Portugal packs centuries of maritime history, soulful music, and sunlit plazas into a country you can cross by train in just a few hours. From Lisbon’s miradouros and azulejo-clad lanes to Porto’s wine lodges and riverside cafés, every day balances culture with cuisine. This 7-day itinerary is designed for efficient travel and delicious detours, with timed tips to avoid queues and handpicked food stops.

Lisbon, Europe’s westernmost capital, mixes Moorish roots with Age of Discovery landmarks in Belém and the lived‑in charm of Alfama. Just beyond, Sintra’s palaces—once the summer playground of royalty—rise from misty hills, while the surf town of Cascais wraps up the coast. In the north, Porto’s granite beauty and the terraced Douro Valley tell the story of Port wine and resilient craftsmanship.

Practical notes: buy metro/tram rides with a Viva Viagem card in Lisbon; prebook Jerónimos Monastery, Livraria Lello, and Pena Palace to skip lines. Expect fantastic seafood, slow‑cooked pork, and pastéis de nata. Trains between Lisbon and Porto run frequently; this plan uses a morning departure midweek for a calm switch.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of viewpoints and neighborhoods—Alfama’s maze, Chiado’s cafés, and Belém’s monuments to global exploration. Hop vintage trams, hear live fado in tucked‑away taverns, and eat custard tarts still warm from the oven. The light is special here; so are the tiles, the bacalhau, and the habit of lingering over espresso.

• Top sights: Castelo de São Jorge, Alfama, Praça do Comércio, Elevador de Santa Justa, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT, LX Factory.
• Where to stay (bookable now):
  • Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic glamour, park views): Check availability
  • Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (palatial riverside calm): Check availability
  • Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (space + kids’ club): Check availability
  • Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget, inside Rossio Station): Check availability
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com Lisbon | VRBO Lisbon
• Getting there: compare flights to Lisbon on Omio (Flights). If you’re starting outside Europe, you can also compare on Trip.com. Local trains/long-distance in Europe: Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Baixa & Chiado First Tastes

Afternoon: Arrive in Lisbon and check in. Shake off jet lag with a short loop: Praça do Comércio to Rua Augusta’s arch, then up to the Elevador de Santa Justa for layered city views. Espresso and a still-warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria in Chiado—watch the bakers torch the tops.

Evening: Dinner near the river at Prado (farm-to-table Portuguese produce, stellar natural wines) or Solar dos Presuntos (since 1974; seafood rice and garlicky, olive-oil rich “ameijoas à Bulhão Pato”). For a nightcap, Park rooftop (sunset over the 25 de Abril Bridge) or the speakeasy Red Frog (reservations recommended, cocktail artistry).

Day 2: Lisbon by Tuk Tuk, Alfama to Belém

Morning: Fuel up at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (single-origin pour-overs) or Dear Breakfast (eggs Benedict, acai bowls). Then cover serious ground with a guided tuk-tuk spin to orient the city’s hills and history:

True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!
This private tour connects Alfama, Mouraria, Graça viewpoints, and Baixa highlights with commentary from a Lisbon native—ideal early in the trip.

Afternoon: Tram or rideshare to Belém. Prebook Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline stonework; look for the rope motifs) and stroll to Belém Tower along the Tagus. Grab Pastéis de Belém (custard tarts since 1837)—order two per person; they vanish fast. If time allows, browse MAAT’s riverside curves.

Evening: Classic seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic prawns, tiger shrimp, razor clams; arrive early or late) or Bairro do Avillez (several concepts under one roof; shared petiscos). Drift to fado after: Clube de Fado or Mesa de Frades in Alfama—book ahead for late sets.

Day 3: Sintra Palaces, Cabo da Roca & Cascais (Day Trip)

Let a guided day handle tickets and traffic while you enjoy the scenery:

Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira, Pena, Cabo Roca All Tickets Included
A full-day small-group tour that typically covers colorful Pena Palace, mystical Quinta da Regaleira (seek the Initiation Well), windblown Cabo da Roca (westernmost mainland Europe), and beachy Cascais.

Dinner back in Lisbon: Taberna da Rua das Flores (chalkboard seasonal menu, arrive early for list) or Ponto Final across the river in Almada (sunset over Lisbon with grilled fish).

Porto

Porto is granite and gold leaf, river and rhythm: blue azulejos at São Bento Station, the soaring Dom Luís I Bridge by Eiffel’s disciple, and the mellow perfume of Port aging in cellars across the water in Vila Nova de Gaia. It’s walkable, soulful, and proudly local.

• Top sights: Ribeira, Dom Luís I Bridge, São Bento Station, Livraria Lello, Clérigos Tower, Bolsa Palace, Gaia wine lodges, Foz do Douro, Serralves Museum & Park.
• Where to stay (bookable now):
  • The Yeatman (luxury wine hotel above the cellars, epic views): Check availability
  • HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool, easy access to Foz): Check availability
  • Moov Hotel Porto Centro (value, restored Art Deco cinema): Check availability
  • Gallery Hostel (boutique-hostel hybrid in arts district): Check availability
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com Porto | VRBO Porto
• Lisbon → Porto: Take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train (~2.5–3h) from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã, then a short local hop to São Bento. Compare times and fares (€15–40) on Omio (Trains); buses can be even cheaper on Omio (Buses).

Day 4: Train North, Ribeira Stroll & Cellar Sunsets

Morning: Depart Lisbon after breakfast for the ~3-hour train to Porto (aim for a mid-morning Alfa Pendular). Grab a sandwich for the ride or pastries from Copenhagen Coffee Lab before boarding.

Afternoon: Check in, then lunch near Mercado do Bolhão—try Casa Guedes for the iconic roasted pork with Serra cheese sandwich or browse stands inside the beautifully restored market for petiscos. Walk to Ribeira, linger on Praça da Ribeira, and cross the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge for photo ops.

Evening: Tour and tasting at a Port lodge in Gaia (options include Graham’s, Sandeman, or Ramos Pinto—book a late-afternoon slot). For dinner, Brasão Cervejaria Aliados (francesinha with a crisp draft Super Bock, or share rissóis and garlic prawns). End with sunset at Jardim do Morro, then music at Mirajazz by the river.

Day 5: Tiles, Towers, Markets & the Atlantic

Morning: Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters (filter and flat whites), then Livraria Lello when doors open—prebook a timed voucher and look for the red staircase that inspired literary pilgrimages. Climb Clérigos Tower for a 360° look at terracotta roofs.

Afternoon: Mercado do Bolhão for olives, cured pork, and cheeses; pick up pastries at Confeitaria do Bolhão. Tram or taxi to Foz do Douro for a seaside walk to the Felgueiras lighthouse where the river meets the Atlantic.

Evening: Dinner at Adega São Nicolau (traditional Porto dishes like cod “à Gomes de Sá” in a tiny stone tavern) or Taberna dos Mercadores (small, reservations essential). Nightcap at Capela Incomum (wine bar inside a former chapel) or Base (open-air garden bar beneath Clérigos).

Day 6: Douro Valley Wine, Views & River Cruise (Day Trip)

Experience the world’s first demarcated wine region with tastings, lunch, and a mini-cruise:

Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch
Expect scenic viewpoints (often Pinhão or Peso da Régua), two contrasting quintas, and a short rabelo boat cruise amid terraced hills.

Back in Porto, go casual at Tapabento (book ahead; seafood and steaks, excellent value) or grab petiscos along Rua das Flores.

Day 7: Azulejos & Farewell

Morning: Breakfast at Café Majestic for Belle Époque grandeur or a quicker stop at Manteigaria (another pastel de nata fix). Admire azulejos at São Bento Station and the Chapel of Souls (Rua de Santa Catarina) for last photos and gifts (tinned fish, ceramics).

Afternoon: Early lunch—Café Santiago for a final francesinha or a lighter caldo verde and grilled sardines at a traditional tasca—then depart. If flying, compare options on Omio (Flights); trains/buses back to Lisbon or elsewhere on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Optional Lisbon Food Dive (Swap into Day 2 Evening or an Extra Night)

If food is your north star, add this small-group feast in central Lisbon:

Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe
Four sit-down stops across lesser-known neighborhoods with wine pairings and context on traditions, producers, and street art.

Logistics at a Glance

• Airport transfers: Lisbon and Porto metros are easy; taxis and rideshares are inexpensive by European standards.
• Tickets: Prebook Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace, and Livraria Lello for timed entry; arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• Local tips: Many restaurants close one day/week (often Sunday or Monday). Dine late (8–10 pm) to eat like locals.
• Budgeting: Coffee €1–2; pastel de nata €1.30–1.80; tram ticket with Viva Viagem from ~€1.80; intercity train €15–40; museum entries €6–15.

Suggested Booking Links (All in One Place)

• Flights: Omio (Flights) | Also compare on Trip.com
• Trains & buses in Europe: Omio (Trains) | Omio (Buses)
• Lisbon stays: Hotels.com Lisbon | VRBO Lisbon
• Porto stays: Hotels.com Porto | VRBO Porto

In one week, you’ll see Lisbon’s storybook hills, Sintra’s palaces, and Porto’s riverfront glow—plus taste Portugal through markets, seafood houses, and a day savoring the Douro. It’s a balanced route with easy train links, built-in food and wine moments, and room for serendipity. Boa viagem!