Portugal!

Faro is the only international airport in the region and it might be convenient to return back home. However there are much more beautiful places in Algarve, including some almost-deserted islands around – like the stunning Ilha do Farol . By all means don’t stick to Faro.

No matter what you do, it’s advisable to avoid the booze hotspots of Algarve: Albufeira and Vilamoura . These are nothing but bland touristy places with meh beaches nearby.

A slightly better option is Portimão , where there are excellent beach options: Praia do Vau or Praia dos Três Irmãos .

Lagos is one of my favorite areas in the Algarve . It’s a very tranquil place, even though the top beach there has suffered a massive reengineering project which made it unrecognizable. Faro airport is no far and there are transfer companies doing the journey.

There are some other great options around Lagos town like Praia do Camilo , Praia dos Pinheiros or Praia da Luz – where they say some are still looking for Maddie McCann.

Check the road trip map for other suggestions for beaches in Algarve .

⚠ Beware of the cliffs!

I remember hearing on the news some fatal accident involving cliffs in Algarve every single year. DON’T be the one on the news!

When you’re standing on top of the cliffs, watch your steps when you’re trying to get a better view for your photos and don’t get too close of the edge. Also, there are not usually fences on the cliff line so don’t be tempted to lay your towel right next to it. As good as a shade may feel in a hot summer day, cliff rock falls can happen anytime.

Where to stay in Algarve

Lagos is a great place to base yourself in the Algarve , giving you access to a series of top-notch small beaches.

Extra stops to add to this road trip itinerary

This itinerary has got a minimum recommended duration of 10 days, but if you have more time, make sure you explore other highlights of Portugal .

It’s relatively small country after all and you can easily add more places to your route and enrich your holidays. There are many other places in Portugal worth discovering.

Here are some suggestions:

Why not start your road trip route upper north in Portugal’s second largest city? Porto is very different from Lisbon – and of the rest of the country for that matter – in many ways.

But both are clearly national winners in two things: the sympathy of people and food. Read more about it in my Porto guide for dummies or in my weekend itinerary of the city.

The Essential Porto City Guide

Continue reading more about Porto on my complete city guide for dummies. Budget, itinerary and the best places to eat, it’s all in here!

Nazaré, Portugal

Nazaré is the most traditional fishing village in Portugal. Look around and notice the drying the fish and women with their typical set of seven-layered skirts.

While the main beach in the town is OK to get into the water, this is a place well-known for its GIGANTIC waves which has become a tourist attraction by itself. Praia do Norte is the location for the world record of the largest wave ever surfed – by Garret McNamara in 2013. The monster wave was 100ft or 30m high and can be seen in this video .

Sintra, Portugal

Located the northern-most extent of the protected Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, 30km from Lisbon, Sintra displays an alluring fairy-tale nature setting. This little town has been a summer retreat for the portuguese royal family for centuries and is lush with green forests, exotic flowers and exquisite architecture.

Make sure you don’t miss Castelo dos Mouros -the moorish castle overlooking the village – and Palácio da Pena , a Romanticist palace on a hilltop with great views over the entire Lisbon metropolitan area. Also, since you’re already in the area get a look at continental Europe’s most western point: Cabo da Roca . Beware of the wind!

Évora, Portugal

Since you’re at Alentejo already, venture out to the interior, entirely different from the coast. Évora in particular is drenched in history, heritage and culture, making it a constrasting break from all the beach and ocean. Also, a chance to have a sneak peek at how’s life in the interior of Portugal.

Warning: it can get VERY hot in peak summer months.

Seville, Spain

I know this road trip is about Portugal, but why not take a detour and include one more country in your itinerary? Iberian power! Seville is less than 200km away from the portuguese border and is the cultural centre of the region of Andalucía .

There’s a lot to do and specially to eat here. Grab some hot churros con chocolate , jamón or a freshly-made sangria in between your visit to the city’s main sights. Don’t miss El Alcazar , a royal palace built for Moorish kings, and the magnificent Plaza de España .

Driving in Portugal

While you can technically do this road trip with a scooter or motorbike (heck, even with a bike if you’re in the right shape!), renting a car is definitely the most convenient option to do this road trip, giving you total freedom and independence.

Public transportation is NOT reliable and will not reach most beaches and other spots mentioned here.

Renting a car in Portugal

For some reason I can’t understand, renting a car in Portugal is slightly more expensive than in other countries of Southern Europe.

That said, you can still find some great deals, specially if you book early! I always use this Skyscanner or my new favorite RentalCars to compare prices.

How are the roads in Portugal?

Driving in Portugal is not anywhere near like a Gran Turismo game and roads are usually in good shape. That said, you’ll need to be careful, as we’re talking about a country with one of the highest accident rates in Europe.

Although there is a direct highway from Lisbon to Algarve (A2 motorway), the cheaper and more scenic route for this road trip is through the regional and national roads. These skip the expensive toll system and go very close to the coast so it’s a more enjoyable journey.

If you happen to pass by any of the main tolls, take care NOT to use the green lanes Via Verde (a giant green V). These are strictly reserved for vehicles subscribed to their automatic toll payment system, so you will get fined and charged for the entire stretch of motorway!

Important information for drivers in Portugal

Some other useful driving numbers to remember – updated to 2024:

• Navigation: use Google Maps or Maze to drive around in Portugal.
• Alcohol Limit: 0.5g per liter. Equivalent to 2-3 small beers.
• Speed Limits: 50km/h in the built-up area, 90km/h outside of the built-up area and 120km/h on the motorways. Inside some limited residential areas and town historical centers the limit goes down to 30km/h.
• Safety: All vehicles should carry a safety triangle and reflective jackets.

Finding accommodation in Alentejo and Algarve

Having a lot of media attention lately, the accommodation in Alentejo has risen a lot in recent years, both in quantity and quality as resorts, rural houses and guest houses pop up like mushrooms.

My personal suggestion is Herdade do Amarelo , a stunning homestead next to Vila Nova de Milfontes , but there is a choice to all tastes and wallet sizes.

To make your life even easier, use this shortlist of the best-reviewed rural accommodation in the coast of Alentejo .

In the Algarve region, the offer accommodation is much higher but the best places can get fully booked with months in advance.

What is the best time of the year to do a road trip in Portugal?

Short answer: you should be fine to do this road trip anywhere between April and October, as warm weather in Portugal lasts for about half a year.

That said, along this route you’ll be driving along a wild Atlantic coastline, so weather can be chilly, rough and particularly windy very unpredictably.

If possible, avoid the month of August entirely. It will surely save you 20-30% of the overall budget, as everything since accommodation to a single bottle of water is inflated. Plus, it’s the default holiday month in Europe so all the towns I’ve mentioned turn into mini-Algarves .

In summary, if you can avoid peak months and at the same time maximize the probability of warm sunny weather, come to Portugal in May, June, July or September.

Should I visit Portugal in winter?

Between November and March it’s winter time and it can get especially cold next to the ocean. In Costa Vicentina, forget about beach weather it will be chilly and windy, although hiking is possible. It might be an interesting time for surfing enthusiasts.

Food in Portugal

OK, almost dinner time at the time I’m writing this, so let’s talk about food. I know this is suspicious coming from me *a bold statement is coming* but food standards in Portugal are simply great.

I honestly can’t find a better combination of taste, price, and healthiness in Europe . If you are really to take this road trip, I bet my pinkie finger you will not have one mediocre meal. #highexpectations

Take advantage of your time in Portugal to eat food generally unavailable or expensive elsewhere: fish. Grilled fresh fish with a simple pinch of salt and herbs to season is one of my favorite summer pleasures. Luckily, that’s not hard to find at all in the entire Costa Vincentina, with equally delicious prices.

What to eat in Alentejo

And speaking of Alentejo in particular… oh dear. We’re talking about one of Portugal’s gastronomic edens! Don’t miss the big peppery olives ( azeitonas ) for starters and a glass of regional wine to drink. After all, half of the country’s wine is produced here.

Bacalhau  (codfish) dishes are frequent as well as porco (pork), but you can’t miss to try a local plate and my personal favorite:  Carne de Porco à Alentejana – a mouth-watering combination of pork, wine, potatoes and clams.

PORTUGAL MINI TRAVEL GUIDE

How to get to portugal.

Lisbon and Porto are very well served by airline connections from all over Europe and also from the U.S., South America and Africa.

If you’re coming from the United States , take a look at Azores Getaways . They have great flight + hotel + transfers deals for Portugal.

If you’re not into travel packages or you’re not coming from the US, I recommend Skyscanner or the new online sensation TravelPerk to find the cheapest flight prices.

Where to stay in Portugal

To make your life easier, start your search with my pre-selection of the best hostels/hotels/guesthouses/villas for each of these amazing spots:

• Lisbon (heart of the city)
• Porto (heart of the city)

These include only accommodations with great-to-excellent rating and a good free WiFi . You can’t go wrong with these!

Best time to go to Portugal

While summers are long in Portugal and you can expect good weather anywhere between May and October, make sure you avoid August. Unless you have a thing for packed beaches!

The Ultimate Itinerary of São Miguel Island (Made By An Azorean)

The top azores hot springs & thermal baths in sao miguel.

• Furnas, Azores: Unique things to do in the Furnas Valley
• Ponta Delgada, Azores: 12 Things To Do In My Hometown
• The 13 Most Beautiful Azores Beaches
• When Is The Best Time to Go To Azores?
• 47 Reasons To Visit Portugal In 2024
• The Best Hotels in São Miguel, Azores For All Kinds Of Travelers
• Azores: 20 Travel Tips To Know Before You Go

Enjoy the ride and help me improve this guide!

You know I always love to put together a complex travel plan – just like I did with my Croatia road trip guide , my Japan itinerary or my island hopping guide in Thailand . This one is different though. Being my country, I did it with little or no research: it was written all from the heart 💖.

This guide will be updated regularly from now on, so after you use it and visit Portugal yourself, let me know of any additional suggestions or tips, I’d love to hear what I’ve missed!

Creating this guide made me want to do this road trip it all over again. It’s cheap, it’s still unspoiled by tourism and comes with a getaway feeling to it which is harder and harder to find nowadays.

I really hope you can have the same experience. Because contrarily to the immense coastline of awe-inspiring beaches of Alentejo , Cristiano Ronaldo does not need any more hype!

Reasons to Visit Portugal

Continue reading more about Portugal with these 40+ reasons why it should be on your immediate travel plans.

My travel tips valid anywhere

• 🏨 To find the best deals and book your stay with free cancellation, I recommend Booking.com (from my experience, often cheaper than Airbnb)
• 🚗 Always compare car rental prices before you book anything (and if possible use local rental shops!)
• ☑️ Travel insurance is a must these days – don’t overlook it! I recommend Allianz or Safety Wing if you’re always on the go
• 💰 Use Revolut to save in exchange rates and payments abroad; it’s a game-changer!
• ⚙️ Amazon has the largest offer in travel gear, clothing, and accessories – check out my Travel Store !
• ✈️ Are you dealing with a delayed or cancelled flight? Airhelp may help you get a compensation for it!

Did this help plan out your vacation? What have I missed for a memorable Portugal road trip? Leave a comment in the comments below 👇

You might also like these articles 💬

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Road Trip Portugal: The Perfect 3-week Itinerary

Portugal: the road trip of a lifetime, on looping mountain roads and cliffside paths, among epic cities, and beautiful whitewashed Portugal villages . Hire a campervan and make your way around the country from one breathtaking experience to the next. Whether it’s surfing off the coast of the Algarve, or wine tasting in the Douro Valley, Portugal will fulfill all your adventure dreams. Plan your route with this 3-week itinerary.

Portugal Travel Itinerary

Get ready for an unforgettable Portugal travel experience! (road trip) The route starts and ends in the south of Portugal, in Faro, and is best done by campervan. Using a car/public transport is also possible, but plan for accommodation and getting to more remote locations.

Also read: Complete 2-week Portugal itinerary .

Day 1: Evora & Elvas

Begin your Portuguese road trip in Faro: a small town in the south of Portugal. Collect your campervan or hire a car, and begin the 3.5-hour trip up north to Elvas. On your way, make a stop at Evora (about 2.5 hours into your journey).

We recommend to rent a car in Portugal through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

This beautiful university town has a buzzing atmosphere full of bars and restaurants and people enjoying its party nature. Not only this, but its incredible architecture and Roman history make it a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Read:   Evora Travel Guide – Best things to do

Please spend a few hours here during the day exploring its quaint streets, sandwiched between white and yellow-painted cottages. Make sure to pay a visit to the ruins of the Roman temple and the Evora cathedral.

Hotels in Evora 😴

Once you have enjoyed a few hours in Evora, continue your drive further north to Elvas. Just 1km from the walled city, discover the impressive Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graca: a huge star-shaped fort that sits high on a hill, where you can see an amazing sunset. The enormous fort walls are imposing, but the fort’s unique shape really takes your breath away.

Hotels in Elvas 😴

Amoreira Aqueduct

Before you leave Elvas on day 2, take an early morning trip to the Amoreira Aqueduct. This is a huge 4 tiered archway bridge that sits at the entrance to the town of Elvas. The 16th-century aqueduct was used to facilitate water movement in the town for many years and is still used today. The impressive 8km long structure is also a UNESCO site and is an absolute must-see.

Portugal road trip

Day 2-3: Monsanto Rock Village

On day 2, head to one of the most mesmerizing locations in Portugal: Monsanto Rock Village ! Named as ‘the most Portuguese village in Portugal’, this hilltop village takes you back to a simpler time.

Here, houses emerge out of gigantic boulders, with ladders and doors that take you up to rooftop rock terraces. Enjoy the spectacular views out across the valley from Monsanto and the most magical starry night sky!

More about: Rock Village Monsanto in Portugal

Staying the night is a good idea, as most people visit Monsanto on an organized day tour. Because of this, after 5 pm, the village will be totally peaceful and free of tourists. It also allows you to stay in one of the unique rock houses.

Hotels in Monsanto 😴

Elvas to Monsanto: 2hr 40 minute drive. The journey is possible by bus but the journey has several changes and can take up to 6 hours.

Day 4-5: Douro Valley, Portugal

One of the highlights of a Portugal travel road trip has to be time spent in the stunning Douro valley , amongst its endless vineyards and rolling hills. Enjoy time in the valley towns, such as Peso Regua, take part in water sports on the mighty Douro River, and drive along some of the most spectacular roads in Europe.

Planning a campervan trip? We’re happy to share a 5% discount on your campervan at Soul Campers only for readers of Salt in our Hair. Make a reservation and mention the code SALTINOURHAIR in the booking form.

Wine Tour Portugal

Make sure to book one of the many wine tours on offer in the Douro Valley . Wine tours range from tastings to learning about the harvesting experience or staying the night on one of the beautiful estates. 

Book your Douro Valley wine tour in advance 

Monsanto to Douro Valley: 3 hours driving. Alternatively, make your way down into the valley by taxi to the town of Covilha. From here, there is a public bus to Peso Regua, taking 3 hours. Be aware that only two buses run per day.

Stay overnight in the Douro Valley

We stayed at Quinta do Monte Travesso , where we did a wine tour and camped overnight. However, there are hundreds of beautiful Quintas to stay at throughout the huge region, so the options are endless.

Hotels in the Douro Valley 😴

Day 6: Braga

Walking around Braga is a pleasure, with its beautiful gardens and squares filled with colorful flowers. What’s more, it’s home to the oldest cathedral in Portugal, so dedicate a day to visit the city itself.

Peneda Geres National Park, Portugal

If you have time, drive a little further north to Peneda Geres National Park’s remote landscapes. Here you will find many waterfalls, lakes, and deep valleys peppered with quaint hillside villages and Roman ruins. The largest national park in Portugal is well worth the trip if you are traveling Portugal by campervan , as it’s the ideal way to explore nature.

Peso Regua to Braga: 1 hour 20 minutes driving. If using public transport, you will need to go to Porto first and access the bus or train from there. From Porto, Braga can be visited easily by train in just under an hour, with a regular service running throughout the day.

Day 7-9: Porto

Porto : Lisbon’s much-loved little sibling! Any Portuguese road trip is not complete without spending a few days in this extraordinary city. Walk in the small hillside streets, take the funicular railway, and discover Livraria Lello , one of the most magical bookstores in Europe . 

Read: Complete 2-Day Porto City Trip

Braga to Porto: Traveling by camper van? Drive 45 minutes to Porto and park your camper outside of the city, so you can spend a few days in a hotel for easier sightseeing.

Hotels in Porto 😴

Day 10-11: Arouca and Aveiro

The Arouca Paiva Walkways is an 8km long stretch of stairs and boardwalks that scale the rocks and valley surrounding the river Paiva. If visiting in the summer, there are also deep pools in certain areas that are suitable for swimming.

It is a fairly steep and difficult walk that takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Because of this, you’ll need to wear proper walking shoes, bring a hat, and lots of water if walking in the summer. The fast-flowing river also makes it an excellent place for kayakers who want to enjoy the white water and rapids. 

Porto to Arouca : 50 minutes driving from Porto. Alternatively, take a taxi or join an organized tour leaving from the city.

Tip: Spend the day here hiking, before driving on to the town of Aveiro to spend the night.

Wake up on day 11 in the unique town of Aveiro , known as ‘the Venice of Portugal’, with its colorful houses, canals, and brightly painted gondolas. Spend the day in Aveiro lazily, floating along the canals that feed away from the Aveiro lagoon.

Also read: Best Places to visit in Portugal

The gondolas of Aveiro are called ‘Moliceiros’, and most of the guides that row these boats will also provide you with interesting historical information about the maritime town.

Hotels in Aveiro 😴

Arouca to Aveiro: 1 hr 20 minutes by car. If you are using public transport, it’s easiest to go back to Porto and transfer onto a train from there.

Discover more: Best Things to do in Aveiro, Portugal

Day 12-13: Obidos

Welcome to the ‘Town of Queens’! Obidos is one of the most stunning towns you will come across on your Portugal travels. It is so beautiful that Portuguese kings traditionally gifted it to their queens.

The complete guide: Obidos, Portugal

Walk the 1.6km-long and 13-meter-high castle walls surrounding the town, marveling at the beautiful views across rolling hills and vineyards before exploring the charming cobblestone streets filled with traditional shops and bougainvillea flowers.

Hotels in Obidos 😴

Aveiro to Obidos: 1 hour 50 minutes driving. There is also a public bus from Aveiro to Obidos that takes 3 hours, with a change in a town called Caldas Rainha.

Tip: Make some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Obidos, such as the surfing hotspots of Peniche or Nazare.

Day 14-16: Lisbon

No Portugal travel route would be complete without a visit to the breathtaking capital city: Lisbon . Often compared to San Francisco for its huge suspension bridge, yellow trams, and steep hillside streets, Lisbon is nothing short of spectacular.

Must-read: Best 3-Day Lisbon city trip guide!

Spend your days basking in the sunshine, enjoying live music next to the river as the sun goes down, and jumping from one cafe to another, sampling custard tarts and drinking coffee: bliss!

Obidos to Lisbon: 1 hr 10 minutes drive. There is also a direct train running throughout the day that takes 2.5 hours.

Hotels in Lisbon

Lisbon’s best neighborhoods to stay in are the charming old town: Barrio Alto and Alfama, or in the center at Baixa and Chiado. There are also plenty of great hostels to choose from.

Hotels in Lisbon 😴

Day 17-20: Algarve

Drive down to the southern Algarve region of Portugal to spend your final days relaxing on sandy beaches, exploring caves with emerald water, and learning how to surf under the great cliffs of Portugal. Lagos’ gorgeous whitewashed town is the perfect place to base yourself for a few days in the Algarve.

Not only is the town beautiful, with a lively atmosphere and plenty of amazing restaurants, but it’s within walking distance to some of the best beaches in Portugal, as well as world-famous surf spots. Also visit the small fishermen village Ferragudo .

Lisbon to Lagos : 2 hr 45 minutes drive. There is also a 4-hour train, with one change in the town of Tunes.

Here are all the bucket list things to do in the Algarve

Carvoeiro & Albufeira

While staying in Lagos, don’t forget to visit towns like Carvoeiro and Albufeira . Both coastal towns boast a variety of outdoor activities for travelers. Whether it’s hiking along the boardwalks that sit on the dramatic cliffs or paddleboarding amongst the caves off the shoreline, there is something for all adventure enthusiasts.

Read more about the things to do in Albufeira .

Albufeira is also known for its buzzing nightlife if you’re looking for a more lively atmosphere while on your Portugal travel route.

Here are all your hotel options in Albufeira.

Where to Stay in the Algarve

Lagos’ gorgeous town is the perfect place to base yourself for the next two days. It has a lively atmosphere and is within walking distance of some of Portugal’s best beaches and surf spots. See all hotels in Lagos .  

Hotels in the Algarve 😴

Day 21: Faro

End your Portugal travel route by spending the night in the beautiful old town of Faro. The Algarve region’s capital is often only used as a jumping-off point to the rest of Portugal. However, it’s well worth spending a day here admiring the ancient cathedral and walking amongst the white-washed houses that overlook the nearby lagoon and harbor.

Good to know: Faro airport is located only 10 minutes drive from the town itself and there is a regular airport shuttle bus that departs throughout the day.

Lagos to Faro: Direct train in 1 hour 45 minutes OR drive in less than an hour.

Costs of Traveling in Portugal

Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to travel to in Europe! Enjoy a coffee for around 2 USD and stay in a beautiful apartment for 25 USD per night.

Travel on a budget in Portugal, from $710 − $1050 USD weekly per person, mid-range $1130 − $1180 USD, and high-end from $1120 − $1650 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $20 − $90 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $20 − $40 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $60 − $140 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $35 − $80 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $15 − $40 USD
• Activities: $5 − $20 USD See tickets & tours
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

How to Get Around Portugal

Portugal is home to some of the most beautifully remote locations. Because of this, we highly recommend hiring a camper van or renting a car . Especially in the east and the very north of Portugal, it will be necessary to have your own transport.

Despite this, there are bus services running between villages, so it is possible to use public transport. Consider following a west coast route, as there are great rail and bus links between Lisbon and Porto .

Best Time to Travel in Portugal

Portugal is stunning all year round. However, the spring and the fall is the best time to visit Portugal. This is the shoulder season when there are fewer tourists and prices will be cheaper. Additionally, there are still many sunshine hours, but it’s not quite as hot and sticky as the summer months.

September/October is also the harvest season, so a great time to visit the wineries in Douro Valley. Additionally, you can see the surf sessions happening in places like Nazare, where some of the highest waves in the world are surfed.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Portugal via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

9 Things To Do in Cascais, Portugal

The castles and palaces of sintra, portugal, renting a car in portugal in 2024: all you need to know.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

What a brilliant blog. Thank you so much for sharing. We will definitely do a similar 3 week route, using much of this information and your recommendations.

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Global Gallivanting

Our epic spain and portugal road trip route & itinerary.

In September 2021 we drove an epic 3,500 km in 1 month visiting 12 destinations on an amazing whirlwind Spain and Portugal road trip.

We had the time of our life exploring the beautiful cities, landscapes and historical sights, eating as many tapas and pasteis de nata as possible, visiting offbeat communities and catching up with friends who have moved out there.

We didn’t find many articles online about driving around both Spain and Portugal in one trip and I didn’t find any Spain and Portugal itinerary that started from the ferry ports in Northern Spain.

So in this blog post I’ll share our route, itinerary and tips for an epic Spain and Portugal road trip – what we loved and what we would have done differently another time.

Our 1 Month Spain and Portugal Road Trip Route

We got the ferry from the UK to Spain and this was our 1 month Spain and Portugal road trip route:

Portsmouth (UK) – ferry to – Bilbao (Spain) – San Sebastian – Madrid – Granada – Orgiva – Seville – Algarve – Lisbon – Fundao – Porto – Braga – Oviedo – Bilbao – ferry to – Portsmouth.

We had wanted to do this in 2020, but it looked too difficult with the constantly changing Covid restrictions, but in 2021 the dream finally came a reality and Covid really didn’t affect our trip too much. I’ll explain more about what it’s like traveling nowadays later on in this post.

My Top Tips for Driving in Spain and Portugal

The best time to travel around Spain and Portugal is during the shoulder seasons like May – June and September – October. During this time the weather is the most pleasant and the crowds are less than during the summer holidays.

To see all of Spain and Portugal you need at least 1 month, but you could see the highlights like Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon and Porto in 2 weeks.

We spent 1 month in Spain and Portugal, 3 weeks traveling and 10 days visiting a friend’s farm in Portugal towards the end of our trip. 3 weeks allowed us to have a few days to relax and really explore each place.

If you have time, I would recommend spending 1 month as there is plenty to see and do in both beautiful countries. If you have 1 week then just do a road trip around Andalusia or travel from Lagos to Porto or you’ll be spending more time driving than enjoying!

Car or Camper?

Whether I travel by car or campervan, my favourite way travel experiences are always road trips. Nothing can beat the freedom of exploring with your own set of wheels.

We took our own car over on the ferry from the UK, but when we’ve rented cars on previous trips to Europe we used Discover Cars because they compare all the major car hire companies and got us the best price with and no hidden fees.

A campervan or motorhome is even better for this route as your transport, accommodation and kitchen are all on wheels for the ultimate freedom! Check out Motorhome Republic to compare and find the best deals for campervans, motorhomes and RVs.

The free roads in Spain were great, but in Portugal we had to take some toll roads if we didn’t want to spend double the time driving.

Pin me for later! 🙂

To Book or Not To Book?

Europe is very popular in the summer so, especially if you are traveling in the peak season of July and August, you should book your accommodation and tickets for popular sights and attractions to avoid disappointment.

I usually prefer Booking.com to book accommodation, but for a road trip I like how Agoda has a handy filter to find hotels with car parks. The downside of taking a road trip is navigating confusing city center one way systems and finding affordable places to park.

To avoid this we stayed at hotels a little outside the city center with parking and took public transport to save us the hassle of driving in. I’ll mention the car friendly hotels with parking and easy access from the motorways that we stayed at in each destination in this post.

Be aware that tickets for some of the most famous attractions do sell out and some, like the Alhambra (a highlight of my trip) have to be arranged at least 3 days before visiting. I use Viator and Get Your Guide , to find skip the line tickets to make the most of your time and avoid queues.

There’s more practical Spain and Portugal itinerary and road trip tips at the end of the post but lets get on with my Spain and Portugal road trip route!

Our Spain Road Trip

We began our Spain and Portugal road trip taking the 24 hour ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth (UK) to Bilbao (Spain). Bilbao is a buzzing port city in the Basque region of Northern Spain and home to the Guggenheim Museum.

From Bilbao we drove through the mountainous landscape to San Sebastian. Driving a British right hand drive car on the right side of the road and figuring out the different road signs, in Spanish and Basque, was a bit confusing at first!

But Spanish roads are great and we soon got the hang of driving in Europe. It was useful to have someone in the passenger seat when merging into motorways or overtaking but over all it was fine once we got used to it.

Still, I would recommend allowing time in your Spain and Portugal itinerary so that you don’t have to rush on the first day and can acclimatize to the different driving conditions.

Bilbao to San Sebastian: 127km –  2 hours

San sebastian.

Donostia San Sebastian was a perfect start to our Spain and Portugal road trip adventure!

Only 2 hours driving (avoiding tolls) from the ferry port at Bilbao is this pretty seaside town with lovely beaches, stunning views and a fab foodie scene.

San Sebastian’s Old Town is lovely to wander while sampling the delicious Pintxos (tasty tapas-like bar snacks) in the bars and the harbour treated us to a spectacular sunset.

Our highlight was taking the historic funicular railway up to Monte Igueldo to see the quirky amusement park and incredible views from there.

Best Things to Do in San Sebastian

• Wander through the Old Town or take a walking tour
• Go up to Monte Igueldo for the views and amusement park
• Taste the best pintxos in the city – we took this food tour
• Laze on La Concha Beach or stroll along the Paseo De La Concha.

Check out more things to do in San Sebastian and  book tours here.

Where to Stay in San Sebastian –  Mercure Monte Igueldo Hotel 

The Mercure Monte Igueldo Hotel has the best views over San Sebastian, a lovely outdoor swimming pool, great breakfasts and free parking.

Also Visit: Barcelona is one of my all time favourite cities in the world for it’s combination of beautiful and unique art and architecture, beaches, food and all round amazing vibes.

Barcelona shouldn’t be missed off any Spain and Portugal itinerary but as I’ve been to Barcelona many times before we skipped it on this trip, but if you haven’t been you could skip Madrid and visit Barcelona instead and then head down the coast visiting Valencia and then heading to Granada.

San Sebastian to Madrid: 471km – 4.75 hours

From San Sebastian we drove almost 5 hours through the country to Madrid, the Spanish Capital, to break up the journey south to Andalusia.

Madrid is a beautiful, classy city with grand architecture, amazing parks, some of the most impressive art galleries and museums in the world and the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe.

Our highlight was visiting the Prado and exploring the Parque de El Retiro. This huge city center park, originally a pleasure grounds for King Felipe IV in the 17th century, is one of Madrid’s most well loved hang outs. It’s full of interesting statues, monuments, palaces, gardens, museums, galleries and activities. You can even row a boat on the lake.

Best Things to do in Madrid

• Explore Madrid’s Art Triangle; the Prado Museum , the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are considered the best art galleries. The Art Walk Pass gives you entrance and queue jump at all three.
• Marvel at Madrid’s Royal Palace – the largest in Western Europe.
• Stroll around the Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor
• Relax and explore Parque El Retiro and row a boat on the lake
• Visit IKONO and the Museum of Illusions
• Sample Madrid’s best wine and tapas – we took this fun tapas crawl tour.

Check out more things to do in Madrid and  book your tickets and tours here.

Where to Stay in Madrid – Barcelo Imagine

Not wanting to drive right into Madrid we stayed at the Barcelo Imagine. It’s close to the motorways and Chamartin metro station with parking available onsite. The stylish rooftop pool, gardens and interiors also made this hotel a winner.

Madrid to Granada: 420 km – 4 hours

After a 4 hour drive from Madrid we reached Andalusia – Spain’s most flamboyant region and somewhere not to be missed of any Spain and Portugal itinerary. If you didn’t have time to travel around the whole of Spain, Andalusia is my top choice for a short Spain road trip.

From the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Mediterranean Coast, the beautiful landscapes, sun soaked white-washed villages, Moorish forts and palaces make Andalusia one of the most bewitching regions of Spain and my personal favourite.

Granada is home to  The Alhambra , a vast palace and fortress perched imposingly on a rocky outcrop against the backdrop of the mountains.

The Alhambra’s long and storied history dates back to 899 AD. It was once home to Granada’s Nasrid rulers in the 14th century and contains some amazingly intricate architecture and palaces inside.

As one of the finest and largest Moorish Islamic buildings in Europe it’s almost overwhelming how much there is to see here. The Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Carlos V Palace and the gardens at Generalife are all must sees.

When planning your Spain and Portugal itinerary take into account that you must book at least a few days in advance to get a time slot for the Nasrid Palaces and have your passport with you when you visit.The audio guide isn’t the best so I recommend taking a guided tour so you know more about what you are looking at!

This Alhambra guided tour has great reviews and includes the admission ticket and allows you to skip the line. I’d definitely do that next time.

Best Things to do in Granada

• Explore the magnificent Alhambra – book your fast track tickets here.
• Take a photo from the Plaza Mirador de San Nicolas for the best viewpoint of the Alhambra
• Join a sunset walking tour or a fun Segway tour of Albaicín & Sacromonte – Granada’s medieval neighbourhoods
• Visit the Sacromonte Cave Museum and see how people used to live in cave houses.
• Visit Granada Cathedral – Spain’s 2 nd largest cathedral
• Relax in a traditional Arabic Hammam

Check out more things to do in Granada and  book your tickets and tours here.

Where to Stay in Granada –  Hotel Andalusia Center 

Parking is difficult in Granada so we stayed at this comfortable, modern, good value hotel on the outskirts with a rooftop pool and on site parking only 15 minutes walk into town.

One of our reasons for taking a road trip through Spain and Portugal is because we wanted to visit some alternative communities, friends and more remote regions that would have been difficult to access by bus.

Orgiva is a small town tucked away in a beautiful valley between the Sierra Nevada mountains about 1 hour from Granada.

I’d heard about the alternative communities around Orgiva from friends in Goa and wanted to check it out for myself.

I loved how people were able to build their own unique homes and form a community in this beautiful valley. It was really inspiring for me but if you’re not into this kind of stuff and just want to focus on seeing the sights then you can skip this part for your own Spain and Portugal itinerary.

The town, and it’s interesting mixture of inhabitants, is also brought to life in the book – Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart which is now being made into a TV series.

Where to Stay in Orgiva –  Casa Jazmin

A lovely traditional Spanish house with beautiful swimming pool and gardens. Situated close to town with free street parking and friendly hosts

Granada to Seville: 250 km – 2.5 hours

Andalusia, and especially Seville , really captures the essence of Spain. As both the Moorish capital and later a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of trade with the New World, flamboyant Seville has no shortage of sights and was one of the highlights of our trip.

You can see Seville’s sights on a horse and carriage ride or simply wander in the sunshine, admiring the incredible architecture and beautiful parks like Parque de María Luisa.

Don’t miss the Plaza de Espana, the Royal Alcazar and the massive Seville Cathedral – it’s the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and was even built to ‘make something so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it will think we are mad!’

Soaking up Spanish culture, eating tapas washed down with sangria and watching flamenco is the perfect way to spend an evening in Seville.

I really fell in love with Seville, it’s became my favourite place on this trip and I already can’t wait to return. Definitely allow at least 3 days to explore Seville into your Spain and Portugal itinerary.

Best Things to do in Seville

• Marvel at The Royal Alcázar of Seville – Europe’s oldest royal palace still in continual use
• See Seville’s sights on a romantic horse drawn carriage ride
• Explore the Plaza de Espana and the beautiful Parque de Maria Luisa
• Visit Seville Cathedral and climb the La Giralda Tower
• Watch a traditional Flamenco performance in the home of Flamenco
• Visit the futuristic Metropol Parasol , also known as Setas de Sevilla, at night.

Check out more things to do in Seville and  book your skip the queue tickets and tours here.

Read More: My Perfect 3 Day Seville Itinerary and Tips

Where to Stay in Seville – Exe Isla Cartuja

The historic centre of Seville is another place where it’s hard to find hotels with parking. Exe Isla Cartuja is a good value modern hotel located near the stadium with plenty of free parking. It also offers easy access from the motorway and a quick bus into town

Seville to Carvoeiro, Algarve: 250km – 3.5 hours (avoiding tolls)

We just drove straight over the bridge and crossed the border from Spain into Portugal – there were no checks or Covid documentation required.

Our Portugal Road Trip

The Algarve

We started the Portugal part of our road trip with a much needed beach day in the Algarve! If you’re following a packed Spain and Portugal itinerary like us you’ll probably want to factor in some rest days too!

Even though it was warm in the September sun, the sea was really quite cold already so it was a super refreshing swim. The turquoise water and golden cliffs, a quintessential Algarve beach scene, made a stunning backdrop.

We only had a couple of days to spend in the Algarve to we stayed in the center of the region near the fishing village of Carvoeiro.

There is still no shortage of beautiful beaches in the Algarve , but sadly a lot of this region has been blighted with developments of towering white concrete apartment blocks (which looked empty)

But Carvoeiro retains it’s charm and made a good base to explore the nearby beaches like Praia da Marinha, kayak to Benagil Caves and to walk the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail to soak up the stunning views and rock formations that the Algarve is known for.

Best Things to do in the Algarve

• Relax on the beaches
• Take a boat tour  or kayak to visit Benagil Caves
• Take your Benagil Cave tour to the next level by travelling on a pirate ship!
• Walk the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
• Learn to surf by taking a surf lesson or joining a surf camp

Check out more things to do in the Algarve and find the best deals for activities and day tours here .

Where to Stay in Carvoerio –  Castelo Guest House

A unique castle themed hotel in a central location with free street parking. Soak up the stunning views over the beach from the rooms and terraces and enjoy the wonderful breakfast and hosts.

Carvoeiro, Algarve to Lisbon: 307km – 2.75 hours

(4.25 hours avoiding tolls).

Taking the toll road from the Algarve to Lisbon will cut your journey time in half.

Or, if you have more time for your Spain and Portugal itinerary and want to take the scenic route you could visit the historic town of Evora on the way from the Algarve to Lisbon.

It’s one of the most picturesque and best preserved medieval walled towns in Portugal and a UNESCO world heritage site.

One of Europe’s most distinctive, colourful and picturesque cities. Old yellow trams rattle and screech up and down along Lisbon’s cobbled streets, terracotta rooftops sprawl across the hillsides, while tile covered, pastel coloured buildings part to reveal glimpses of the shimmering Tagus river.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Lisbon. Plan to spend at least 3 days here in your Spain and Portugal itinerary.

Best Things to do in Lisbon

• Wander and explore or join a walking tour through Lisbon’s most historic and storied districts – this is the tour we took
• Ride the historic Route 28 tram through Lisbon’s most iconic districts. Or, if you’d rather avoid cramming in with the crowds take a tram tour or follow the route in Tuk Tuk!
• See the Belem Tower and marvel at the 16th-century Manueline architecture of the Jerónimos Monastery
• Take in the beautiful, heart-felt sounds of a traditional acoustic Fado show.
• Explore Lisbon from land and water in adventurous style on an amphibious vehicle
• Take a day trip to Sintra to explore the colourful fairytale castles and palaces.

Check out more things to do in Lisbon and book your skip the queue tickets and tours here.

After spending so long in Goa , and falling in love with the unique blend of Indian and Portuguese influences there, it was interesting to learn about the history and culture of Portugal on a guided walking tour of Lisbon and to explore the narrow streets of Alfama (the only part of the Old city to survive the devastating 1755 earthquake)

The waterside district of Belem is definitely worth the short tram ride out of Lisbon’s city center. This was the place where many of the Portuguese maritime explorers left from to explore the world and is a lot more spacious and relaxing than the city center.

Don’t miss the marvelling at the Belem Tower and walking along the Tagus River to the Discoveries Monument. There’s also a huge world map in mosaics on the floor behind showing all the places the Portuguese explored which was eye opening to see.

The Jeronimos Monastery , also in Belem, has beautiful nautical themed details and you can try the original recipe pasteis de natas at Pasteis de Belem nearby.

Our Highlight: Lisbon’s old yellow trams have become an icon of the city and quite the tourist attraction. Riding the scenic tram route 28 as it twists like a rollercoaster through the historic neighbourhoods like Alfama, Baixa and Chiado was one of the highlights of my time in Lisbon.

You can buy a Viva Viagem 24 hour unlimited ticket for only €6.40 which includes all trams, metros, buses and elevadors in Lisbon. But you can only buy it at a metro station not on the tram. Or you could get a Lisbon Card which gives you free access to Lisbon’s top attractions as well as free public transport.

It’s so popular its actually difficult to get on! Board at Martim Moniz, where the metro meets the tram terminus, for a good chance of getting a seat. Standing is quite the experience as the tram lurches, screeches and rattles around.

Or, to be guaranteed a seat and learn something about the streets you travel though, I recommend taking the  tram tour for a better experience.

Day Trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is also a great base to explore the many beautiful places nearby. Most of these are easily accessible with a day trip tour.

Don’t miss Sintra , a town and former royal retreat in the Sintra Mountains just 30 minutes from Lisbon. The colourful, fairy-tale like castles and mansions at Sintra are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most enchanting places in Portugal. This is the Sintra day trip we took.

You could also combine Sintra with a stop at Cabo da Rocha and the seaside town of Cascais or the picturesque Azenhas do Mar.  Find more Sintra day trips here.

Visit the surfing capital of Europe – the surf reserve of Ericeria only 45 minutes away. It’s a charming historic blue and white fishing town with beautiful beaches and one of the best places to learn to surf in Portugal – more about surf camps in Portugal here.

Where to Stay in Lisbon –  Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel

An elegant hotel with free parking located near Marques de Pombal so it’s easy to drive to and also close to the metro station. Some balconies have hot tubs.

For more on the different areas of Lisbon and the best hotels check out my post on Where to Stay in Lisbon.

Lisbon to Porto: 317km – 3 hours (5.5 hours avoiding tolls)

After Lisbon we headed inland to the region of Castelo Branco to visit friends on their farm near Fundao.

If you didn’t want to go into the countryside the route up the coast from Lisbon to Porto is only about 320 km which takes 3 hours driving on toll roads, or 5.5 hours without tolls.

There’s plenty of stunning beaches, legendary surf spots like Peniche and Nazare and historic towns to visit on the way including picture perfect Obidos , the historic university city of Coimbra and Aveiro , the Venice of Portugal.

A Lisbon to Porto road trip is one of the highlights of many people’s Spain and Portugal itineraries, but this time we went inland to see what life was like on the farm so check out this blog for more about the Lisbon – Porto route.

Lisbon to Fundao: 260 km – 2.5 hours (4.5 hrs avoiding tolls)

Portuguese farm life, castelo branco.

One of our main reasons for taking this Portugal road trip was to visit friends who bought an old farm near Fundao in Castelo Branco, Central Portugal and to check out what the lifestyle is like there.

This area is pretty remote with just a few small villages and plenty of nature backed by the mountains of the Serra da Estrela . There’s alot of ruins and cheap land in this area of Portugal (find them on Pure Portugal ) and its inspiring to hear and see how people have moved out here to renovate the ruins and farms to build self sufficient homesteads and live off grid.

Some are also building eco villages, communities and yoga retreats and it’s been a dream of mine for a long time to come and see what farm life in Portugal is like for myself.

Our home for the week was this self contained cabin on our friend’s farm. It’s a beautiful area and it’s really inspiring to see what’s going on here but it’s also a reality check of how much money, time and hard work it takes to make it happen.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have a friend with a farm in Portugal but still want to have this experience you can find hosts on Worldpackers looking for volunteers and you’ll receive free food and accommodation in return for your help.

(Use the code ‘GLOBALGALLIVANTING’ to get $20 off membership with Worldpackers.) 

Where to Stay in Castelo Branco –  Natura Glamping

Natura Glamping is an amazing example of a new eco resort with white geometric domes, spa baths, infinity pool, amazing views and free onsite parking.

Monsanto, Castelo Branco

While staying on the farm we took a day trip to the historic village of Monsanto – a village in Central Portugal that won the award of ‘ the most Portuguese village in Portugal ‘ and was one of the coolest places we’ve seen in the country.

Yes, the Portuguese seem to like building settlements on steep hills, but Monsanto isn’t really your typical Portuguese village. Actually it’s quite unique and even the Game of Thrones are filming the ‘House of The Dragon’ here!

I loved exploring the historic village of cobble stoned pathways and houses built around the boulders. The ruins of Monsanto castle perch high above the village with amazing views and an old church with spooky graves cut out from the rock.

Best of all it just felt like we were exploring, it doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction. Monsanto is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Castelo Branco region.

Due to the steep, narrow, historic lanes you can’t drive into Monsanto village. There is car parking and a shuttle bus slightly down the hill.

Where to Stay in Monsanto –  Casa Mont’Santo

A cute historic fully equipped 3 bedroom cottage, accessible by car with parking, large terraces and great views

Fundao to Porto: 259 km – 2.5 hrs (4.5 hrs without tolls)

Portugal’s 2 nd city is worth visiting just as much as Lisbon and mustn’t be missed from your Spain and Portugal itinerary!

Explore the grand cathedrals, blue mosaic covered churches and the colourful buildings of the historic Ribeira district that tumble down to the Douro River where port barges would have awaited their cargo.

Nowadays you can take a cruise along the river , ride the old trams, funiculars and the modern Gaia Cable Car to explore Porto and stop in at cellar doors to taste Port wine in the city that it was invented.

Did you also know that author JK Rowling taught English and lived in Porto for a while and found inspiration for the Harry Potter series in the enchanting bookstores here like the Livraria Lello and in the uniforms of the university students.

Best Things to do in Porto

• Cross over the river on the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge for magnificent views
• Take the 6 bridges cruise down the Douro River
• Visit the port wine cellars and taste the best wines of Portugal on a wine tour
• Explore the historic Ribeira district or join a walking tour.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Porto from the top of the Torre dos Clérigos
• Watch the sunset from the Jardim do Morro.
• See the places that inspired JK Rowling on a Harry Potter tour
• Visit the World of Discoveries museum 

Check out more things to do in Porto and find the best deals on tours and attraction tickets here.

Our Highlight: The iconic Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge is rated on Trip Advisor as the best thing to do in Porto and I can see why. Whether admiring it from below or walking along the top soaking up the sweeping views of this beautiful and unique city and watching the sunset from Jardim do Morro.

Soaking up the picturesque views and riverside vibes while tasting port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia and riding the cable car up to the bridge was another highlight.

Where to Stay in Porto –  Vincci Porto 

Amazing art deco style hotel in a stylishly renovated landmark building with easy access from motorway, onsite parking and opposite a tram stop. The panoramic river views from the terrace were a highlight.

Porto to Braga: 54 km – 1 hour without tolls

We made a short stop in Braga to meet a friend’s 2 week old baby! Braga looked like a lovely, historic city but it was raining most of the time we were there so we spent most of the time inside catching up and playing with the little ones.

One thing I couldn’t miss when in Braga is the UNESCO listed Bom Jesus do Monte! The wedding cake like layered steps remind me of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church – the famous church in Panjim, Goa.

If you’re not keen on walking up the 577 steps you can take the historic wooden funicular railway up to the top. Dating back to 1882 it’s the oldest in the world that moves using water counter balancing.

Where to Stay in Braga –  Vila Gale Collection Braga

Located in an amazing heritage building that used to be a church! With a beautiful swimming pool and gardens, fantastic central location and free onsite parking

Braga to Oviedo: 479 km – 4.5 hours (6 hours without tolls)

As we hadn’t planned enough time for our epic Spain and Portugal itinerary, after Braga we only had a few days to drive the 700km back to Bilbao for the ferry so we had to put our foot down if we were going to make it back to the ferry on time and sadly has to skip Santiago de Compostela.

We wound our way over the mountains of Northern Portugal and crossed over the border into Spain without any border checks or paperwork.

Oviedo, Spain

Northern Spain and the regions of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria are beautiful, green and alpine-like – very different from the rest of the Spain.

We stayed 1 night in Oviedo , the unpretentious capital of the Asturias region, and had a bit of time to look around the compact and characterful old town, wander the Campo de San Francisco park and try the local food and cider.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied for a few days in Oviedo. It’s also part of the pilgrims route – the camino (way) to Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral at sunset was a mesmerising sight.

Where to Stay in Oviedo –  Exe Oviedo Centro

Great value modern hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms and free onsite parking, close to train station and 15 mins walk to the cathedral

Oviedo to Bilbao: 280 km – 3 hours

I would have loved to spend more time in Northern Spain but sadly we had our return ferry booked. The ferry departed at 8pm so the next day we drove the 3 hours along the coast from Oviedo to Bilbao.

We stopped for lunch at the pretty seaside town of San Vicente de la Barquera . The harbour, beaches, old village and castle amongst the backdrop of the mountains of the Picos de Europa make it one of the most picturesque sights on the Cantabrian coast.

Other places to visit

If we had planned our Spain and Portugal itinerary better we would have loved to visit Santiago de Compostela and spend some time walking the Camino , the historic pilgrimage route, but we didn’t have time. Plus, it feels a bit like cheating to drive there instead of walk! I’ll save it for another trip when I have enough time to walk the camino properly!

We also wished we’d had more time to explore the coastline of Northern Spain and Picos de Europa – we didn’t know the region would be so beautiful so I recommend that you leave more time in your Spain and Portugal road trip itinerary for Northern Spain than we did.

FAQs and Tips for Planning a Spain and Portugal Road Trip

Why take a road trip around spain and portugal.

There are many ways to travel around Europe – flights are cheap, an interrail pass is fun and convenient and buses are affordable.

But for this trip as we wanted to visit a lot of places in a small amount of time, including some communities and friends off the beaten track. Doing this would be difficult, time consuming and expensive without our own transport.

Nothing beats the freedom of having your own set of wheels and being able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

Plus, there was less chance of catching Covid or dealing with Covid related paperwork when traveling in the safety of our own vehicle. When we crossed the borders between Spain and Portugal there were no checks or controls at all – we just flew straight through.

Where’s the best place to rent a car or campervan in Spain and Portugal?

We took our own car from the UK on the ferry from Portsmouth to Spain but it’s sometimes cheaper and more convenient to take a cheap flight and then rent a car when you get there.

The benefit of this is that you can drop it off in a different location from where you picked it up saving time and money on fuel (you may have to pay a one way hire charge though)

To find the best deals on rental cars I recommend Discover Cars. They compare all the best deals from the best companies which can save you alot of money – sometimes even 70%, Best of all there are no hidden fees so you can easily see the total price you’ll pay.

Traveling in a campervan, RV or motorhome is also an amazing way to explore and road trip in Europe. You can save money on accommodation and eating out when staying in a campervan or motorhome.

I use Motorhome Republic to find the best deals for motorhome and RV rental. As one of the largest motorhome rental agencies they have a price beat guarantee and the biggest choice from reputable and trusted companies.

You can find places to camp on the Park 4 Night app .  It’s easy to find places to camp for free in Spain but Portugal made wild camping illegal in 2021. There’s plenty of campsites which are still a fun, friendly and affordable option. Many have swimming pools, bars and restaurants and feel more like a resort.

How much does the fuel for a Spain and Portugal road trip cost?

We spent €300 on fuel for this 3,500 km trip.

When’s the best time for a Spain and Portugal road trip?

The Summer months of July and August are the peak season for traveling in Spain and Portugal but I think the best time for a Spain and Portugal road trip is the Spring or Autumn as it won’t be so hot and the sights will be less crowded, plus you’ll get cheaper rates on accommodation.

How to plan a Spain and Portugal itinerary? How long should we spend in each destination?

When planning an itinerary you’ll need to research what you want to see and do so you know how many days to spend in each destination.

As a general rule of thumb I usually recommend spending at least 2 nights/ 3 days  in each destination so that you have enough time to explore and relax and don’t feel like you’re spending most of your time driving.

We took 1 month for this trip but we spent 10 days with friends on their Portuguese farm, so we only had 3 weeks to travel. Although we tried to fit as much in as possible, there are still places we sadly had to skip because, to be honest, we didn’t plan our Spain and Portugal itinerary very well! So I would recommend spending at least 1 month to see the highlights of both Spain and Portugal.

If you have less time maybe just concentrate on one region like Northern Spain, Andalusia or Lisbon to Porto.

Did you use toll roads in Spain and Portugal?

To keep costs down and to see more of the countryside we tried to avoid toll roads on our Spain and Portugal road trip. This was easy to do in Spain because the free roads were so good and, on the motorways, there were petrol stations literally every 10 kms.

Portugal was a different story though and by avoiding toll roads in Portugal we would have ended spending double the time driving.

The Portuguese toll system is a bit tricky, especially if you are driving an non-Portuguese registered vehicle and don’t have an electronic transponder in your car, so it’s worth getting acquainted with it before you go for a hassle free trip . Read this article for tips.

If you rent a car in Portugal you can rent a transponder from the car hire company.

Is it more expensive to take your car on the ferry straight to Spain or to drive through France?

This is a question we spent alot of time deliberating on. Driving all the way through France looked fun with plenty to stop and see but would ultimately end up being exhausting and costly so we decided to take the car on the ferry from Portsmouth, UK to Bilbao in Northern Spain.

We estimated how much we would have spent in 5 or so days traveling through France in fuel, tolls, eating and accommodation (not to mention attractions and sightseeing) and it made more sense to take the ferry instead.

We paid £780 for return ferry tickets for 2 people, 1 car and cabins on each crossing. We found it useful to compare the routes available and get the best deal on Ferry Savers.

This 24 hour crossing is known for being rough at times but it was nice and calm and I didn’t feel sea sick at all. We had a comfortable en-suite cabin and enjoyed exploring the ferry. It felt like a mini cruise with the bars, restaurants, sun decks and even a small swimming pool.

Taking the ferry made it feel like much more of an adventure than flying!

What was it like traveling in Spain and Portugal during Covid in 2021?

The Covid situation and rules are always changing and you should always check the most up to date news before traveling.

But in our experience, in September and October 2021, Covid didn’t adversely affect our Spain and Portugal road trip too much,

We had to present either a negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery and fill out a health form to enter Spain. The process of checking in and disembarking from the ferry was quick and simple. You don’t even need to get out of your car to go through immigration.

Our passports did get stamped at the Spanish border (due to Brexit UK citizens are only allowed 90 days out of 180 in the Shengen zone now.)

Apart from people wearing masks both inside and outside on the street (even though it was not a legal requirement to wear them outside) we didn’t notice many differences from traveling Europe before Covid.

Everything was open, people were friendly and happy to see tourists and, apart from wearing face masks in supermarkets and on public transport, Covid didn’t restrict or impact on our trip too much.

The restrictions had recently been relaxed in Portugal so we no longer need any tests or proof of vaccination to stay in a hotel or eat in a restaurant. There was no Covid pass in Spain.

When returning to the UK we had to fill out a passenger locator form and book a test to do on day 2 after we arrived back. We didn’t need to isolate or quarantine.

Covid doesn’t have to ruin your travels, but it’s really important these days to always check the most up to date rules before traveling!

Do you have any more tips or questions about our Spain and Portugal road trip?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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[…] Also Read: Our 2021 Epic Spain and Portugal Road Trip – Route, Itinerary and Tips! […]

Always beautiful article.

Thanks for your really interesting blog on Spain and Portugal road trip. We are travelling over from Australia in September/October for a 6 week road trip and your blog was very insightful and informative. It will help us immensely. Thanks for making our travel plans a bit easier. Nicky

Hey Nicky! So nice to hear that my blogs been useful for you! Thank you! 🙂 Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Great blog post. Really informative. Keep up the good work.

[…] was my favourite place on our epic Spain and Portugal road trip and I hope this post will give you all the tips you need to love it as much as we […]

Thanks so much for this write up. My partner and I have just decided (literally today) to do a 25 day or so road trip through Portugal and Spain and your article is really helping us plan. We fly to Seville in a week and have absolutely zero plan. Luckily car rentals are very very cheap. I was initially feeling motivated to do Southern Spain, Andalusia, Algarve, up through Lisbon and Porto and then NW Spain to San Sebastian/Bilbao/etc. But in reading your article I’m starting to think the smart thing to do is cut out NW Spain. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. It sounds like you really enjoyed Seville. My girlfriend loves beaches, and I know that NW Spain has fantastic ones, but I also imagine that late September might be too cold. Anyways, thanks again for sharing your story!

Hi Peter Thanks so much – it’s great to hear that my blog has helped you plan what sounds like an epic trip. Andalusia and Southern Portugal were my highlights of this trip and unfortunately we stayed longer than planned and ran out of time to stop at some of the beautiful places we drove through in Northern Spain when we drove back to the ferry. If you have time I think the north is a bit of a hidden gem but you can’t miss places like Seville and Lisbon – I never wanted to leave. Hope you have an amazing trip 🙂

Am interested in a road trip tour package to spain and Portugal to include catholic pilgrimage sites. Group of 4-6 pax. September-October 2024.

Nice to hear your thinking of a group pilgrimage trip to Spain and Portugal! Sorry, I travelled independently so I don’t know any package tour operator for this. Good luck 🙂

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• Portugal road trip, itinerary and plannig tips

Two weeks road trip itinerary in Portugal

We have designed a  great  tour of Portugal  departing and returning to Lisbon. In two weeks you will have the opportunity to see the best of this country and experience the most famous destinations and the most picturesque villages.

In this itinerary you will pass by the main cities of Portugal such as Lisbon and Porto, as well as some of the main tourist destinations like Sintra, Obidos, Coimbra, Tomar, and Evora, until reaching Algarve, located in the south of Portugal.

Itinerary map and information

Here comes the map of our  two-week itinerary in Portugal : we recommend to move by car, perhaps by renting it at Lisbon airport.

Itinerary:  1800 km |  Duration : 2 weeks |  Best time : from June to September

First three days: Lisbon

The majestic  Lisbon , the capital of Portugal, deserves our attention from the very first time we arrive to its city center. There are plenty of things to see, so you should go straight to your room, drop your bags at the hotel and get ready to start exploring the city.

Lisbon rises on seven hills, and it is clearly not an easy city to walk around! However, walking is by far the best way to appreciate its essence; stroll around its alleys to admire the local life and several houses decorated with  azulejos , the traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles.

First day in Lisbon

Start your journey by walking along  Rua Augusta , the heart of Baixa , the main district of the city. Walk through the arch until reaching the beautiful  Praca do Comercio , which overlooks the water where the Tagus river becomes sea. This is the place where more than 500 years ago ships loaded with unique goods that no one could find in Europe arrived from colonies.

This trade turned Portugal into an absolute power, and today you can still feel this energy by spending some time strolling around around this square.

From Praca do Comercio – leave the sea behind – you will find Barrio Alto  to the left and the  Alfama  district to the right. These are two districts you can’t miss. On your first day, spend some time visiting Alfama, which is home to the majestic  Sao Jorge Castle , an ancient fortress from where you can enjoy a stunning view of the city.

After visiting the castle, the best way to explore Lisbon is to stroll around the streets of Alfama; have a coffee, check some souvenir shops and wait for dinner time to arrive. Around this area there are many restaurants where you can enjoy a  Fado show and listen to the traditional and melancholic Portuguese music. Is there a better way to end the first of your three days in Lisbon?

Second day in Lisbon

On your second day, after enjoying a generous breakfast with some Portuguese  pasteleria  (pastries), it is time to go to  Barrio Alto . From the Baixa district, pass through the elegant  Armazens do Chiado , an old warehouse that was transformed into a mall, and reach this beautiful district made of viewpoints, churches, hidden streets, and palaces decorated with azulejos.

Our Tip: It is possible to reach Barrio Alto also by taking the Santa Justa elevator, an iron lift dating back to early ‘900, which today is still perfectly functioning. A must visit attraction for tourists and locals.

An unmissable monument of Barrio Alto is the  Carmo Convent , an old monastery that was destroyed during the devastating earthquake of 1755. Only its two main pillars have survived to date, creating a scenario that reminds of the Abbey of San Galgano located near Siena. By the time you shop around Barrio Alto, have a coffee and a  pastel de nata , it is already time to go have some dinner. There are many restaurants around this area; do not hesitate to try some typical Portuguese dishes with  bacalhau (cod fish), and other fresh ingredients.

At night Barrio Alto is the place to be; it is the heart of  Lisbon nightlife . Between a cerveja and a cocktail it will soon be time to go back to the hotel to enjoy some rest before getting ready to your third day around the Portuguese capital city.

Third day in Lisbon

On your third and last day it is time the explore Belem , a district located along the banks of the Tagus river, a few kilometres west from the old city center. The  Belem Tower  represents the main symbol of this area, and probably it is also the symbol of the whole city of Lisbon. It is a small tower which, before the earthquake of 1755, was standing in the middle of the sea in order to guard and protect the city.

Not too far there are other interesting attractions, such as: the  Jeronimos Monastery , a majestic structure that deserves a visit; the  Monument to the Discoveries , which includes all the discoveries accomplished by Portuguese navigators from the XIV century; last but not least, foodies will be happy to know that the famous  Belem pastry shop is located here. In 1837 the famous  pastel de nata  was invented here and since that moment this very popular cream pastry has become a real symbol of Portugal.

And now it is time to explore the rest of Portugal.

Tips on your itinerary around Lisbon Do you want to study an alternative 3 days itinerary around Lisbon? Check our  one week itinerary in Lisbon and surroundings To plan your  visit to Lisbon , click on the following links: Lisbon Guide Accommodation in Lisbon

Fourth day: Sintra and Cabo da Roca

A little bit more than half an hour drive from Lisbon there is  Sintra , a famous Portuguese city which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our stop in Sintra will be short as today’s main stop is  Cabo da Roca , the westernmost point of Continental Europe.

However, Sintra deserves a more accurate visit to have the opportunity to admire its majestic monuments such as the  Pena Palace  from 1800; the  Mouros Castle , built by the Arabs, the  Sintra National Palace  or the  Quinta da Regaleira .

Of course the best way to experience Sintra is to walk around the streets of the old town looking for a picturesque corner, a balcony filled with flowers, a traditional cafe or a good restaurant where to have some lunch.

Leave Sintra behind and head towards  Cabo da Roca . The powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean crush against the rocks. The view from here is just incredible; a way to feel so small in front of the endless vastness of nature.

Fifth day: Obidos, Alcobaça Monastery and Nazaré

On your fifth day wake up early; a very long day is waiting for us as we will drive about 200km North. We are going to make three stops along the way:  Obidos , the  Alcobaça Monastery , and the maritime city of  Nazarè .

It takes a little more than one hour to get to Cabo da Roca to Obidos. As soon as you have reached your destination, you will discover an old town characterized by white houses with red roofs that contras with the gray walls of the castle overlooking the city. Do not miss  Porta da Vila , the main gate to the city decorated with colorful azulejos shaping a mosaic representing the Passion of Christ.

If you are fit enough, then walk along the city walls and enjoy the view of Obidos and its valley.

It takes about one hour to walk along the walls. Now it is time to head towards the  Alcobaça Monastery , another UNESCO site, which was founded by the first Portuguese king Alfonso I during the 12th century.

The structure was built in Gothic style and inside the monastery there are two wings built in Baroque style. The church was extended in the 18th century. Inside the monastery there are: the tombs of some of the most important Portuguese royal members, the Royal Pantheon, as well as a room that was destroyed during the earthquake of 1755 and which was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style.

Do not miss a visit to the  Cloister of Silence , built by oder of King Dinis I, featuring columns decorated by capitals with animal and vegetal motifs. Here there is the Fountain Hall, with a renaissance fountain decorated by coat of arms and reliefs of gryphs.

Now it is time to leave to our third and last stop of the day:  Nazarè , a popular beach destination among the districts of  Praia, Sitio and Pederneira . Praia is located on the beach, while Sitio is located on a 900 high-meter cliff. To get to the top you can take the Nazarè cable car, which was built in 1893 and has an extension of 318 m and 42% slope.

Once in Nazarè you can walk along the promenade, relax on the beach, and enjoy some traditional food. Surf lovers will love Nazarè: on the 11th of February 2017, a 25 meters wave surfed here, breaking the record of this discipline.

Sleeping in Obidos Accommodation in Nazaré

Sixth and seventh day: Porto

On the sixth day it is time to leave Nazarè to visit one of the main stops along your tour of  Portugal .  Welcome to  Porto , the so called “capital of the north”, a city that somehow reminds of Lisbon but which keeps its own identity.

Porto became internationally famous because of its wine, which produced by some of the world’s best wine cellars and then it is exported worldwide. Cellars are located along the banks of the Douro river, which passes through the city. Here it is possible to enjoy a guided tour to learn about all the secrets of its production and history. At the end of the tour, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy some wine tasting.

After visiting the cellars it is time to explore the city. The most touristic district is  Ribeira , which overlooks the northern shore of the Douro river. Here there are many restaurants and bars where to enjoy some local delicacies.

After taking a break admiring the  Dom Luis I  bridge and the several boats that navigate through the city, it is time to start exploring the area.

Warning! Porto, just like Lisbon, is not an easy city to visit; there are several gaps, ups and downs. Although it is easy to move around by metro or bus, walking around is the best way to get to know the city.

From Ribeira you can walk to  Sè do Porto , the cathedral of the city; next to it there is a panoramic terrace from where you can admire Porto, the Douro river, and the cellars.

On your next day keep  visiting Porto , do not miss the following attractions:

• The  Igreja de Sao Francisco , with its golden interiors
• The beautiful  Sao Bento station , decorated by azulejos
• The elegant  Avenida dos Aliados
• The traditional  Mercado do Bolhao , perfect to purchase souvenirs or traditional products
• The  Capela das Almas , entirely covered by blu mosaics
• The  Clerigos Tower , from where you can admire a beautiful view over the city

Porto deserves more than just two days. You will fall in love straight away and you will be looking forward to come back soon.

Tips on your Porto itinerary Do you want to study a 3 days alternative itinerary of Porto? Check our  one week itinerary of Porto and surroundings.  To learn more and plan your  visit to Porto click on the links below. Porto Guide Accommodation in Porto

Eight day: Braga and Guimarães

After two days in Porto it is time to reach  Braga , which is located not too far from the border with Spain.

Braga  is the second most important city of Northern Portugal, and it is known as the “Portuguese Rome” due to its historical importance. It is a major university city and it offers plenty of things to see.

Let’s start by visiting the  Braga Cathedral , one of the most important monuments of the city. Construction works started at the beginning of the 11th century and lasted so long that the result is a real mix of different styles ranging across Romanic, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque. Among other interesting attractions there are the  Episcopal Palace , which dates back to the XIV century, and the  Menagem Tower , which represents the remains of the old city walls.

After a lunch break in Braga, visit the  Casa dos Crivos , a typical building from the XVI century which today is home to the Civic Gallery. In addiction, take some time to visit the  Museum of Sacred Art , where it is possible to admire the treasure of the Cathedral.

But Braga is not the only stop of the day; we are heading to  Guimaraes , which can be reached in less than 30 minutes heading towards east.

Guimaraes, an old Celtic settlement, became the capital of the County of Portugal  in 1095 and for this reason its historical importance is essential. Its old town was declared UNESCO heritage site, and among its most important monuments there is the  Guimaraes Castle  with its beautiful walls, the Duques de Braganca Palace, which dates back to the XV century, and the Church of Nossa Senhora de Oliveira, which was rebuilt in the XIV on the ruins of an old monastery.

After having dinner at one of the several traditional restaurants, you should get back to your hotel room; tomorrow you have a long and intense day ahead.

Ninth day: Coimbra

Today we are going to head to the south: from Guimaraes we are going all the way to Coimbra, a city famous for its historical university to the extent that more than 20.000 foreign students have chosen to move here.  Coimbra  and its university are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Get there by lunch time and after trying some traditional dishes start exploring the old town where you will find several important palaces including the r epublicas , that is to say the centuries-old student housing. These accommodations represent a real institution in the city. Students living in these communal houses live in complete autonomy throwing parties and managing everything they might need.

It is also interesting to visit the  gate and tower of Almedina , which represents the main gateway to Coimbra. Go shopping and buy some traditional products at very convenient prices.

At night, after trying some traditional Portuguese dishes, have fun at one of the many clubs in town: being a university city, Coimbra offers a great nightlife. Prices are affordable and there are many chances to socialize.

Tenth day: Monastery of Batalha and Tomar

Keep rolling to the south: from Coimbra it takes a little less than one hour and a half to reach the  Monastery of Batalha , our stop before heading to  Tomar .

The  Monastery of Batalha , known also as the Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory, is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was built between 1300 and 1500 in Gothic-Manueline style, and today it represents one of the most important monuments of Portugal.

Its architecture is majestic, and its facade was made of white stone from Porto de Mos, while its interiors are embellished by 78 statues representing angels, Old Testament Kings, and saints.

Inside the Monastery of Batalha there is a chapel dedicated to King John I as well as an unfinished chapel that confirms the fact that the monastery was never actually finished. Near the royal cloister there is the Cloister of Alfonso V, built in Gothic style with double pointed arches.

Leave the Monastery of Batalha and head towards  Tomar , an elegant town in Central Portugal located on the shores of the Nabao river. Tomar has a beautiful old town and it is known for being an ancient Templar fortress. Speaking of which, the Templar church is located behind the entrance to the  Convent of Christ , about one kilometer from the city center.

It is one of the most interesting monuments to visit in Tomar, especially if you are interested in religious architecture. If this is not your cup of tea, then enjoy some shopping around the center.

At night Tomar is a quiet town; there are some cheap restaurants serving some delicious traditional food, beer shops and bars to enjoy a drink before going to sleep.

Eleventh day: Evora and Alentejo

Today we are going to keep hitting the road and those 200 kilometers that separate Tomar from  Evora  will be over before you even know it. Enjoy the landscape of this rural region of Portugal.

Evora, a city in the Alentejo region, is characterized by a city wall and a medieval cathedral. Evora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is a very pleasant place where to make a stop thanks to its pedestrian center filled with alleys and small shops. Visit the  Cathedral of Evora , which dates back to the XVI century, and the  Church of Saint Antony ; visit also its prestigious university or spend some time enjoying a coffee at one of the many cafes located near  Giraldo Square .

Twelfth day: Albufeira and Portimão

Today we head towards the deep south of Portugal: from Evora we are driving to  Albufeira , one of the most famous destinations along the  Algarve coast .

Albufeira could be a real shock after spending so many days traveling around central Portugal and Alentejo, where time seems to be frozen. Albufeira is a city that was created around half of the last century to meet the needs of tourists, especially British and Northern European tourists who come here during summer.

Albufeira is a great base to visit Algarve; here there are some great and fully equipped beaches, bars, restaurants, and supermarkets. On the one hand you may miss that spirit of authenticity that you have experienced in the last few days, but on the other you will be happy to have all the comforts you need. Today you can relax at the beach or at the pool, sip a coffee along the sea or go shopping.

From Albufeira it is time to move west and reach  Portimao , another famous destination in the Algarve region which is located just 2 kilometers from  Praia da Rocha , a very popular beach and tourist destination. Spend your first night in Portimao, which is quieter than Albufeira but at the same time it offers a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, and night clubs.

Algarve Guide Accommodation in the Algarve

Last two days: Sagres, Algarve Coast and return to Lisbon

The last two days of this tour around Portugal are all about relaxing by the stunning beaches of the Algarve. Our base will be  Sagres , a town located in the extreme west of the region not far from Cabo de Sao Vincente, the last piece of land before the Atlantic Ocean.

Located at the westernmost point of the Algarve coast, it is a great place for those who are looking for some calm and tranquility, as it is off the flows of massive tourism.

Sagres  is the mecca of surfers who love the natural conditions of these beaches caressed by the wind. Here surfing classes are well priced, so it could be a good opportunity to try this sport for the very first time.

There are some beautiful beaches in Sagres such as Praia da Mareta, which is the largest in the area, Praia do Tonel, where surfers surf the tallest waves, and  Praia da Baleira which is not too far from the city port.

If after two weeks around you still feel like keep exploring, the Algarve is an endless source of inspiration; you can reach  Cabo Sao Vicente  to admire its high cliffs on the ocean; you can explore  Tavira , a traditional Portuguese city at the border with the  natural park of Ria Formosa , or you can simply relax on the beach.

On the last day we will have to drive for more than three hours to get back to  Lisbon  and end this  complete tour around Portugal  and head back to the airport.

Cabo da Roca

Cabo de são vicente.

• Airport transfers
• Airport parking