On my second trip to Portugal, I spent 17 nights traversing the country, moving from place to place almost every day. But that is no way to spend a true vacation. While it is a small country, if you only have 7 days in Portugal, you are better off just visiting two (or max three) major cities or regions and saving the rest for a return trip.
To help make planning a trip to Portugal a little easier, I’ve put together four different 1 week Portugal itinerary options to choose from. These 7 day Portugal itineraries make sense geographically and logistically, and I’ve tried to provide some guidance to help you choose between them to find the right match for the type of trip you are looking for.
These 1 week Portugal itineraries focus on the mainland and don’t include to the islands, since those really deserve a week on their own, but I do have some tips for visiting the Azores and great suggestions on things to do on São Miguel , the largest of the nine islands.
Before you start planning your trip, you may also want to see my breakdown of how much a trip to Portugal costs to see how long you can afford to stay. While Portugal is still more affordable than some neighboring European countries, it is no longer a pure budget destination.
If you want some help planning your Portugal trip and finding unique activities and places to stay, be sure to reach out to my partner EPIC Travel . EPIC is a bespoke travel company focusing on luxury travel in Morocco and Portugal. Its travel planners live in the country and have close relationships with boutique and luxury hotels, tour guides, and vineyard owners. Nothing beats that local expertise!
EPIC will consult with you and then create a custom Portugal itinerary, designed especially for your interests. Just mention that you read about them on We3Travel to receive a free VIP welcome gift or upgrade on arrival. (As a partner I will receive a small commission if you book a trip through EPIC Travel but I’ve traveled with EPIC twice and can’t recommend them highly enough!)
One week Portugal Itinerary Options:
I have put together four options so that you can pick the Portugal travel itinerary that is most interesting to you for your one week in Portugal:
#1: Lisbon, Douro, and Porto (Main Cities and Historic Wine Region)
#2: Lisbon and Interior Alentejo (Capital of Portugal and Countryside with Small Villages)
#3: Lisbon and Algarve (Capital City and Gorgeous Coastline/Natural Attractions)
#4: Lisbon and Comporta (Coastal Alentejo) (Largest City and Sandy Beaches)
Portugal Itinerary #1: Lisbon, Douro, Porto
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One of the most popular choices for a one-week Portugal itinerary is to visit the capital city of Lisbon, along with Porto and the Douro River Valley. This is a great choice for couples, wine lovers, solo travelers, and even families that enjoy a mix of urban exploration, history, and agritourism.
I would recommend the following:
Day Highlights Stay 1 Lisbon city highlights tour Lisbon 2 Belem, Alfama, and sunset sail on the Tagus River Lisbon 3 Day trip to Sintra (Optional extra day in Lisbon: food tour or day trip to Cascais) Lisbon 4 Drive or train to the Duoro Valley Duoro Valley 5 Wine tasting tour in the Duoro Valley Duoro Valley 6 Port wine tasting, Gaia, WOW (World of Wine) Porto 7 Tour Porto Porto
When to Go
While best time for this trip is during the early fall, when the wine harvest is in full swing, it can be taken year-round. I would recommend trying to avoid the most popular summer months and holiday/school breaks, as the cities can get extremely crowded at those times.
Getting There
What I love about this itinerary is that it is really doable as a car-free vacation if you are willing to travel by train or pay for a transfer. While you can drive from Lisbon to Porto easily enough, you do NOT want to have to drive (and especially park) in either Lisbon or Porto. And, if you are going to be wine tasting while in the Douro Valley, it is better to take a wine tour or hire a driver there as well.
You can either fly into Lisbon and fly out of Porto, or the reverse. TAP Airlines is generally going to have the most options, with direct flights to Lisbon or Porto from a number of major USA cities including Boston, New York (EWR), Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Day 1: Lisbon
Commerce Square
You can start your trip in either Porto or Lisbon, but I like starting in Lisbon because there is just so much to do here that I wouldn’t want to save it until the end when you are getting tired. If you are flying in from the United States, you will likely land early in the morning. A good way to overcome jet lag on your first day is with a quick overview tour of the city. You could sign up for a free walking tour, but since you will be tired, the best way is either a sidecar tour or a tuk-tuk tour .
The tour will start to get you acquainted with the city, and you can identify some of the best places that you will want to return to later on your own. Another option would be to use the historic Tram 28 as a fun way to see the city, but these tend to get really crowded so you might have a hard time getting a spot on board. Plus you won’t get the personal attention and history that you will get on a private tour.
A few sites that you want to make sure to visit over the next few days include the following. If you have the energy, walk to a few of these on the first day and save the rest for later. For more details, be sure to check out my 3 days in Lisbon itinerary .
Also, when you are in crowded areas, be sure to watch out for pickpockets and keep your valuables in theft-proof bags or wallets. You will also need some proper walking shoes for the hills and the slippery tile walkways.
Rossio Square (black and white tiled square)
Elevador da Glória (Funicular)
Terraços do Carmo (overlook)
Santa Justa Lift (elevator)
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (overlook)
Bairro Alto district (restaurants & bars)
Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)
Rua Augusta Arch (you can buy a ticket to climb this too)
Se Cathedral Lisbon
Miradouro das Portas do Sol (overlook)
Miradour de Santa Luzia (overlook)
Alfama district (oldest neighborhood with narrow, winding streets)
Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte (overlook)
São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge – Gothic architecture castle)
Rossio Square
Where to stay in Lisbon
I’ve stayed in three different places in Lisbon and each would appeal to a different type of traveler. First, I would recommend staying in a central location, just keep in mind that the historic center is busy and can be quite noisy at night. The first was the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa , which is a luxury hotel on the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. While it is quiet just on the outskirts of the city center, it is also a short walking distance to get to the heart of the action. The rooms are spacious, the service top-notch, and there is a lovely rooftop bar and restaurant.
The next place, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado , is perfect for families. These suites offer plenty of space and everything you would need when traveling with kids — from step stools in the bathroom or kid-friendly utensils in the kitchen. See my full review of family hotels in Portugal .
The last was Baixa House , which has a set of luxury apartments in an 18th-century building in the heart of the historic city center. These are perfect for families, couples, or friend groups that want to be centrally located, with self-catering options and a stylish “local living” feel. Just keep in mind that this area can get noisy.
Day 2: Lisbon & Belem
Monument to the Discoveries in Belem
On your second day in Lisbon, you will want to hit the ground early, as there is much to explore! Start off with a trip out to Belem (you can take a tram or train, but an Uber isn’t that much more and cheaper if you have a few people.) In Belem, there are a few major attractions you don’t want to miss.
Jerónimos Monastery — the line can be very long so buy your ticket in advance and go early
Belém Tower — you can see this 15th century tower from the outside, or, when it is open buy a ticket to climb up to the roof terrace
Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
Pastēis de Belēm — line up to purchase these famous custard tarts, some claim these are the best
Once you have seen these main attractions, if you have more time, you can also check out the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology.) Also note that if you are going to visit quite a few of these attractions, you may want to look into purchasing the Lisbon Card .
If you can squeeze all that into your morning, I would recommend heading over to Time Out Market in Lisbon for lunch. Stroll through this food hall and market and sample small plates from a range of vendors. You may also want to taste the pastel de nata from Manteigaria and see which you like better.
In the afternoon, take some time to get lost in the Alfama district . Try some of the local Ginjinha cherry liqueur and check out the street art. If you have time, pay a visit to the Fado Museum or the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum.)
In the evening, take a sunset sail on the Tagus River . You will sail from the docks and go under the 25 de Abril Bridge to Belem. On the return trip, you will have great views of the Sanctuary of Christ the King statue, which is a smaller version of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. For a special splurge, treat yourself to a private sailing with Lisbon ByBoat .
At night, make sure you take in a fado show . There are many places in the Alfama neighborhood famous for this soulful song and guitar performance, but you can also book a reservation at O Faia (Rua Barroca 56) in Bairro Alto, just be prepared to pay the minimum cover charge for your meal and drinks.
Day 3: Sintra
Peña Palace in Sintra
Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon by train, a day trip to Sintra is a must when you visit Lisbon! Sintra has been a summer retreat for monarchs and today Sintra is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a hilltop, it is easiest to either take the train into Sintra or hire a driver for the day because parking in town is crazy. If you take the train, you can then take a bus to the various attractions.
A few “must-see” stops in Sintra include:
Peña Palace and Park — you can select to visit either the Palace and the Park, or just purchase a ticket to the park. The Palace ticket will get you into the interior, to view the royal rooms. To be honest, unless you have a particular interest in castles and palaces, you will be just as well off just visiting the Park and enjoying the panoramic views from the Palace grounds. Even the park entrance gets you into the ground of the castle. To visit the main Palace area, you will need at least an hour, more if you are going inside. But you will also want to leave time to walk through park, with its winding paths, pavilions and stone benches. Much of this is behind the palace and could take you half a day or more to fully explore.
Quinta da Regaleira — make your next stop this residence and park that was built at the end of the 19th century and blends romanticism and fantasy in a parklike paradise that kids will absolutely go crazy over. Plan on spending a half a day here if you can (there is a cafe onsite.) The gardens are full of secret tunnels and passageways, grottos and towers and the things that make your imagination come alive. One thing that can’t be missed is the Initiation Well (Poço Imperfeito) and Lago da Cascata.
Palacio de Setais — is a five-minute walk from Quinta da Regaleira and worthy of a stop. If for nothing else, you should get a photo here with a view across the valley below. However, it is also a peaceful oasis for a luxurious lunch at the Seteais Restaurant at the Tivoli Palacio de Setais .
Castelo dos Mouros — climb along the ancient walls of this Moorish castle.
Day 4: Cascais or Quinta de Sant’Ana
The chapel at Quinta de Sant’Ana
If you have time for a fourth day in Lisbon, I’d recommend either spending time exploring Lisbon or taking another day trip. If you want to just relax, enjoy more time strolling the small streets, historic sites, and boutiques in Lisbon. Otherwise, I’d recommend taking a food tour with Devour Tours . If you want to learn a little more about Lisbon’s historical landmarks, take a walking tour with Inside Lisbon .
However, this is also a great opportunity for another day trip. In warm weather, a popular spot is Cascais . This seaside holiday town has a beach, walking or bike paths along the coast, and a charming downtown with tourist shops, restaurants, and bars. A fun spot for sundowners is the rooftop at Cafe Galeria House of Wonders . You could also visit Praia das Maçãs (Apple Beach), another popular beach, but it is a little further north than Cascais and puts you a bit further away from Lisbon.
If you prefer something a bit more culturally immersive, plan a visit to Quinta de Sant’Ana . This family wine estate is a popular wedding venue, but they also offer special experiences like wine tasting, vineyard tours, Portuguese bread making, and even a flower arranging workshop using clippings from the farm’s own flower fields.
Day 5: Douro River Valley
The long drive from Lisbon to the Douro River Valley in Northern Portugal takes about four hours. You can always break up your trip with stops in Nazaré , famous for its surfing beach, or Coimbra , a university town and one of Portugal’s largest cities. However, I’d recommend trying to drive right through and enjoy a lovely lunch overlooking the terraced vineyards of the Douro River Valley.
I’d recommend either DOC, from Chef Rui Paula, in Folgasa, or Cantina de Ventozelo in Ervedosa do Douro for lunch. Afterward, enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Douro River on one of the traditional boats that was used to transport Port barrels downriver to Porto. A great spot for this is in the town of Pinhão.
Where to Stay in Douro
The Vintage House
If you take the train, Pinhão is a good spot to make your home base. The Vintage House has a prime location on the river, with a full-service restaurant, wine workshops, tennis courts, and a pool.
If you are driving a rental car or have a driver, and you have the budget, you can’t beat a stay at the Six Senses Douro Valley . This centrally-located luxury hotel has plenty of activities and amenities on the property if you can relax and enjoy your stay. I’ve also written about other options for where to stay in the Douro Valley .
Day 6: Douro River Valley
Port tasting
Take a full day to enjoy the gorgeous landscape and wineries of the Douro River Valley. Keep in mind that you need appointments to go wine tasting at the Quintas. Navigating the narrow roads along the river and up into the hills can be challenging when you are sober, so it is highly recommended that you take a wine tour or hire a driver for a day tour.
We loved our day exploring with Lab Portugal Tours . Our driver and guide Miguel arranged three tastings and lunch for us, giving us a chance to sample all varieties of Port and table wine. At the end of the day, you can enjoy some activities or relaxation at your hotel.
Day 7: Porto
The drive from the Douro Valley to Porto takes about an hour and a half, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy Porto . After you arrive, I’d recommend you head across the river to Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia), which is actually its own city but it feels a lot like Budapest with Buda and Pest divided by the river.
In Gaia, you will want to visit one of the Port houses for a tour and Port wine tastings , such as Taylor’s , Churchill’s , Sandeman , or Calem . Right next door to Taylor’s is the fabulous WOW (World of Wine) entertainment district . WOW is home to seven different museum experiences and twelve restaurants in one large entertainment complex. One of these experiences is The Chocolate Story , which covers the history of chocolate and explains the details of the cacao harvesting and chocolate-making process. Here you can arrange a Port and chocolate pairing workshop.
At WOW you can also visit the Pink Palace , which immerses visitors in the world of rosé wine or learn more about Porto history at the Porto Region Across the Ages museum. Plan to have dinner at one of WOW’s many restaurants, like the Golden Catch Fish Restaurant or PIP, the family-friendly restaurant.
Where to Stay in Porto
Vila Foz Manor House
If you want to be close to the action in the city center, you may want to look at Gran Cruz House right on the river, Canto de Luz in the center of town, or the Myo Design House , which was owned and refurbished by an architect. Personally, I loved our stay at the Vila Foz Hotel & Spa .
While Vila Foz is outside of the city center, it has a lovely location across from the ocean and they offer transportation to downtown (or you could hop on a tram.) This luxury, boutique property offers top-notch guest service, gourmet dining, a relaxing spa, and modern design rooms or more traditional decor in the manor house.
Day 8: Porto
Take your last full day in Porto to explore. I’d recommend taking a guided walking tour with Explore Sideways , but if you want to do a self-guided tour, see my guide to Porto . Some of the must-see sights include:
Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francisco) — famous for its gold-dust interior and the crypts
Igreja do Carmo — check out the blue and white tiles on the side of the church
Clérigos Tower — the Clérgios church and its tower is one of the most recognizable monuments in Porto. It was built between 1735 and 1748 in a baroque style. Today, you can visit the church (for free) and the tower (for a fee). For a great view of Porto, climb the 200+ steps of the tower and see its 49 bells.
Livraria Lello bookstore — buy tickets in advance and skip the line. Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss this fantastical bookstore. While it is rumored to be J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for the dramatic staircases in the Harry Potter books and movies, Rowling never actually visited the shop, despite living in Porto for a while.
São Bento train station – step inside to see some of the gorgeous tile murals that tell the story of Porto
Porto Cathedral — see amazing views of the city from this perch
Ribeira Square and the waterfront
Dom Luís I Bridge — connects downtown historic Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and offers beautiful views of the city and up and down the Douro River
You may want to end your day with a river cruise to see the six bridges that connect Porto.
For dinner, make sure you sample one of Porto’s most famous sandwiches, the francesinha. The Francesinha sandwich was created in Porto at A Regaleira and is a Portuguese take on the French Croque monsieur. You will see it advertised all over Porto, but A Regaleira serves up the original.
Day 9: Fly Home
If you left on a Friday night and stayed in Portugal from Saturday to Saturday, you can fly home on Sunday and still only take one week of paid time off for your vacation. If you do have extra time, you can start in Porto and then tack on a few days in the Algarve, Comporta, or Alentejo at the end of your stay to create a 10-day Portugal itinerary.
Portugal Itinerary #2: Lisbon and Alentejo
If you have never heard of the Alentejo region of Portugal, you are not alone. This under-the-radar destination is the Tuscany of Portugal. Comprising one-third of the country, this arid landscape of rolling hills, cork trees, and vineyards is the breadbasket of Portugal. You will find remnants of Ancient Roman ruins, fortified medieval towns and castles, and large wine estates.
With all the wide-open spaces, this is a great region for a Portugal road trip that would appeal to history buffs, wine enthusiasts, families, and adventurous travelers looking to connect with the land, the people, and agriculture. Given the size of the region, it can be tempting to divide your stay into two different places. However, where you stay depends on how much time you want to spend driving between accommodations and how many times you want to move in a short one-week vacation.
Personally, I would recommend spending three nights in Lisbon and four nights in Alentejo of the perfect amount of time. I would pick a central location near Evora or Monsaraz and give myself more time to relax on the property and take a couple of day trips from there.
Day Highlights Stay 1 Lisbon city highlights tour Lisbon 2 Belem, Alfama, and sunset sail on the Tagus River Lisbon 3 Day trip to Sintra (Optional extra day in Lisbon: food tour or day trip to Cascais) Lisbon 4 Visit Evora Alentejo 5 Hot air balloon, picnic, horseback riding, pool, or wine tasting Alentejo 6 Cork trekking, star gazing Alentejo 7 Monsaraz or Estremoz Alentejo
When to Go
The thing to keep in mind about Alentejo is that it is dry and can be very hot in the summer , with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to do a Lisbon and Alentejo Portugal itinerary, it would be best to plan it during May-June or September-October . April and November can tend to be rainy in Alentejo and some properties close or have more limited amenities in the winter. I visited in October and the weather was still warm enough to want to enjoy an afternoon or two by the swimming pool.
How to Get There
Plan to fly in and out of Lisbon, as described above. Then, when you are ready to leave Lisbon, rent a car for your drive to Alentejo. While many activities can be enjoyed on the property at many of the hotels, you will want a car if you want to explore the countryside and the medieval towns. When traveling in Europe, I usually use Auto Europe to find the best rates and coverage for rental cars.
Days 1-3: Lisbon
I would suggest starting your trip in Lisbon so that you can relax and enjoy your downtime after some busy city exploration. Follow the suggested Lisbon itinerary from above.
Days 4: Evora
On the fourth day of your Portugal itinerary, I recommend heading east to Alentejo. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Lisbon to the popular city of Evora. Evora has become a popular day trip from Lisbon, but you can spend a little more time if you are actually staying in Alentejo.
A few of the “must-see” sights in Evora are:
Bone Chapel Of The Church Of St. Francis (Capela dos Ossos) — The Bone Chapel of Evora was built by a monk during the 16th-century church with a goal of encouraging people to reflect on the transitory nature of life. The chapel is constructed using the bones of approximately 5,000 bodies exhumed from the city’s graveyards. Quite macabre, but a popular attraction none-the-less.
The Roman Temple of Diana — Built in the 2nd or 3rd century, this temple is still in good condition, with 14 surviving columns topped by Corinthian capitals on a granite base.
Evora Cathedral (Se) — there are many churches to see in Evora, but if you only have time for one you should check out the cathedral near the Temple of Diana. The inside is more impressive of the outside, featuring an 18th-century high altar and polished marble chancel. The treasury houses many sacred artifacts, including rare and priceless pieces made of gold, silver, and other precious metals.
Aquaduct of Silver Water — completed in 1530 and designed by Francisco de Arruda (who designed the Tower of Belem), stop to see this impressive aquaduct on your way in or out of town.
After visiting Evora, continue on to your accommodation. I would recommend São Lourenço do Barrocal if your budget allows, but I have visited four hotels in Alentejo and truly loved all of them.
Where to Stay in Alentejo
São Lourenço do Barrocal
Torre de Palma — near the village of Vaiamonte, the historic Torre de Palma Wine Hotel dates back 1338. Restored in 2014, the Torre de Palma offers a range of unique and individually decorated rooms and suites. On property, you can relax at the pool, walk through the vineyards, or enjoy either a horse-drawn carriage ride or horseback riding. Torre de Palma also has an impressive wine tasting room and winemaking operation, offering tours, tastings, and wine blending classes.
Octant Hotel Evora — this hotel offers 56 rooms and five villas, all of which have an open-air balconies or terraces and the villas have a balcony and private pool. Some rooms are even outfitted with family-friendly bunkbeds in addition to the double bed.
São Lourenço do Barrocal — São Lourenço do Barrocal has earned the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Award for Top Hotel in Spain and Portugal for 2021 and it is easy to see why. On property, guests can enjoy estate tours, wine tasting, horseback riding, birding, archeological visits, garden visits, and family-friendly treasure hunts. In addition to relaxing at the spa or outdoor pools, the hotel can also arrange hot air balloon rides, star gazing experiences with an astronomer, sky diving, boat tours, and more.
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova — This Relais & Chateaux property is unlike other wine hotels in Portugal. Spread out between six uniquely different buildings on this 450-hectare wine estate, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova blends into the magnificent landscape, offering authenticity with high-touch service and luxurious surroundings. Daily activities can include: archery, quad bike rides, horseback riding, fishing, running and workout classes, hikes, tennis, mountain biking, guided walks, wine tasting courses, cooking workshops, family treasure hunts, painting, jeep tours, carriage rides, riding lessons, star gazing, pottery, canoeing, bird watching, hot air balloon rides, gourmet picnics, and so much more.
See reviews of these wine hotels in Portugal and more.
Day 5: Relaxation
Picnic at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
After a busy few days, you will appreciate the opportunity to relax. Many of the hotels in this area offer a range of on-site properties. I’d suggest starting your stay off on a high note by pre-arranging a hot air balloon ride over Alentejo . Granted, it makes for an early morning (not as bad in the fall as it is in the summer), but the views can be spectacular. Just keep in mind that wind or weather conditions can cause the excursion to get canceled (this is what happened to us but luckily I’ve gone hot-air ballooning before in Ronda, Spain, not too far away.) That is why you want to plan this early in your stay so you have a chance to reschedule if the weather improves.
After an early morning start, you will want to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some of that delicious Portuguese orange juice, honey, and pastries. This may also be a good day to sit by the pool, enjoy a traditional Alentejo picnic, or a relaxing horseback or carriage ride .
End your day with a personalized wine tasting, winery tour, or wine pairing workshop before enjoying some of the gourmet dining on the property.
Day 6: Redondo
Cork trekking
A great way to connect with the local culture is to spend a day on a cork farm with Cork Trekking .
