Two Weeks in Portugal — The Complete 14-Day Itinerary
Fourteen days is enough to understand Portugal’s main geographic and cultural contrasts — the Atlantic-facing cities of Lisbon and Porto, the schist terraces of the Douro wine country, and the golden limestone coast of the Algarve. This itinerary is designed for travellers flying in and out of different airports; fly into Lisbon, out of Faro.
Days 1–3 — Lisbon
Three days in Lisbon covers the essential neighbourhoods and gives enough time for one day trip. See our full 3 days in Lisbon itinerary for the day-by-day detail.
Key sites: Alfama and São Jorge Castle (day 1), Belém and Chiado (day 2), Baixa and Museu do Azulejo (day 3).
Logistics: Stay in or near Chiado, Baixa, or Príncipe Real. Metro Viva Viagem card for transport. Alfa Pendular train to Porto booked in advance (cp.pt).
Day 4 — Sintra and Cascais
Take the commuter train from Rossio to Sintra (40 minutes, €2.25) and spend the morning at Pena Palace (€14 — book online at sintra.pt at least 2 days ahead) and Quinta da Regaleira (€12).
In the afternoon, take the bus (Scotturb 403) from Sintra to Cascais via Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of continental Europe). The bus stops at Cabo da Roca — allow 30 minutes at the lighthouse and clifftop before continuing to Cascais.
Cascais is 40 minutes by commuter train from Lisbon Cais do Sodré (€2.65). Stay the night in Cascais or return to Lisbon. Cascais has a better restaurant scene than its resort reputation suggests — the fish market area has several good options in the €20–35 range.
Day 5 — Lisbon to Porto
Travel to Porto by Alfa Pendular train from Lisboa Oriente to Porto Campanhã (2 hours 45 minutes, €25–40). Book the early morning train to maximise afternoon time in Porto.
Afternoon: Walk the Ribeira, cross the Luís I bridge to Gaia for a port wine lodge tour (Graham’s or Taylor’s, €15–20). Sunset from the upper level of the bridge.
Evening: Dinner in Bonfim or Cedofeita — Porto’s most interesting restaurant neighbourhoods. Check in to accommodation in the centre.
Days 6–7 — Porto
Full Porto coverage in our Porto weekend itinerary.
Day 6 focuses on: The Clérigos Tower (€5), Livraria Lello (€8), port wine lodges in Gaia, Ribeira riverfront.
Day 7 focuses on: Matosinhos seafood lunch (metro to Matosinhos Sul, line A), Palácio da Bolsa (€12), Foz do Douro walk along the Atlantic promenade.
Hire a car on the morning of Day 8 — collect from Porto city centre or airport.
Days 8–9 — Douro Valley
Drive from Porto to Pinhão (1 hour 30 minutes on the A4/IP4 via Régua — or take the scenic N108/N222 river road for 2.5 hours). Check in to accommodation in Pinhão for 2 nights.
Day 8 afternoon: Arrive, settle in, walk down to the train station for the azulejo panels. Take the high road (N322 north of Pinhão) in late afternoon for the valley panorama from the São Salvador do Mundo viewpoint. Dinner at a quinta restaurant or in Pinhão village.
Day 9: Choose one of two approaches — or split the day between them.
Winery visits: Quinta de la Rosa (walk-in tastings from 10am, €18), Quinta do Crasto (book ahead, €25 with lunch option). Most tastings include 3–5 wines; allow 1.5–2 hours per quinta.
Douro cruise: Day cruise from Pinhão to Régua and back (€30–40 per person, approximately 3 hours). Book at Pinhão’s small dock or through your hotel. The river perspective of the terraces is quite different from the road.
Return to Porto to drop the hire car on Day 10 morning, or route south from the Douro directly.
Day 10 — Porto to Évora (Alentejo)
This transition day connects Portugal’s north and south through the Alentejo. Drive or take the train from Porto to Lisbon (2 hours 45 minutes), then bus from Sete Rios to Évora (1.5 hours, €12 — Rede Expressos).
Évora afternoon: Arrive in time for the Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo (€3, closed Mondays), the Roman temple (exterior, free), and a walk through the historic centre. Dinner in Évora — Tasquinha do Oliveira (book ahead) or any of the restaurants around the Praça do Giraldo square.
Stay overnight in Évora. Accommodation runs €70–120 for a good double in a guesthouse.
Day 11 — Évora to the Algarve
Morning in Évora: the Chapel of Bones (€4) at Igreja de São Francisco is unmissable — a chapel whose interior walls are lined with human skulls and bones from approximately 5,000 monks. The Sé cathedral and its Romanesque portal are 5 minutes’ walk.
Afternoon: Drive south from Évora to the Algarve on the A6 and A2 (2.5 hours to Lagos). This crosses the Alentejo plains — flat, cork-oaked, and emptying of habitation as you go south.
Check into Lagos. Collect a hire car if driving hasn’t already been arranged. Lagos old town for orientation; dinner on Rua 25 de Abril.
Days 12–13 — Algarve West
Day 12 — Lagos and Ponta da Piedade: The sea stacks south of Lagos (Ponta da Piedade) by foot or kayak (€20, book at the beach). Drive west in the afternoon to Sagres (30 km) for sunset from the Fortaleza.
Day 13 — Sagres and Cape St. Vincent: Morning at Cabo de São Vicente — the far southwest tip of Europe. Afternoon: drive the N120 north to Aljezur (45 minutes) for a detour to Praia da Bordeira — the dune-backed beach near Carrapateira is one of the wildest on this coastline. Return to the N125 and drive east toward the final base.
Overnight: Tavira or Faro depending on flight time.
Day 14 — Tavira and Faro
Morning in Tavira: Ferry to Ilha de Tavira (€2, 15 minutes) for the barrier island beach. Back to town for lunch. Drive to Faro (35 km, 30 minutes).
Faro afternoon: The walled old town is undervisited — the cathedral tower (€3), the Roman walls, and the compact medieval streets are worth 2 hours before the flight.
Faro airport is 5 km from the centre — a €10–12 taxi or Uber. The airport is small and security is fast; 90 minutes is plenty.
Transport Summary
| Route | Method | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon airport → centre | Metro (red line) | 25 min | €1.61 |
| Lisbon → Sintra | Train from Rossio | 40 min | €2.25 |
| Lisbon → Porto | Alfa Pendular train | 2h 45min | €25–40 |
| Porto → Douro (Pinhão) | Car or train | 1h 30min / 2h 30min | variable |
| Porto → Évora | Train + bus | 4.5 hours | €35–50 |
| Évora → Lagos | Car | 2.5 hours | fuel + toll |
| Faro airport → Tavira | Bus or car | 35 min | €4 bus |
Budget Guide (per person, per day)
- Budget: €80–100 (hostel dorm, lunch at a tasca, self-catering dinner)
- Mid-range: €150–200 (guesthouse double shared, restaurant lunches and dinners)
- Comfortable: €250–350 (boutique hotel, wine with meals, activities)
These figures exclude flights and intercity transport. Portugal remains one of Western Europe’s most affordable travel destinations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is two weeks enough for Portugal?
- Two weeks covers Portugal's four main regions — Lisbon, Porto and the north, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve — at a comfortable pace without rushing. It leaves out Madeira, the Azores, the Alentejo interior, and the Minho coast, all of which warrant a return visit.
- What is the best order to visit Portugal in 2 weeks?
- Fly into Lisbon, finish in Faro (or vice versa) — this avoids doubling back and uses Portugal's two international airports efficiently. North to south is slightly preferable (Lisbon → Porto → Douro → Algarve) because you save the warmest beaches for the end.
- How do I travel between Lisbon and Porto?
- Alfa Pendular train from Lisboa Oriente to Porto Campanhã takes 2 hours 45 minutes and costs €25–40 depending on booking time. Trains run hourly. Book through cp.pt at least a week in advance for best fares.
- Do I need a car for this 14-day Portugal itinerary?
- Not for the Lisbon or Porto sections — both cities have good public transport. A car is essential for the Douro Valley and helpful in the Algarve. Hire a car in Porto (days 6–9) for the Douro section, return it in Porto, then hire again in Faro for the Algarve days if needed.