Planning a week in Portugal? Let us help!
Portugal is a wonderful country and while 7 days in Portugal may seem like a long time, you’ll wish you’d stayed longer.
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That said, we created a one-week Portugal itinerary to help you make the most of your time there.
Porto (Day 1-2)
Porto is a beautiful city in the north of Portugal.
It’s the ideal spot if you wish to visit the Douro river and explore the Douro Valley.
In fact, you’ll be able to visit wineries to taste the famous Porto wine.
Not sure if two days in Porto will be enough? Find out exactly how many days in Porto you’ll need.
Best Things To Do In Porto
Below you’ll find our recommendations on the best things to do during your time in Porto.
Cruise Douro River
One of the most popular things to do in Porto is to cruise the Douro river. Some of the cruises will bring you all the way to the Douro Valley where you’ll be able to see the vineyards.
Porto cruises have different lengths so you can pick one that suits your needs.
Wine Tasting
Famous for its Port wine, many travelers will go to Porto for the whole wine experience.
You can either do it yourself and go wine tasting around the city or if you’re planning on visiting Douro Valley then you could even visit a vineyard.
You’ll find plenty of fun wine-tasting guided tours around Porto.
Where To Stay In Porto
- Budget option: Urban Garden Porto Central Hostel
- Mid-range option: Eurostars Heroismo
- Luxury option: Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel
Lisbon (Day 3-4)
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and is also the largest city. It’s probably the most popular destination in Portugal.
Colorful, pretty, and known for its famous old trams, it’s the perfect base for day trips around the Lisbon area.
For example, many people prefer to stay in Lisbon and will organize a day trip to Sintra, Cascais, or Ericeira.
Best Things To Do In Lisbon
Below, you’ll find some of the best things to do during your Lisbon stay.
Torre De Belém
The Torre de Belém is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular attractions around Lisbon. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy the views.
Hop On Tram 28
Did someone say “yellow tram”? It’s the best tourist-friendly route you can find in Lisbon. Bonus: It’s more than affordable; EUR 2.90.
Where To Stay In Lisbon
- Budget option: Yes Lisbon Hostel
- Mid-range option: Emporium Lisbon Suites
- Luxury option: Casa Balthazar
Sintra (Day 5)
Sintra is located in the Lisbon region and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You might know it as the colorful palace heaven.
There are so many castles and palaces around this area that it’s definitely worth a visit.
Best Things To Do In Sintra
Below, you’ll find our recommendations on the best things to do in Sintra.
Palaces & Castles hopping
If you only have one day around Sintra, you might have to make a decision as there are many places to pick from.
Here are the two I’d recommend:
The Pena Palace is probably the most popular one. You can recognize it with its bright colors and it is located on the top of a hill. You can either walk there or take the 434 bus.
The Moors Castle is located next to the Pena Palace and is known for its amazing views. It’s probably the best spot to enjoy Sintra from above.
The entry costs EUR 8 (or EUR 10 for the fast track ticket!)
Where To Stay In Sintra
- Budget option: Casa Azul Hostel
- Mid-range option: Palacio de Sintra
- Luxury option: Tivoli Palacio de Seteais
Cascais (Day 6)
Cascais is a cute coastal town not too far from Lisbon. It’s a cool day trip if you want to spend some time next to the beach!
Best Thing To Do In Cascais
Cascais is a great beach destination, but if you wish to plan an activity there, we’d recommend you visit Boca do Inferno.
Boca Do Inferno
Boca do Inferno is a cool cliff and rocky formation on the coast. It’s quite unique (and of course, quite pretty)!
Where To Stay In Cascais
- Budget option: Art 4 you Hostel and Suites
- Mid-range option: Suites Guest House
- Luxury option: Casa Vela Charm Guest House
Lisbon (Day 7)
Return to Lisbon to leave Portugal, or head back to Porto if you fly from the same airport.
That said, if you have more time in Portugal, we’d recommend a visit to the Algarve region, located in the south of Portugal.
How To Get Around Portugal
The best way to get around Portugal is by car as you’ll be able to access more places along the way and also stop quickly to appreciate the best views in Portugal.
If renting a car isn’t an option you can always enjoy the train ride or the bus routes that cover pretty much all of Portugal.
It’s normally cheaper by bus but if you book your train tickets in advance you could find great deals.
There are two main bus companies: Rede Nacional de Expressos and Eva (which is mostly from Lisbon to the Algarve).
To find your train tickets, you should check on Comboios de Portugal.
Another popular option would be blablacar, which is a co-sharing ride website. You can find affordable rides on the most common routes such as Porto to Lisbon.
Otherwise, you could always use public transportation cards in Lisbon or Porto!
Final Thoughts On Portugal Travel Itinerary
Portugal is a beautiful country. In fact, it’s one of my favorite countries in Europe.
We hope our guide helped you figure out where to go in Portugal if you only have a week.
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