This route gives you plenty of time in Lisbon, a full day in Sintra, and several days in Porto, with stops grouped by nearby neighbourhoods. Travel times are approximate, and costs are per person in euros; they exclude accommodation and most transport.
Budget
Approximately €700–€1,050 per person for listed activities, meals and intercity train travel, excluding accommodation and most local transport.
Best time to visit
April–June or September–October, when the weather is usually pleasant and crowds are generally lighter than in peak summer.
Baixa and the waterfront
Ease into Lisbon with its central squares, riverside views and classic local food all close together.
Morning
Walk
Start in Lisbon’s grand riverside square and take in the arcades and views across the Tagus. From the square, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the next stop.
About €0Morning
Visit
Get a friendly introduction to the city’s history in this interactive museum. It’s about a 5-minute walk from .
About €7Afternoon
Ride the
See Baixa from above, then explore the streets around the lift. Allow about 10 minutes to walk here from .
About €6Afternoon
Browse
Stroll the pedestrian street for its lively atmosphere, cafés and tiled façades. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the lift.
About €0Evening
Have dinner at
Enjoy regional Portuguese cooking in a striking historic building. It’s about a 10-minute walk from .
About €25–€40
Alfama and the castle
Spend the day exploring Lisbon’s oldest-feeling quarter, with the castle, viewpoints and fado all in the same area.
Morning
Explore
Walk the ramparts and enjoy wide city views; arrive early for a quieter visit. From central Baixa, allow about 20 minutes on foot uphill or 10 minutes by taxi.
About €15Morning
Visit
Pause at this classic Alfama viewpoint above the rooftops and river. It’s about a 10-minute walk downhill from the castle entrance.
About €0Afternoon
See the National Pantheon
Admire the monumental dome and, if open, climb up for another excellent view. Allow about 15 minutes on foot from Portas do Sol.
About €8Afternoon
Wander
Browse Lisbon’s famous flea market for vintage finds and curiosities; check market days before you go. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the Pantheon.
About €0Evening
Hear fado at
Settle in for a traditional fado performance and Portuguese dinner in Alfama. It’s about a 15-minute walk from .
About €45–€70
Belém’s monuments and gardens
Explore Lisbon’s riverside heritage in Belém, where the major sights, gardens and custard tarts are close together.
Morning
Visit Jerónimos Monastery
Take time for the ornate cloisters and church at this landmark of Portuguese architecture. From central Lisbon, allow about 25 minutes by tram or taxi.
About €18Morning
Try a pastel de nata at
Stop for the famed custard tarts, best enjoyed warm with cinnamon. The bakery is about a 5-minute walk from the monastery.
About €2–€8Afternoon
See Belém Tower
Walk along the river to admire this distinctive fortified tower; check access in advance, as opening and restoration arrangements can change. It’s about a 20-minute riverside walk from the bakery.
About €0–€15Afternoon
Visit
Explore the monument and its riverside setting, with an optional climb for sweeping views. Allow about 15 minutes on foot from Belém Tower.
About €0–€10Evening
Relax in
Unwind among the formal gardens before dinner nearby. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Discoveries monument.
About €0
Chiado and Bairro Alto
Pair central Lisbon’s elegant shops and cultural sights with an easy-going evening in its lively restaurant quarter.
Morning
Browse
Enjoy the cafés, bookshops and handsome streets of this central neighbourhood. From Baixa, it’s about a 10-minute walk uphill.
About €0Morning
Visit
See a compact collection of Portuguese modern and contemporary art. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the heart of .
About €8Afternoon
Explore Convento do Carmo
Visit the atmospheric roofless Gothic church and its small archaeological museum. Allow about 10 minutes on foot from the contemporary art museum.
About €7Afternoon
Stop at
Take a breather in the landscaped viewpoint overlooking the castle and central Lisbon. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Convento do Carmo.
About €0Evening
Dinner in
Choose from the neighbourhood’s traditional taverns and relaxed restaurants. The dining streets are about a 5-minute walk from the viewpoint.
About €20–€40
Sintra’s palaces and old town
Take a full day for Sintra’s lush hills, storybook palace and historic centre, allowing extra time for winding roads and queues.
Morning
Travel to Sintra and visit Pena Palace
Take the train from Rossio to Sintra (about 40 minutes), then allow roughly 20–30 minutes by local bus or taxi up to the palace. Reserve timed entry ahead where possible.
About €20–€25Morning
Walk through Pena Park
Explore the wooded paths and viewpoints around the palace; choose a short loop if you have another palace booked. The park entrance and trails are beside the palace.
About €0–€10Afternoon
Visit
Discover its gardens, grottoes and famous Initiation Well. Allow about 20 minutes by taxi or 30–40 minutes on foot from Pena Palace, depending on the route and traffic.
About €15Afternoon
Explore Sintra National Palace
See the distinctive twin chimneys and richly decorated historic rooms in the town centre. It’s about a 15-minute walk from .
About €13Evening
Have dinner in Sintra’s old town
Choose a restaurant around the historic centre before returning by train to Lisbon. The old-town dining streets are a short walk from the palace.
About €20–€40
Lisbon to Porto and Ribeira
Travel north by train, then spend a gentle first day in Porto along the river and among Ribeira’s historic lanes.
Morning
Take the train to Porto
Travel from Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia or Oriente station to ; the journey usually takes about 3 hours. Book ahead for better fares.
About €20–€45Afternoon
Walk the Ribeira waterfront
Get your first look at Porto’s colourful riverfront and historic centre. From Campanhã, allow about 15 minutes by taxi or 20 minutes by local transport to Ribeira.
About €0Afternoon
Visit
Tour the richly decorated former stock exchange; guided visits are often required, so check times. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the Ribeira waterfront.
About €12Evening
Dinner at
Enjoy a cosy meal in the historic centre; reservations are a good idea. It’s about a 5-minute walk from .
About €25–€45
São Bento and central Porto
Explore Porto’s grand central sights on foot, from its famous station tiles to the cathedral and lively market.
Morning
See the azulejos at
Look around the station’s famous tiled entrance hall before exploring the surrounding lanes. From Ribeira, it’s about a 10-minute uphill walk.
About €0Morning
Visit
Explore the cathedral and its cloister, then take in views across the city. It’s about a 5-minute walk from .
About €4–€8Afternoon
Climb Torre dos Clérigos
Take in the city panorama from Porto’s best-known bell tower. Allow about 10 minutes on foot from the cathedral.
About €10Afternoon
Browse
Explore the restored market’s produce stalls and food counters. It’s about a 10-minute walk from .
About €0Evening
Try a Porto classic at
Settle in for a francesinha or another hearty local favourite. The café is about a 10-minute walk from .
About €15–€25
Vila Nova de Gaia and the river
Cross the river for port lodges and sweeping views, then return to Porto’s historic waterfront for a relaxed evening.
Morning
Walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge
Enjoy the river views on foot from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia; take the upper deck for the most dramatic outlook. From Ribeira, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the bridge approach.
About €0Morning
Tour Graham’s Port Lodge
Learn how port is made and enjoy a guided tasting; book a tour in advance. It’s about a 20-minute walk uphill from the Gaia end of the bridge, or a short taxi ride.
About €25–€45Afternoon
Ride the
Take the cable car back towards the riverfront for a scenic change of pace. The lower station is about a 10-minute walk from Graham’s.
About €7Afternoon
Visit
Choose a museum or tasting experience in this riverside cultural district. Allow about 10 minutes on foot from the Gaia cable-car lower station.
About €20–€40Evening
Watch sunset from
Finish with a view across the Douro and Porto’s old town. It’s about a 15-minute uphill walk from , or a short ride on the Gaia cable car.
About €0
Cedofeita and the Crystal Palace gardens
Balance art, independent shops and leafy river views in Porto’s creative Cedofeita district.
Morning
Visit
Explore Portuguese painting, sculpture and decorative arts in a historic palace. From central Porto, allow about 15 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride.
About €8Morning
Walk through
Enjoy landscaped paths, peacocks and viewpoints over the Douro. The gardens are about a 10-minute walk from the museum.
About €0Afternoon
Browse
Explore the neighbourhood’s galleries, design shops and cafés. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the gardens.
About €0Afternoon
Visit
See the ornate historic bookshop; timed tickets are recommended, especially in busy seasons. Allow about 15 minutes on foot from .
About €10Evening
Dinner at
Enjoy Portuguese comfort food in a lively central setting. It’s about a 5-minute walk from .
About €20–€35
Foz do Douro and a relaxed final evening
End with sea air and a scenic coastal walk, returning to central Porto for a final dinner.
Morning
Travel to
Take a tram, bus or taxi from central Porto to the coast; allow around 25–35 minutes depending on your starting point and service.
About €2–€10Morning
Walk along
Enjoy the Atlantic air and stroll along the promenade by the sea. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Foz neighbourhood centre.
About €0Afternoon
Visit
Relax among the gardens and lakes, or continue walking towards the sea. Allow about 15 minutes by taxi or 25 minutes by bus from .
About €0Afternoon
See the Serralves Villa and gardens
Explore the art foundation’s gardens and, if time allows, its contemporary art museum. It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk from the park’s central area.
About €12–€20Evening
Have a final dinner at
Celebrate the trip with a special meal and Douro views; reserve well ahead. From Serralves, allow about 15 minutes by taxi.
About €100–€180
Good to know
Getting around
Lisbon and Porto are hilly, so comfortable shoes help. Use public transport or taxis for uphill stretches, and check current fares and service times.
Sintra
Book palace tickets in advance and start early. The hills are steep, and local bus or taxi connections can save time between sights.
Dining
Reserve popular restaurants and fado venues ahead, especially for weekends. Prices and menus may change.
Opening hours
Check official websites before visiting; museums, monuments and markets may have closing days, timed entry or temporary access changes.