Portugal compresses centuries of history into short walks: Moorish alleys twist toward miradouros, Gothic monasteries glow with Manueline lacework, and azulejo tiles narrate saints, ships, and everyday life in cobalt blue. From Lisbon’s hilltop viewpoints to Porto’s riverfront, you’ll feel the country’s maritime soul and a pace that invites lingering.

Food anchors the journey. Expect grilled sardines in summer, cataplana seafood stews, and buttery pastéis de nata—preferably still warm from the oven. Wine flows from the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and the breezy whites of Vinho Verde; inland, hearty Alentejo dishes pair with full-bodied reds.

Practical notes: trains are frequent and comfortable, and cashless payments are widely accepted. Book timed entries for popular sights (Pena Palace, Livraria Lello) and watch for petty theft on packed trams. Pack layers—the Atlantic can turn breezy even in sunshine.

Lisbon

Lisbon shimmers across seven hills, where yellow trams clatter past tiled facades and the Tagus River opens toward the Atlantic. It’s a city of viewpoints—Portas do Sol at sunrise, Santa Catarina at sunset—and neighborhoods with strong personalities: the fado-soaked lanes of Alfama, Chiado’s literary cafes, and Belém’s Age of Discovery monuments.

Getting there: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio. Coming from outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for long-haul options. In town, grab a Viva Viagem card for trams, metro, and trains.

Where to stay: Browse apartments and townhouses on VRBO Lisbon or hotels via Hotels.com Lisbon. Standouts: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (modern art and city views), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (palatial serenity), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (family-friendly apartments), and Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget-smart, inside Rossio Station).

Days 1–6: Hills, Tiles, Belém, and Sintra

• Alfama, Baixa, and Chiado essentials: Ramble up to Castelo de São Jorge for red-roof panoramas, then drift down Alfama’s lanes where fado drifts from doorways. See the azulejo panels in the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora and pause at the miradouro de Santa Luzia.
• Belém’s Age of Discovery: Tour Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém, then walk the waterfront to MAAT’s sinuous rooftop. Sweet break: compare a warm pastel at Manteigaria with the original at Pastéis de Belém—both worth the queue.
• Modern Lisbon and azulejos craft: In Parque das Nações, the Oceanário showcases Atlantic ecosystems under a soaring canopy. Dive deeper into tile heritage with this hands-on workshop:

  

  Tiles and Tales: Workshop and National Tile Museum Visit — create your own tile, then see masterpieces at the National Tile Museum.

• Sintra and Cascais day trip: Fairytale peaks, seaside air, and UNESCO palaces. Skip logistics with a small-group tour (tickets and transport included):

  

  Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira & Cascais, small-group — Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais in one efficient loop.

• See more in less time: A private tuk tuk circuit connects hilltop viewpoints and hidden lanes with a local driver-storyteller:

  

  True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local! — ideal on arrival to get oriented.

• Eat and drink like a local: Reserve Cervejaria Ramiro for shell-on garlic prawns and giant tiger shrimp; Taberna da Rua das Flores for market-led small plates; Zé da Mouraria for baked salt cod; and Ponto Final across the river for sunset seafood with Lisbon’s skyline. Coffee and breakfast at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours), Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Scandi bakes), and Seagull Method for hearty brunch. For dessert, Manteigaria’s custard tarts sing with a crackly top.
• Night vibes: Hear live fado in Alfama at Clube de Fado or Tasca do Chico (intimate, low-lit). For cocktails, ring the bell at Red Frog Speakeasy; for vintage curios and a gin and tonic, settle into Pavilhão Chinês.

Lisbon → Porto (morning of Day 7): Take the Alfa Pendular high-speed train from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã (about 2h50, €25–40). Book via Omio Trains and reserve seats. Taxis or a quick urban train connect Campanhã to São Bento (10 minutes).

Porto

Porto is granite and gold leaf, river and rooftops, bridges arcing like swallows over the Douro. São Bento Station’s azulejos tell Portugal’s story in 20,000 tiles, while across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, Port wine lodges age tawny memories in oak.

Where to stay: Compare apartments on VRBO Porto or hotels on Hotels.com Porto. Favorites: The Yeatman (wine-focused luxury with sweeping Gaia views), HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool), Moov Hotel Porto Centro (value in an Art Deco building), and Gallery Hostel (design-forward hostel with local art).

Days 7–10: Ribeira, Port Lodges, and the Douro Valley

• Old town wander: Start at the cathedral’s terrace for a river panorama, descend to Ribeira’s arcades, then cross the Dom Luís I Bridge (by a disciple of Eiffel) to Gaia. Time your return for twilight—the riverfront glows with lamplight.
• Tile and tower moments: Step into São Bento Station to read history in azulejos, then climb Clérigos Tower for a 360-degree city view. Book Livraria Lello’s timed entry early if you’re a bibliophile.
• Wine day in the Douro: Trade city cobbles for terraced vineyards and schist-walled quintas. Choose one of these highly rated small-group tours with tastings, lunch, and a boat glide:

  

  Premium Douro Valley Small-Group Tour, Wine Tasting, Lunch & Boat

  

  Porto: Douro Valley, 2 Wine Regions, Sommelier, Boat Trip & Lunch

• Port lodges and tastings: In Gaia, Taylor’s blends heritage with a serene garden; Graham’s offers sunset-lit tastings over the city; smaller lodges like Ramos Pinto have excellent museum-style exhibits on Port’s history.
• Eats and treats: Try a francesinha done right at Brasão Cervejaria Aliados (balanced sauce) or Café Santiago (classic). Don’t miss Casa Guedes’ pork-sandwich-with-Serra-cheese, Adega São Nicolau for riverfront petiscos, and Taberna dos Mercadores for intimate Portuguese plates. Breakfast at Café Majestic for Belle Époque decadence; Combi Coffee Roasters for third-wave brews; Padaria Ribeiro for flakey croissants and bolo de arroz.
• Playful city discovery: Turn wandering into a puzzle with this self-guided game through historic alleys:

  

  Porto’s city centre: alleys, views and tales city game

Porto → Algarve (morning of Day 11): Fastest is a flight from OPO to Faro (about 1h10, often €30–80; search on Omio), then a regional train or bus to Lagos (1h–1h40; book on Omio Trains or Omio Buses). All-rail takes ~6–7 hours with changes; it’s scenic if you prefer trains end-to-end.

Lagos (Algarve)

Lagos makes a perfect Algarve base: walkable old streets, a marina framed by palms, and cliffs scalloped into coves at Ponta da Piedade. Expect Atlantic-blue water, sea caves, and sunsets that set the limestone aflame.

Where to stay: See vacation homes on VRBO Lagos or hotels on Hotels.com Lagos. Reliable picks: Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort (above the cliffs, pools and spa), Lagos Avenida Hotel (marina-facing boutique), and Vila Galé Lagos (resort style near Meia Praia).

Days 11–15: Beaches, Sea Caves, Silves and Sagres

• Ponta da Piedade by kayak: Glide under golden arches into emerald grottoes—kayaks let you enter spots boats can’t.

  

  From Lagos: Kayak Tour of Ponta da Piedade Caves on Catamaran — calm mornings are best for light and tides.

• Dolphins and Benagil-style caves: Depart from nearby Albufeira for open-water dolphin watching combined with a coastal cave cruise.

  

  Dolphin Watching and Cave Boat Cruise from Albufeira — 2.5 hours, often spotting common and bottlenose dolphins.

• Beach days: Mix icons and space. Praia do Camilo (staircase to a photogenic cove), Dona Ana (sheltered and scenic), and Meia Praia (broad, breezy, ideal for walks and kites). Arrive early in peak season; the cliffs create natural shade by late afternoon.
• Silves and Sagres: Day trip inland to Silves’ red-sandstone castle and quiet lanes scented with orange blossom; then drive or bus west to Sagres for fortress ramparts and Cape St. Vincent, “the end of the world,” awash in wind and sea spray.
• Eat and drink: Order a cataplana for two at Casinha do Petisco (clam-and-prawn classic). O Camilo excels at simply grilled dourada with ocean views. For petiscos and rooftop vibes, try Casa do Prego; Adega da Marina is a locals’ standby for grilled sardines and house wine. Breakfast at Goji Lounge Café (smoothie bowls, pancakes) or Black and White for espresso and eggs. Dessert: almond domes and fig cakes from local pastelarias.
• Sunset rituals: Walk the clifftop from Ponta da Piedade’s lighthouse toward Praia do Canavial; the sea stacks glow at golden hour—bring a light jacket, even in summer.

Optional Lisbon Food Tour (if you crave one more taste)

Back in Lisbon before your flight? Cap the trip with a guided tasting of regional dishes and wines in lesser-known quarters.

Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe — four sit-down stops and neighborhood stories you’d miss on your own.

Getting around and transfers (summary)

• Flights: Intra-Europe options on Omio; long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains and buses: Lisbon ⇄ Porto (~2h50 by high-speed), Porto ⇄ Algarve (~6–7h by rail), Faro ⇄ Lagos (1–1h40). Check times and book on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

This 15-day Portugal itinerary balances city wanderings, UNESCO palaces, vineyard picnics, and cliffside beaches. You’ll taste the country’s breadth—from fado’s melancholy to the salt-snap of grilled fish—then carry home the memory of sunlight on tiles and the Douro’s silver ribbon.