Portugal 7-Day Travel Itinerary
Tiles, Trams & Port Wine — Lisbon to the Algarve
April to June & September to October for perfect weather
$60-415 per day depending on accommodation level
Pena Palace, Alfama, Porto Ribeira, Douro Valley
Your 7-Day Portugal Adventure
Arrive at Lisbon Airport, transfer to Baixa/Chiado hotel
Lisbon
Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery & Pastéis de Belém (original pastéis de nata!)
Belém
Sunset at Miradouro da Graça, dinner in Bairro Alto
Lisbon
💡 Pro Tip:
Buy the Lisboa Card (€27/24h) for free transport and museum entry. The Pastéis de Belém queue moves fast — worth the wait!
Ride Tram 28 through Alfama, visit São Jorge Castle
Alfama
National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo)
Lisbon
Fado music performance in Alfama — Portugal's soul music
Alfama
💡 Pro Tip:
Board Tram 28 at the Martim Moniz starting point before 9 AM to avoid the massive queues. Watch for pickpockets on the tram.
Train to Sintra (40 min), Pena Palace — colorful hilltop castle
Sintra
Quinta da Regaleira — mystical gardens, Initiation Well, grottoes
Sintra
Stop at Cabo da Roca (westernmost point of mainland Europe), return to Lisbon
Sintra/Cascais
💡 Pro Tip:
Buy tickets for Pena Palace online in advance — they sell out! Start early (first train at 7 AM) as Sintra gets very crowded by 11 AM.
High-speed train Lisbon → Porto (2.5 hours)
Porto
Walk Ribeira waterfront (UNESCO), cross Dom Luís I Bridge for panoramic views
Porto
Port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia cellars (Taylor's, Graham's, Sandeman)
Vila Nova de Gaia
💡 Pro Tip:
Book the Alfa Pendular train online for best prices (€25-35 one-way). The walk across Dom Luís I Bridge upper deck is breathtaking.
São Bento Station (stunning azulejo tiles), Livraria Lello (world's most beautiful bookshop)
Porto
Clérigos Tower, Bolhão Market for local food, walk along Rua das Flores
Porto
Francesinha dinner (Porto's legendary sandwich), sunset from Jardim do Morro
Porto
💡 Pro Tip:
Buy Livraria Lello tickets online (€5, redeemable against book purchase). Arrive at opening to avoid the queue. The francesinha at Café Santiago is the classic.
Drive or tour to Douro Valley — UNESCO World Heritage wine region
Douro Valley
Wine tasting at quintas (wine estates), vineyard tour, traditional Portuguese lunch
Douro Valley
Scenic drive along the Douro River back to Porto, farewell dinner
Porto
💡 Pro Tip:
Organized tours from Porto cost €60-90 including transport, lunch, and 2-3 wine tastings. The terraced vineyards are stunning in autumn (Sep-Oct).
Early flight or train to Faro/Lagos, visit Ponta da Piedade sea caves
Lagos, Algarve
Beach time at Praia da Marinha (one of Europe's best beaches) or Benagil Cave boat tour
Algarve
Transfer to Faro Airport for departure
Faro
💡 Pro Tip:
If flying out of Lisbon, skip Algarve and spend the day in Cascais instead — a charming beach town 40 min from Lisbon by train.
Portugal Weather Guide
✓ Pros:
Perfect weather, blooming wildflowers, fewer tourists, great prices
✗ Cons:
Some beach water still cool in April
✓ Pros:
Best beach weather, festivals (São João in Porto), long daylight
✗ Cons:
Very hot in Algarve 35°C+, crowded, highest prices
✓ Pros:
Warm weather, wine harvest in Douro, fewer crowds, good prices
✗ Cons:
Occasional rain starting late October
Portugal Travel Budget Estimates
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (6 nights) | $180-300 | $450-900 | $1500+ |
| Transport (trains, flights) | $60-100 | $100-200 | $300+ |
| Meals & Wine | $120-200 | $250-500 | $800+ |
| Activities & Entry Fees | $50-80 | $120-200 | $300+ |
| TOTAL (per person) | $410-680 | $920-1800 | $2900+ |
Getting Around Portugal
Alfa Pendular high-speed train (Lisbon-Porto, 2.5h) — book online for €25-35
Lisbon's metro and tram system is excellent — get a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and top up
Porto's metro covers the airport — no need for taxis on arrival
Rent a car only for the Algarve or Douro Valley — city parking is a nightmare
Uber works perfectly throughout Portugal and is cheaper than taxis
Consider the Busabout or Rede Expressos buses for budget inter-city travel
Avoid These Portugal Mistakes
Only eating in tourist areas (local tascas serve better food for half the price)
Skipping Sintra (it's the most fairy-tale place in Europe — don't miss it)
Not booking Pena Palace tickets online (they sell out by 10 AM in summer)
Taking taxis instead of the metro/tram (Lisbon metro is fast, cheap, and beautiful)
Visiting Livraria Lello without pre-buying tickets (the queue can be 2 hours)
Not trying a francesinha in Porto (it looks intimidating but it's incredible)