Portugal is a small country with a big heart—Roman roads underfoot, Moorish towers on the horizon, and Age of Discovery stories in every port. Its cities unfurl like chapters: Lisbon’s hills and azulejos, Porto’s granite lanes and wine lodges, and the Algarve’s honeyed cliffs sculpted by the Atlantic.

Food anchors the experience: grilled sardines in neighborhood tascas, silky bacalhau, slow-braised pork cheeks, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Wine lovers can follow the Douro upstream for terraced vines, while craft coffee and natural wine bars keep city evenings wonderfully “evoking.”

Practical notes: trains connect major hubs in 2–3 hours, contactless payments are common, and dinner reservations are wise for popular spots. Expect sunny days much of the year; bring layers for breezy coasts. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for table service).

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of light and longing—fado houses in Alfama, miradouros with river breezes, and trams clattering past tiled facades. Food here is excellent from markets to Michelin: petiscos counters, seafood temples, and inventive kitchens celebrating Portuguese produce.

For biking, the flatter riverfront lets you pedal an easy and romantic path from Cais do Sodré to Belém; e-bikes make hills optional. Day-trips to Sintra reveal palaces straight from a fairy tale, and ocean air fills the bike path between Cascais and Guincho.

• Where to stay:
  • Classic splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (elevated views, serene spa).
  • Riverside glamour: Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (garden pool, old-world polish).
  • Family-friendly suites: Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites.
  • Stylish budget: Lisbon Destination Hostel (in the Rossio train station building).
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com Lisbon | VRBO Lisbon
• Getting there: Search flights to Lisbon (LIS) on Omio.

Day 1: Arrival, River Stroll, and Petiscos

Morning: In transit to Lisbon. Aim for a mid-day arrival so you can shake out jet lag with fresh air and sunlight.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll the riverfront from Cais do Sodré to Praça do Comércio. Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters or Hello, Kristof; then browse Livraria Bertrand Chiado (world’s oldest operating bookshop) and Baixa’s airy squares.

Evening: Welcome dinner of petiscos at Taberna da Rua das Flores (go early to queue) or share seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic shrimp, percebes, steak sandwich “prego” for dessert). Nightcap at BytheWine (José Maria da Fonseca’s cozy wine bar).

Day 2: Alfama to Belém by E‑Bike + Pastéis

Morning: Pick up e-bikes from Bikeiberia near Praça do Comércio. Follow the Tagus path west to Belém (flat, ~7 km one-way). Stop at MAAT for striking riverside architecture and the Discoveries Monument for history.

Afternoon: In Belém, tour Jerónimos Monastery’s cloisters, then pastry bliss at Pastéis de Belém (still the benchmark since 1837). Ride back or hop the train from Belém to Cais do Sodré. Lunch at O Frade (Alentejo cuisine; rice with duck, lamb “ensopado”).

Evening: Explore Bairro Alto and Principe Real. Dinner at Prado (fermented butter, line-caught fish, natural wines) or Tasca da Esquina (modern Portuguese small plates). For romance, catch sunset at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Day 3: Lisbon Food & Neighborhoods

Morning: Grab flat whites at Copenhagen Coffee Lab, then wander LX Factory’s art-and-design complex. Snack on bifanas (pork sandwiches) at As Bifanas do Afonso if you’re nearby later.

Afternoon: Join a guided food experience to go deep on regional flavors and wine pairings.

Recommended activity: Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Evening: Fado night in Alfama: book Clube de Fado or Mesa de Frades for intimate vocals and candlelight. Pre-show dinner at Zé da Mouraria (legendary daily fish and beef “picanha”) or Belcanto if you’re in the mood for a 2‑Michelin-star splurge.

Day 4: Enchanted Sintra & Ocean Air

Full Day: Day-trip to Sintra for palaces, gardens, and sea cliffs. Start early to beat queues, then cap the day with a seaside wander in Cascais.

Recommended activity: Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Lunch tip: Try travesseiros (almond pillows) at Piriquita in Sintra. In Cascais, stroll past the marina and share seafood at Mar do Inferno or Santini for classic gelato before training back to Lisbon. Late drink at Red Frog Speakeasy back in the city.

Porto

Porto is granite and gold leaf, iron bridges and blue tiles. The Ribeira quarter spills to the Douro, while across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, port lodges mature wines in vast cellars. It’s deliciously walkable—and perfect for riverside biking to the Atlantic.

Food is hearty and heartfelt: slow-cooked tripas, smoky alheiras, francesinhas done right, and pristine seafood from Matosinhos. Coffee culture hums, and wine bars pour Douro field blends, Vinho Verde, and of course tawny and ruby ports.

• Where to stay:
  • Iconic wine-view luxury: The Yeatman.
  • Contemporary high-rise with pool: HF Ipanema Park.
  • Great-value central: Moov Hotel Porto Centro.
  • Hostel standout: Gallery Hostel.
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com Porto | VRBO Porto
• Getting there from Lisbon: Morning train on the Alfa Pendular via Omio Trains, ~2h50, ~$25–$45. Reserve seats for comfort.

Day 5: Lisbon to Porto, Tiles & Riverfront

Morning: Train to Porto—grab pastel de nata and fruit for the ride. Check in and walk to São Bento Station to admire its azulejo murals of Portuguese history.

Afternoon: Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters, then the Clérigos Tower and Lello bookshop area (go with timed entry if you choose to visit). Meander Rua das Flores to the Ribeira waterfront.

Evening: Dinner at Adega São Nicolau (codfish with corn bread “bacalhau à brás” riff, or octopus) or Taberna dos Mercadores (tiny, superb—book ahead). Sip a white port & tonic by the river.

Day 6: Douro Valley Wine Day

Full Day: Head into the world’s first demarcated wine region for vineyard visits, tastings, and a short river cruise. Expect sweeping terraces, olive groves, and a relaxed winery lunch—a romantic highlight for food-and-wine lovers.

Recommended activities (pick one):

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

Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch

Back in Porto, keep it light with a cheese-and-charcuterie supper at Prova Wine Food & Pleasure or a francesinha split at Brasão Aliados (gravy-rich, better shared).

Day 7: Gaia Cellars, Coastal Bike Ride & Petiscos

Morning: Cross Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia for a port lodge tour and tasting—Graham’s, Taylor’s, or Sandeman are classic choices. Coffee at 7g Roaster on the Gaia side.

Afternoon: Rent bikes (Biclas & Triclas or Fold n’ Visit) and follow the Douro to Foz do Douro, then along the Atlantic boardwalk; stop for grilled fish in Matosinhos at O Lusitano or O Gaveto.

Evening: Return riverside for petiscos at Cantinho do Avillez (Porto outpost) or A Cozinha do Manel (slow-cooked meats, traditional clay-pot dishes). Gelato at Gelataria Sincelo as you wander the waterfront.

Lagos (Algarve)

Lagos is your sun-kissed finale: ochre cliffs, turquoise coves, and a historic old town wrapped around lively squares. Romantic sunsets paint Ponta da Piedade’s rock arches gold; boats weave into grottoes, and coastal trails invite hand-in-hand wandering.

Seafood is outstanding—cataplana stews, charcoal-grilled dourada, and razor clams sautéed with garlic. The Ecovia do Litoral cycle route offers stunning seaside riding; e-bikes will smooth any hills.

• Where to stay:
  • Resort-style wellness: Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort (clifftop, pools, spa).
  • Adults-friendly chic: Lagos Avenida Hotel (marina views, rooftop pool).
  • Family-friendly beachfront: Vila Galé Lagos.
  • Browse more stays nearby: Hotels.com Lagos | VRBO Lagos
• Getting there from Porto: Train to Lagos with a change in Tunes via Omio Trains, ~5.5–6.5 hours, ~$30–$45. For a quicker route, train or fly to Faro then regional train/bus to Lagos via Omio.

Day 8: Porto to Lagos, Old Town & Sunset Cliffs

Morning: Travel south to Lagos; check in and refresh with a marina stroll. Espresso and almond tart at Pastelaria Gombá.

Afternoon: Explore the old town’s whitewashed lanes, Igreja de Santo António’s gilded interior, and the Mercado for local cheeses and cured tuna.

Evening: Golden-hour walk from Praia Dona Ana to Praia do Camilo; toast sunset above Ponta da Piedade. Dinner at O Camilo (grilled fish, sea views) or Dos Artistas (refined tasting menus). Nightcap at Bon Vivant Bar.

Day 9: Coastal Biking & Coves

Morning: Rent e-bikes (E‑Motion Lagos or Lagos Bike Tours) for a relaxed section of the Ecovia do Litoral toward Meia Praia and Alvor boardwalks—wide sands, salt marsh birds, and easy riding.

Afternoon: Light lunch at Goji Lounge Café (bowls, salads, fresh juices) or Casinha do Petisco (garlicky clams, piri‑piri prawns). Optional kayak or small-boat grotto tour to the Ponta da Piedade caves.

Evening: Dinner at No Pátio (romantic courtyard) or A Forja (local favorite for charcoal-grilled catch). Gelado at Crema di Gelato as you wander the cobbles.

Day 10: Beachy Morning & Departure

Morning: Final dip at Praia do Porto de Mós or a slow coffee at Black and White Coffee Shop. Snack on pastéis de nata from Padaria Central for the journey.

Afternoon: Transfer to Faro (or Lisbon) for your departing flight via Omio. If time allows en route, lunch in Faro’s old town at Vila Adentro for algarvian specialties.

Optional Experiences to Personalize

• Lisbon by Tuk Tuk (great first-day overview): True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!

  

• Compact Sintra visit (if you prefer half-day): Half-Day Sintra and Pena Palace Tour from Lisbon with Small-Group

  

• Another Douro option (boutique feel): Authentic Small Group Douro Wine Tour with Lunch & River Cruise

  

• Lisbon tuk-tuk variation with Belém focus: Private Lisbon Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: Alfama, Belém & More

  

Getting Around & Budget Notes

• Intercity trains: Book Lisbon–Porto and Porto–Lagos/Tunes on Omio Trains. Expect $25–$45 per person per leg; first-class seats add ~$10–$15.
• Flights within/into Europe: Compare LIS, OPO, and FAO routes via Omio.
• Daily costs (for two): Mid-to-high comfort with great dining: $350–$600/day excluding flights, easily under your $15,000 total for 10 days. Michelin nights or premium winery add-ons raise the average.
• Bike rentals: Plan €15–€35/day per standard bike; e-bikes €30–€50. Helmets and locks provided.
• Restaurant tips: Book Prado, Belcanto, Mar do Inferno, and Dos Artistas in advance; show up early for tiny taverns like Taberna dos Mercadores.

From Lisbon’s miradouros and culinary tours to Porto’s river cellars and the Algarve’s cliffside sunsets, this 10-day route blends romance with flavorful discovery. With trains linking each chapter and e-bikes unlocking the coasts, you’ll savor Portugal at the perfect pace—together.