How to Create the Best Itinerary~
If you are considering a travel adventure in Portugal, you have come to the right place. We beleive, Portugal is underrated (at least among American tourists), and we want to help change that. Portugal is a very affordable, friendly country with countless things to do. In a matter of an hour, you can be inland at a winery or on the spectacular coast. You can visit a small village or large city all within a few hours of each other. You can experience the history and culture, everywhere you step. Below are some suggestions for a wonderful itinerary. We have purposefully made it flexible, to fit your interests.
Belem Tower ~ Lisbon
Our Favorite Places~
There are so many amazing castles and estates to visit while in Portugal. Porto and Lisbon have amazing squares with historic monuments. Near Lisbon and Sintra, take a look at the Castelo dos Mouros, Palacio de Belem, and Pena Palace. Another suggestion is to visit one of the many gorgeous wineries. Many of the wineries are near Porto in the Duoro Valley. lookup Portuguese wineries on google maps, or check out our website Altered by Adventure for some links to helpful articles on wine tourism in Portugal. Algarve has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Each seems to have its own personality. The coastline is filled with amazing cliffs and rock formations. It is a great way to hike and experience the beautiful view! Cabo Da Roca should be on your bucket list as it is an amazing rock formation that is one of the best places to see the sunset. It is actually the farthest point west in Europe. Do keep in mind that the water is usually very cold, even in summer.
Cabo de Roca (farthest point west in Europe)
Planning Your Itinerary~
Once you figure out the best city to fly into and out of, you can begin to put together your itinerary. The following suggestions create a 7-10 day itinerary. If you can go longer than 10 days, we suggest adding in the Azores, a set of islands off the coast of Portugal, or head to Spain. In the north there is the less-visited Galicia area in the south of Spain, Andalucia has some of the best Moorish architecture, olive oil and farm stays, that will add magic to your itinerary. Since Portugal is a long, narrow country, it is easy to get from one region to the next. Do keep in mind that the northern part of Portugal will be much cooler than the center and the southern part. There is so much to do in this small country, you may want at least 10 days so you are not rushed. Even though Sintra and Cascais is close to Lisbon, there is so much to do in this area, we recommend at least 3 days in Lisbon and 2 in Sintra.
Click on the cities below to be taken to our site, Altered by Adventure. There you can learn more about what to do and see in these wonderful destinations
Porto (2-3 Days)
Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal. It has a population of over 230,000 people. The entire metropolitan area has about 1.7 million people. It is located where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. In 1996 the area was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The name comes from Latin roots which mean port or harbor. Port wine is a main export of Porto. It is a fortified wine that tends to be sweet and is often used as a dessert wine.
The area in the north is affected by cooler temperatures and rain compared to the south. There are many charming neighborhoods in Porto. The most popular neighborhood is called Ribeira. There are many quaint restaurants and cafes which run along the Douro River. It is the most colorful, lively area of Porto. You can visit port wine cellars, dozens of historic churches, and world heritage sites. Its architecture is a mix of gothic, baroque, and modernist styles. The Old Town offers an authentic charm and is not to be missed.
Porto Portugal
Douro Valley (2-3 Days)~
Stretching almost 400 miles,, the Douro Valley is a large historic and cultural region of Portugal, the many vineyards are dedicated to the production of Port wine. Wine tourism has caught on in recent years and many vineyards offer accommodation, dining and wine experiences. You will be amazed at the unique incredible experiences in this part of Portugal. If you stay in Porto a few days, you can even consider taking a river boat inland to this area. It is also very easy to arrange day trips and winery tours. Some of the most incredible vineyards with accommodation are Quinta da Roêda, Quinta das Carvalhas, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, and Quinta do Vallado.
Douro Valley ~ Portugal
Lisbon (2-3 Days)~
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the second oldest European capital city after Athens, Greece. The city sits right on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus. There are many historic and charming neighborhoods to visit.
One of the most popular towns in Lisbon includes Baixa. This central neighborhood is the liveliest neighborhood in Lisbon. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755. Praça do Comércio is in the main square. There is always something happening in this part of town. Elevador Santa Justa. This elevator was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel who designed the Eiffel Tower. The are many great neighborhoods, all with unique character. Chiado is really Lisbon’s main shopping district. Here you’ll find everything from boutique clothing stores to household brand names, Alfama is an authentic fishing neighborhood located between the Atlantic Ocean and Lisbon’s São Jorge Castle. It is where Fado (a traditional song) was created. Although Graça is located next to touristy neighborhoods like Alfama and Castelo, the restaurants and pastelarias are still very traditional, very Portuguese, and very affordable. These neighborhoods are set on many hills, so if you can, grab an iconic trolley car for the experience as well as great views of the city. Bairro Alta (tall neighborhood) is one of those on top of a hill that is worth visiting. A Ginijihha is an iconic experience that you must check out when visiting the city. It is a small, standing room only, bar, there since the 1840s, that serves this incredible cherry liquor at 1.20 Euro a shot. It is a tradition in Portugal so you must try at least one!
One of Lisbon’s neighborhoods that is close to the river is Belém. There are two beautiful points of interest, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Belém Tower. Built in 1514, Belem Tower was the place where explorers embarked on their journey. Not too far from there is the Monument of the Discoveries. It was built in the 1960s as a recognition of the many Portuguese explorers that left to discover new parts of the world. While in Belem, you must try one of the most famous pastries of Portugal, pastéis de Belém. They are custard cups with a crunchy crust. In other parts of Portugal, they are called Pasteis de Nata.
Commercio Plaza Lisbon
Sintra (2-3 Days)~
Sintra is a located about 30 minutes by car or train, outside of Lisbon. Sintra is known for its historic and breathtaking castles and palaces. Sintra’s landmarks include the medieval Castle of the Moors, the romanticist Pena National Palace, and the Portuguese Renaissance Sintra National Palace. The town of Sintra has been classification a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cascais is another popular area of Lisbon. Cascais’s history as a popular seaside resort originated in the 1870s, when King Luís I of Portugal and the Portuguese royal family made the seaside town their residence every September, thus also attracting members of the Portuguese nobility, who established a summer community there.
Cabo da Roca is an incredible area with steep cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. It is a beautiful coastal area, that is part of Cascais. It is actually the westernmost part of continental Europe. If you followed a line westward you would land in Delaware in America. The beaches are plentiful along the coast and the rocky landscape lends itself to hiking and exploration.
Pena Palace ~ Sintra
Algarve (3-4 Days)~
Algarve is incredibly breathtaking. The iconic orange-colored rocks jutting out into the sea surrounded by miles of yellow sandy beaches is probably what comes to mind when you think of Algarve. The weather is dry and warm in summer and mild in winter. If you have heard of the Faro District or Algarve Region, they are one and the same. It is the land that occupies the southern-most part of Portugal. Algarve brings in many tourists, especially in summer. If traveling June-August, keep in mind it will be very crowded. Prices for hotels are known to increase by 30%. There are a few ways to get around that. Carvoeiro is a quieter fishing village among the towns of Lagos and Faro. There are also lovely villages up the coast from Sagres which is the southernmost area. Sagres has an iconic lighthouse and is the place where many famous explorers studied and set sail in the 15th century. Another way to avoid crowds is to travel to Algarve in May or September and October.
There are many options in the Algarve, including beach resorts, but we encourage you to look for that villa or apartment a little away from the tourist areas. From east to west there are many incredible towns. Olhao, Faro, Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Porimaio, Lagos & Sagros are just some of the many coastal towns. Many like Carvoeiro because is an authentic fishing village and not quite as commercial. Moving up the coastline on the Atlantic, you will find a town called Carrapeteira. There is a wonderful modern, bright farmhouse, just steps from the ocean, owned by wonderful people with amazing hospitality.
Activities are endless in the Algarve. Of course, the beaches are some of the best in the world. Just to name a few, Praia da Gale and Praia de Sao Rafael have some of the most beautiful rock formations and caves. The most famous cave is on the beach, Praia de Benagil. It is not to be missed!
Algarve Coast
Other Destinations to Consider~
You can extend your trip with the following destinations to make a 14-day itinerary. We suggest adding small villages, hilltop towns or adding in a bit of Spain to extend your trip. If you have a little more time, adding a short flight to the Azores, islands off of Portugal, is totally worth looking in to. We have an entire page dedicated to the Azorees on our site. It is all about narrowing down what you want to see so you spend adequate time in each location to enjoy the sites and get to know the locals.
Add Obidos: (day trip or one night)~
Obidos is a small village north of Lisbon where time has stood still. Many of the buildings and the castle are preserved from medivial times. Much of the wall, that used to protect the town is still standing. The shops are charming and the restaurants amazing. Whil there you cannot miss out on their local drink, Ginja de Obidos. It is a lovely cherry liquor in a chocolate cup.
Obidos, Portugal (North of Lisbon)
Add Coimbra (Day trip between Porto/Douro and Lisbon)~
Coimbra was once Portugal’s capital (1139-1256). It is also famous for its university, one of Europoe’s oldest. The history is rich in this area, where there are many museums, churches, and castles. It is also a stone’s throw from Fatima, a very well known holy site.
Coimbra, Portuga
Add Alentejo: Monsaraz & Wine Country (1-2 Days)~
The name Alentejo means “beyond the Tagus river”. As it is south of Lisbon and a large rich area agriculturally. Besides the immense amount of Cork trees used in production of cork, for much of the world, ther are many vineyards that produce incredible wine. Like in the Douro region, it is easy to string together a day of winery tours and good food. This area is also known for olive oil production. Many of these locations are open to the public. Because Alentejo is not as frequented as other areas of Portugal, you can search for some great locations and put a route together.
Other historic towns like Evora, Estremoz and the hill town of Monsaraz are wonderful ways to add that authenticity and learn of the incredible history while admiring the incredible architecture. Evora still has Roman ruins and much of the area is steeped in artifacts from these former rulers. There are also many monasteries, some of which are now historic hotels. Check out these pousadas and possibly add a stop into your plans at www.pestana.com.
Hilltown of Monseraz in Alentejo, Portugal
Add Seville or other towns in Andadulcia (2-4 days)~
Seville is the capital and largest city of the region of Andalusia and the province of Seville. Andalusia has an extensive history and other breathtaking locations such as Granada, Cordoba, and Ronda. Malaga is another town that sprawls along the coast. The Rock of Gibraltar is only two hours away and may be worth the trip as well.
Seville is situated on the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Its old town contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alcázar palace complex, the Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies.
The St. Mary of the See Cathedral was built from 1401 to 1519 after the Reconquista on the former site of the city’s mosque. It is the third-largest cathedral in the world. The interior is lavishly decorated, with a large quantity of gold. La Giralda is a tower attached to the Cathedral that dates back to the twelfth century. The Alcázar facing the cathedral was developed from a previous Moorish Palace. Christians keps the incredible architectural features which is called Mudéjar style. The series Game of Thrones has shot many scenes at this location.
Andalucia is so rich in moorish history. Cordoba is well known for Mezquita. It is not only the largest mosque in the entire world, but the largest temple in the world, as well. The building has mammoth dimensions: It stretches across 24,000 square meters and features as many as 856 esthetic columns made of marble, granite, jasper, and other fine materials. Granada has another exquisite moorish building called Alhambra. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. This fortified palace has some of the most intricate detail you will ever see. Malaga is another wonderful city to visit in Andalucia as it is on the coast so it offers an old town and a beach for variety. Ronda is another fortified town with steep, breathtaking cliffs. There is so much to do in this area of Spain, that it is worth adding to your Portugal itinerary if you do not have time. And if you do not have time, consider it as a future trip as it is a short high speed train ride from Madrid.
Seville, Spain