Portugal’s story stretches from Roman ruins to Age of Discovery caravels and today’s creative revival. In a compact country, you’ll slide from tile-clad Lisbon hills to the sun-washed Algarve and end in Porto’s granite splendor along the Douro River. Expect azulejos, custard tarts, seafood feasts, soulful fado, and wines from green to tawny.

This 10-day itinerary balances icons with insider corners: Alfama’s miradouros, Sintra’s enchanted palaces, Lagos’ sea caves, and port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. We layer in a curated food tour, a tuk tuk overview, and a Douro day among terraces carved by hand over centuries.

Practical notes: trains are reliable and scenic; book popular sights (Pena Palace, Livraria Lello) in advance. Wear sturdy shoes for cobbles and hills. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for great service). Keep an eye on belongings in trams and crowded viewpoints. Bring a light layer—Atlantic breezes can surprise.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of seven hills, pastel façades, and viewpoints that trap you at sunset. Trams rattle through Alfama, Belém’s monastery whispers maritime glory, and the riverfront hums with cafés, galleries, and music. It’s as historic as it is hungry—taste your way through tascas, markets, and modern petiscos.

Top sights include Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the MAAT and Berardo collections, Castelo de São Jorge, and the azulejo-covered São Vicente de Fora. Don’t miss miradouros like Senhora do Monte or Santa Catarina, and ride the Elevador da Bica for that postcard incline.

• Stay (Hotels & VRBO): Browse Hotels.com Lisbon or VRBO Lisbon. Standouts: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic views), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (palatial gardens), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (apartment-style), and Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget, central).
• Getting in: Fly into Lisbon (LIS). Compare fares on Omio flights. Nonstops from major European hubs are 1–3 hours; from the US East Coast ~6–8 hours.
• Getting around: Load a Viva Viagem card for metro, trams, and trains; rides are inexpensive and frequent.

Day 1 – Arrival, Baixa & Chiado Warm-Up

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs through Praça do Comércio and the grid of Baixa, rebuilt after the 1755 quake. Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa for citywide views, then slip into Chiado’s bookstores and boutiques.

Evening: Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro for garlic clams, scarlet prawns, and a steak “prego” chaser; or Taberna da Rua das Flores for seasonal petiscos (arrive early for a table). Nightcap at Park (rooftop over a car park) or Red Frog for award-winning speakeasy cocktails.

Day 2 – Lisbon by Tuk Tuk, Belém Monuments & Sunset Miradouros

Morning: Orient yourself with a private tuk tuk spin through Alfama, Graça, and the historic center.

True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!

Break with specialty coffee at Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Alfama) or Fabrica Coffee Roasters (Chiado). Try a warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria.

Afternoon: Tram or rideshare to Belém. Tour Jerónimos Monastery’s cloister and peek at Belém Tower. At Pastéis de Belém, join the line—it moves fast—for the original custard tarts. Pop into the MAAT for design and riverside architecture.

Evening: Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Dinner in Bairro Alto at Bistro 100 Maneiras (Bosnian-Portuguese creativity) or Solar dos Presuntos (seafood rice, percebes). If you want fado, reserve Clube de Fado in Alfama.

Day 3 – Sintra Palaces & Cascais Coast (Full-Day)

Trade city streets for forests and fairy-tale turrets on a small-group excursion, including Pena Palace and the romantic gardens of Quinta da Regaleira. Continue to Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe’s westernmost point, and finish in seaside Cascais.

Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Back in Lisbon, dine at Bairro do Avillez (multiple concepts under one roof) or Zé da Mouraria (legendary cod and pork steaks). For a laid-back drink, try Duque Brewpub for Portuguese craft beer.

Day 4 – Markets, Street Art & a Food Tour Finale

Morning: Browse Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market) early to beat crowds; sample octopus salad or pica-pau. Explore LX Factory’s creative hub and street art; grab a flat white at Wish Slow Coffee House.

Afternoon: Eat your way through lesser-known neighborhoods on an acclaimed tasting stroll.

Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Evening: Golden-hour stroll along Cais do Sodré to the new riverfront. Dinner at A Cevicheria (Lisbon’s Nikkei star; arrive before the queue) or O Velho Eurico (home-style Portuguese plates). Pack for the Algarve.

Lagos (Algarve)

Lagos blends honeyed cliffs, turquoise coves, and lively old-town streets. From the swooping arches of Ponta da Piedade to the long curve of Meia Praia, this is the Algarve at its most photogenic—best explored by kayak, boat, or cliff-top trails.

Beyond beaches, Lagos’ 15th-century walls and small museum recall Portugal’s nautical dawn. The seafood is as local as it gets: cataplana stews, grilled sardines, and razor clams that taste of the tide.

• Stay (Hotels & VRBO): Browse Hotels.com Lagos or VRBO Lagos. Favorites: Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort (clifftop, pools), Lagos Avenida Hotel (marina views), Vila Galé Lagos (steps from Meia Praia).
• Getting there from Lisbon (Day 5 morning): Train Lisbon–Lagos ~3h50–4h15 with a change at Tunes, ~€20–35. Check times/prices on Omio trains. Buses are similar in time/cost via Omio buses.

Day 5 – Travel South, Cliffs & Old Town

Morning: Depart Lisbon by train for Lagos. Grab breakfast to-go: Dear Breakfast (Chiado) or Padaria Portuguesa. On arrival, drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Walk the cliff path from Praia Dona Ana to Praia do Camilo and down the famous 200+ steps for a swim if the sea is calm. Continue to Ponta da Piedade’s lighthouse and gaze at limestone arches.

Evening: Sundowners above the cliffs. Dinner at O Camilo (sea-view seafood, try the fish soup and daily catch), Casa do Prego (modern petiscos—octopus with sweet potato), or A Forja (local grill, cash-friendly). For gelato, stop at Gelícia.

Day 6 – Sea Caves by Kayak, Beach Time & Petiscos

Morning: Join a guided kayak tour from Praia de Batata or the marina to thread through grottos at Ponta da Piedade; guides steer you into narrow passages boats can’t manage. Bring a dry bag and reef-safe sunscreen.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: Meia Praia for long sandy strolls and kite-surfers; or tucked-away Praia do Pinhão for calmer waters. Quick lunch at Goji Lounge Café (fresh bowls, great juices) or Black and White Coffee Shop (solid espresso, pastries).

Evening: Tapas crawl in the old town—Tasca Jota (Iberian), then Restaurante dos Artistas for a refined main if you want to elevate the night. Drinks at Bon Vivant (rooftop) or Three Monkeys (casual late-night).

Day 7 – West Coast Day: Sagres, Fortress & Surf

Morning: Drive or bus to Sagres (1 hour). Visit Fortaleza de Sagres, where winds and views are dramatic; walk to Cabo de São Vicente for cliff-edge panoramas and the red lighthouse.

Afternoon: Surf lesson at Mareta or Tonel if conditions allow (schools provide boards and 3/2 suits). Non-surfers can hike sections of the Rota Vicentina or linger at Praia do Beliche’s scalloped bay. Late lunch on land at A Sagres (sardines in season) or Dromedário (burgers, veggie-friendly).

Evening: Back in Lagos, keep it simple at Don Sebastião (traditional, great wine list) or Taberna da Mo (regional small plates). Pack for tomorrow’s northbound journey.

Porto

Granite lanes, blue-and-white tiles, and the slow curve of the Douro define Porto. It’s a working city with polished edges: world-class architecture, lively markets, and the ritual of crossing to Gaia for port tastings at sunset.

Highlights include São Bento Station’s azulejos, the cathedral terrace, Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello’s neo-Gothic staircase, and the riverfront Ribeira. In Gaia, centuries-old lodges mature ports in cool, fragrant cellars.

• Stay (Hotels & VRBO): Browse Hotels.com Porto or VRBO Porto. Top picks: The Yeatman (luxury wine hotel in Gaia), HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool), Moov Hotel Porto Centro (value in an Art Deco building), or Gallery Hostel (boutique hostel).
• Getting from the Algarve (Day 8 morning): Train Lagos–Porto ~5h45–6h30 with changes (Tunes/Entrecampos), ~€35–55—see Omio trains. Faster option: bus or train to Faro, then a 1h10 flight Faro–Porto (seasonal), typically €30–100—compare on Omio flights. Buses are frequent via Omio buses.

Day 8 – Travel North, Ribeira & Port Lodges

Morning: Travel to Porto. Check in and refuel at Combi Coffee Roasters or 7g Roaster (across the bridge in Gaia for river views).

Afternoon: Wander Ribeira’s lanes and cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia. Tour one classic lodge (Graham’s, Taylor’s, or Sandeman) to learn the differences between ruby, tawny, and vintage ports. Snack on petiscos at Taberninha do Manel.

Evening: Dinner at Brasão Cervejaria Aliados for a francesinha with crisp fries, or at Adega São Nicolau for cod with chickpeas. Sip at Prova Wine Bar or Capela Incomum (a wine bar in a tiny chapel).

Day 9 – Douro Valley Wine Day (Full-Day)

Spend a day among terraced vineyards carved into schist slopes. This small-group tour typically includes two estates for tastings, a traditional lunch, and a short river cruise in Pinhão.

Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

Back in Porto, keep dinner easy at Casa Guedes (pork sandwich with Serra cheese) or Gazela for “cachorrinhos” (tiny spicy hot dogs) and a cold Super Bock.

Day 10 – Tiles, Towers & Departure

Morning: São Bento Station for azulejo panels, then Clérigos Tower for skyline views. Book timed entry for Livraria Lello; arrive early to admire the staircase. Walk Rua das Flores for last-minute gifts (conservas tins, ceramics).

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Nicolau Porto or Zenith Brunch Bar. Head to the airport or train station. For onward flights/trains, compare schedules on Omio flights and Omio trains.

Optional Lisbon Add-On (alternate Day 2 choice)

If you prefer a shorter city overview with flexible pickups, swap in this tuk tuk experience:

Private Lisbon Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: Alfama, Belém & More

Booking pointers & local tips

• Reserve popular restaurants (Ramiro, Artistas, Brasão) and tours a week+ in advance in high season.
• For intercity travel, trains are smoother than buses; first-class (Alfa Pendular/Intercidades) is often just a few euros more. Check Omio trains.
• In summer, start beach and cliff walks early; bring water and a hat. Sea conditions change quickly—follow lifeguard flags.

Where to stay quick-links by city:

• Lisbon: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites, Lisbon Destination Hostel, or browse VRBO Lisbon.
• Lagos: Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort, Lagos Avenida Hotel, Vila Galé Lagos, or browse VRBO Lagos.
• Porto: The Yeatman, HF Ipanema Park, Moov Hotel Porto Centro, Gallery Hostel, or browse VRBO Porto.

Transport quick-links:

• Omio flights (to/from and within Europe)
• Omio trains (Portugal & Europe)
• Omio buses (backup or budget option)

This itinerary balances Lisbon’s culture and cuisine, the Algarve’s coastal adventure, and Porto’s riverside charm—with two outstanding day trips to Sintra and the Douro. Ten days is just enough to fall for Portugal and still leave a few tiles unturned for next time.