Portugal rewards the unhurried traveler. Centuries-old neighborhoods spill down Lisbon’s seven hills toward the Tagus River, while Moorish castles perch over misty forests in Sintra. Down south, the Algarve’s sculpted cliffs and turquoise coves invite beach time, easy walks, and unforgettable sunset photos.

Expect soulful food (think grilled sardines and custard tarts), strong espresso culture, and approachable wine from regions like Setúbal, Alentejo, and the Algarve. Public transit is reliable and affordable, and English is widely understood in tourist areas. Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones and bring a light layer for Atlantic breezes.

This 6-day itinerary balances culture with coast: three nights in Lisbon for history, coffee shops, and a gentle hike in Sintra, then three nights in Lagos for beach days, a cliff-top walk, and a relaxed winery visit. It’s crafted for a low-to-mid budget with plenty of free viewpoints, local eateries, and efficient trains and buses.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of viewpoints and vintage trams, azulejo-tiled facades and tiny taverns echoing with fado. Its neighborhoods—Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto—each feel like a different village, stitched together by stairways and miradouros.

Top highlights include the Moorish Castelo de São Jorge, the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, and the riverside Time Out Market’s curated food hall. Coffee culture thrives, with third-wave roasters alongside classic pastelarias serving still-warm pastéis de nata.

• Fun fact: Lisbon’s Tram 28 route dates to the early 1900s and still rattles past some of the city’s most photogenic streets.
• Photo tip: Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte frames terracotta roofs, the castle, and the river in one wide shot.
• Budget note: A rechargeable transit card makes metro, tram, and bus rides cheap and easy.

Where to stay: Browse budget-friendly apartments and guesthouses on VRBO Lisbon or deals on Hotels.com Lisbon.

Getting in: Fly into Lisbon (LIS). Compare flights with Omio flights. If arriving from elsewhere in Europe, check Omio trains and Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Alfama wander, Fado evening

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in and shake off jet lag with an easy loop in Alfama: start at Miradouro de Santa Luzia for azulejos and river views, then meander to Sé Cathedral and up to Castelo de São Jorge (castle entry ~€15; courtyard views are wonderful even if you skip the museum). Snack on a still-warm pastéis de nata from Manteigaria (buttery pastry, glossy custard—one is never enough).

Evening: Dinner at Zé da Mouraria (no-frills tasca; hearty daily fish and meat specials; arrive early for a table) or Taberna da Rua das Flores (small plates with seasonal Portuguese twists; walk-in list). Catch fado later: Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto hosts intimate sing-alongs most nights (arrive before opening to queue; modest spend per person).

Day 2: Baixa, Chiado, Time Out Market, sunset viewpoints

Morning: Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (house-roasted beans, pour-overs, and flat whites) or Hello, Kristof (Scandi-leaning café with excellent filter coffee and magazines). Explore Baixa’s grid—Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta’s arch—then ride Tram 28 a couple of stops for classic Lisbon street scenes (board early to avoid crowds; fare ~€3 if paid onboard).

Afternoon: Walk to Chiado for the Bertrand Bookstore (world’s oldest operating bookshop) and ceramics boutiques. Lunch at Time Out Market: try Marlene Vieira for seafood rice or Miguel Castro e Silva for cod dishes; grab a scoop at Santini for dessert. If you love tiles, the National Azulejo Museum (bus/taxi required) is a photogenic detour (~€8).

Evening: Climb to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for golden-hour photos. Dinner in Graça at Santo André (casual Portuguese, daily grilled fish) or O das Joanas for affordable petiscos. Nightcap at Park Bar, a rooftop atop a parking garage with wide river views (go at dusk for easier entry).

Day 3: Sintra forest strolls and coastal viewpoints (light hiking + pastry stops)

Morning: Train from Rossio to Sintra (~40 min, ~€2.30 each way via regional train; check Omio trains). Grab travesseiros (almond pillows) at Casa Piriquita, then walk or bus up to the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros; ramparts with panoramic views) and the Park of Pena. The gardens offer shaded, gentle trails—perfect for a relaxed hike without the palace crowds.

Afternoon: Bus 403 to Cabo da Roca for cliff-top photos at mainland Europe’s westernmost point. If you’re up for a short, careful walk, descend partway toward Praia da Ursa for dramatic sea stacks (wear sturdy shoes; avoid if wet). Return to Lisbon by evening.

Evening: Dinner back in Lisbon: O Trevo for a classic bifana sandwich (thin pork, garlicky juices) and a bowl of caldo verde, or A Provinciana near Restauradores for budget-friendly daily specials. For wine, BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto pours curated Portuguese flights with cheese and cured meats—tell them you like light, mineral whites or bold Alentejo reds.

Lisbon → Lagos travel (next morning): Train from Lisboa-Oriente to Lagos ~3h55 with a quick change at Tunes, advance fares often €12–€25; compare on Omio trains. Buses are ~3h45–4h, sometimes cheaper on Omio buses. Aim for a morning departure to maximize beach time.

Lagos (Algarve)

Lagos blends cobbled lanes and whitewashed churches with crescents of sand and glowing cliffs. The coastline around Ponta da Piedade is a natural sculpture park—arches, grottoes, and needle-like stacks carved by the Atlantic.

It’s a relaxed base for beach days, sea-cave boat rides, easy cliff-top walks, and casual seafood dinners. Inland, low-key wineries near Lagoa and Silves pour crisp Algarve whites and sun-soaked reds.

• Photo favorites: Sunrise at Praia Dona Ana, the staircase down to Praia do Camilo, and golden-hour boardwalks at Ponta da Piedade.
• Hike idea: The coastal path from Porto de Mós toward Praia da Luz is a gentle, panoramic ramble.
• Budget tip: Big, canteen-style seafood houses like Adega da Marina offer terrific value.

Where to stay: Search central apartments and guesthouses via VRBO Lagos or deals on Hotels.com Lagos.

Getting around: Walk most places in town; for nearby towns and trailheads, use local buses on Omio buses or inexpensive taxis.

Day 4: Travel to Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, old town dinner

Morning: Train or bus to Lagos (about 4 hours; see links above). Check in and grab a light lunch at Goji Lounge Café (fresh salads, omelets, smoothies) or Pastelaria Gombá for sandwiches and pastries.

Afternoon: Stroll to Ponta da Piedade. Take the clifftop boardwalks and descend a few stairways for close-up grotto views; it’s an easy, photogenic walk. For beach time, detour to Praia do Camilo or Praia Dona Ana—both sheltered and great for relaxed swims.

Evening: Dinner at A Forja (known for grilled sardines and dourada; excellent value) or Adega da Marina (big portions, shared tables, lively). Gelato at Gelicia or a sunset drink at the marina.

Day 5: Sea caves by boat or kayak, then a winery visit

Morning: Head to Lagos Marina for a boat or guided kayak tour along Ponta da Piedade’s arches and grottoes (typical 1.5–2 hours; ~€25–€45). Photographers love the low morning light and calmer water. If you’re set on Benagil Cave, take a quick bus to Portimão or Carvoeiro (40–60 min; check Omio buses) for departures there.

Afternoon: Wine tasting near Lagoa or Silves. Good options include Quinta dos Vales (art-studded grounds, approachable tastings), Quinta do Francês (near the Odelouca River; intimate cellar door), or Morgado do Quintão (old-vine crato branco and negra mole; often offers picnics). Expect ~€12–€25 per tasting; pre-book in peak season. Buses reach Lagoa/Silves, then a short taxi.

Evening: Dinner at Casa do Prego (petiscos and a rooftop—order octopus and batata doce) or O Camilo (seafood near the Camilo steps; go early for sunset). If you prefer something ultra-casual, Nah Nah Bah does creative, well-priced burgers.

Day 6: Coastal walk to Praia da Luz, last swim, departure

Morning: Coffee at Coffee & Waves (surf vibe, flat whites, bowls). Walk the coastal path from Porto de Mós toward Praia da Luz—wide views, gentle ups and downs, and plenty of photo stops (allow 2–3 hours round-trip; bring water and a hat).

Afternoon: Final beach time at Meia Praia (long, sandy, great for a peaceful stroll). Quick lunch at Tasca Jota (Portuguese-modern small plates) or a bifana-to-go from a snack bar near the marina. Depart in the afternoon: fly from Faro (FAO) with Omio flights or take train/bus back to Lisbon (~4 hours) via Omio trains or Omio buses.

Evening: In transit.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (Save This!)

• Lisbon coffee: Fábrica Coffee Roasters; Hello, Kristof; The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch and strong flat whites).
• Lisbon eats: Manteigaria (pastéis de nata); Time Out Market (curated food hall); O Trevo (bifana); Zé da Mouraria (home-style cooking).
• Fado: Tasca do Chico (arrive early; small, atmospheric).
• Lagos coffee: Coffee & Waves; Goji Lounge Café; rooftop snacks at Mar d’Estórias (great views).
• Lagos eats: A Forja; Adega da Marina; Casa do Prego; O Camilo.
• Wineries: Quinta dos Vales; Quinta do Francês; Morgado do Quintão.

Transit Snapshot & Costs

• Lisbon local transit: Metro/tram/bus rides typically €1.80–€3; hills mean you’ll walk plenty—wear good shoes.
• Lisbon ↔ Sintra: ~40 min each way; ~€2–€3 per ride via regional train (round trip under €6).
• Lisbon → Lagos: Train ~3h55 (1 change), advance fares ~€12–€25; bus ~3h45–4h, promo fares can be ~€7–€18. Compare on Omio trains and Omio buses.
• Lagos → Faro Airport: Regional train to Faro ~1h40 plus 15–20 min taxi/shuttle; or direct buses; flights via Omio flights.

Six days in Portugal gives you the best of both worlds: Lisbon’s history and coffee-fueled culture, plus the Algarve’s beaches, sea caves, and easy hikes. With smart train/bus routes, local eateries, and a mellow pace, this itinerary keeps costs low while delivering big memories.