Portugal rewards slow travel. From Lisbon’s Moorish alleyways and riverside viewpoints to Porto’s azulejo-clad churches and port wine lodges, and finally the Algarve’s sculpted cliffs and warm Atlantic, this 17-day itinerary balances history, food, nature, and time to breathe.

Portugal’s story stretches from Roman outposts and Islamic dynasties to the Age of Discoveries. You’ll meet it in tram-clattering hills, Manueline monasteries, and terraced vineyards carved into the Douro’s slopes. Along the way, taste why Portuguese cuisine—grilled sardines, cataplana stews, creamy pastéis de nata—comforts as much as it surprises.

Practical notes: trains are reliable and affordable; book Sintra’s Pena Palace with timed entry; bring layers for Atlantic breezes. Pickpockets target busy trams and viewpoints—carry valuables close. The itinerary below groups days into blocks so you can travel at a human pace while hitting unmissable highlights.

Lisbon

Seven hills, miradouros (viewpoints), and tram bells set the tone in Lisbon. Explore Alfama’s medieval lanes, Baixa’s Pombaline grid rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, and Chiado’s cafés that fueled writers like Pessoa. At night, fado houses echo with saudade in candlelit rooms.

Must-sees orbit the Tagus: Belém’s Torre de Belém and Jerónimos Monastery celebrate Portugal’s maritime age; LX Factory turns a 19th-century industrial site into galleries, indie shops, and restaurants; sunset from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is postcard-perfect.

Days 1–6: Historic neighborhoods, Belém, Sintra, and Cascais

Days 1–2: Start in Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto. Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa for Gothic-iron views; step into Igreja de São Roque’s gilded chapels; browse Livraria Bertrand (world’s oldest operating bookstore). Wander Alfama from the Sé Cathedral to São Jorge Castle.

Day 3: Belém day—tour Jerónimos, Torre de Belém, and the Monument to the Discoveries. Don’t miss warm pastéis at Pastéis de Belém. Add MAAT’s swooping riverside architecture and a sunset stroll by the 25 de Abril Bridge.

Day 4: Sintra palaces—Pena’s fairy-tale turrets, Quinta da Regaleira’s initiation well, and the Moorish Castle’s ridge-top walls. Book a small-group tour with timed entries to maximize your day.

Day 5: Coastal Cascais—walk the seaside promenade, detour to Boca do Inferno’s blowholes, and feel Atlantic spray at Guincho Beach. Return via the scenic coastal road.

Day 6: Street art and tiles—discover Lisbon’s modern creative scene in Marvila and Beato, then make your own azulejo at a hands-on workshop before a food tour through traditional tascas.

Top Lisbon activities (bookable):

• Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe – 4 seated tastings in lesser-known neighborhoods; ~4 hours.

  

• True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local! – hill-hopping overview with viewpoints and stories; great for your first day.

  

• Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira & Cascais, small-group – covers the highlights in one day; timed entry and transport included.

  

• Tiles and Tales: Workshop and National Tile Museum Visit – design your own tile, then see masterpieces at the Museu do Azulejo.

  

Where to stay (Lisbon):

• Browse vacation rentals on VRBO Lisbon or hotels on Hotels.com Lisbon.
• Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon – classic city views next to Eduardo VII Park; acclaimed spa and art collection.
• Lisbon Destination Hostel – stylish, social stays inside Rossio Station; great for walkers and first-timers.
• Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites – apartment-style suites for families near Chiado’s restaurants.
• Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel – a serene hilltop retreat with river views and gardens.

Eat & drink (Lisbon):

• Coffee/breakfast: Fábrica Coffee Roasters (single-origin pour-overs), The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch), and Manteigaria for just-baked pastéis de nata.
• Lunch: Time Out Market for curated Lisbon vendors (try O Prego da Peixaria’s steak sandwich), As Bifanas do Afonso for classic bifanas, and Zé da Mouraria for generous bacalhau.
• Dinner: Cervejaria Ramiro for shellfish and prego-steak finale; Taberna da Rua das Flores for daily-changing petiscos; Zapata in Santos for honest, hearty plates.
• Drinks: Park Rooftop atop a car park for sunset, Pavilhão Chinês for antiques-filled cocktail rooms, and a fado set at Clube de Fado in Alfama.

Arriving in Lisbon (book transport):

• Flights into Lisbon (LIS): compare long-haul options on Trip.com flights. Within Europe, also check Omio flights. Typical roundtrips from major U.S. cities: $550–$1,000, 7–10 hours nonstop/one-stop.
• Trains and buses in Europe: use Omio trains and Omio buses for live schedules and tickets.

Porto

Portugal’s second city charms with granite lanes, blue-tiled churches, and the Douro River spanned by Gustave Eiffel’s pupil, Théophile Seyrig, who designed the Dom Luís I Bridge. Across the water in Vila Nova de Gaia, centuries-old lodges age port wine in oak casks.

Porto is made for wandering: climb Clérigos Tower, peek into São Bento Station’s azulejos, and get lost in Ribeira’s alleys. Between tastings, try the infamous francesinha sandwich or the elegant seafood culture that thrives in Matosinhos.

Days 7–11: Travel to Porto, old town, Douro Valley, Gaia lodges, and the coast

Day 7 (morning travel): Lisbon to Porto by train—Alfa Pendular or Intercidades—takes ~2h50–3h15, typically €15–€40 if booked in advance on Omio trains. Aim for a morning departure and a Ribeira riverside stroll on arrival.

Day 8: Old town loop—São Bento, Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello’s woodwork, and the neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa (book the Arab Room tour). Sunset from Jardim do Morro across the bridge is a ritual.

Day 9: Douro Valley day trip—terrace-lined vineyards, cellar tastings, and a short river boat ride in Pinhão. Expect a long, rewarding day with a traditional vineyard lunch.

Day 10: Gaia wine lodges—tour a historic house (Graham’s, Sandeman, or Ramos Pinto) and pair tastings with views. Walk the new Gaia riverfront, dotted with restaurants and craft spots.

Day 11: Ocean day—take tram 1 or metro to Foz do Douro and on to Matosinhos for grilled fish at no-frills marisqueiras. Architecture lovers should add Casa da Arquitectura or Serralves’ art museum and park.

Top Porto activities (bookable):

• Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise – two estates, regional lunch, and a scenic boat segment; full day, often €95–€130.

  

• Porto City Private Tour with Hotel Pickup – tailor the city to your interests (architecture, food, or history) in half a day.

  

• Porto’s city centre: alleys, views and tales city game – a playful, self-guided walk that reveals hidden corners at your pace.

  

Where to stay (Porto):

• Explore options on VRBO Porto and Hotels.com Porto.
• The Yeatman – a wine-lover’s sanctuary on the Gaia hillside with panoramic river views.
• Gallery Hostel – design-forward hostel in the arts district; friendly community vibe.
• HF Ipanema Park – rooftop pool and contemporary rooms near Serralves and Foz.
• Moov Hotel Porto Centro – smart value in a restored Art Deco cinema.

Eat & drink (Porto):

• Coffee/breakfast: Confeitaria do Bolhão (traditional pastries), Manteigaria for natas, and Café Majestic’s Belle Époque interior for a splurge.
• Lunch: Casa Guedes (pork with Serra da Estrela cheese sandwiches), Gazela (bite-size hot dogs, “cachorrinhos”), and Mercado do Bolhão’s produce and petiscos stalls.
• Dinner: Brasão Cervejaria Aliados (francesinha and wood-fired octopus), Taberna dos Mercadores (tiny, seasonal plates), and Vinum at Graham’s (view-rich pairing menu).
• Wine: Tour at Graham’s or Ramos Pinto; cross the bridge at sunset for tastings and river views.

Lisbon → Porto transport:

• Train: 2h50–3h15, €15–€40, frequent departures; book via Omio trains.
• Bus: 3h30–4h15, often cheaper; check Omio buses.

Lagos (Algarve)

Base yourself in Lagos to unlock the Algarve’s best: honey-hued cliffs, secret coves, and the sculptural headlands of Ponta da Piedade. The old town’s whitewashed lanes lead to seafood tascas and lively nightspots, while nearby Sagres and Cape St. Vincent feel like Europe’s edge.

Beaches are the headline—Praia do Camilo’s stair-carved cove, family-friendly Meia Praia, and Dona Ana’s turquoise amphitheater. On the water, kayaks nose into grottoes and boats skim to Benagil’s cave dome.

Days 12–16: Travel to the Algarve, sea caves, west coast day trip, and beach time

Day 12 (morning travel): Porto to Lagos. Fastest is a 1h10 flight Porto→Faro (often €40–€120 if booked early on Omio flights), then train/bus Faro→Lagos ~1h45–2h15, €7–€12 via Omio trains or Omio buses. Direct trains Porto→Lagos take ~6h30–7h with a change in Tunes, typically €25–€50; choose this if you prefer one seat.

Day 13: Ponta da Piedade by kayak for grottoes unreachable by larger boats; relax at Praia do Camilo. Sunset from the lighthouse cliffs is a classic.

Day 14: Westward to Sagres—visit the 15th-century fortress and windswept Cape St. Vincent. Surfers can head to Arrifana or Amado beaches for lessons and clean Atlantic swell.

Day 15: Benagil sea cave and coastal cruising; add a dolphin-watching segment that scans offshore pods. Afternoon in Carvoeiro’s pretty bay or Praia da Marinha’s limestone arches.

Day 16: Slow day—Meia Praia walk, Lagos old-town browsing, and a seafood feast. If you love ceramics, detour to Porches for hand-painted pottery.

Top Algarve activities (bookable):

• From Lagos: Kayak Tour of Ponta da Piedade Caves on Catamaran – board a support catamaran, then kayak into grottoes; ~2.5 hours, usually €35–€50.

  

• Dolphin Watching and Cave Boat Cruise from Albufeira – combine dolphins (in the wild) with dramatic coastal caves; ~2.5 hours, often €35–€45.

  

Where to stay (Lagos):

• Compare stays on VRBO Lagos and Hotels.com Lagos.
• Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort – clifftop setting near Ponta da Piedade; pools, spa, and athletic facilities.
• Lagos Avenida Hotel – boutique riverfront stay with rooftop pool; walkable to the marina.
• Vila Galé Lagos – resort comforts across from Meia Praia with a huge pool.

Eat & drink (Lagos and nearby):

• Coffee/breakfast: Goji Lounge Café (healthy bowls and specialty coffee), Pastelaria Gombá (traditional sweets), and Black & White Coffee Shop for flat whites and toasts.
• Lunch: O Camilo above the beach for clams and fish soup, A Forja for charcoal-grilled sardines, and Nah Nah Bah for creative burgers when you need a break from seafood.
• Dinner: Casinha do Petisco (cataplana for two), Restaurante dos Artistas (seasonal tasting menu in a romantic townhouse), and O Escondidinho (homey Algarve plates).
• Drinks: Bon Vivant (cocktails in a tiled townhouse) and Two Times Bar for casual nightcaps.

Porto → Algarve (Lagos) transport:

• Flight + rail: Porto→Faro ~1h10 by air, then Faro→Lagos 1h45–2h15; total 3–4 hours door-to-door, ~€50–€140 depending on timing. Search on Omio flights and connect via Omio trains or Omio buses.
• Direct train: ~6h30–7h with a change in Tunes; from €25–€50 on Omio trains.

Day 17: Return to Lisbon and fly out

Lagos→Lisbon: trains take ~3h45 (from €12–€25) and buses ~3h30–3h45 (from €10–€25). Check schedules on Omio trains and Omio buses. If your flight is same-day, aim to be in Lisbon at least 4–5 hours before departure.

Long-haul departures: compare on Trip.com flights. For non-European routes you can also check Kiwi.com for multi-city options.

Budgeting quick guide (typical ranges)

• Intercity trains: €10–€40 per leg (advance fares are cheaper).
• Domestic flight (Porto–Faro): €40–€120 if booked early.
• Sightseeing: major monuments €5–€15; Sintra palaces €12–€20 each (book timed entry).
• Tours: Douro Valley €90–€150; Lisbon food tour ~€70–€95; Algarve kayak/cave cruises €35–€50.
• Dining: coffee + pastry €3–€5; tasca lunch €10–€18; dinner with wine €20–€40.

Across 17 days, this Portugal itinerary layers Lisbon’s viewpoints and palaces, Porto’s river lore and Douro vineyards, and the Algarve’s cliffs and coves. You’ll leave with salt on your skin, tile colors in your mind’s eye, and a taste for port and pastéis that will follow you home.