If you’re visiting Portugal for the first time, lucky you! This 7 day Portugal itinerary will take you to the classic highlights, show you some new hidden gems, and share lots of tips to make your trip a breeze.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
Portugal is one of those places that sticks with you. The lively and romantic Portuguese culture, delicious cuisine, and architecturally stunning cities are magnetic. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to time and time again.
This 7 day Portugal itinerary is the perfect route for your first time in Portugal and is designed to maximize your time. It’s totally customizable, so you can of course add to or subtract from it as you like. So, let’s get to planning!
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Portugal?
Depending on the type of trip you want to have, Portugal can be a great place to visit any time of year. While the Summer of course brings higher temps and sunny days, the ‘shoulder’ seasons of Spring and Fall are great options too.
Lower prices, crowds, and temperatures are best found from March-April and September-October. No matter what time of year you visit, Portugal offers beautiful coastline, fresh cuisine, and rich history.
My favorite months to visit Portugal are May & June. We spent a week exploring Madeira in May and the weather was incredible. And on the mainland, we visited in late May, early June and had wonderful weather as well. The temps hadn’t quite reached their peak.
The next time I go to Portugal, I’d like to go at the end of Summer when the crowds have gone back to work and school. September is the perfect month for still warm temperatures and the end of Summer sun.
While visiting Portugal in Winter may not lend itself to lazy beach days, there is still lots to do. And because the weather stays quite mild throughout the Winter, you can spend much of your time walking the city streets of Lisbon, exploring Sintra, and enjoying the fresh seafood in Porto.
Read Also: Ultimate Madeira Itinerary: One Week In Portugal’s Hidden Gem
How To Get Around On A 7 Day Portugal Itinerary
As you can probably guess, renting a car will provide you the most flexibility on a 7 day Portugal itinerary. However, this itinerary can also easily be done completely by train and public transport.
When we visited Portugal, we actually did a mix of both. We flew into Porto (OPO) and spent our time in Porto without a car. Then we took the train to Lisbon from there, where we rented a car at the end of our time in Lisbon to go further South to the Algarve.
Since this itinerary only includes Porto and Lisbon and doesn’t extend as far South as the Algarve, you can definitely do it without a car. However, if there is anywhere you’re wanting to go that is a little bit off the beaten path, a car will be helpful.
The trains in Portugal are well priced and reliable, and we especially loved taking the train from Porto to Lisbon. Once you’re in Lisbon, you can use the train system to hit the main day trips from the city. Same goes for Porto!
If you choose to not rent a car, the only other thing you will want to consider is the train schedules and how those may dictate your itinerary.
I use Rentalcars.com to hire all of my rental cars, and Trainline to book trains around Europe.
Is 7 Days in Portugal Enough?
The thing about a 7 day Portugal itinerary is that unfortunately, you’ll have to sacrifice somewhere. Portugal is much bigger than you might think it is, and there are so many incredible places to visit.
Typically, the three areas you’re probably going to want to visit are Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve. While you can technically do all three spots in 7 days, it’s tight and really wouldn’t be enjoyable. You don’t want to spend most of your Portugal holiday commuting from one place to another!
Instead, I think the better option is to make sure you have enough time in each place you go to really enjoy it. Plus, the more spots in your itinerary, the more time you spend just traveling from one place to another. You don’t want to spend your entire vacation commuting!
So, I would recommend sticking to Porto and Lisbon, plus their respective day trips, for your 7 day Portugal itinerary. Since there are lots of great day trip options from both Porto and Lisbon, you can still see a good amount of the country!
To help maximize your 7 day Portugal itinerary, book your flights into Porto and out of Lisbon. The other way around works fine, too! This way, you’re not backtracking to your first destination to leave the country.
If you have more than 7 days to visit Portugal, there are lots of other amazing places to go! I would recommend the Algarve. I’ve included options to extend your trip to Portugal at the end of this itinerary.
Check out my ‘Travel Resources’ page for all the tools and resources I use for travel like eSIMs, my favorite carry-on, must have travel items, and more!
Map Of Your 7 Day Portugal Itinerary
I’ve put together this map to help you visualize this itinerary. Included is every point of interest mentioned in this blog, plus important spots like the airport, train stations, and more.
The Best 7 Day Portugal Itinerary
Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Porto & Douro Valley
Day 3: Lisbon
Day 4: Lisbon
Day 5: Lisbon or Day Trip To Sintra
Day 6: Cascais
Day 7: Cascais & Back to Lisbon
Of course, use this itinerary as a guide and make adjustments and changes based on your travel plans and preferences. I’ve also included at the end of this blog post a few ways to adjust this itinerary and alternative routes, plus ways to extend your trip.
Day 1: Porto
Begin your itinerary in Porto, enjoying the city’s incredible views, great food, and lively culture. I quickly fell in love with this city and think you will, too!
Lisbon always gets the most attention of Portuguese cities, but Porto really impressed us. We really felt like Porto was the less popular (but arguably better) of the two cities.
That isn’t to say that we didn’t like Lisbon, we definitely did. In fact, we’ve been twice! But Porto really is something special and doesn’t feel as ‘discovered’ as Lisbon. So, it’s totally worth adding to your 7 day Portugal itinerary!
Check out my 2 day Porto itinerary to dive deeper into the best places to stay in Porto, where to eat, and how to get around. It also outlines the best route to hit each of these spots in the city.
Read Also: 2 Day Porto Itinerary: Hidden Gems & Must See Sites
Where To Stay In Porto
Luxury: Torel Avantgarde
Mid-Range: Ribiera Douro Hotel
Budget: Authentic Porto Apartments
Hostel: Onefam Ribiera
Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
These gardens are a real hidden gem in the city of Porto. You’ll find some of the best views of the city here, so don’t skip it!
As you wander around the gardens, you’ll see and hear loads of peacocks. They’ve made their home here and are part of what makes these gardens so fun to visit. If you’re looking for them and can’t find them, don’t forget to look up!
Take time to really explore as there are tons of little corners in the gardens. My favorite spots are Torreão do Jardim do Palácio, Jardim dos Sentimentos, and Miradouro da Ponte da Arrábida.
Gaia Cable Car
Another great way to get incredible views of Porto is taking the Gaia cable car. You can take it either one way or return. It’s a fairly short ride, but the perspective you get flying over the city is really something amazing.
This is a really fun way to get a new view of the city, and you can really see everything! Purchase your tickets ahead of time and check timetables here.
Porto Cathedral
The Porto Cathedral is hard to miss. This towering cathedral is the heart of Porto, and has a fascinating storied history. Today, you’ll also notice many travelers around the beautiful building.
The cathedral acts as a starting or end point for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, a walking pilgrimage route from Portugal to Spain or vice versa. You can visit inside for free, or wander around the outside to admire the architecture.
Lunch at Mercado do Bolhão
A fantastic way to taste a variety of local dishes, restaurants, and flavors is by eating lunch at the Mercado do Bolhão. This food market features stalls with local vendors selling everything from Porto wine to fresh octopus and everything in between.
There are also some nice sit down restaurants on the upper level where you can enjoy tasting some really authentic Portuguese fare! Give yourself an hour or two to wander around and stuff yourself.
Sunset at Jardim do Morro
The best place to watch the sunset in Porto is hands down Jardim do Morro. Evidenced by the fact that it’s busy! But, it feels busy in a good way. Watching the sunset here is an exciting community experience with seriously good vibes.
You can sit in the garden itself, or watch the sunset from the Pont Luis I bridge as we did. The views are just incredible of the Douro River and the Porto skyline.
Indulge in Pastel de Nata at Castro
The best place to get a pastel de nata in Porto is definitely at Castro. Once you try this Portuguese custard pastry, you’ll be hooked. And with cinnamon dusted on top and an espresso on the side, it’s downright irresistible!
I quickly fell in love with pastéis de nata and sought them out like a fiend our entire trip. So be sure to stop into Castro multiple times a day to get your fix!
Recommended Activity: consider taking a pastel de nata cooking class (4.9 ⭐️) that will teach you how to make the Portuguese treat.
Day 2: Porto Day Trip to The Douro Valley
I really feel that no trip to Portugal is complete without a day trip to the Douro Valley. We sort of booked our day trip there on a whim, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Portugal.
The Douro Valley is a lush wine region that is famous for producing Port wine. There are tons of vineyards and wineries lining the Douro River that make the valley incredibly green and beautiful.
Even if you aren’t a wine connoisseur, learning how Port wine is made and the history of how it has impacted Portuguese culture is fascinating. Plus, it’s a great way to see another area of the country further inland than Porto or Lisbon.
There are also lots of great hotels in the area. So if you want to stay the night I highly recommend you do. If you have your own rental car, you could easily drive to the valley for one night. Then make your way to Lisbon the next morning.
We visited the valley on an organized day trip that included a winery tour, lunch, boat ride on the river, and a train ride through the valley. Plus, all the transport was included, too. It really made this a simple day trip from Porto.
We absolutely loved the tour and have recommended it to hundreds of people who have loved it as well.
This is the Douro Valley full day trip we booked and highly recommend!
Days 3 & 4: Lisbon
Three days in Lisbon, with a day trip, is a great amount of time to get a feel for the city and see its most popular neighborhoods and sites.
Lisbon is a fantastic city full of beautiful architecture, top tier food, and stunning miradouro views. I’ve been to many cities in Europe, and there really is no other place like Lisbon.
Use my 3 day Lisbon itinerary to go deeper into how to organize your days in Lisbon. It will dive into which spots and activities go best together, where to stay, how to get around, and more.
Read Also: How To Spend 3 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect First Time Itinerary
Alfama Neighborhood
I really recommend you spend an entire day of your time in Lisbon exploring it’s oldest neighborhood: Alfama. There are so many hidden little corners, stunning miradouro views, delicious restaurants, and beautiful history.
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon because it’s the only neighborhood that survived the devastating earthquake of 1755. Most of the city was destroyed in the earthquake as the result of fires and a subsequent tsunami.
However, Alfama escaped the tragedy largely unscathed because of it’s location at the top of the city and it’s medieval street layout.
Today, you’ll notice Alfama’s medieval history as you wander the winding streets below Castelo de São Jorge. While you’re in Alfama, visit the castle gardens, see the views from the many miradouros, and hear the mournful sounds of fado fill the streets in the evening.
For a fully detailed itinerary of how to spend your time in Lisbon, check out my 3 day Lisbon itinerary!
Where To Stay In Lisbon
Luxury: Sublime Lisboa or AlmaLusa Alfama
Mid-Range: Browns Central Hotel
Budget: Lisbon Check-In Guesthouse
Hostel: Lisb’on Hostel
Baixa
The beating heart of the tourist center of Lisbon, Baixa is known for it’s shopping and restaurants. As a result of the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon, the neighborhood is marked by it’s grid layout that sets it apart from the older areas of the city, like Alfama.
If you’re looking to shop, eat, and take in the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, Baixa is the place to go. Rua Augusta is the main street in the area where you can find the famous pastel de nata shop Manteigaria and the Arco da Rua Augusta.
And just around the corner is my favorite area in Baixa: the shopping district! Here you’ll find popular European retailers like Oysho, Stradivarius, and H&M as well as lots of local and small fashion labels mixed in.
Day 5: Lisbon Or Day Trip To Sintra
There are a few options for how to spend the 5th day of this 7 day Portugal itinerary. Choose to either spend the day hitting the spots in Lisbon you have not yet seen, or go on a day trip to Sintra.
How To Get To Sintra
How you decide to explore Sintra (either self-guided or by a tour) will determine the best option for how to get there. You can take a train from Lisbon which takes a little over an hour, drive yourself if you have a rental car, or hire a guide plus transportation from Lisbon.
Since we had a rental car, we drove to Sintra and parked near the train station. The parking was not expensive, but I recommend you get there early (before 9am) to be able to get a good parking spot.
Keep in mind, you are not allowed to drive your car and park right at any of the palaces. So, you’ll have to either walk or use the bus system to get around once you arrive. The same goes for if you arrive by train – you’ll need to walk or use the bus system to get around if you haven’t hired transfers or a guide.
Once you’re in Sintra, there are a few options to get around. First, you can choose to walk from one palace to another. If you choose this option be forewarned – the palaces are spread out and you’ll often find yourselves on literal hiking trails climbing rocks to get from one to another.
We didn’t realize this would be the case and walked from The Moorish Castle to Quinta da Regaleira and found ourselves scrabbling down rocks on a hiking trail.
Second, you can use the bus system to get around. My only issue with this option was that you’re limited by the bus timetable, which wasn’t quite as frequent as I thought it would be.
We visited Sintra self-guided and to be upfront with you I wish we had booked a guide to help us navigate it all. Each of the palaces or castles are quite far apart from one another and the bus system isn’t as robust as I would have liked. Rather, it would have been very nice to have a guide who could drive us around and tell us all the history and fascinating details of the palaces.
Read this Sintra guide from Rebecca at That One Point Of View for a more detailed explanation of how to nail a day trip to Sintra!
What To Do In Sintra
Sintra is known for its wide array of palaces and resort homes built decades ago by royalty, Portuguese and otherwise. Spots like Pena Palace, The Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate attract visitors from all over the world.
My recommendation is to choose 2-3 palaces to visit while you’re in Sintra, make a good plan for how to get from one to the other, and just enjoy the sites! It can feel tempting to try to hit all of the main spots in Sintra, but from experience that can really lead to quite an exhausting day.
You can choose to book a fully guided tour that includes transportation from Lisbon, or you can book a guide to meet with you once you arrive yourself by car or train.
I highly recommend booking a guided tour to Sintra to make the most of your time there!
Sintra Guided Tour Recommendations From Lisbon
– Sintra, Pena, Cabo, Cascais or Regaleria-Small Group (4.9 ⭐️)
– Half-Day Sintra Tour with Pena Palace and Regaleira (4.9 ⭐️)
– Private Tour Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Estoril – Half Day (4.8 ⭐️)
Day 6: Cascais
I think it would be a crime to visit Portugal and not get some good time spent at the beach! Cascais is a really laid back and beautiful town to do just that in.
And because Cascais is only a 25 minute drive or 45 minute train ride from Lisbon, it makes it a simple addition to this itinerary.
You can certainly choose to visit Cascais as a day trip from Lisbon. However, I recommend staying one night in Cascais to be able to fully relax in the town’s laid back atmosphere.
Plus, we found the most stunning hotel in Cascais to stay at while you’re there. We stayed 2 nights at The Pergola Boutique Hotel and it was easily one of our favorite stays while in Portugal.
Lounge At The Beach
There are a few beaches in Cascais, all with beautiful clear water and relaxed vibes. My personal favorite beaches in Cascais are Praia da Rainha and Praia da Ribiera de Cascais.
The nice thing about the beaches in Cascais is how close they are to everything since the town itself is quite compact.
Eat Fresh, Local Seafood
As you can probably imagine, Cascais is an incredible place to get fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. And there are tons of options for where to eat.
Some top recommendations, which we ate at a few, are Sr. Manuel Seafood Bar, Baía do Peixe, Corleone, Manjar da Vila, and Bougain Restaurant.
All of these and more restaurants are featured in the map above, so you can easily find them.
Swim At Mirador Casa de Santa Maria
The spot that really caught my eye and put Cascais on the map for me was Mirador Casa de Santa Maria. This inlet sees drastic tides of emerald green water with a lighthouse background.
It’s a stunning place to swim. However, note that it isn’t really a beach. In fact, the swim spot is next to and sort of below a bridge. There are however plenty of rocks to claim and a few small sections of sand. It’s within walking distance of the main promenade area of Baía de Cascais.
But even if you don’t swim here, it’s worth a look from the bridge during high tide. Just be sure to visit while the water is high! When the tide is out, it really isn’t quite as magical.
Walk Around Parque Marechal Carmona
Just across the street from the Mirador Casa de Santa Maria swim spot is Parque Marechal Carmona. I wandered in here wanting to get some more steps in for the day, and loved it.
It’s a quiet park that’s a great addition to your time in Cascais if you’re just looking for a peaceful place to wander. Totally free to enter, it’s also a great shortcut to take back to the main area of town.
Visit Boca do Inferno
Though it’s a little bit outside of the main area of Cascais, Boca do Inferno is worth a quick visit. We decided to rent some bikes to ride over there along the bike and walking path on the road.
The Boca do Inferno is a natural rock bridge phenomenon created by pounding waves over time. It’s free to visit, and just a short walk from a small parking lot located next to the restaurant Mar do Inferno.
Wander The Little Streets Of Cascais
My favorite thing to do while in Cascais is just walk around the little side streets. There are lots of hidden corners and beautiful spots to find.
I really enjoyed walking around the small residential area that lies between Parque Marachal Carmona and Baía de Cascais. Another great area filled with good restaurants and outdoor dining is the street arts district. We ate pizza at a restaurant called Souldough Pizza here, and it was fantastic.
If you’re looking for a restaurant for lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in the street arts area. This includes streets like Rua Alfonso Sanches and Rua Alexandre Herculano.
Day 7: Cascais & Back to Lisbon
How you spend your last day in Portugal will likely depend on your travel plans back home or on to your next destination. I recommend you fly out of Lisbon, especially seeing as the Lisbon airport (LIS) is the closest option to Cascais (45min drive).
If you have most of the day before you fly out, enjoy more of Cascais or Lisbon. It’s a great time to visit any spots you may have missed in previous days.
7 Day Portugal Itinerary Wrap Up + Options To Extend
If you have more time to visit Portugal, the options are endless! However, the first place I’d recommend you go if you have extra time on your trip is the Algarve. This stretch of coastline is stunning, with seaside cliffs, azure beaches, and a laid back atmosphere.
Lagos is a great place to base yourself while in the Algarve. And there is so much to dao along the coast here! One of my very favorite activities we did while in Lagos was a kayak tour around Ponte de Piedade.
Here are some additional places you may want to consider if you have more time to explore Portugal:
– Braga
– stay longer in the Douro Valley
– see one of the largest waves in the world at Nazaré
– Óbidos
– Aveiro
– Comporta
– Madeira
– the Algarve
3 Comments