The Ultimate 10 Day Portugal Itinerary

I found 10 days in Portugal to be the perfect amount of time to explore the country for the first time. Here’s how I spent my time exploring:

Days 1-3: Porto

This northern city had more to offer than I was expecting. I spent the first morning down by Porto’s iconic waterfront and watched the city slowly come to life. I enjoyed wandering down cobblestoned streets, popping into shops, and passing by street art on nearly every corner.

While you’re in Porto you’ll also want to check at Sao Bento station. This train station is lined with beautiful blue azulejos and arched doorways. This town is also home to several churches (or igregas). I went to Porto Cathedral and also climbed Clerigos Tower to get one of the best views of the city.

Be sure to set aside a day to visit the Douro Valley. After an hour and a half drive from the city, you’ll be greeted by terraced mountains everywhere you look, and of course, world famous wine. If you decide not to rent a car, booking a guided tour is a great idea. The tour I joined actually picked me up from my hostel and included stops at two separate wineries and a boat tour of the Douro river.

On my last morning in Porto, I booked a last minute tour of Palicio da Bolsa. If you love history and stunning architecture like me, be sure to fit this into your plans. This old bank, and now functional government building, is not a main tourist attraction but ended up being one of my favorite stops in Porto.

Other highlights in this city that I didn’t visit include the famous Livraria Lello bookstore (said to inspire Harry Potter) and Cafe Majestica. You’ll want to plan ahead for these two stops as they are popular tourist destinations. Be prepared to wait in line and consider getting tickets ahead of time.

Days 4-7: Lisbon

I originally only planned on spending 2 days in the country’s capital; however, I am so glad I adjusted my schedule and allowed for more time in Lisbon.

Highlights in Lisbon included Pink Street, Time Out Market, and the LX Factory. Castelo de S. Jorge was also a worthwhile stop. This castle gives you a birds eye view of the city. Speaking of birds, you may cross paths with peacocks roaming the castle grounds.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, plan on taking a day trip from Lisbon. I spent a day exploring old castles about 1 hour west of Lisbon. During the off-season a line was still formed to get into the castle. I heard that during peak tourism season, lines can take hours. Also keep in mind travel time. It took me about 1.5 hours via the metro system. Make sure to carve out plenty of time to explore the handful of castles in this area. I took a tuk tuk ride from Sintra to another local castle, Quinta da Regaleira. Its famous Initiation Well, a series of underground caves and tunnels, and lush gardens were reminiscent of the Jungle Book or even the Secret Garden. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to explore this area. One can only visit so many castle ruins, so I continued my day by exploring the west coast of Portugal. Ate some delicious seafood, hiked up a mountainside, and was rewarded with sea cliff views.

Days 8-10: Lagos/Algarve

Ending your epic 10 day adventure in a quiet coastal town is never a bad idea. Spend your last few days in Portugal exploring the world renowned beaches and dining on delicious seafood. There are endless miles of coastal cliffs, crystal blue water, and pristine beaches. Benagil Cave is also found in this area. Locals rave about the seafood cooked up in this region, especially the sardines during the peak season. Check out my next post “A Guide to Visiting Portugal in the Winter” for more details-coming soon!

How to get around?

Uber was very affordable and generally the fastest and most convenient option. When I didn’t Uber, I took the metro system. You can purchase a prepaid card at most metro stations.

If neither of these options are for you, try downloading the app Bolt (similar to Lime or Bird in the States). Plenty of their bikes and scooters are scattered around the major cities and give your feet a break from all of the walking you’re likely going to do.

Book train tickets in advance to travel from city to city within the country. I enjoyed this part of my travels because it offered a way to see parts of the country that I would have missed had I taken a plane.

Safety?

For my POC friends: I found Lisbon to be the most diverse in most aspects like race, culture, and age. There is a wonderful blogger who has great advice linked here: https://www.somtoseeks.com/

For my LGBTQ+ friends: Same sex marriage was decriminalized in the 1980’s and legalized in 2010. Check out this article: https://www.portugal.com/lifestyle/lgbt-guide-to-portugal/

In my upcoming posts I’ll be diving into the nitty gritty of each city. Let me know if there are any details you’d like to know!