This route pairs Portugal’s big-city highlights with the Douro Valley, Alentejo and the Algarve, while keeping each day’s stops close together. Costs are rough estimates per person in euros, excluding flights and accommodation.
Budget
About €700–€1,100 per person for listed activities, meals and intercity transport, excluding accommodation and flights. Your total depends on restaurant choices, tours and booking dates.
Best time to visit
April–June or September–October for comfortable sightseeing, milder temperatures and fewer peak-season crowds. July and August are hotter and busier, especially in the Algarve.
Lisbon: Baixa and Chiado
Ease into Lisbon among central squares, elegant streets and classic Portuguese food.
Morning
See
Start in the grand riverside square and admire its arcades and open views of the Tagus.
FreeMorning
Walk to Rua Augusta Arch
It’s about 3 minutes on foot from the square; climb the arch for a first look over central Lisbon.
About €4.50Afternoon
Browse the streets
Walk about 12 minutes from the arch through Baixa to , pausing for shops and cafés.
FreeAfternoon
Visit Convento do Carmo
From , it’s about 5 minutes on foot to the evocative open-roofed Gothic ruins.
About €7Evening
Try a classic Lisbon dinner
Walk about 10 minutes downhill from the convent to this much-loved traditional restaurant; book ahead if you can.
About €25–€45
Lisbon: Belém
Spend the day along the river in Belém, where Portugal’s maritime past meets its famous custard tarts.
Morning
Explore Jerónimos Monastery
Arrive early for the carved stonework and cloisters; allow time for queues at this popular landmark.
About €18Morning
Taste pastéis de nata
Walk about 5 minutes to the historic bakery for warm custard tarts; expect a queue at busy times.
About €2–€6Afternoon
Visit Belém Tower
It’s about 20 minutes on foot along the riverside from the bakery; check opening status before going, as access can change.
About €15Afternoon
See the Monument to the Discoveries
Walk about 15 minutes back along the waterfront to this striking monument and its river-facing plaza.
About €10Evening
Have dinner at the waterfront
Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10 minutes to this relaxed riverside restaurant; reserve for a terrace table.
About €20–€35
Lisbon: Alfama and Graça
Follow old lanes uphill for viewpoints, historic landmarks and an evening of fado.
Morning
Visit Lisbon Cathedral
Begin in Alfama with a visit to the city’s oldest church, then explore the lanes nearby.
About €5Morning
Explore São Jorge Castle
Walk uphill for about 15 minutes from the cathedral to the castle’s ramparts and sweeping city views.
About €15Afternoon
Pause at
Walk about 15 minutes from the castle through Graça to this popular lookout.
FreeAfternoon
Relax in a leafy garden
Walk about 8 minutes to for a quieter break and more city views.
FreeEvening
Hear fado in Alfama
Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10 minutes back to Alfama for dinner and a live fado performance; reserve in advance.
About €45–€70
Sintra: palaces and gardens
Make a day trip to for romantic architecture and cool, forested gardens.
Morning
Travel to
Take the train from Rossio station; the journey is about 40 minutes, followed by a local bus or taxi to the palace.
About €5–€15Morning
Tour Pena Palace
Allow around 15–25 minutes by local bus or taxi from station; book a timed entry ticket ahead.
About €20Afternoon
Explore
Take a taxi or local bus for about 15 minutes from Pena Palace to its gardens, tunnels and Initiation Well.
About €15Afternoon
Wander ’s historic centre
Walk about 15 minutes downhill to the village centre for a relaxed browse and a sweet travesseiro pastry.
FreeEvening
Return to Lisbon for dinner
Walk about 10 minutes to station, then take the roughly 40-minute train back to Lisbon.
About €5–€15
Porto: Ribeira and the riverfront
Travel north to Porto and get your bearings among riverside lanes and historic sights.
Morning
Travel from Lisbon to Porto
Take an intercity train from Lisbon Oriente or Santa Apolónia to Porto Campanhã; the trip usually takes about 3 hours.
About €20–€45Afternoon
Explore Porto’s Ribeira
Take a taxi or metro for around 15–20 minutes from Campanhã to the riverfront, then wander its lanes and waterfront.
FreeAfternoon
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
Walk about 8 minutes from Ribeira to the bridge for memorable views over the Douro.
FreeEvening
Watch the sunset from
Walk across the bridge for about 15 minutes to this Gaia viewpoint; arrive early for a good spot.
FreeEvening
Dinner in Vila Nova de Gaia
Walk about 10 minutes downhill from the viewpoint to the riverfront restaurants and enjoy dinner with a view.
About €20–€35
Porto: São Bento and Clérigos
Explore Porto’s central landmarks and finish with a tasting across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Morning
See ’s tile panels
Start in central Porto and look inside the station for its elaborate azulejo murals.
FreeMorning
Visit
Walk about 6 minutes uphill from the station to the cathedral and its historic surroundings.
About €3Afternoon
Climb
Walk about 12 minutes from the cathedral through the old centre to the tower; reserve time for the steps.
About €10Afternoon
Browse
Walk about 5 minutes from the tower to this ornate bookshop; timed tickets are recommended.
About €10Evening
Taste port wine in Gaia
Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10 minutes across the river to a historic cellar; book a tour and tasting ahead.
About €20–€35
Douro Valley: Pinhão
Trade the city for vineyard scenery and a slow-paced day beside the Douro.
Morning
Travel to
Take the train from Porto São Bento or Campanhã; the scenic journey to takes about 2–2.5 hours.
About €12–€20Morning
See railway station
Walk about 5 minutes from the village centre to see the station’s traditional blue-and-white tile panels.
FreeAfternoon
Take a Douro river cruise
Walk about 10 minutes from the station to the quay for a relaxing cruise among the vineyard slopes; confirm departure times locally.
About €15–€30Afternoon
Visit a Douro wine estate
Take a taxi for roughly 15–20 minutes to a nearby quinta for a winery visit and tasting; arrange transport and a booking in advance.
About €20–€35Evening
Return to Porto
Walk about 10 minutes back to station and take the train to Porto, allowing around 2–2.5 hours.
About €12–€20
Évora: Alentejo history
Head south to the Alentejo’s whitewashed capital for Roman history and a leisurely evening meal.
Morning
Travel from Porto to
Take a train or coach via Lisbon; allow roughly 5–6 hours overall, depending on connections.
About €25–€55Afternoon
Visit the Roman Temple
From ’s centre, walk about 10 minutes to this landmark and its surrounding historic square.
FreeAfternoon
Explore Cathedral
Walk about 3 minutes from the Roman Temple to visit one of Portugal’s most important medieval churches.
About €5Evening
See the Chapel of Bones
Walk about 10 minutes through the old town to the atmospheric chapel at Igreja de São Francisco.
About €6Evening
Have dinner in the old town
Walk about 5 minutes to this well-regarded Alentejo restaurant for regional flavours and a relaxed meal.
About €25–€45
Lagos: old town and coast
Make your way to the Algarve and spend the day between a historic centre and dramatic coastal scenery.
Morning
Travel from to
Take a coach or train via Lisbon or Tunes; allow around 4–6 hours depending on connections.
About €25–€55Afternoon
Explore Old Town
From station, walk about 10 minutes into the centre for its cobbled streets, plazas and shops.
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Take a taxi for about 10 minutes from the old town to the clifftop trails and golden rock formations.
FreeEvening
Enjoy sunset at
Walk about 15 minutes along the coast from to this beautiful cove; the steps are steep.
FreeEvening
Dinner near the marina
Take a taxi or rideshare for about 10 minutes back towards the centre for a casual seafood dinner.
About €25–€45
Lagos: beaches and farewell
Keep the final day flexible with a gentle beach morning and a last taste of Algarve cooking.
Morning
Relax at
Take a taxi for about 10 minutes from central to this long, sandy beach.
FreeMorning
Take a coastal boat trip
Return by taxi in about 10 minutes to Marina for a short boat trip along the cliffs and sea caves; trips are weather-dependent.
About €25–€40Afternoon
Browse the market
Walk about 10 minutes from the marina to the town market for regional produce and an easy lunch.
About €5–€15Afternoon
Unwind at
Walk about 10 minutes from the market to this small beach just outside the old town.
FreeEvening
Have a farewell dinner
Walk about 10 minutes back into the old town for a final relaxed Algarve meal.
About €20–€35
Good to know
Getting around
Book Lisbon–Porto and longer intercity journeys early for better fares. For and the Douro, check train schedules in advance and leave room for local bus or taxi connections.
Pacing
This is an ambitious route with several long transfer days. Consider adding a night in Lisbon or Porto, or skipping if you would rather spend more time relaxing in the Algarve.
Bookings
Reserve timed entries for Pena Palace and , and book fado, winery visits and popular restaurants ahead. Check current opening hours and access before visiting.
Comfort
Lisbon, Porto and have steep hills and uneven cobbles. Comfortable shoes, water and sun protection will make the days easier.