Portugal rewards unhurried travelers. Centuries-old neighborhoods tumble toward the sea, tiled facades catch late light, and simple meals—grilled sardines, caldo verde, pastel de nata—taste better after a long wander. Lisbon and Porto make an ideal duo for a 7-day itinerary, especially if you’re keeping costs low but want beaches, wine tasting, craft breweries, and mellow nightlife.

Lisbon’s hills cradle miradouros (viewpoints) and historic tram lines; just down the coast, sandy beaches and a breezy boardwalk invite barefoot afternoons. Porto is more intimate—granite, river, and bridges—with world-famous port lodges in Gaia and easy rail access to the Douro Valley’s terraced vineyards for affordable tastings.

Practical notes: tap water is safe; portions are generous; tipping is modest (round up or add 5–10% for great service). Crowds thicken on Tram 28E and in tourist cores—watch belongings. Expect budget meals €7–12, coffee €1–3, transit €1.50–2.50 per ride, and intercity trains from ~€12 when booked ahead.

Lisbon

Lisbon blends Moorish lanes, maritime history, and a lively modern food scene. Start in Baixa, then climb to Alfama for fado and Castelo views, or to Chiado for bookshops and bakeries. Specialty coffee roasters, small tascas, and a fast-growing craft beer scene make the city a pleasure for slow days and long evenings.

• Top sights: Alfama’s alleys and Sé Cathedral; Castelo de São Jorge; Miradouro da Senhora do Monte; Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery and riverside tower; LX Factory’s street art and indie shops.
• Coffee & sweets: Fabrica Coffee Roasters (nutty single origins), The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch), Hello, Kristof (Scandi vibe), Manteigaria (fresh, still-warm pastéis de nata).
• Breweries: Dois Corvos and Musa in Marvila (taprooms with rotating IPAs, sours, and live gigs); Quimera Brewpub (cozy, vaulted space for sandwiches + house brews).
• Beaches nearby: Carcavelos for swimming and surf lessons; Cascais for a seaside promenade; Guincho for wind and waves.

Where to stay (budget-friendly): Search guesthouses and apartments around Graça, Intendente, and Arroios for value and easy transit. Browse options on VRBO or compare hostels and budget hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting in: For flights to Lisbon (and within Europe), compare prices on Omio Flights. From the airport, the metro red line reaches downtown in ~25–30 minutes (~€2).

Day 1: Arrival, Alfama Stroll, and Sunset Views

Afternoon: Arrive in Lisbon and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through Baixa to Alfama: peek into Sé Cathedral, then climb to Miradouro das Portas do Sol for Tagus views. Coffee stop: Fabrica Coffee Roasters (Rua das Portas de Santo Antão) for a bright espresso or a balanced flat white.

Evening: Dinner at Pateo 13 (Alfama) for affordable grilled sardines and sea bass served outdoors on cobbles—simple, fresh, very local. Nightcap at Park Bar, a rooftop atop a parking garage with skyline views; or keep it easy with a ginginha (cherry liqueur) from a tiny counter near Rossio.

Day 2: Classic Lisbon, Tiles, and Low-Key Nightlife

Morning: Beat crowds by riding Tram 28E early from Martim Moniz, or walk to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for a panoramic city intro. Breakfast at Hello, Kristof (rye toasts, granola bowls, strong filter coffee), then wander Chiado bookshops and Largo do Carmo’s ruins.

Afternoon: Explore the National Azulejo Museum to trace Portugal’s tile art from Moorish motifs to 20th-century panels. Late lunch at A Merendinha do Arco (near Rossio): daily specials like bacalhau à Brás or grilled pork, usually under €10.

Evening: Head to Cais do Sodré’s Pink Street for people-watching and budget cocktails; Musicbox often hosts indie/electronic acts with affordable tickets. Prefer mellow? Try Quimera Brewpub’s house ales and a pastrami-on-bolo-do-caco sandwich in Alcântara.

Day 3: Beach Day—Cascais, Carcavelos, and Marvila Breweries

Morning: Take the urban train from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos (25 min, ~€2 each way). Swim or book a budget surf lesson; board rental ~€15–25. Coffee on the sand at a kiosk, then continue to Cascais (another 10–15 min).

Afternoon: Walk Cascais’s seafront to Boca do Inferno cliffs. Lunch at Mercado da Vila (Cascais) for inexpensive petiscos (octopus salad, pica-pau) or a hearty prato do dia. Return to Lisbon mid-afternoon.

Evening: Brewery crawl in Marvila: start at Dois Corvos (try their hoppy Matiné IPA or a seasonal sour) and continue to Musa (often live music and pizzas to share). If you’re peckish later, grab a bifana (garlic pork sandwich) at O Trevo in Chiado for a few euros.

Porto

Porto’s granite lanes spill toward the Douro, framed by soaring bridges and azulejo-clad stations. It’s slower and smaller than Lisbon, perfect for a relaxed pace. Gaia’s port wine lodges offer guided tastings, while a budding specialty coffee and craft beer scene keeps nights lively without breaking the bank.

• Top sights: Ribeira riverside; São Bento Station’s tile panels; Clérigos Tower; Jardim do Morro for sunset; Dom Luís I Bridge.
• Wine tasting: Budget-friendly port lodge tours in Gaia (e.g., Sandeman, Burmester, Offley) often €12–20 with 2–3 tastings.
• Cafes & breweries: Combi Coffee Roasters (smooth espresso), 7g Roaster (across the bridge in Gaia), Letraria (garden beer bar), Fábrica Nortada (downtown brewery with classic lagers and IPAs).

Where to stay (budget-friendly): Look in Cedofeita, Bonfim, or near Trindade for walkability and lower rates. Compare apartments and hostels on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Getting from Lisbon to Porto (Day 4 morning): Intercity trains take ~2h50–3h15 from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Campanhã, usually €12–€30 if booked ahead. Compare trains and buses on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Budget buses take ~3.5 hours and can be as low as €5–€12.

Day 4: Travel to Porto, Ribeira Walk, Gaia Port Tasting

Morning: Catch an early train Lisbon → Porto (~3 hours). Settle in and grab a quick francesinha-to-share at Café Santiago later—save the full one for tomorrow.

Afternoon: Stroll from São Bento Station (admire the historical tile panels) down to Ribeira’s riverside arcades. Cross the lower deck of Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia; ride the short cable car up (optional) for views.

Evening: Budget-friendly port tasting at Burmester or Sandeman (classic tours often €12–€18 with 2–3 pours). Casual dinner at Casa Guedes (slow-roasted pork sandwich with Serra da Estrela cheese) or Taberna Santo António (home-style northern dishes). Nightcap at Prova wine bar for by-the-glass Portuguese varietals.

Day 5: Tiles, Bookshops, and Craft Beer Garden

Morning: Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters (try their seasonal espresso). Visit Livraria Lello right at opening to minimize queues; then climb Clérigos Tower for city views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Gazela for “cachorrinhos” (skinny, spicy hot dogs with a crisped bun) and a fino (small beer). Wander the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal for leafy river vistas and a free, quiet break.

Evening: Craft beer at Letraria (shaded garden; sample a flight including LETRA B and seasonal specials). For nightlife, head to Galerias de Paris; Plano B often has mixed rooms with indie/electronic and low cover.

Day 6: DIY Douro Valley on a Budget

Morning: Take the regional train from São Bento/Campanhã to Pinhão (2h20–2h40; ~€10–€14 each way). Sit on the right side heading east for the best river views. Bring a picnic (bakery sandwiches, fruit, local cheese) to keep costs low.

Afternoon: Walk across Pinhão’s bridge to Quinta das Carvalhas’ viewpoint trail (ask at the gate for short, low-cost tastings), or book a simple tasting at Quinta do Bomfim (classic ports; check the day’s availability on arrival). Explore the azulejo panels at Pinhão station depicting harvest scenes.

Evening: Train back to Porto for a hearty francesinha at Café Santiago or Bufete Fase (choose a version with egg and fries if you’re hungry). Post-dinner, try Fábrica Nortada’s house IPA or a crisp lager before turning in.

Day 7: Markets, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at 7g Roaster in Gaia or SO Coffee Roasters near Cedofeita. Visit Mercado do Bolhão—renovated and bustling—for fruit, tinned fish, and budget bites from small kiosks.

Afternoon: Pick up edible souvenirs (local tinned sardines, Port miniatures) and head to the airport or station. For flights out of Porto or back to Lisbon, compare on Omio Flights; for trains or buses, check Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Budget Tips and Quick Swaps

• Order the “prato do dia” at lunch—hearty daily specials €7–€10 often include soup or coffee.
• Split big dishes (francesinha, seafood rice) and add a salad; portions run large in both cities.
• Use metro/trains with top-up cards; walking is free and most neighborhoods are compact.
• For wine on a budget, many lodges offer “tasting-only” menus; in bars, look for house wines by the glass €3–€5.

With beaches, coffee roasters, port wine cellars, and easy rail rides, this 7-day Portugal itinerary keeps the vibe relaxed and the costs down. Lisbon brings sunlit viewpoints and sea air; Porto adds granite streets, riverside sunsets, and the Douro’s iconic terraces.

Leave room in your days for serendipity: an impromptu fado set, a new favorite pastry shop, or one last glass of tawny as the lights flare on the bridges.