A 7-Day Itinerary Through Portugal: From Castles to Coastlines
- Sam Truett
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Portugal is a country where every hilltop holds a fortress, every cobblestone street tells a story, and every sunset feels touched by history. It’s small enough to explore in a week but rich enough to leave you wanting more. This seven-day itinerary takes you from Lisbon’s bustling heart to the vineyards of the Douro Valley and the windswept cliffs of the Algarve.
Day 1 – Arrival in Lisbon: The City of Discoveries
Start your journey in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and one of Europe’s oldest cities. Check into a hotel or guesthouse in the historic Alfama or Baixa district.
Spend the afternoon riding the yellow Tram 28, which winds through narrow streets lined with tiled buildings. Stop at Sé Cathedral, São Jorge Castle, and one of Lisbon’s scenic overlooks, known as miradouros, for views that stretch to the Tagus River.
In the evening, have dinner in Alfama with live Fado music, the soulful soundtrack of Portugal. Try bacalhau, the country’s famous cod dish, and raise a glass of vinho verde to the start of your adventure.
Day 2 – Belém and the Age of Exploration
Dedicate your second day to Belém, the district that launched Portugal’s great explorers. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, then walk along the river to the Belém Tower, where ships once departed for the New World.
Don’t leave without tasting a warm pastel de nata from Pastéis de Belém, a custard tart that has been made here for centuries.
In the afternoon, explore Lisbon’s LX Factory, a creative hub in an old industrial complex filled with cafés, bookstores, and art galleries.
Day 3 – Sintra’s Fairytale Palaces
Take a short train ride from Lisbon to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like a dream. Visit the colorful Pena Palace perched high above the town, then wander through the romantic ruins of the Moorish Castle.
Spend the afternoon at Quinta da Regaleira, where underground tunnels, towers, and secret symbolism make it one of Portugal’s most mysterious places.
Return to Lisbon for the night or stay in Sintra to experience its quiet, misty evenings once the day-trippers have gone.
Day 4 – Coimbra: The City of Students
Head north to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. The University of Coimbra is a treasure of Portuguese culture, with its Baroque Joanina Library and sweeping views over the city.
Walk through the narrow lanes of the old town and stop for coffee along the Mondego River. Coimbra’s energy is young, but its stones whisper centuries of academic history.
Stay overnight before continuing north toward the Douro Valley.
Day 5 – The Douro Valley: Vineyards and River Views
Today is for wine and scenery. The Douro Valley, with its terraced vineyards carved into the hillsides, is one of the most beautiful regions in Europe.
Take a river cruise from Peso da Régua or Pinhão, or drive along the winding roads that follow the Douro River. Visit a quintã, or family-run vineyard, to learn about Port wine production and sample a few varieties straight from the source.
Spend the night overlooking the valley, where twilight settles softly over the vines.
Day 6 – Porto: The City of Bridges
Make your way to Porto, a city that feels both elegant and weathered, where tiled facades and steep streets meet the Atlantic wind. Start in the Ribeira district, a colorful stretch of riverfront cafés and shops. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridgefor panoramic views, then tour one of the historic Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Visit the Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, and step inside São Bento Station, where the walls are covered in blue-and-white tiles that tell Portugal’s story in pictures.
Dinner should be hearty—try the local sandwich called francesinha, best enjoyed with a cold beer.
Day 7 – The Algarve: Cliffs, Coves, and Coastal Charm
For your final day, fly or drive south to the Algarve, Portugal’s sun-soaked coast. Visit Lagos or Albufeira, where golden cliffs rise above turquoise waters.
Take a boat trip through the Benagil Cave, one of the most photographed spots in the country, and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach. The Algarve has its share of history too. In Sagres, you can stand at the Fortaleza de Sagres, once the edge of the known world where Prince Henry the Navigator began his maritime school.
End your journey with seafood by the water as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.
A Journey Through Time and Place
A week in Portugal may not be enough to see it all, but it gives you a taste of its incredible variety. From Lisbon’s discovery-era monuments to the vineyards of the Douro and the cliffs of the Algarve, every corner has a story.
Portugal rewards the traveler who slows down, listens, and looks closely. You’ll leave with more than photos. You’ll leave with a sense of how history and beauty live side by side here.
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