12 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve Itinerary

Historic Lisbon, wine-soaked Porto, and the sunlit Algarve—an elegant 12-day Portugal itinerary mixing culture, castles, coastal hikes, and unforgettable food.
Scenic view of trams navigating the charming streets of Lisbon at dusk, capturing urban life and transportation.
Photo by Lisa from Pexels on Pexels

Portugal rewards the curious. Roman roads, Moorish walls, Manueline cloisters, tiled facades—centuries of seafaring history live in its cities and coastlines. In 12 days you’ll trace an arc from Lisbon’s hilltop castles to Porto’s riverfront cellars and the Algarve’s honeyed cliffs.

Lisbon dazzles with azulejos, Tram 28, and the golden spires of Belém. Porto serves up port wine traditions and UNESCO-listed Ribeira, while the nearby Douro Valley drapes vineyards over steep, terraced hills. In the south, Lagos anchors an Algarve escape of sea caves, surfing points, and sunset headlands.

Expect generous portions of cod and grilled sardines, pasteis de nata straight from the oven, and late-night fado. Trains are efficient, card payments are widely accepted, and English is commonly spoken. Book popular sights and restaurants ahead—especially Sintra palaces and Douro tours.

Lisbon

Portugal’s capital is a city of seven hills, tiled facades, miradouros (viewpoints), and songs that spill from Alfama’s doorways. Historic trams rattle past pastel mansions, while Belém’s riverside monuments recall the Age of Discovery. Settle in, slow down, and taste everything.

Getting there & around

  • Fly into LIS. For flights within Europe, compare fares on Omio Flights. If coming from outside Europe, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
  • Local transport: Grab a Viva Viagem card for metro, trams, and trains. Taxis and ride-hailing are abundant; hills are real—plan your routes.

Days 1–5: Lisbon, Belém & Alfama (with a Sintra/Cascais day trip)

Start in Baixa and Chiado for orientation, then drift into Alfama’s lanes for São Jorge Castle, the cathedral, and fado by night. Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and Monument to the Discoveries deserve a half-day—go early; many museums close on Mondays.

  • Top sights & neighborhoods: São Jorge Castle, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte at golden hour, National Tile Museum (azulejos through the ages), LX Factory’s design warehouses, MAAT’s swooping riverside roof, and Tram 28 for a classic but crowded ride.
  • Guided experiences (handy on your first days):
  • Eat & drink:
    • Breakfast/coffee: Fabrica Coffee Roasters (single-origin espresso, excellent pastel de nata), The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch—corn fritters and ricotta hotcakes), Manteigaria (nata baked all day; sprinkle cinnamon), Pastéis de Belém (the original custard tarts since 1837—go off-peak).
    • Lunch: Mercado da Ribeira/Time Out Market—try Sea Me for tuna prego, Marlene Vieira for seafood rice, Manteigaria Silva for cured meats and cheeses. For hearty classics, Zé da Mouraria (cod and steaks) or Bonjardim “Rei dos Frangos” for piri‑piri chicken.
    • Dinner: Cervejaria Ramiro (shellfish, garlic clams; end with a steak sandwich), Taberna da Rua das Flores (ever-changing petiscos—join the waitlist), Solar dos Presuntos (arroz de tamboril monkfish rice), and Prado (seasonal, wood-fired plates with natural wines).
    • Night: Fado at Clube de Fado or Tasca do Chico; ginjinha (cherry liqueur) near Rossio; rooftop sunset at Park Bar above a car park in Bairro Alto.
  • Where to stay:

Porto

Gothic churches, gilded baroque interiors, and blue-printed São Bento Station set the stage for port wine and river life. Porto’s soul is in the steep lanes of Ribeira and the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Douro’s story is poured by the glass.

Getting there & moving on (Morning departure assumed)

  • Lisbon → Porto: Morning train on the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades takes ~2h45–3h. Check times/prices (€20–40) on Omio Trains. Buses run ~3h30 via Omio Buses.

Days 6–8: Porto & the Douro

Stroll Ribeira’s quay and cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for views. Visit Livraria Lello early for timed entry, and climb Clérigos Tower. Pop into the azulejo-lined São Bento Station before tasting through Gaia’s port lodges—Taylor’s, Graham’s, and Sandeman are classics.

  • Top experiences:
    • Port lodges in Gaia with terrace views over Porto; book a tasting flight and learn the difference between ruby, tawny, and vintage.
    • Foz do Douro promenade at sunset; tram line 1 along the river if you crave nostalgia.
  • Douro Valley day tours (easy round-trip from Porto):
  • Eat & drink:
    • Coffee: Combi (micro-roasted beans, filter options), 7g Roaster (Gaia side; pair with a river walk), Fabrica Coffee Roasters (consistent across espresso styles).
    • Lunch: Casa Guedes (serra-cheese pork sandwiches—grab napkins), Gazela (tiny “cachorrinhos” spicy hot dogs with a beer), Café Santiago or Brasão Cervejaria (the city’s best francesinha—share one).
    • Dinner: Adega São Nicolau (traditional “tripas à moda do Porto”), Rui Paula’s DOP (contemporary Northern flavors), O Gaveto in Matosinhos (grilled turbot, percebes when in season). Wine bars: Prova or Capela Incomum for Portuguese varietals by the glass.
  • Where to stay:

Lagos (Algarve)

Set on the western Algarve, Lagos blends a walled old town with coves, sea caves, and lighthouse-topped headlands. The Atlantic sculpts amber cliffs into arches at Ponta da Piedade, while surfers chase swells on the Vicentine Coast and families spread out on Meia Praia’s wide sands.

Getting there & around (Morning departure assumed)

  • Porto → Algarve:
    • Fastest: Fly OPO→FAO (~1h15; sometimes direct, often via Lisbon). Compare prices (€40–120 carry-on fares) on Omio Flights.
    • Scenic: Train Porto→Tunes→Lagos ~5h30–6h; reserve on Omio Trains. Buses take ~7h via Omio Buses.
  • Local tip: A car makes beach‑hopping simple, but you can also use regional trains/buses between Lagos, Portimão, Sagres, and Faro via Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Days 9–12: Lagos, Ponta da Piedade & Sagres

Dedicate a morning to the coastal path from Praia Dona Ana to Ponta da Piedade’s lighthouse—boardwalks reveal grottoes and limestone stacks. Take a boat or kayak to explore caves and arches; in calm seas, longer outings reach the famed Benagil Cave.

  • Active & outdoors:
    • Kayak or boat tour from Lagos Marina to Ponta da Piedade (1.5–2 hours; early departures avoid wind and crowds). For Benagil, consider tours from Portimão or Lagos (2–3 hours).
    • Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente sunset—Europe’s southwestern tip with fortress views and Atlantic drama.
    • Surf lesson at Arrifana or Amado (consistent breaks; wetsuits provided), or paddle flat waters in the Ria de Alvor nature reserve.
    • History break: Silves Castle (Moorish red-stone fort) pairs well with a leisurely lunch riverside.
  • Beaches:
    • Praia do Camilo for photogenic stairs and clear water; Praia Dona Ana for sheltered swimming; Meia Praia for space and beach bars; Praia do Beliche near Sagres for dramatic cliffs.
  • Eat & drink:
    • Coffee/breakfast: Coffee & Waves (specialty coffee, smoothie bowls), Goji Lounge Café (fresh-pressed juices, poached eggs), Pastelaria Gombá (local sweets and savory pastries).
    • Lunch: Adega da Marina (hearty portions—grilled dorado and cataplana), A Forja (“The Forge,” charcoal-grilled sardines and cuttlefish), Mar d’Estórias rooftop (petiscos and regional wines with town views).
    • Dinner: O Camilo (order the seafood rice; book ahead), Restaurante dos Artistas (creative tasting menus in a townhouse), Casa do Prego (octopus, black pork sliders; lively rooftop). Cocktails: Bon Vivant on Rua 25 de Abril.
  • Where to stay:

Departing

In less than two weeks you’ll have traced Portugal’s great themes—maritime monuments, tiled monasteries, river wines, and Atlantic cliffs. Keep room in your bag: bottles from the Douro and tins of conserva make excellent souvenirs of this sunlit, delicious journey.

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