Portugal is a small country with a big story. From Age of Discovery monasteries to modern galleries tucked in old warehouses, you’ll wander streets glazed in blue-and-white azulejos, hear fado spill from hidden taverns, and taste ocean-fresh seafood alongside wines grown on terraced riverbanks.

In seven days, focus on two icons—Lisbon and Porto—with a day trip to Sintra’s palaces and a Douro Valley excursion. You’ll ride historic Tram 28, climb miradouros for sunset, cross Porto’s Dom Luís I Bridge, and sample port in centuries-old cellars.

Practical notes: card payments are widely accepted, and English is common in tourist areas. Keep an eye on your belongings on crowded trams. Many museums in Lisbon close on Mondays—double-check hours. Trains between Lisbon and Porto are frequent and comfortable, making car rental optional.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of seven hills, pastel facades, and postcard viewpoints. Alfama’s medieval lanes twist toward the castle, while Chiado and Baixa showcase grand squares rebuilt after the 1755 quake. Belém’s riverside monuments recall Portugal’s seafaring past.

• Top sights: São Jorge Castle, the Alfama viewpoints (Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol), Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, LX Factory, MAAT, and the Elevador de Santa Justa.
• What to taste: pastéis de nata, grilled sardines, amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (garlic clams), bifana sandwiches, and ginjinha. Pair with vinho verde or a crisp Douro white.
• Coffee and sweets to start the day: Fabrica Coffee Roasters, The Mill, Copenhagen Coffee Lab, and Manteigaria for still-warm pastéis.
• Evenings: fado in Alfama or a sunset drink at a miradouro before dinner in Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodré.

Where to stay (Lisbon):

• Browse apartments: VRBO Lisbon
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com Lisbon
• Specific picks: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic elegance, park views), Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget-friendly, inside Rossio Station), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (family-focused suites in Chiado), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (resort-like oasis above the river).

Getting to Lisbon: Fly into LIS. For flights to/from Europe, search Omio Flights. If you’re booking long-haul outside Europe, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Local transport is easy via metro and trams; consider a 24-hour pass for buses/metro/trams.

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon, Alfama’s Views & Fado

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in, then shake off the flight with a coffee at Fabrica Coffee Roasters. Wander Alfama’s cobbles from Sé Cathedral up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol for river views and azulejo-clad terraces. If lines are short, pop into the 12th‑century Sé to see layers of Lisbon’s history.

Evening: Book a fado dinner in Alfama. Classic options include Clube de Fado (traditional set menus and soulful singers) or Parreirinha de Alfama (intimate, old-school ambiance). Prefer something casual? Grab petiscos (Portuguese tapas) at Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto, then a nightcap at Pavilhão Chinês, a whimsical antique-filled bar.

Day 2: Baixa, Chiado, Tram 28 & Lisbon Food Tour

Morning: Start with a pastel de nata at Manteigaria, then stroll Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta, and the grid of Baixa. Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa for skyline photos. Hop on early-morning Tram 28 from Martim Moniz (go early to dodge crowds) to rattle past the castle and Graça.

Afternoon: Eat your way through the city on the award-winning Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe—four seated tastings, neighborhood stories, and wines you’ll actually want to buy.

Evening: Watch sunset from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, then head to Bairro Alto. Try dinner at Taberna da Rua das Flores (creative small plates; go early for the list) or Cervejaria Ramiro for garlicky clams and scarlet prawns—finish by dunking bread in the sauce, Lisbon-style.

Day 3: Belém Monuments, LX Factory & Tuk Tuk at Golden Hour

Morning: Tram or rideshare to Belém. Tour Jerónimos Monastery’s Manueline cloister and the church where Vasco da Gama rests; continue to Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries along the Tagus. Grab warm pastéis at Pastéis de Belém—powdered sugar and cinnamon are non-negotiable.

Afternoon: Browse design shops and the soaring Ler Devagar bookstore at LX Factory. For lunch, sample modern Portuguese at restaurants inside the complex or seek a riverside terrace near Docas for grilled fish and salads.

Evening: See more in less time with a local-led spin: True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!. It’s perfect at golden hour, linking viewpoints in Alfama, Graça, and Bairro Alto with stories and photo stops.

Day 4: Day Trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais

Trade the city for palaces and sea cliffs on the all-inclusive Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira, Pena, Cabo Roca All Tickets Included. Wander the dreamlike wells and symbolism of Quinta da Regaleira, then the vibrant hilltop Pena Palace. Stop at windswept Cabo da Roca—the western edge of continental Europe—before a gelato stroll in Cascais’ seaside old town. Expect an early start and a full day; wear comfy shoes.

Porto

Porto charms with steep streets, stacked townhouses, and a riverfront that glows at dusk. Across the bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia, port wine houses age their barrels and pour history into every glass.

• Top sights: Ribeira quarter, São Bento Station’s azulejos, Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello, Palácio da Bolsa, and the Dom Luís I Bridge. For wine lovers: port lodges like Graham’s, Sandeman, and Taylor’s.
• What to taste: francesinha (the decadent sandwich), Tripas à Moda do Porto, octopus rice, northern cod dishes, and creamy Queijo da Serra with honey. Sip tawny or ruby port, or try a Douro red.
• Morning fuel: Combi Coffee Roasters, 7g Roaster (Gaia), and Confeitaria do Bolhão for pastries.

Where to stay (Porto):

• Browse apartments: VRBO Porto
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com Porto
• Specific picks: The Yeatman (luxury wine hotel with river panoramas), Gallery Hostel (design-forward social stay), HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool near the river), Moov Hotel Porto Centro (good-value, central).

Getting from Lisbon to Porto: Take a morning train from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã (2h50–3h on Alfa Pendular; ~€15–35). Book on Omio Trains. Buses take ~3.5–4h and can be cheaper—compare on Omio Buses. Flying is ~1h but rarely faster door-to-door.

Day 5: Train North, Ribeira Stroll & Porto’s Old Town Game

Morning: Depart Lisbon by train (aim for a 8:30–10:00 a.m. departure via Omio Trains). Arrive at Campanhã; a quick transfer brings you to São Bento Station—pause to admire its storybook azulejos.

Afternoon: Grab a pork-sandwich-with-Serra-cheese at Casa Guedes or try a lighter cod salad near Mercado do Bolhão. Then explore playfully with Porto’s city centre: alleys, views and tales city game—a self-guided walk that threads secret lanes, hidden viewpoints, and local anecdotes.

Evening: Cross the lower deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia for a sunset over Ribeira. Book a tasting at a port lodge (Graham’s has knockout views; Sandeman offers classic tours), then dine back in Porto at Brasão Aliados (francesinha with crisp edges) or Adega São Nicolau (tiny, beloved, and perfect for octopus rice).

Day 6: Full-Day Douro Valley Wine, Lunch & River Cruise

Spend the day among terraced vines on the Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch. You’ll visit contrasting estates for tastings, enjoy a traditional lunch, and glide along the Douro on a short rabelo boat cruise to see stone-walled vineyards from the water. Expect an early pickup, scenic viewpoints like São Leonardo de Galafura, and generous pours—eat breakfast first!

Day 7: Tiles, Towers & Departure

Morning: Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters, then climb the Clérigos Tower for a final panorama. Peek into Livraria Lello’s neo-gothic interior (go early if it’s on your list), or tour the Neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa. Pick up last-minute ceramics on Rua das Flores.

Afternoon: Depart from Porto Airport (search Omio Flights) or return to Lisbon by train via Omio Trains. If you have time for lunch, try a light meal at Prova Wine Food & Pleasure (smart wine list with petiscos) before you go.

Food & drink shortlist to bookmark: In Lisbon—The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch), Zé da Mouraria (homey cod), Prado (farm-to-table), Time Out Market kiosks for a fast graze. In Porto—Café Santiago (francesinha institution), Taberna dos Mercadores (tiny, fantastic), Manteigaria (pastéis fix in both cities), and wine bars Prova or Capela Incomum for a last glass.

This 7-day itinerary gives you Lisbon’s sunlit hills, a storybook day in Sintra, Porto’s riverside magic, and the Douro’s world-class wines—all at a comfortable pace connected by scenic trains. You’ll leave with a phone full of miradouro sunsets and a new addiction to pastéis de nata.