Portugal layers ancient seafaring history with bright azulejo tiles, soulful fado, and a cuisine that runs from grilled sardines to custardy pastéis de nata. Lisbon and Porto bookend the trip with very different energies: Lisbon’s sunlit miradouros and maritime monuments; Porto’s steep riverbanks and wine lodges watching over the Douro. Sintra’s misty palaces sit in between like a chapter from a storybook.

Expect hearty portions, late dinners, and friendly service; English is widely spoken, but “bom dia” and “obrigado/a” go a long way. Pickpockets target busy trams and viewpoints—keep valuables zipped. Most museums close on Mondays; churches observe services. Comfortable shoes are essential for cobbles and hills.

Fly into Lisbon and out of Porto (or vice versa) for the smoothest route. Intercity travel is easy by rail, and you can prebook trains and day trips to avoid queues. This 7-day Portugal travel guide balances iconic sights with neighborhood flavor, from tiled backstreets to cellar doors along the Douro.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of light and hills, where Tram 28 rattles past pastel facades and viewpoints (miradouros) open like theater balconies over the Tagus. Alfama survived the 1755 quake, keeping its medieval weave of lanes, while Belém showcases Portugal’s Age of Discovery in stone and gilded cloisters.

Top hits include Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, São Jorge Castle, Time Out Market, LX Factory, and the tile-rich National Azulejo Museum. Balance monuments with coffee culture—try specialty roasters, then chase it with a still-warm pastel de nata.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com Lisbon or VRBO Lisbon. For specific options: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic views and spa), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (resort feel in the embassy quarter), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (great for families), or Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget with style inside Rossio Station).
• Getting there: Fly into LIS and search fares on Omio. The red-line metro reaches downtown in ~25–30 minutes (~€2). Taxis and ride-hails to Baixa/Chiado run ~€12–22 depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrival, Alfama wander, fado supper

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, and take a gentle orientation walk through Baixa and up to Alfama. Pause at Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol for tile panels and river views.

Evening: Dinner in Alfama: try Zé da Mouraria (grilled fish and pork secretos), or Taberna Sal Grosso (small plates; arrive early). Cap the night with live fado at Clube de Fado or the intimate Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto—order a glass of ginjinha and let the guitars do the timekeeping.

Day 2 — Belém monuments, pastries, and a tuk-tuk overview

Morning: Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (Rua das Portas de Santo Antão) and a warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria. Tram or bus to Belém for the Jerónimos Monastery cloister and Belém Tower. Grab pastries at the original Pastéis de Belém (sprinkle cinnamon).

Afternoon: River stroll by the Monument to the Discoveries; lunch at O Frade (Alentejo cuisine; book ahead) or casual petiscos at Pão Pão Queijo Queijo. Return central for a panoramic ride:

Do this: Private Lisbon Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: Alfama, Belém & More

This fun 2–3 hour loop hits Alfama, Chiado, and riverside viewpoints with a local driver-guide—perfect early in the trip.

Evening: Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic clams, scarlet prawns, prego steak on bread for “dessert”) or BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto (Portuguese cheeses and flights). Nightcap at Topo Chiado under Carmo Convent’s Gothic arches.

Day 3 — Bairro Alto, LX Factory, and a food tour

Morning: Brunch at The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese; oat flat white, corn fritters) or Hello, Kristof (Nordic vibe). Explore Chiado boutiques and the ruins of Carmo Convent. Ride the Santa Justa Lift for skyline photos.

Afternoon: Head to LX Factory in Alcântara—browse Ler Devagar bookstore and street art. Lunch at 1300 Taberna (modern Portuguese) or Cantina (industrial-chic).

Do this: Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

This evening tour weaves Baixa and Mouraria with four seated tastings—think queijo São Jorge, bifana pork sandwiches, vinho verde, and sweet ginjinha—plus stories that bring neighborhoods alive.

Evening: If you finish early, graze at Time Out Market: look for Marlen Vieira (seafood), Henrique Sá Pessoa (pork cheeks), and Manteigaria for a last custard tart.

Day 4 — Sintra & Cascais day trip

Trade the city for romantic palaces, wells of myth, and an Atlantic sunset.

Do this: Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Typically 8–9 hours, this tour covers the Pena Palace (pastel Romanticism), Quinta da Regaleira (Initiation Well and gardens), windswept Cabo da Roca (westernmost Europe), and seaside Cascais. Pack layers—Sintra runs cooler and mistier than Lisbon.

Food notes: In Sintra, try travesseiros (almond pillows) at Piriquita. In Cascais, grab a quick bolo de arroz and espresso before the coastal drive.

Porto

Porto is moodier—in the best way. Granite churches drip with gilded woodwork, laundry flutters over lanes, and the double-deck Dom Luís I Bridge frames sunsets in molten gold. Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, Port wine lodges age barrels that perfumed Europe’s salons for centuries.

Don’t miss the tiled São Bento Station, Clérigos Tower, the revamped Bolhão Market, and book-lovers’ Livraria Lello. Food skews hearty: try a francesinha (steak-sausage sandwich blanketed in beer sauce) and the legendary Casa Guedes pork sandwich with Serra cheese.

• Where to stay: See options on Hotels.com Porto or VRBO Porto. Consider The Yeatman (wine hotel with a jaw-dropping pool view), HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool, larger rooms), Moov Hotel Porto Centro (value in an Art Deco building), or design-forward Gallery Hostel.
• Getting from Lisbon to Porto (Day 5 morning): Take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train ~2h50–3h15, usually €25–€40 if booked ahead via Omio trains. Buses take ~3h30–4h from Sete Rios or Oriente (€8–€20) via Omio buses. Flying is ~55 minutes but slower end-to-end—rail wins city center to center.

Day 5 — Train north, Ribeira and Gaia cellars

Morning: Depart Lisbon ~8:00–9:00 a.m. on the train; snack from Padaria Portuguesa (bica espresso and pão de deus). Enjoy the coastal stretch north of Aveiro.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Ribeira quay, crossing the lower deck of Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia. Choose a classic Port tasting at Graham’s (hilltop views) or Sandeman (museum-style tour). Coffee at 7g Roaster in Gaia.

Evening: Dinner at Brasão Aliados (top-tier francesinha, crisp rissóis), Adega São Nicolau (bolinhos de bacalhau, octopus rice), or Casa Guedes (pork + Serra sandwich). Nightcap at Prova Wine Bar—ask for a Douro field blend flight.

Day 6 — Douro Valley wine, lunch, and river scenes

Do this: Authentic Small Group Douro Wine Tour with Lunch & River Cruise

A full-day (about 10 hours) immersion in the world’s first demarcated wine region: two quintas for tastings (often one small family-run, one larger estate), a traditional lunch, and a scenic rabelo boat cruise in Pinhão. Terraced vineyards, schist soils, and the story of fortified Port come to life.

Alternative pick if sold out: Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch (similar length and inclusions).

Day 7 — Tiles, towers, and farewell

Morning: Breakfast at century-old Padaria Ribeiro (butter croissants and galão). See São Bento Station tiles, climb Clérigos Tower, and browse the reborn Mercado do Bolhão for fruit, cured meats, and tinned-fish souvenirs.

Afternoon: Last bites on Rua das Flores or coffee at Café Guarany, then make your way to the airport or train. For flights, compare fares on Omio; the metro (violet line) reaches OPO in ~25–30 minutes.

Evening: In transit or, if departing late, a final custard tart at Fábrica da Nata by Aliados.

Practical tips

• Tickets & timing: Prebook Jerónimos and Pena Palace; popular time slots sell out. Many sights open ~10:00; plan early viewpoints and coffee first.
• Transit: Get a Lisbon Viva Viagem card for trams/metro/buses; in Porto, the Andante card covers metro and buses. Trams are crowded—watch bags.
• Dining rhythm: Lunch 12:30–15:00; dinner after 19:30. Splitting plates is common. Tip ~5–10% for excellent service; otherwise rounding up is fine.

Optional add-ons

• Lisbon tuk-tuk alternatives: If you prefer a shorter overview, try the Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk.
• Big-wave thrill (seasonal): Day-trip north to Nazaré for the Chasing Giants – Jet Ski & Boat Adventure in Nazaré if seas permit.

Summary: In one week, you’ll trace Portugal from Lisbon’s sunstruck hills to Sintra’s palaces, then onward to Porto’s riverfront and the terraced Douro. Expect great coffee, soulful music, and wines that taste like sunshine on stone. You’ll leave planning your return.