10 Days in Portugal - Countrywide Road Trip Itinerary
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Despite its small size, Portugal packs a real punch. From historic and cultural riches to stunning landscapes, and a rich and diverse culinary heritage, Portugal is a little jewel that brings visitors back for return trip after return trip.
While it’s impossible to see all of Portugal’s main attractions in only one trip, the following 10-day itinerary does a pretty good job of providing a comprehensive introduction to the country. If you follow it, you’ll travel the entire length of Portugal while making stops at some fantastic destinations all along the way.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes to get up early and pack your days as full as possible, this is the perfect plan for you.
Being realistic, trying to do a countrywide trip in 10 days means that you won’t have enough time to really settle in and deeply explore any of the places you’re visiting, but for a first trip, that’s not really ever possible.
So, consider this your first-timer’s introduction to Portugal, where you’ll get a glimpse of the absolute must-see highlights of this wonderful country, along with a good dose of its history, culture, and food.
And don’t worry about anything you don’t make it to this time: you’re undoubtedly going to be planning a return trip before you’ve even left!
More Portugal travel info:
For more ideas on where to go in Portugal and how to plan your trip, check out our guide on how to plan a trip to Portugal and our list of 40 beautiful places to visit.
If you could use some one-on-one help planning your Portugal itinerary, schedule a Portugal travel consultation with one of our Local Experts!
Table of contents
10-Day Portugal Itinerary
Days 1: Lisbon - Chiado, Rossio, Alfama, Graça
Day 2: Lisbon - Belém
Day 3: Lisbon to Faro via Alentejo coast, with a stop in Vila Nova Milfontes
Day 4: Lagos
Day 5: Olhão
Day 6: Évora
Day 7: Évora to Coimbra
Day 8: Coimbra to Porto with a Douro Valley self-drive tour
Day 9: Porto
Day 10: Porto
Best time to visit
How long to spend in Portugal
Getting to Portugal
Transportation and how to get around
Expenses and average travel costs
Using credit cards and paying for things
Local help with your planning
We’ve tried to put together a comprehensive 10-day itinerary that hits all the highlights without forcing you to change hotels every night. Even so, there’s an awful lot to see and do in Portugal and it’s impossible to fit everything into just one trip. Also, no single itinerary will be right for every travelers, so consider this a jumping off point for planning your own.
If you could use some help coming up with a great plan, consider scheduling a Portugal travel consultation with one of our Local Experts!
These are one-hour Zoom calls where you can chat with a Portugal-based travel expert about the trip you’re planning our they’ll share their tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.
10-day Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
For this trip, your journey begins in Lisbon and ends in Porto, making stops everywhere in between. After a few days in Lisbon, you’ll head south toward the Algarve via the beautiful Alentejo coastline.
After reaching Lagos, it’s time for a few days spent exploring this historic town and the area’s stunning beaches, before heading east to Olhão and a less-visited, but still charming part of the Algarve.
From Olhão, you’ll head north through the interior of the Alentejo, until you reach the beautiful town of Évora.
Next up is Coimbra, with its world-famous university, lively atmosphere, and picturesque riverside location.
Continuing north, you’ll have a day of sightseeing in the gorgeous Douro Valley, before reaching Porto, your final destination.
Wrapping up after a couple of days in Portugal’s second city, it’s time to head home.
Day 1: Lisbon - Chiado, Rossio, Alfama, Graça
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While you can easily spend a good 5 days in Lisbon exploring our delightful capital’s pastel-colored façades, grand monuments, and quaint museums, this itinerary focuses on introducing you to the city’s main attractions over two days, and the best way to do it is mostly on foot.
Be warned though, Lisbon is built on hills and you’ll get a good workout walking in certain parts of the city. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes that have a good grip as the calçada portuguesa (the Portuguese cobblestoned sidewalks that often incorporate artistic patterns) can be a bit slippery.
And there are plenty of charming cafés along the way where you can stop for a little rest. And even though there is a lot of walking involved, the distances are pretty short. It won’t take you more than 10 minutes to get from one point to another.
Also keep in mind that things in Lisbon get off to a later start and most museums, attractions, and shops only open at 10 a.m., if not later.
Morning
I suggest starting the day at Praça Camões in Chiado. Chiado is one Lisbon’s most elegant neighborhoods home to grand 18th and 19th century buildings, classic bookshops, monumental theatres, and swanky shops.
Grab a pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) at A Manteigaria across the street from the square to fuel you up for your walk and wind your way up to the Convento do Carmo.
Most of this convent was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake that ravaged Lisbon, but its arches and pillars are still standing and now form an open-air museum that is worth exploring. The site is also home to a small archaeology museum. You shouldn’t be spending over an hour here.
After visiting the Convento do Carmo, continue your walk up to nearby São Roque Church. São Roque may look plain on the outside but, in my opinion, it’s the most dazzling church in Lisbon.
Take some time to explore the interior filled with gold, marble, semi-precious stones, and hand painted tiles.
Just up behind the church is the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, one of Lisbon’s most beautiful lookout points with sweeping views over the city and the São Jorge Castle.
You can stroll the gardens with fountains and sculptures as you admire the views here or take a little coffee break at the open-air kiosk.
Praça Luis de Camões in the Chiado neighborhood
Afternoon
I suggest having lunch in this area before continuing your walk as there is a much better selection of restaurants in this area, along Rua Dom Pedro V.
For classic Portuguese food try Faz Frio. You may want to call them earlier to book though so that you don’t have to wait for a table when you arrive.
You will also be having an earlyish lunch (at least by Portuguese standards – lunch time in Portugal is usually 1 p.m.) so finding space shouldn’t be a problem.
After lunch you can start winding your way down towards Avenida da Liberdade. You can follow the funicular tracks down along Calçada da Glória or ride the funicular down if you’d like. But it’s pretty overpriced and overrated for such a short ride.
Head towards the Rossio train station to admire its exuberant façade before continuing on to Praça Dom Pedro IV.
Continue walking down pedestrianized (and very touristy) Rua Augusta to make a regal entrance into Praça do Comércio through the grand arch to admire the biggest square in Europe and what used to be the impressive gateway to the Imperial capital.
The impressive Praça do Comércio in central Lisbon
From here, head over to Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods and home to Roman ruins and Moorish heritage. Stop by the Sé, Lisbon’s 12th century cathedral that was built on the site of a mosque after the city was reconquered from the Moors, and the Roman Theater behind it that dates from the 1st century.
Turn off Google maps here and spend some time exploring the medina-like labyrinthine alleys and squares of Alfama. Check out the views from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia with its beautiful blue azulejos that depict the Reconquest of the city.
At this point, you may want to take a break from all the walking. I recommend you take a short ride on the legendary 28 tram from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia up to Graça to catch more sweeping views over the city from Lisbon’s highest viewpoint at the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
You can grab a glass of wine from one of the nearby bars or vendors to enjoy the panorama as the sun gets ready to set or walk around Graça to explore this charming and classic Lisboeta neighborhood.
Evening
After a full day, you deserve to end it with a great meal. One of my personal favorites in the area is Sant’Avó, about a five-minute walk from the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, for some fantastic Portuguese regional specialties in a non-touristy setting.
You can also have an earlier dinner here if you’d like. Most restaurants in Lisbon only reopen for dinner at 7 PM but Sant’Avó doesn’t close between lunch and dinner service.
Overnight in Lisbon
For a full over on where to stay, check out our Lisbon neighborhood guide which includes detailed overviews of the best neighborhoods for visitors along with hotel recommendations in each.
Day 2: Lisbon - Belém
The Torre de Belém
Morning
Many of Lisbon’s grand sites are in Belém and it is well worth spending a day exploring this area at the southwestern edge of Lisbon, about 4 miles from the city center.
Catch the 15 tram from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Before you visit the Mosteiro, make a pit stop at the famous Pastéis de Belém, home to the original pastel de nata. While this has become a super touristy place, I still have to admit, they are the best ones I’ve tried.
There is plenty of seating inside but, if you’re pressed for time, you can grab them to go and have them in the park across from the Monastery.
The Monastery is one of the most visited sites in Lisbon, and for good reason. I strongly recommend you book your ticket online beforehand at https://bilheteira.patrimoniocultural.pt/ in order to avoid massive lines.
A UNESCO listed World Heritage site; this fantastic masterpiece was commissioned by then King Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in the late 15th century.
Make sure you visit both the cloisters and the church where Vasco da Gama is buried.
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Afternoon
For lunch, I recommend you try one of the two restaurants that are by the riverfront that are very popular with Portuguese families: Clube Naval de Lisboa or A Vela next door for grilled fish or a classic seafood dish.
After lunch, walk over to another UNESCO-listed heritage site, the Torre de Belém, symbolizing Portugal’s grand Age of Discoveries.
From here you can walk along the waterfront and enjoy the tranquil views. Check out the contemporary architecture of MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology whose design mimics a wave. You can walk onto the building’s roof for a great panorama of the 25th of April bridge.
If you still have the energy for one more museum, you can visit MAAT, or the contemporary art collection of the nearby Berardo Collection, or the quirky Museu Nacional dos Coches for a collection of fairy tale coaches that date from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Connect with one of our Portugal local experts for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
Evening
There may be a particular restaurant or area that caught your attention during your walks that you may want to try for dinner.
But if you’re looking for a cozy restaurant with delicious, simple food, fantastic hosts and a great wine selection, I suggest Agulha no Palheiro in Alfama.
Make sure to book though as it is tiny, and it fills up quickly. After dinner, you can take one final stroll through the streets of Alfama and grab a drink in of the terraces to get a sense of the area’s nightlife.
Alfama is also full of fado bars and restaurants (many of them very touristy) but you can always stand in front of one of the small fado joints and enjoy the music for a while.
Overnight in Lisbon
See neighborhood recommendations and hotel options in the article linked above in day 1.
Day 3: Lisbon to Lagos - with lunch in Vila Nova de Milfontes
Praia da Dona Ana beach just south of Lagos. Photo: Felix König, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Morning
After you’ve picked up your rental car, it’s time to hit the road down to the Algarve. Most times the GPS will route you over the Vasco de Gama bridge to head south but opt for the route over the 25 de Abril bridge instead for the most scenic way out of Lisbon.
I recommend you break up the trip and stop in charming Vila Nova de Milfontes along the way for a leisurely lunch and to enjoy the delightful Alentejo coast. The drive to V.N. de Milfontes should take about two hours.
You can take a short stroll in the whitewashed historic center to stretch your legs.
Afternoon
I recommend you drive a little over a mile to the north of town to Porto das Barcas for a nice lunch with stunning views over the dramatic coastline. You have two options here.
You can either choose to eat in the restaurant (fish and seafood are the local specialties) or in the open-air bar behind the restaurant where they serve lighter fare like poke bowls and burgers. Either way stunning views and good food are guaranteed.
After lunch, continue your drive down to Lagos which should take about an hour and a half.
The whitewashed stone buildings of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Photo: Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Evening
After a day’s drive, you can relax with a glass of wine at one of the beachfront bars by Praia dos Estudantes or Praia da Batata as the day draws to a close.
There are plenty of good restaurants to choose from in the old town of Lagos which is only a short walk away.
Overnight in Lagos
Lagos is small, so really your only major decision is whether you want to be in the town center or on the beach. Here are some hotels in town that I like:
Casa Mãe Lagos - €180 to €300 per night.
Cascade Wellness Resort - €200 to €300 per night (outside of town).
Aldeia de Pedralva - €100 to €200 per night (also outside of town).
Day 4: Lagos
Rua Silva Lopes street in Lagos’ Old Town. Photo: Ernmuhl at lb.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Morning
Lagos is much more than just an Algarve beach resort. The town has a rich history that dates back millenniums and has also played an important role in Portugal’s golden Age of Discoveries.
I strongly suggest spending a couple of hours exploring the charming old town to get a sense of Lagos’ historical significance. I would even recommend you book a free walking tour to get the full experience.
Afternoon
Grab a quick light lunch in the old town so that you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring a couple of Lagos’ stunning beaches including Praia do Camilo and Praia Dona Ana.
These smaller, secluded beaches are amongst the best in the western Algarve and are set amongst the dramatic coves and grottos that this coastline is famous for.
Praia do Camilo
Evening
Watching the sunset from one of these beaches is always a magical experience. If looking for a nearby option for dinner, one of my personal favorites is Gastrobar & Garrafeira Repolho.
This unassuming tapas and wine bar is nestled in a residential complex and serves great food and has an extensive wine selection.
Overnight in Lagos
See my hotel recommendations in day 3 for ideas on where to stay.
Day 5: Lagos to Olhão
Morning
To get a sense of how different the Algarvio coastline is drive east for about an hour to the charming town of Olhão. The coastline in the eastern Algarve is no longer dotted with coves but the marshes and salt pans of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Make sure to visit the Municipal Market early in your visit (many stalls start closing at mid-day), which is impressive for the variety of local fish and produce, its locally harvested sea salt, and also because of its beautiful industrial architecture.
Whenever you’re finished at the maket, cross the main avenue and begin exploring the old town of Olhão. You may feel as if you’re walking through a medina in Morocco as you wander along the narrow lanes and Moorish influenced architecture.
The old quarters also host an interesting public collection of sculptures inspired by ancient legends.
Afternoon
There are various restaurants where you can stop for lunch in the old quarters. Two of my favorites are located a block away from each other: Tapas e Lendas and Arraúl Gastro Bar.
I suggest you try a glass of a local Algarve wine with your meal. The Algarve is the smallest wine producing region in Portugal but they have some interesting labels that are worth sampling.
After lunch, you can catch a ferry to Armona Island. The crossing takes about 15 minutes and schedules depend on the time of year you’re visiting – they run with less frequency October through March.
You can view the marshes close-up during the crossing and experience the peace and tranquility of this island with a permanent population of roughly 50 who mostly make their living from fishing and tourism.
You can enjoy the beautiful beach here or just sit and grab a drink at the restaurant that’s at the entrance to the beach and simply relax and enjoy the views.
Just make sure you don’t miss the last ferry back to Olhão (be sure to check the schedule)!
Armona Island. Photo: João Domingos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Evening
Back in Olhão, I recommend trying one of the fish and seafood restaurants along the waterfront 5 de Outubro Avenue for dinner. Cataplana (fish stew) is the local specialty here.
After dinner, go for another leisurely stroll through the old town, and enjoy the lovely nighttime ambiance of its maze-like streets.
Overnight in Olhão
In Olhão, I recommend staying right in the charming historic center. Here are a few hotel recommendations:
Casa Rosa Villa - A few bright, airy, colorful, and comfortable rooms make up this boutique guesthouse. The courtyard pool is great. Nightly rates start around $250 USD during high season.
Octant Vila Monte - All white stone with beautifully manicured grounds, this place oozes countryside retreat. It’s actually in the town of Moncarapacho, in the hills above Olhão, but you won’t care once you’re there! Expect to pay around $300 USD.
Casa Flor de Sal - Great option for families with pretty grounds and private little houses/apartments. It’s a bit outside of town and there’s a 3 night minimum stay, however. Rates are around $300 USD per night.
Real Marina Hotel & Spa - Right on the waterfront, this is a larger hotel with modern rooms and amenities. Rooms from $250 USD during the summer.
Casa Amor Olhão - Brand new boutique hotel with just 10 rooms situated inside a lovely property in the heart of the old town. Rooms from $170 USD.
Convento Olhão - Simple, but beautiful rooms in a lovingly restored building. It feels like you’re staying at a friend’s chic beach home, which, in a way, you are! Nightly rates start around $150 USD.
Day 6: Olhão to Évora
Évora’s Roman temple
Morning
It’s time to head back north this morning to Évora, one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns and lively university town in the Alentejo, often referred to as Portugal’s most traditional region.
Évora houses some impressive classic architecture inside its 14th century walls as well as one of the best preserved Roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula. The drive from Olhão should take about two and a half to three hours getting you into town just around lunch time.
The center of the walled city is compact enough to allow you to visit the major sites in one afternoon.
Afternoon
There are plenty of good restaurants in the center of the old town serving hearty Alentejano classics. I suggest you try Híbrido while in Évora for either lunch or dinner. They have a creative menu that merges ancient local recipes with contemporary touches.
Some of the main sites you’ll want to hit after lunch include Praça do Giraldo, the Temple of Diana (a 2nd Century Roman temple that is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Portugal), the Cathedral with its eclectic architecture, São Francisco Church and the eerie Chapel of Bones.
About 2-2 ½ hours should be enough time for you to visit all the sites. You can end your tour with a stroll in the lovely Jardim Público gardens.
Évora seen from the Cathedral roof
Evening
The Alentejo is Portugal’s largest wine producing region and there are numerous wine bars and tasting rooms in Évora where you can try some of the local production. If you tried Híbrido for lunch, I suggest you have dinner at Enoteca Cartuxa (one of the region’s better-known wineries) for a great culinary experience.
The restaurant is pretty casual, and you can order smaller plates if you’d like to try different specialties along with their wines and olive oils.
Overnight in Évora
Évora is atmospheric and has some great restaurants, so given you’ll only have one day here (on this itinerary), you should spend the night right in town.
Convento do Espinheiro - $200-250 per night.
Pousada Convento de Évora - Rooms from $175.
M’AR de Ar Aqueduto - $120-200 a night.
Albergaria do Calvario - Rooms start at $120.
Day 7: Évora to Coimbra
Coimbra’s lovely waterfront.
Morning
Time to hit the road again for a three-hour drive to Coimbra. Assuming you get a reasonably early start, you should be getting into town at around lunch time, after passing through some lovely stretches of Central Portugal.
Coimbra carries its weight in history as Portugal’s capital for about 100 years in the 12th and 13th centuries and is now home to one of Europe’s oldest and Portugal’s most prestigious university, founded in 1290 with some impressive 16th to 18th century buildings on the university campus.
The high point here is the spectacular baroque Joanina Library.
Afternoon
The area west-southwest of Praça do Comércio has a lot of traditional Portuguese eateries where you can stop for lunch. After lunch, you can explore the labyrinthine streets of the old upper town that was a Moorish stronghold before it was home to the Portuguese kings.
The must-see sites here are the Sé Velha (the old cathedral) as well as the university campus. When you buy tickets to visit the university, make sure you book a time to visit the Joanina Library that has limited access and will be the highlight of your visit.
Evening
Grab a table outside at Taberna Almedina or at Tapas nas Costas in the upper town and enjoy people watching and the area’s vibrant student life.
If you’re looking to extend the evening, just follow the noise and the crowds until they lead you to somewhere that looks fun. You should have no problem finding plenty of nightlife here!
Overnight in Coimbra
The 3 neighborhoods you want to consider for your accommodation are Coimbra Alta (upper Coimbra, near the University), Coimbra Baixa (lower Coimbra on the North side of the river), and Santa Clara on the opposite side of the river and near to the Monastery of Santa Clara.
Here are my favorite hotels:
Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra - You can often find a room for around €100.
Sapentia Boutique Hotel - €100 a night.
Quinta das Lagrimas - Rooms usually run about €200.
Hotel Mondego - Nightly rates from as low as €80.
Hotel Astoria - Off season rates can be under €50.
Day 8: Coimbra to Porto - with a self-tour of the Douro Valley
Morning
Today, I suggest an early start to the day as you’ll be taking a leisurely road trip through Portugal’s best known wine region, the Douro Valley, on your way to Porto.
The Douro Valley, located in Northern Portugal, has been producing wine for over 2,000 years and is a region of striking scenery, with steep terraced vineyards that stand in contrast to the meandering Douro River, and whitewashed villages and estates perched up in the hills.
Start by driving up to Lamego. The drive up from Coimbra should take about two hours. This pretty town is worth a brief visit with the main attraction here being the impressive Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary and its baroque stairway.
On the food and wine front, the town is well known for its raposeira sparkling wine as well as cured meats and sausages.
After a stop in Lamego, continue up to Peso da Régua (about a 20-minute drive), the largest town along the Douro River with a scenic riverfront and picturesque old town center. There are some good restaurants here where you can stop for lunch.
The town of Lamego. Photo: Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Afternoon
I personally find Aneto & Table to be a pleasant option for lunch. Run by the namesake winery, this cool restaurant is set in a former railway depot across from the waterfront and next to the train station.
If you enjoy winery visits and wine tastings, a visit to Quinta do Vallado would be well worth your while. This winery has been around since the early 1700s and runs regularly scheduled tours in English daily at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. that last a little over an hour.
Make sure to book in advance on their website. Just make sure to leave Coimbra early enough in the morning and/or manage your time accordingly during your stop in Lamego should you opt for the 11 a.m. visit (which would be a wiser choice if you’re visiting in the months when the days are shorter).
You can now start your scenic drive to Porto on the N108 that runs along the river and will allow you to enjoy the region’s natural beauty in all its splendor. The drive to Porto along this winding road takes a good three hours.
You’ll have different opportunities along the way to make brief stops to take in the beautiful views and appreciate some of the river beaches.
Evening
After a long day and a long drive, you’ll most likely want to spend a quiet evening. There’s no shortage of great restaurants and wine bars in Porto to enjoy a good meal. You may want to choose one that’s close to your hotel.
Overnight in Porto
For an overview of Porto’s neighborhoods and lots of great hotel ideas, check out our guide on where to stay in Porto.
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Day 9: Porto
Morning
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto is opulent and gritty at the same time and most people quickly fall for its charms. Once again, walking around is your best option here. But the city center is pretty compact and the distances from one point to another are fairly short.
Start your morning at Torre dos Clérigos to catch sweeping views over the city from the 250-foot-tall tower. Just a block up the street is Livraria Lello, considered one of the world’s ten most beautiful bookshops.
They limit the number of people who can enter the shop at one time. You can purchase tickets across the street or on their website.
From here, swing by the nearby Carmo Church, famous for its tiled side wall façade and beautiful baroque interior.
Continue down Rua da Fábrica towards majestic Avenida dos Aliados where you can walk around and spend a few minutes admiring the grand beaux-arts façades.
Then head over to the São Bento train station to admire the fabulous hand-painted azulejos in the main hall depicting various phases of Portuguese history.
The Azulejos in the main hall of the São Bento station
Afternoon
From the station you can cross the street onto Rua das Flores, a pretty pedestrianized street with cute shops and cafes. As touristy as it may appear, there are some great eateries here where you can stop for lunch, especially at the lower end of the street, and hopefully grab a table outside and do some people watching as you enjoy a nice meal.
After lunch, continue your walk down towards the gorgeous neo-classical Palácio da Bolsa (the former stock exchange). I strongly suggest you take a guided tour of the building that lasts 30 minutes and will provide you with a sense of Porto’s grand past as a merchant city.
Right next to the Palácio da Bolsa, is São Francisco Church which is also well worth a visit for its opulent baroque interiors.
From here, wind your way down the narrow streets of the medieval quarters and onto Praça da Ribeira to enjoy a riverside stroll with a view over the port-wine lodges across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Walk across the Dom Luís I bridge built by a student of Gustave Eiffel to Gaia’s waterfront with views over the splendid Porto skyline. This is the ideal location to watch the sunset.
If you like Port wine, you should definitely try a Port tasting at one of the numerous tasting rooms here run by the different wineries.
Dom Luís I bridge
Evening
More and more specialized Portuguese wineries are producing top quality natural wines. You can have dinner at a wine bar that offers a great selection of these wines along with some great bites.
Two personal recommendations include A Cave du Bon Vivant run by a passionate French couple as well as the unassuming Original Eco-Mercado, a few blocks away from the Bolhão market.
If you feel like you’d like to splurge on a creative dinner experience at the end of your trip, consider Apego.
Overnight in Porto
See the Porto neighborhood guide linked in day 8 for accommodation recommendations.
Day 10: Porto
Morning
Start your day at Porto’s famous Mercado do Bolhão that recently underwent a complete renovation. Vendors here sell everything from fresh produce, locally caught fish, regional cured meats and cheese, to freshly baked breads and pastries. Many of them also offer tastings of wines and cured meats and cheeses.
From here, you may want to call an Uber/Bolt to head over to the Serralves, one of Portugal’s finest cultural institutions, which is about 4 miles away. The complex combines beautiful gardens, a contemporary art museum, as well as a fantastic pink art deco house.
Even if you don’t appreciate contemporary art, the gardens and the building’s minimalist white architecture designed by Pritzker-prize winning Portuguese master Álvaro Siza are worth the visit.
Afternoon
There is a nice restaurant at the Serralves where you can have lunch, or try Lareira across the street.
After lunch, catch an Uber/Bolt out to the seaside neighborhood of Foz do Douro and enjoy some beach time at Praia dos Ingleses. Take a leisurely post lunch stroll here or and grab an afternoon coffee in one of the beachfront cafés.
A beach in Foz do Douro
From here take a public bus back into the center. The 500 bus is a scenic ride in a double decker that goes all along the coast. Grab a seat on the upper deck and enjoy the views.
You can get off the bus at the Entre-Quintas stop and wind your way up the different mosaic of gardens and lookout points with stunning views over the river to the beautiful garden that is the Jardim do Palácio de Cristal.
Evening
Enjoy a nice walk along the leafy streets of the Miragaia neighborhood where there is a good selection of restaurants or try one of the wine bars you didn’t get a chance to go to yet.
Overnight in Porto
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Portugal is either in the Spring - from April through June - or in the early fall - September and October. If coming in the spring, know that Easter break can be very busy, so that’s one week to potentially avoid.
In spring and early fall, you’ll enjoy pleasant, but not too hot temperatures, fewer crowds than during the summer high season, cheaper prices for everything from hotels to car rentals, and lots of availability for just about anything you want to book.
Most years, it’s already warm enough to hit the beach in the spring and the ocean is actually at its warmest in the early fall, so in both periods you’re sure to enjoy blissful days on the beach unbothered by the summer masses. Swimming season officially runs from June through mid-October, but many locals start going to the beach already starting mid-April.
Hotel rates, especially in the Algarve and smaller cities, also tend to be lower in the spring and fall months.
All that said, it’s important to clarify that there really is no bad time to visit Portugal. We have been gifted a mild, very pleasant climate that is rarely too extreme in any particular way, and as such, it’s genuinely nice to be here throughout the vast majority of the year.
How long to spend in Portugal
Despite being a small country, Portugal’s geography and culture are quite varied, especially between the far north and far south, so you could easily spend well over a month traveling around and getting to know all of our regions.
Between the southern Algarve and the northern province of Minho, you’ll encounter bustling cities, centuries-old rural traditions, medieval castles, spectacular beaches, splendid scenery, and varied cuisine, which is all worth savoring and experiencing in full.
Think of this - Portugal alone is home to 17 UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites! There is simply a lot to see and do here, and you could spend months exploring it all.
Two weeks (14 days) - ideal for a first visit
However, most of us don’t have the luxury of traveling for such an extended period, so for a first visit, two weeks is generally ideal to soak in Portugal’s highlights and experience a good deal of the country’s cultural and natural diversity.
With two full weeks, you’ll have time to discover the charms and vibrancy of Lisbon and Porto, the fairy tale town of Sintra perched high in the clouds, the slow pace of life and the rich history and traditions of the Alentejo, the spectacular beaches and Moorish heritage of the Algarve, the medieval quarters of Coimbra, a bit of Northern Portugal, and the monumental medieval masterpieces of the Convent of Christ at Tomar and the Monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça.
10 days - good enough if it’s what you’ve got
If you don’t have two full weeks, 10 days is still a very nice amount of time to spend here, as it gives you enough time to experience almost everything mentioned above, just at a faster pace.
And that’s exactly what this 10-day itinerary has you doing! Since we’re a little short on time, some of your visits will be a bit quicker than is absolutely ideal, and you won’t have as much time to slow down and soak everything in, but you will absolutely get to experience the best that Portugal has to offer.
Getting to Portugal
Portugal has become quite a popular tourist destination in recent years, and there are countless flights arriving here every day from all over the world.
For those coming from the US, major American carriers including Delta, United, and American all offer regularly scheduled flights to Lisbon every day of the week.
And Portuguese carrier TAP Air Portugal flies to Lisbon from six US cities. If you prefer to fly into or out of Porto, United Airlines and TAP Air both fly to Porto from Newark. Beginning in the spring of 2024, you will even have a few direct flights from Newark to Faro, in the Algarve.
For this particular itinerary, it would be ideal to fly into Lisbon and fly out of Porto, so keep your eyes peeled for those multi-city flights!
Transportation and getting around
Renting a car
For this itinerary, and for exploring Portugal in general, renting a car is always the best option. You won’t need a car in the big cities like Lisbon and Porto (and driving in them and finding parking is an absolute nightmare), but to get out to the beaches, the natural areas, and the small towns, you will absolutely want to have a car.
While you can get most everywhere in Portugal with public transportation (really, the bus system in particular is excellent), the travel times are often long, you’ll be stuck waiting on the bus or train companies’ schedules, and you won’t have the freedom to make stops along the way.
To follow this itinerary, our suggestion would be that you arrive to Lisbon, spend your first 2 days there without a car, and then pick up your rental on your third day when you’re leaving the city. You can then return the car in Porto on the day that you arrive there.
You won’t want the car in either city, so this saves you the hassle of driving in the cities, finding parking, and paying for a rental car on days when you will certainly not be using it.
Where to find a car rental
If you decide to rent a car, you’ll find all the major international companies here as well as some smaller local ones which are often less expensive.
To check prices and book, I recommend using the following two car rental websites:
DiscoverCars includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
AutoEurope tends to be more expensive, but they only list options from large, well-reviewed companies and their customer service is excellent. Their deals often include “zero deductible” (i.e. full coverage) rental insurance.
Public transportation
Lisbon and Porto both have excellent in-city transportation, with abundant subways, trams, and locals buses. Ubers in both cities, as well as our smaller cities and large towns, are usually plentiful and quite cheap, especially compared to prices in the United States or Canada.
For an alternative ride-sharing option, you might also want to consider downloading the Bolt app. Bolt is a European competitor to Uber that often has good promotions and can be cheaper than Uber.
Keep in mind however that traffic can be heavy in the big cities and it’s often quicker to get around by metro. Lisbon and Porto offer 24-hour unlimited ride transit passes.
Trains
Portugal has a decent rail network operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP), the state railway company. There are frequent connections between Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto, as well as less frequent connections with other cities.
You can also get to Evora in the Alentejo by train from Lisbon with two daily departures as well as to the Algarve with five daily departures from Lisbon to Faro.
A coastal regional line (on a slow running diesel train) connects different towns in the Algarve between Lagos and Faro, as well as Faro and Tavira.
Comboios de Portugal rail line offers plenty of promotional fares on the long distance routes if you book early, so always be sure to check in advance and reserve well ahead of time if you can.
It's also possible to get to popular sites in the greater Lisbon area such as Cascais and Sintra by suburban rail from Lisbon’s city center. From Porto, CP runs an urban line to some of the north’s most visited cities including Braga, Guimarães, and Viana do Castelo.
Buses
Long distance buses are cheaper than the train and are the best alternative for visiting towns that are not served by rail. They run quite frequently and have an extensive network all throughout the country, covering vastly more destinations than the train does.
Flixbus and Redes Expresso are the two main companies. They also offer highly discounted promotional fares that are often available even for same-day departures.
Outside of the major cities and the areas/routes mentioned above, the bus is almost always the best public transit choice for medium and long-distance travel in Portugal. You will be very impressed by the number of routes and the ease of traveling just about anywhere by bus.
Of course, there are not always routes between smaller, more out of the way towns, so when trying to piece together an entire trip by bus, you will often wind up having to go first to a regional hub and then make a transfer to reach your final destination.
Where to buy train and bus tickets
In general, I recommend buying your tickets directly from the service provider. That said, looking up all the routes and comparing prices between different companies can be rather tedious.
Omio is an aggregator I like that shows options for public transport routes all over Europe. When you do a search, you’ll be able to see all your options for trains, buses, flights, and even ferries along with a host of different companies that provide the services. Comparing prices is easy, the site has a great design, and you can keep all your bookings in one place. It costs a little bit more than booking direct, but it’s really convenient.
Connect with one of our Portugal local experts for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
Expenses and average costs in Portugal
Despite the increasing cost of living over the past couple of years, as in most parts around the world, Portugal remains an affordable destination for American travelers.
Drinks: You can still get an espresso here in a local café for under €1; an imperial, a 200 ml glass of a local draft beer, will only set you back €1.50 or less, and you can get a good glass of Portuguese wine for under €4.
Meals: Neighborhood tascas, casual family-run restaurants, are a great option for a typical lunch. Join the locals and choose the prato do dia option for a great value, home-cooked meal for under €10. Most tascas also have a full menu for lunch that could include a soup or dessert along with the main course, a glass of wine or beer, and coffee for around €12-14.
Hotels: A 4-star hotel will set you back between €150-200 in high season. In the spring and the fall rates are lower (usually below €150) especially in the Algarve and smaller cities.
Car rental: The average cost for renting an intermediate car is about €50/day (you can find this for a fair deal less in the off-season though)
Long distance travel:
Train travel is very comfortable and affordable in Portugal. You can book promotional fares if you book early enough (at least 8 days prior to departure).
A one-way fare from Lisbon to Porto can be booked for as low as €15.50. A full fare ticket ranges from €25-32 one-way.
Buses are a more economical way to travel between cities. A one-way ticket from Lisbon to Porto can be found for as low as €6.99 including for same-day travel, depending on availability. A full fare ticket costs €14.99 one-way.
A local bus or metro ride in Lisbon costs €1.65 if tickets are purchased at metro station vending machines. If purchased on board, a bus ride costs €2.
Museums: State-run museums have lower entry fees than the ones run by private foundations with tickets ranging between €5-15.
Tours: A half day private city tour can cost between €40-50 per person. There are also excellent guides, often historians, that offer free walking tours in most towns and cities where you are free to pay what you think the tour is worth.
Discount cards: A good way to save on public transportation and museum entry fees is to purchase a Lisboa and/or Porto card that includes unlimited rides on public transport, entrance to state-run museums, and discounts on tickets to other museums and attractions.
A Lisbon card costs €21 for 24 hours and €35 for 48 hours. The cost of a Porto card is €13 for 24 hours and €20 for 48 hours.
Using credit cards and paying for things
Credit cards
Most places will accept credit and debit cards, but smaller family-run restaurants and cafés, and small shops may only accept cash or cards issued by Portuguese banks, so it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand.
The same applies for parking meters: there are some that only accept cash payments.
If you need to withdraw cash, it’s best to use ATMs rather than going to a currency exchange office, as the banks that operate the ATMs will almost always offer better exchange rates.
Tipping
It is not “mandatory” to tip in Portugal, but most patrons will round up the bill at restaurants or leave a 5-10% tip for great service. If getting a drink at a cafe, you could leave a few small coins, but again, this isn’t necessary or expected.
Tipping here is always at your discretion, and if you feel that you received rude or poor service, it isn’t necessary to tip. Waiters won’t chase you outside the restaurant for failing to leave something.
Connect with a Portugal expert
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