Portugal rewards the curious traveler with layers of ocean-faring history, soulful fado, tile-clad streets, and cuisine that runs from flaky pastéis de nata to hearty northern stews. Lisbon’s hilltop viewpoints and riverfront monuments tell the story of the Age of Discoveries, while nearby Sintra dazzles with romantic palaces tucked into misty forests.

Up north, Porto’s granite beauty glows at sunset over the Douro. Its UNESCO-listed old town, iron bridges, and lodges brimming with port wine create a city that feels both historic and forward-looking. Day-trip into the Douro Valley for terraced vineyards, traditional boats, and leisurely lunches paired with vintages you’ll remember.

Practical notes: Portuguese is the official language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The Euro is the currency; plan for 5–10% tips in sit-down restaurants. Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones, a light layer for Atlantic breezes, and a thirst for vinho verde, port, and espresso-strength bicas. Public transport is excellent; trains between Lisbon and Porto are frequent and affordable.

Lisbon

Lisbon spills across seven hills, each crowned with viewpoints (miradouros) perfect for golden-hour photos. Blue-and-white azulejos wrap churches and stations, while trams trundle through Alfama’s maze. In Belém, Portugal’s maritime past lives on in grand monuments and buttery custard tarts hot from the oven.

Top sights: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Castelo de São Jorge, MAAT museum, LX Factory, Time Out Market, Tram 28, and riverfront Cais do Sodré to Terreiro do Paço.

Eat and drink: Try pastéis de nata at Manteigaria, seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic clams, scarlet shrimp), grilled sardines in Alfama, piri‑piri chicken at Bonjardim, and modern Portuguese at Taberna da Rua das Flores. Pair with vinho verde or a Lisbon-brewed craft beer.

Where to stay (Lisbon)

• High-end: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon or Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel for classic elegance and river views.
• Family suites: Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (kid-friendly apartments in central Chiado).
• Budget/hip: Lisbon Destination Hostel inside the soaring Rossio station.
• Browse more: VRBO Lisbon or Hotels.com Lisbon.

Getting to Lisbon

• Search flights to LIS: Omio flights (Europe). The metro (red line) from the airport to the center runs ~25 min; taxis/ride-hailing ~20–35 min depending on traffic.
• Local transport: Load a Viva Viagem card (~€0.50) and tap for metro, tram, and ferry.

Day 1 – Arrival in Lisbon, viewpoints and Alfama

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle wander through Baixa and up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol for river views and tiled terraces. Coffee stop: Manteigaria (espresso and a still-warm pastéis de nata).

Evening: Dinner in Alfama at Zé da Mouraria (home-style bacalhau) or Farol de Santa Luzia (cod, octopus rice, terrace). Cap the night with a fado set at Clube de Fado or Mesa de Frades—small, intimate rooms where the music is the meal’s final course.

Day 2 – Belém, tuk-tuk panoramas, and sunset sailing

Morning: Tram or rideshare to Belém. Tour Jerónimos Monastery’s Manueline cloisters and the riverfront Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries. Snack on original pastéis at Pastéis de Belém (go early; still warm, dusted with cinnamon).

Afternoon: See more in less time on a local-led tuk‑tuk overview through Alfama, Graça, Mouraria, and Praça do Comércio.

True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!

Evening: Toast the Tejo on a relaxed sunset sail—expect city history, bridge views, and a glass of Portuguese wine as lights flicker on.

Lisbon Sunset Sailing with Portuguese Wine and History

Dinner: Time Out Market Lisboa for a curated sweep of Lisbon’s kitchens: try croquettes at Croqueteria, leitão (suckling pig) sandwiches, and gelato at Santini. For a sit-down splurge, book Solar dos Presuntos (seafood rice, scarlet prawns).

Day 3 – Sintra’s palaces and Atlantic cliffs (full-day tour)

Spend the day among turreted palaces and exotic gardens, then trace the coast past Europe’s westernmost point. This small‑group tour handles tickets and timing so you can focus on the fairy tale.

Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira & Cascais, small-group

Food tips: In Sintra, grab lunch at Tascantiga (petiscos) or Incomum by Luís Santos (creative plates). Back in Lisbon, late dinner at A Cevicheria (lime-spiked seabass) or Ponto Final across the river for romantic city views.

Porto

Porto is Portugal’s granite heart—riverside houses in Ribeira, terracotta roofs, and elegant bridges drawn by Eiffel’s disciples. Across the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, centuries-old lodges age ruby, tawny, and vintage port in cool cellars.

Top sights: Clerigos Tower, Livraria Lello (timed entry), São Bento Station’s azulejos, Bolsa Palace, Ribeira quay, Dom Luís I Bridge, and the port wine lodges of Gaia.

Eat and drink: Devour a francesinha at Café Santiago or Brasão Cervejaria, slow-cooked pork at Casa Guedes, seafood at O Gaveto in Matosinhos, and sip at Capela Incomum wine bar. Coffee culture thrives—pair with a jesuíta pastry.

Where to stay (Porto)

• High-end: The Yeatman (Gaia hillside spa and wine temple).
• Great value: HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool, easy access) or Moov Hotel Porto Centro (chic basics in an Art Deco cinema).
• Hostel: Gallery Hostel (design-forward, artistic vibe).
• Browse more: VRBO Porto or Hotels.com Porto.

Getting from Lisbon to Porto

• Morning trains from Lisboa Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã take ~2h40–3h; advance fares often €15–€35. Search times and tickets on Omio trains (Europe). Buses can be cheaper (3.5–4h) via Omio buses.

Day 4 – Train to Porto, Ribeira wander, Douro-by-yacht at sunset

Morning: Depart Lisbon by train (aim for ~9:00). Grab a pastel and espresso at the station. Enjoy coastal-and-country views en route.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll São Bento Station’s azulejos, climb to Sé Cathedral’s terrace, and descend to Ribeira’s riverside arcades. Snack: a bifana (spicy pork sandwich) and a Super Bock by the quay.

Evening: See Porto from the water on a small luxury yacht—six bridges, terracotta roofs, and a tasting of local wines with nibbles as the sky turns rose.

Porto: Luxury Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting & Snacks

Dinner: Brasão Cervejaria (francesinha with a proper beer sauce) or Adega São Nicolau (traditional northern dishes like rojões). Nightcap at Prova wine bar.

Day 5 – Douro Valley wine day (full-day tour)

Venture into the Douro Valley’s terraced vineyards for estate tastings, a regional lunch, and a gentle river cruise—an ideal introduction to the world’s oldest demarcated wine region.

Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

Dinner back in Porto: Casa Guedes (serra-cheese pork sandwiches) if you want casual; or seafood in Matosinhos at O Gaveto if you still have steam for a short ride to the coast.

Day 6 – Tiles, towers, and port lodges

Morning: Coffee and a jesuíta at Confeitaria do Bolhão, then Livraria Lello (book timed tickets), and Clerigos Tower for panoramic views. Explore the Mercado do Bolhão’s gleaming produce and charcuterie stalls—assemble a picnic.

Afternoon: Whisk through highlights on a private electric tuk‑tuk before crossing to Gaia for a guided port tasting at one of the historic lodges (opt for a tawny vs. vintage comparative flight).

Discover Porto's Highlights on a 2-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk

Evening: Dinner at Cantinho do Avillez (contemporary Portuguese) or Taberna Santo António (homey classics). For a mellow finish, Capela Incomum wine bar inside a former chapel.

Day 7 – Slow morning and departure

Morning: Brunch at Zenith or Época (eggs, pancakes, quality coffee). If time allows, hop to Serralves Park for a garden walk and the treetop walkway.

Afternoon: Depart from Porto (OPO) or return by train to Lisbon for onward flights. Compare options on Omio flights and Omio trains.

Optional extras and foodie experiences

• Lisbon neighborhoods + tastings: a dine‑in progressive food tour through lesser-known quarters.

  Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

  

• Extra Porto river time with a small-boat vibe and port wine included:

  Porto: Douro River Boat Cruise with Port Wine and Snacks

  

Practical dining picks (by neighborhood)

• Lisbon Baixa/Chiado: Taberna da Rua das Flores (creative small plates), Cervejaria Trindade (grand beer hall for steaks and cod), Manteigaria (nata fix).
• Lisbon Alfama/Graca: Zé da Mouraria (no-frills, excellent cod), Santo António de Alfama (romantic courtyard), Maria Catita (traditional petiscos).
• Porto Ribeira/Baixa: Adega São Nicolau (traditional), Cantinho do Avillez (modern), Café Santiago (francesinha), A Pérola do Bolhão (canned-fish souvenirs worth packing).

Portugal in a week delivers a vivid sweep: sunlit tiles and tram bells in Lisbon, fantasy palaces in Sintra, and wine-soaked sunsets in Porto and the Douro. With easy trains, flavorful meals, and welcoming locals, this itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood rhythm—the kind of trip that lingers long after the last pastel.