Portugal 7 days itinerary

Traveling to Portugal for a week but not sure where to go? Help is at hand in this day-by day-Portugal itinerary for 7 days. Covering culture and cuisine in Lisbon and Coimbra, through to wining and dining in style in the Douro Valley and Porto, it delivers a thoroughly satisfying taste of the country through just having 1 week in Portugal.

7 days in Portugal overview

If you're planning a trip to Portugal and wondering how to spend a week, this 7-day itinerary covers the highlights. From historic cities to stunning coastlines, it offers a perfect mix of culture, scenery, and food. Here's an overview, followed by a day-by-day breakdown to help you make the most of your

• Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon
• Day 2: Explore Lisbon
• Day 3: Day trip to Sintra
• Day 4: Travel from Lisbon to Coimbra and explore
• Day 5: Travel from Coimbra to Porto and explore the Ribeira district
• Day 6: Day trip to the Douro Valley
• Day 7: Explore Porto

Is 7 days enough in Portugal?

One week in Portugal is enough to connect a few regions without feeling like you’re constantly in transit. A common route is a few nights in Lisbon, a stop in the Alentejo or Coimbra, and some time on the southern coast. You could also keep the focus on the north with Porto, the Douro Valley, and a smaller inland town. 

Trains cover most major routes, but if you’re heading into rural areas or beach towns, renting a car makes things easier. It’s a manageable country to move around, so you can cover some ground and still have time to slow down. Here's how Portugal trips compare by length:

*Indicative price per person for a fully arranged tailor-made trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon

We touched down in Lisbon, one of Europe’s oldest cities, with a history dating back centuries before London, Paris, and Rome. Spanning seven hills, Lisbon has quite a story – it even survived a massive earthquake in 1755. What you see today is a unique blend of rebuilt 18th-century grandeur and ancient streets that escaped the destruction.

You’ll want to skip the overpriced airport taxis and opt for the metro to the city center instead – it's clean, efficient, and only takes 20 minutes. We decided to grab a Viva Viagem card as soon as we arrived. It’s a convenient pass for all public transport, including Lisbon’s famous yellow Tram 28. 

Where to stay in Lisbon

Here are some of our favorite neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon. 

• Chiado: We chose Chiado, Lisbon’s chic center. My mornings started with coffee at the art deco Café A Brasileira, and our apartment was just steps from the historic Livraria Bertrand bookstore. Across our whole 7 days in Portugal, this might have been our favorite accommodation location.
• Alfama: My second choice was Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. I stopped by to explore, and with Fado music flowing from Clube de Fado and Parreirinha de Alfama, I almost wished we’d stayed here.
• Bairro Alto: Perfect for night owls! We checked out Pavilhão Chinês, an eclectic bar brimming with vintage decor. I was glad we didn’t stay here, though – it gets pretty lively after 10 p.m.
• Príncipe Real: We nearly booked here for the antique shops. Embaixada, a converted Arabian palace, was stunning – we spent an afternoon exploring its boutiques.

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Day 2: Lisbon

After experiencing Lisbon in both hot August and mild April, I’d say the ideal time to visit is March to May or September to October. The weather is perfect, and you’ll be able to wander around without a ton of crowds. All the better if you're planning to devote a chunk of your Portugal trip to attractions that draw big crowds.

Our first stop was Pastéis de Belém, the birthplace of Portugal's famous custard tarts (trying one is known to be one of the best things to do in Lisbon). The recipe, created by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in 1837, remains unchanged and secret. In fact, only three people know it today. While you can find pastel de nata throughout Portugal, this is the original and only place you can taste the authentic Pastéis de Belém.

For Belém, take Tram 15E from Praça do Comércio. It runs every 10-15 minutes and takes about 25 minutes to reach the monastery. If your looking for unusual things to do? Discover things to do off the tourist trail in Lisbon.

Things to do in Lisbon

For lunch, skip the overly touristy Time Out Market. Instead, head to Zé dos Cornos, a tiny family-run tasca in Mouraria. Try the bacalhau à brás if you can; it’s the best in the city, but they only make a limited amount each day. For more foodie inspo, be sure to see our guide to the best places to eat in Lisbon.

Later, we rode the historic Elevator de Santa Justa and ended our day at my favorite discovery: Park Bar, a hidden rooftop garden atop a parking garage. We lucked out and happened to time our visit at sunset, and it was beautiful. 

Day 3: Sintra day trip

Travel time: 40-minute train ride

The journey to Sintra is stunning, especially at sunrise. While there are a few steps along the way, it’s an easy route, and there’s usually a group of tourists heading in the same direction. This was one of the highlights of our 7 days Portugal itinerary.

• Take the train from Rossio Station (green metro line to Rossio)
• Buy tickets from the dedicated Sintra-line window or machines
• Once in Sintra, take bus 434 - it's a circular tourist bus that connects the town to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle
• Buy your bus ticket onboard - they accept cash only
• The bus follows a one-way loop: Sintra Station → Town Center → Moorish Castle → Pena Palace → Back to town

Things to see in Sintra

• Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle): Our first stop was this 8th-century castle, built by the Moors to guard the Atlantic coast and Lisbon’s harbor. Its ancient walls stretch along the mountaintop like a mini “Great Wall of Portugal.” The climb is mostly stairs but totally worth it for the foggy views over Sintra.
• Pena Palace: This is Portugal’s ultimate Romantic architecture gem. Built in 1854 by King Ferdinand II, it’s a blend of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Renaissance styles—a true reflection of 19th-century eclecticism. Book your time slot in advance, and come early to dodge the selfie crowds.
• Quinta da Regaleira: This estate is the whimsical creation of António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, an eccentric millionaire with a passion for alchemy and masonry. The highlight here is the Initiatic Well, an iconic spiral staircase descending into the earth —  truly a unique sight.

Day 4: Travel from Lisbon to Coimbra

Travel time: approximately 2-hour train ride 

Take a morning train from Lisbon to Coimbra, with departures available from either Lisboa Santa Apolónia or Lisboa Oriente stations. 

Coimbra, Portugal's medieval capital (from 1131 to 1255), still has the lively energy of its university, founded in 1290. This is one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. For history lovers, visiting this city is likely to be a high point of your 7 days in Portugal.

Things to do in Coimbra

Start your day at the University of Coimbra, one of Europe’s oldest universities. The highlight is the Biblioteca Joanina, an ornate Baroque library filled with centuries-old books and gilded woodwork.

The library's unique preservation system includes a colony of bats that emerge at night to eat insects that could damage the books.

Another must-see is the Old Cathedral (Sé Velha), one of Portugal's best examples of Romanesque architecture. Built in the 12th century, its fortress-like exterior and intricately carved portals reflect Coimbra’s medieval past.

Where to stay in Coimbra

Here are some favorite neighborhoods to consider for your stay:

• Alta: The historic upper town, where students keep centuries-old traditions alive. The student capes here even inspired the Harry Potter costumes when J.K. Rowling lived in Portugal.
• Baixa: The lower town, developed in medieval times as a bustling commercial area. It’s also home to the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where Portugal’s first king is buried.
• Santa Clara: Across the river, this area is centered around the Poor Clare’s Monastery, where Queen Isabel is said to have performed the “miracle of roses,” a story central to Portuguese culture.

Day 5: Travel from Coimbra to Porto

Travel time: morning train to Porto (approx. 1 hour).

Porto, Portugal's unvarnished second city, wears its history proudly. The historic Ribeira district tumbles down to the Douro River, where port wine barrels have been transported for centuries. This is a must-stop on this 7 days Portugal itinerary.

Metro tickets in Porto work differently from Lisbon, so we opted to buy Andante cards for public transport. Walking is the best way to explore city centers, but trams and funiculars save your legs on Porto's hills (and at this point in this Portugal itinerary, we could use the break).

Things to do in Porto

We spent our first afternoon getting lost in Ribeira's maze of staircases. The Escadas do Codeçal gave us our favorite views of the trip.  Along the way, we found Mercearia das Flores, a cozy grocery store turned wine bar, where we stopped for a break. 

We made sure to time our walk across the double-decker Dom Luís I Bridge for sunset. Definitely use the upper deck for the best photos.

Where to stay in Porto

Here's a quick overlook of our favorite neighborhoods; for a more in-depth look, see our full guide to the best places to stay in Porto.

• Ribeira: UNESCO-protected since 1996, Ribeira is the beating heart of Porto. Its medieval streets, once home to shipbuilders and merchants, are still alive with multicolored houses and clotheslines. It’s a close-knit, working neighborhood where many families have lived for generations.
• Cedofeita: Originally centered around the Romanesque Capela de Cedofeita, this area evolved during Porto’s industrial boom. Today, the old factories and workshops have been repurposed as art galleries and creative studios, giving the neighborhood a fresh, artsy feel.
• Foz do Douro: Where the Douro River meets the Atlantic, Foz do Douro was once a fishing village. In the 19th century, wealthy merchants built their summer homes here to escape the heat. It’s a charming spot for those looking to stay near the sea and enjoy Porto’s cooler breezes.

Day 6: Day trip to the Douro Valley

Travel time: approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes by train from Porto to Pinhão

The Douro Valley, Portugal’s top wine region, is stunningly scenic and divided into three sections: Baixo Corgo (lower), Alto Corgo (upper), and Douro Superior (eastern). Pinhão, located in the scenic Alto Corgo area, is a charming gateway into port wine country and one of the prettiest villages we have ever visited. Even the train station here is a sight to see, decorated with beautiful azulejo tiles showing scenes of the grape harvest. 

Things to do in the Douro Valley

You can explore the Douro Valley in a few ways: by riding the historic Linha do Douro railway from Porto to Pocinho, driving along the scenic N222 road, or taking a peaceful boat cruise on the Douro River. This region is the world’s only major wine region where all harvesting is done by hand due to the steep, terraced hills, which have been carved out of schist rock over generations.

For panoramic views, head to the Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura. This viewpoint shows off the landscapes that earned the Douro its UNESCO status. To reach it, you can hire a taxi from Pinhão (around €30 round trip) or join a wine tour that includes it.

Other highlights include Lake Tua, which reflects the surrounding mountains. We stopped at Provesende, a traditional village where centuries-old customs like communal bread baking are still practiced today.  This can be a great place to explore (see our pick of the best hikes in Portugal).

Day 7: Porto

We dedicated the last day of our 1 week in Portugal to exploring more of Porto and honestly, we could have stayed even longer! 

If you're considering an extended visit, grab the Porto Card with transport if you're staying for 3+ days—it includes unlimited public transport and free entry to several museums.

Things to do in Porto on your second day

Start early at Clérigos Tower on the last day of your Portugal trip. We tackled its 225 steps before 10 a.m. to beat the lines. 

This 76-meter baroque bell tower has been a landmark for ships coming into the Douro since the 18th century, and the morning light made the climb worth every step.

From there, we went to Bolsa Palace nearby. The highlight was the Arab Room, with its breathtaking 18 kg of gold leaf decor. We booked the first English tour of the day in advance since these tours often sell out.

For our grand finale of this 7 days Portugal itinerary, we traveled across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia at Graham's Port Lodge.  Their vintage room houses ports dating back to 1868, aging in massive oak barrels just as they have since British merchants established their warehouses here in the 18th century. 

We splurged on a tasting, and it was definitely worth it for rounding off our one week in Portugal in memorable style.

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