How to Spend One Week in Portugal: The Perfect Portugal Itinerary

Planning your trip to Portugal and not sure where to start? Use this step-by-step Portugal itinerary packed with everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

So you’re travelling to Portugal and are looking for the perfect Portugal itinerary?

This one week in Portugal guide will help you plan your getaway: complete with a day-by-day itinerary of places to see, things to do and where to stay for each destination.

Don’t get me started talking about Portugal. Each trip I’ve taken (ten, but who’s counting) to this striking country has made me appreciate it just that little bit more.

It might be small, but Portugal is both fiercely proud and boasts a unique culture that is guaranteed to have you coming back for more. So much so that it’s a running joke with my buddies that if I ever disappear off the radar, Portugal will be the first place that they look.

Anyway. Enough of all that. Let’s get to it: the ultimate one week Portugal itinerary.

Portugal Itinerary Days 1-2: Porto

Portugal is a long and skinny country so it makes sense to start near the top and work your way down to the bottom during your trip.

Beautiful Porto sits at the end of the Rio Douro, an enchanting maze of hilly streets, the houses and shops clustered around narrow walkways begging for you to get lost in.

Lisbon may well be making a name for itself as one of the coolest destinations in Europe but Porto should not be overlooked. In fact I *may* just prefer it to the capital… just.

This effortlessly endearing city boasts a relatively quiet and easily walkable center, which includes the UNESCO heritage Ribeira District.

Things to do in Porto

Take a Walking Tour of the City

Porto’s centre is easily walkable, so I think that taking a few hours to walk around the city is the perfect start to your time in Portugal. Meander through narrow lanes and twisting streets.

Most of the city’s must-sees are within striking distance of each other. The UNESCO-listed Ribera district should be at the top of your list.

Must-Sees: Clérigos Church and its iconic tower, Lello Bookstore (which is said to have inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter), Cathedral Se, the old city walls, Sao Bento station (with its beautiful Portuguese azulejos tiles), the Dom Luis I bridge and opulent Igreja de Sao Francisco.

Take a Port House Tour

I’ll level with you, you can’t visit Porto without paying homage to the city’s most famous export: port.

There are several Port houses in Porto, mostly clustered in the Gaia area: take a guided tour and sample the tipples to learn about the fortified wine (you’re tasting for purely informational purposes of course).

I’d recommend booking a Port wine tour, which visits two port houses, with tastings and food pairings at each.

Dinner at Restaurant DOP

I’m a huge fan of famous Portuguese chef Rui Paula’s food. Paula’s high-end Portuguese restaurant, DOP is the place to treat yourself to a delicious meal out in Porto. Paula showcases the very best Portuguese ingredients in a minimalist setting

Party at Hard Club

Part club, part concert venue, Hard Club is one of Porto’s coolest spots. Don’t arrive too early (before midnight) and prepare to stay until the early hours.

Hop on the Tram

Hop onto the tram line number 1 close to Praca do Infante Square. The old-school tram is the perfect way to see a different side of the city, it rattles its way through alongside the Douro river towards the coast, dropping you off into Foz do Douro.

Once there, stop off at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira for petiscos (Portuguese small plates) at affordable prices.

Visit the Mercado do Bolhão

Step into history at the Mercado do Bolhao. The market opened in 1914 and has been feeding the city within its rather spectacular walls ever since. Trust me when I say that you should make room in your suitcase, because you’re going to want to bring some of this food home.

Hang Out at Baixa

The neighbourhood of Clerigos is brimming with bars and nightspots – join the throng for a few tipples at Baixa. The cocktails are divine.

Practical Information for Porto

Getting to Porto

Fly into Porto’s Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport if you can, otherwise you can fly into Lisbon and take the train (the journey takes just under three hours).

Suggested Stay for Porto: The Yeatman

A luxury wine hotel in Gaia with stupendous views out over the Douro and central Porto. This is one of Porto’s best hotels and certainly one of its most stylish.

The Yeatman is a personal favourite I’ve stayed in a few times and easily could stay in a few times more! Even if you can’t stay, splash out on a meal in their Michelin-starred restaurant.

If You Have Extra Time: The Douro Valley

Take a trip into the Douro Valley to tour the vineyards. Producing the Port from which Porto takes its name, you can also take the opportunity to try the vineyards’ stellar wine. 

You’ll need at least a day to visit: you can visit the Douro Valley on a day trip from Porto (this one is great) but it’s even better to spend a night in the valley. 

Bed down in luxury at the Six Senses, both the views and the rooms are divine.

I cannot rave enough about the food at DOC, the sister restaurant to DOP in Porto I mentioned earlier in this guide. Chef Rui Paula turns out absolutely incredible contemporary Portuguese dishes in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Rio Douro. Don’t miss it. 

Portugal Itinerary Days 3-4: Lisbon

It’s time to move on to the next stop in your Portugal itinerary. Our destination? Lisbon, Portugal’s beautiful and surprisingly laid back capital.

I’ve visited Lisbon time and time again and it never fails to make me love it just that little bit more…

Relatively affordable, delicious food (wear stretchy pants) and a buzzing nightlife – it’s the cool kid that everyone can’t help but love. It’s also where you’re going to be spending the next three days, so settle in and enjoy the ride.

Things to do in Lisbon

Hop on a Sidecar Tour of Lisbon

You know how I said that I liked to take a walking tour when I visited a new city. Scrap that. I took this vintage sidecar tour when I was in Lisbon and it was some of the most fun I had in the city.

Toot toot, beep beep!

Who doesn’t love whizzing around the city tucked into the sidecar of a vintage motorbike with a cooler than cool Lisboeta dude telling you about all the secret spots, bags of history and taking you to the best panoramic points in the city? It was 100% one of the highlights of my Portugal itinerary. 

I’m not going to lie, I basically rave about this tour to anyone I know that is visiting Lisbon, and right now, that includes you.

The tour is completely tailor-made, so if there’s stuff you’re not that interested in, are desperate to see, or have already seen, you can just let your guide know at the beginning of the trip.

To be honest, some of the best bits of the tour where he took me to places I had no idea about before (I realise that sounds a bit 70 Mills & Boon lol). I’m still sworn to secrecy about a lovely local cafe that served THE BEST CAKES. Mmmn cake. Anyway, moving on.

Dine at Cervejaria Ramiro

I’m guessing that you are going to be pretty hungry after your whirlwind tour of Lisboa, so do like the locals do and head to Cervejaria Ramiro for a traditional Portuguese seafood lunch.

If you’re a seafood-lover (me! me! I love seafood!), you are going to love your trip to Portugal. There are few European countries where seafood plays such a huge role in the national cuisine.

So why Cervejaria Ramiro? For one, the traditional setting couldn’t feel any more Portuguese – it’s filled with clusters, brisk waiters with a cheeky glint in their eye, but the seafood is the real star of the show. Lobster, langoustines, oysters, all freshly caught and simply prepared.

Be prepared to queue during peak hours.

Explore Alfama

Head to Alfama in the afternoon, when the area’s narrow lanes and tall buildings catch the hues of the golden Lisboeta light.

Alfama is one of the few areas of the city that wasn’t destroyed in the earthquake of 1755, so it’s a chance to see the Lisbon of a period that has been largely erased.

Alfama could be described as the centerpiece of the Lisbon of times past – fado music and dancing, ginjinha – it’s the beating heart of them all. 

Pop into the Museo do Fado to learn about the history of the much-loved music,

If you can – go to the Portos dos Sol for sunset – the views of the city are pretty wow-worthy.

Other must-see spots in Alfama: Cathedral Se, Castelo de Sao Jorge.

Have a Meal at Bairro Avillez

First up, time to fill up. We’re headed for Bairro Avillez.  

Chef Jose Avillez is another stellar Portuguese chef with a whopping seven restaurants dotted across the city (another has just opened as I’m writing this).

How has one chef come to dominate Lisbon’s culinary scene?

It’s simple, he makes banging dishes that make you happy to part with your cash and sad that your stomach isn’t actually a bottomless pit and at some point you’re going to have to stop eating the tasty, tasty food.

I received the tip to go to Bairro Avillez from the PR at the Four Seasons and believe me, that was a woman who knew every single restaurant in Lisbon and wasn’t afraid to be frank about her opinions on each (thanks Catarina).

Jazz at Hot Clube de Portugal

Hot Clube de Portugal has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best jazz clubs in the world. I first visited as a (mildly pretentious) 17 year old and it’s still my evening destination of choice several (I mean several) years later.

See the Sights in Belem

Sun drenched Belem is home to big-hitter after big-hitter. A few kilometres out of the centre, it’s the elaborate playground of times past. Few places have been shaped more by Portugal’s Age of the Discoveries.  

From the Gothic Manueline architectural fantasy of the Monastery of San Jeronimo to the stalwart Belem Tower and striking Monument to the Discoveries, this is an area packed with history. 

Oh, and it’s the place to snap up the sweet, flaky and impossibly moreish pasteis de nata – they’re said to originate from the Pasteis de Belem, where you can still buy them today.

If, like me, you’re at least 50% driven by food, you are going to want to block out some time in your diary to visit.

Queues to takeaway can be long – my insider’s tip is to go and sit inside, there’s often no wait time and you can be tucking into your pasteis in a matter of minutes.

Spend Time in LX Factory

An old textile factory that’s turned into one of Lisbon’s biggest hipster hangouts? Sign me up!

LX Factory is a cool conglomeration of indie businesses, including shops, restaurants and bars housed in industrial-chic quarters.

It’s not that hard to see why this has become one of the city’s popular hangouts: the street art is off the hook and the food (yes, food again, it’s always food with me) is fab. There’s even a shop dedicated to cheesecake.

Go Street Art Hunting

Lisbon is one of the big destinations on the street art scene, thanks to a roster of talented home-grown artists and lots of creative spaces for them to show off their skills.

Hotspots include LX Factory (above), Calcada de Gloria, Rua das Gaviotas and Avenida Conselheiro Fernando de Sousa. 

Eat Your Way Around Time Out Market Lisbon

The international arbiters of urban culture and cool, Time Out opened their first market in Lisbon in 2014.

Safe to say, it’s been drawing in the punters ever since. Many of Lisbon’s hottest restaurants and chefs have bagged a spot in the ever-changing rotation.

I’m a total sucker for a well-curated food market. 

The chance to have a small plate from a few different restaurants is a great experience, particularly when I’m trying to see the best of Portugal in 7 days and have a limited number of meals in each city.

My biggest tip? Go hungry and dine well.

Practical Information for Lisbon

Getting to Lisbon

I’d recommend getting up and getting on with the journey from Porto to Lisbon as early as you can bear so you can make the most of your stay in Lisbon.

You could fly from Porto to Lisbon but it’s a bit of a waste of time. You’re much better off booking a private transfer, going by train or, at a push, hiring a car and driving down yourself.

If you do the latter, just remember that, like most cities, parking in Lisbon is not the easiest task. Trains and transfers take around three hours.

Suggested Stay: The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz

I’ll be blunt. The Four Seasons is a treat. A very expensive treat.

It’s my favourite hotel in Lisbon, but I have to admit that it comes at quite a steep cost. If you can afford it, you can look forward to decadent interiors (including marble bathrooms), eye-catching city views and a breakfast that’s to die for.

There’s even a rooftop running track to help you burn it all off afterwards.

Portugal Itinerary Day 5: Day Trip to Sintra

Travelling to UNESCO World Heritage Sintra is like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale.

Brightly coloured palaces, exotic gardens and Moorish castles, you won’t regret making the trip.

Things to do in Sintra

Visit the Palacio Nacional de Sintra

Make a beeline for the Palacio Nacional, one of Sintra’s much-loved (and photographed) spots.

A curious mix of architectural styles, it’s the kind of building you won’t find outside of Portugal – spacious courtyards, opulent decor and Insta opportunities galore.

Pena Palace

The building that launched a thousand clicks – I was enamoured with the vibrant yellow exterior of the Pena Palace before I even clapped eyes on it in real life.

See what I mean?

Weird, wacky and all-out fabulous, the Pena Palace might look like an architectural romp, but in reality, it’s one of the most important expressions of the 19th century Romantic movement in Portugal.

Castelos dos Mouros

Just when you thought that Sintra couldn’t get any more dramatic… you come to the Castle of the Moors. Often shrouded in cloud, this striking castle is a 2km walk from Sintra-Vila.

Getting to Sintra

The trip from Lisbon to Sintra isn’t difficult – a simple matter of hopping on the train from Rossio or Oriente station in Lisbon for around 40 minutes. Tickets are cheap (less than €5) and trains are frequent.

If you’d prefer to go on a tour, there are plenty of tours from Lisbon to Sintra – quite a few, like this one, take you to Cascais too.

Portugal Itinerary Days 6 and 7: The Algarve

Why should you go to the Algarve on your Portugal Itinerary? That’s easy. 

How do sun-soaked beaches with crystal clear waters and miles of Atlantic views, medieval towns and cities, fresher than you thought possible seafood washed down with crisp whites from the neighbouring Alentejo sound to you?

For many people, a week in Portugal starts and ends with a beach in The Algarve and I can see why. It is really quite enticing to plop down and simply appreciate that good, good Portuguese sunshine.

You’d be missing out though. 

Sure, the Algarve has spectacular beaches, but move away from these and you’ll discover a region with a vibrant culture and unique history that’s waiting to be explored.

Things to do in the Algarve

Explore Lagos

I suggest that you stay in Lagos during your time in the Algarve – not only is it a rather charming destination in and of itself, it’s a good base to explore the rest of the region in the limited time that you have left.

The centre of Lagos really isn’t very big – grab a map and walk to the baroque fantasy that is the Igreja de Santo Antonio.

Nature has created many of Lagos’s biggest attractions: the rugged Ponta da Piedade comes complete with sandstone cliffs and nesting birdlife.  Closer to town the Meia Praia is a good spot to try your hand at surfing, or simply sit back and enjoy the sun.

Visit the Market in Loulé

Stop off in the quaint town of Loule in the morning to see it’s famous covered market in full swing.

I’ve always stocked up on ingredients for the bbq during longer stays, but it’s worth popping in, if only to look at a traditional Portuguese market in action.

The Benagil Cave is a short drive away from Loule and one of the area’s best natural sights.

Walk Around Tavira

I personally think that Tavira would take the prize for the most picturesque town in The Algarve.

With a church on practically every corner, castle ruins and a gorgeous setting on the Rio Gilao, not to mention numerous buildings with elaborate tiled facades, Tavira is just lovely.

Once you’ve had a look around the city, strike out to the nearby beaches, including the Ilha de Tavira (only reachable by boat).

I loved the nearby Praia do Barril: a wild and rather windswept beach accessed by a short hop on a narrow-gauge railway and home to the quirky anchor cemetery. Yes, you read that right, anchor cemetery.

Ilha Deserta + Estamine Restaurant

In case you didn’t get the memo, Ilha Deserta means… deserted island.

It might not be quite deserted, but this quiet island off the coast of Faro in the Rio Formosa Natural Park is the perfect place to escape the crowds residing on other of the Algarve’s heaving beaches.

Take one of the informative eco boat tours over to the Ilha, they leave a few times a day from Faro’s harbour. Speedboats provide a noisier but more direct means of transport.

The Ilha Deserta has another attraction though. Estamine Restaurant. 

This eco-friendly restaurant serves up astoundingly good meals with sea views.

By now you know how much I love Portuguese food (and hopefully you will too) – if you trust me at all, trust me when I say you need to get yourself to this restaurant.

Practical Information for The Algarve

Getting to The Algarve

There are plenty of transport connections between Lisbon and The Algarve, but it will depend on where you stay.

If, as I suggest, you stay in Lagos, you will need to get the train from Lisbon to Tunes (fast service) and then another slower service from Tunes to Lagos.

Book ahead – tickets can (and will) sell out during the high season.

Express buses run between Lisbon and Lagos, and take around the same time as the train.

Getting Around The Algarve

You can get around some parts of The Algarve without a car – particularly along the coast.

Other destinations can be a bit more difficult. I’ve listed four of my favourite spots in The Algarve, and in all honesty, I haven’t attempted getting between them without a car. Seeing as you only have a couple of days left of your 7 days in Portugal, I’d suggest hiring a car – it just makes life much easier for this part of the country.

If that’s not practical, Lagos is the easiest destination to base yourself in as there are plenty of hotels in the centre of town, with many stunning beaches in easy walking distance. It’s a great place to discover.

Suggested Stays in the Algarve

I’ve stayed in Lagos, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago on various Portugal itineraries and can recommend all three as good bases for your stay. 

• Casa Mãe in Lagos is a good five-star boutique option.
• If you are going to spend longer than a few days in the Algarve (a week or more), book a villa at the Four Seasons Fairways.
• Looking for high-end luxe but with hotel amenities? The Anantara Vilamoura is the perfect spot.

So, there we are, we’ve finished up your week in Portugal. I hope you have a wonderful time discovering the best this vibrant country has to offer. 

If you have more than a week in Portugal, I’ve suggested a couple of additional destinations you may want to consider below, otherwise skip along to the Practical Information and Tips section at the end. 

Have More Time? Additional Locations for a Portugal Itinerary 

Evora 

A gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage town in the Alentejo with Portugal’s best-preserved Roman temple. 

Evora is a glorious passage through Portuguese history, with architecture charting pretty much every stop from the Romans to the Moors and present day. Spend a day or two exploring its winding alleys. 

Cascais 

If you think resort means plastic sun loungers and all-inclusives, Cascais will make you rethink your position. Imposing mansions and a flashy marina are grounded by cute fishermen’s houses that wind away from the harbour. 

Coimbra 

The former capital of Portugal (the first in fact), Coimbra is a genteel spot with a host of historical spots including a stunning Baroque Library. The large university and its resident student population keeps things lively. 

Add to your itinerary between Porto and Lisbon. 

Practical Tips for Your Portugal Trip

• Language: Portuguese. Obvs.
• Time Zone: GMT in winter, GMT+1 in Summer
• Currency: Euro €
• Telephone Country Code + 351
• Emergency Services Number: 112
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Pretty much everywhere. You can use your phone normally if you’re from the EU, otherwise you are better off buying a local sim card to use to avoid steep roaming fees.
• Tipping: Portugal isn’t a big tipping country, but a small tip is always appreciated.

Getting There

The main airports in Portugal are the Aeroporto de Lisboa in Lisbon, the Aeroporto Francisco Sa Carneiro in Porto and Aeroporto de Faro in Faro.

If you are travelling to the south Algarve, you can also fly into Seville in Spain and transfer from there, sometimes it’s cheaper.

Check flights on Skyscanner

Getting Around

You have three main options when it comes to transport for your 7 days in Portugal: train, bus and car.

There are benefits to each but I’d suggest taking trains and then hiring a car for the last two days in The Algarve.

Useful Portuguese Phrases

Hello – Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa Noite

Goodbye – Adeus

Thanks – Obrigado/ Obrigada

Please – Por favor

Yes – Sim

No- Nao

What to Pack

• Sunglasses:  Portugal is no stranger to the sunshine, you’ll need them.
• Sunscreen
• Universal Travel Adapter
• Microfiber Beach Towel
• Camera
• Portable Battery Pack – to keep everything fully charged while you’re on the move. And also in case you end up staying in one of those hotels that think charging sockets are completely optional (why?!)
• Comfortable shoes:  Those super-cute cobbled streets might look #thatsdarling in your Instagram pictures but believe me when I say that they wreak havoc with your feet. Plus, with cities this walkable, it makes sense to do as much of it as you can.

And there we are, you’re all ready to set off. I hope you’ve enjoyed this itinerary and you’re ready to see the best of Portugal in 7 days.

Got any feedback or suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below.

Check out my other Portugal travel guides:

• The Insider’s Portugal Travel Guide
• 20 Unmissable Spots in Portugal
• The Coolest Things to do in Lisbon
• Secret Spots in the Alentejo
• The Best Beaches in the Algarve

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