Is 7 days enough for Portugal?

Seven days comfortably covers Lisbon and Porto with day trips, which is what most first-time visitors want to see. To add the Algarve, Madeira, or Azores, plan 10–14 days.

Should I fly into Lisbon or Porto?

For this itinerary, fly into Lisbon and out of Porto (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking. Both airports have direct flights from most European cities and from the US East Coast (TAP).

How do I get from Lisbon to Porto?

Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon Oriente or Santa Apolónia to Porto Campanhã — 2h45, €25–45. Comfortable, scenic Tagus valley views. Book in advance for the best prices.

What time of year is best for this itinerary?

April–June or September–October. The weather is warm, crowds are manageable, and prices are lower than July–August. March is cooler but works well if you don't mind the occasional rain.

7 Days in Portugal Itinerary | The Portugal Guides

This 7-day itinerary covers Portugal’s two great cities — Lisbon and Porto — with day trips to Sintra and the Douro Valley. It works best flying into Lisbon and out of Porto (or the reverse) to avoid doubling back.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon

Arrive at Humberto Delgado Airport. Metro Yellow Line to Rato or Marquês de Pombal (20 minutes, €1.80, buy Viva Viagem card at the airport machine). Check in.

Afternoon: Walk the Baixa: Praça do Comércio on the Tagus waterfront, Rua Augusta pedestrian street, Praça do Rossio. Elevator da Santa Justa (built by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, not Eiffel) for views over the Baixa.

Evening: Walk up to Chiado for dinner. Try A Cevicheria (modern Portuguese, book ahead) or Solar dos Presuntos (traditional, reliable). Wine at By The Wine in Chiado after.

Day 2: Alfama and Belém

Morning: Walk to Alfama. São Jorge Castle (€15, book online — queues without pre-booking are 45 minutes minimum). Walk the Moorish streets below the castle; find the Largo das Portas do Sol viewpoint. Miradouro da Graça (15 minutes uphill from São Jorge, better views, fewer tourists).

Lunch: Tasca do Chico in Mouraria (small, fado at lunch, book at least one week ahead) or any tasca on the backstreets.

Afternoon: Tram 28 to Belém (or bus 714 — less crowded, faster). Pastéis de Belém (the original custard tart, Rua de Belém 84 — queue of 10 minutes is normal). Jerónimos Monastery (€12, book online, Manueline exterior is the highlight — allow 1h30 inside). Torre de Belém (€8, 30 minutes, queues build by 11am).

Evening: LX Factory for dinner. Sunday market is the best day (10am–6pm); evening bars are good any day of the week.

Day 3: Sintra Day Trip

Train from Rossio to Sintra (40 minutes, €2.35). Buy tickets online before you go.

Morning: Quinta da Regaleira (arrive at opening, 9:30am — €10, Initiation Well, 2 hours).

Afternoon: Bus 434 to Pena Palace (€14 with grounds, 1.5–2 hours). Walk down through the park rather than back to the bus.

Late afternoon: Palácio da Vila in town (€10, 45 minutes). Travesseiros from Piriquita bakery (Rua das Padarias, €2).

Train back to Lisbon from Sintra station (40 minutes).

Day 4: Lisbon to Porto

Morning: Museu Nacional do Azulejo (€10, Intendente — 1h30 for the full tile history from 1500s). Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) for a quick lunch.

Midday: Taxi or Uber to Lisbon Oriente station. Alfa Pendular to Porto Campanhã (2h45, €25–45 — book in advance).

Afternoon arrival: Check into Porto hotel. Walk across Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia for an early evening Port wine tasting at Graham’s or Taylor’s (tours €15–20, last tours usually 5pm — call ahead).

Evening: Dinner in Ribeira — grilled fish at Taberna dos Mercadores or francesinha at Café Santiago (book ahead for Santiago).

Day 5: Porto

Morning: São Bento Station (free — 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history, 20 minutes). Livraria Lello (€8 credit towards books — pre-book online, arrive at opening to avoid queues). Torre dos Clérigos (€8, 240 steps, panoramic views).

Lunch: Cervejaria Brasão (tripe with white beans — Porto’s signature dish) or Taberna do Largo (Ribeira, traditional).

Afternoon: Palácio da Bolsa (€12, guided tour only — the Arab Room is extraordinary, 45 minutes). Walk through Ribeira to Cais da Ribeira waterfront.

Evening: Matosinhos (20 minutes by metro, Blue Line, Matosinhos Sul stop). Porto’s seafood neighbourhood — Lusitano or O Gaveto for arroz de marisco (seafood rice for 2, €35–45).

Day 6: Douro Valley

Day trip option A (train): Alfa-Pendular or Regional train from Porto Campanhã to Pinhão (2h15, €14) along the Douro River. The train journey itself — through gorges and along the river — is one of the most scenic in Europe. In Pinhão: visit a quinta for tasting (Ramos Pinto, Quinta do Crasto, or many smaller operations). Train back by late afternoon.

Day trip option B (river cruise): River cruise from Porto to Pinhão (departures from Cais de Gaia, 8h round trip, €75–120). Slower, more relaxed, includes lunch.

Advance booking essential for trains in peak season.

Evening back in Porto: MAAT at the Serralves Museum (contemporary art) or walk to Foz do Douro for sunset over the Atlantic.

Day 7: Porto and Departure

Morning: Mercado do Bolhão (reopened 2022 after renovation — iron market structure from 1914, fresh produce, local cheese, bacalhau stalls). Coffee at Majestic Café (1921, worth one visit despite the tourist tax on coffee prices). Bolt or taxi to Porto airport.

Practical notes

Transport card: Andante card in Porto (€0.60 card + load credit) covers metro and buses. Viva Viagem card in Lisbon (€0.50 + load) for metro, trams, buses.

Booking: Pre-book Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Livraria Lello, and the Douro train in advance. Everything else can be done on arrival.

Budget guidance: This itinerary works on €80–120/day per person (mid-range: 3-star hotel, meals at tascas, public transport). Budget version €50–70/day (hostel, lunch menus, self-catering for some meals). High-end €200+/day.

7 Days in Portugal — The Perfect First-Timer Itinerary