For first timers to Portugal, Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve typically top the โmust-see list.โ With 10 days in Portugal, you have enough time to visit these three places and add on a day trip to Sintra.
In this guide, we lay out a detailed Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve itinerary. We cover the best things to do, how to get around, and more, to make your travel planning easier.
About This Portugal Itinerary
This itinerary is written 2 different ways: as a loop starting and ending with Lisbon and point-to-point, starting in Porto and ending in Lisbon.
The second itinerary is more time efficient, in that it eliminates the travel day between Lisbon and Porto. However, for people flying to Portugal from outside of Europe, it can be more challenging and sometimes more expensive to fly into Porto and out of Lisbon. Most likely, you will find a lot more flight options in and out of Lisbon.
When you do your flight research, look into both: (1) round trip from Lisbon and (2) into Porto and out of Lisbon. If the second option is possible, then follow the second itinerary.
Both itineraries move very fast, so if you can, add another day or two, which gives you more time in Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve, depending on your preferences.
Both itineraries can be done by public transportation and with a rental car. Iโll give the details on how to do this throughout the itineraries.
For more ideas on how to spend 10 days in Portugal, take a look at our Portugal Itinerary guide, which lists 5 itineraries for mainland Portugal.
10 Days in Portugal Itinerary Version 1
Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve
Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon
Day 2: Lisbon
Day 3: Sintra day trip from Lisbon
Day 4: Travel to Porto
Day 5: Porto
Day 6: Porto or Douro Valley day trip
Day 7: Travel to Algarve
Day 8: Algarve
Day 9: Algarve
Day 10: Return to Lisbon
10 Days in Portugal Map: Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and return to Lisbon
Portugal Itinerary Day 1: Lisbon
Arrive in Lisbon, ideally as early in the day as possible. This gives you almost 2 full days to visit the main sights in the city.
I recommend spending your time in the heart of the city. Get started at Praรงa do Comรฉrcio, visit the Lisbon cathedral, stroll through the picturesque Alfama neighborhood, and tour Sรฃo Jorge Castle. End the day in the Bairro Alto neighborhood with dinner and sunset views from Miradouro de Sรฃo Pedro de Alcantara.
Praรงa do Comรฉrcio
The view from Miradouro das Portas do Sol in Alfama
For a full list of things to do, read our Lisbon Bucket List. In our Lisbon Hotel Guide, find the perfect place to stay in Lisbon.
Lisbon City Guides
Here are a few city guides on Lisbon with more information about things to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Portugal Itinerary Day 2: Lisbon
In the morning, head to Belรฉm. There are a few big sights to see here: Jerรณnimos Monastery, Belรฉm Tower, and the amazing views from the Monument of Discoveries. Top it off with a sweet treat, snacking on Pastel de Nata from the restaurant with the original recipe.
Start at Jerรณnimos Monastery, getting here at or a little before opening time. This monastery is one of the most popular places to visit in Lisbon so lines can be very long. Then visit Belรฉm Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Fabrica de Pasteis de Belรฉm.
Jerรณnimos Monastery
Belรฉm Tower | 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary
Have a late lunch in the nearby LX Factory. This trendy spot is a revitalized textile industrial complex in Lisbon. This collection of warehouses has been renovated and converted into space for more than 50 shops, restaurants, and bars.
In the afternoon, head back to the Lisbon city center. Watch or ride the Bica Funicular climb the hilly streets (this is one of Lisbonโs most famous photography locations), take a photo at Pink Street, and have dinner at the Time Out Market or one of Lisbonโs long list of fantastic restaurants.
Bica Funicular
Portugal Itinerary Day 3: Sintra Day Trip
Visiting the palaces and castles in Sintra is the #1 day trip from Lisbon. In one day, you can visit 3 to 5 palaces and castles, or split your time between the palaces and the coastal sites. Sintra is easy to visit using public transportation, so there is no need to rent a car.
From the town of Sintra, you can visit:
- Pena Palace
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Castle of the Moors
- The National Palace of Sintra
- Monserrate Palace
This area is also home to a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Places to visit here include Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of continental Europe), Azenhas do Mar, Praia da Ursa, and Praia das Maรงas.
The Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira | 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary
Pena Palace
Castle of the Moors
Praia da Ursa
Plan Your Sintra Day Trip
We have two detailed guides on Sintra, one that covers the top sights and a second guide which covers the logistics on how to get to Sintra and how to get around.
If you prefer to do this by tour, this tour includes Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate Palace and this tour includes Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.
Tonight, sleep in Lisbon.
Portugal Itinerary Day 4: Travel to Porto
Porto is located 300 km north of Lisbon. It is smaller than Lisbon, home to hilly scenic streets and amazing views of the Douro River. Porto is where port wine is aged. Visiting the wine lodges for port wine tastings and tours is one of the most popular things to do in Porto.
You can get to Porto by car and by train. In about 3 hours, the high-speed train (the Alfa Pendular) connects Lisbon and Porto. You can travel directly to Porto using this train, which gives you time in the morning for Lisbon or time in the afternoon for Porto.
By car, it takes just over 3 hours to drive to Porto. As with the train, you can drive directly to Porto, or stop at a handful of historical sites or landmarks on the journey.
It is possible to visit some of these places below using the train or buses, but luggage storage becomes an issue. In my research, Coimbra train station has a luggage storage facility. I could not find any luggage storage options in รbidos, Nazarรฉ, or Fรกtima. So, if you want to visit any of the places listed below, with the exception of Coimbra, it is best to rent a car.
Top Places to Visit between Lisbon and Porto
รbidos. This small, walled medieval town is super fun to explore. Walk the castle walls, go shopping, and have lunch. A few hours are all you need. Plan your visit with our Guide to รbidos.
รbidos
Nazarรฉ. This seaside town is famous for its giant waves. The best time to see these waves is between October and March. Itโs only worth adding on Nazarรฉ if you will be in Portugal in the winter, when you have the best chances of seeing these waves. Learn more in our Guide to Nazarรฉ.
Nazarรฉ | R. M. Nunes/shutterstock.com
Alcobaรงa Monastery, Batalha Monastery and Fรกtima. These three sites are located relatively close to one another, just east of Nazarรฉ. To visit Alcobaรงa and Batalha Monastery, youโll need a car.
Alcobaรงa Monastery
Coimbra. Coimbra is an ancient Roman city and it is famous for its university, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is easy to add on to the journey between Lisbon and Porto by train and rental car. Here are the best things to do in Coimbra and how to plan your visit.
Coimbra | 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Of the places listed above, รbidos is the most interesting, in our opinion. If you are interested in historical sites, you could also quickly visit Alcobaรงa Monastery or Batalha Monastery. However, I think it is worthwhile to get to Porto by early to mid-afternoon, so you have enough time for dinner and see a little bit of the city.
Once in Porto, check into your hotel. We have hotel and restaurant recommendations in our Porto Travel Guide. You will spend 3 nights in Porto.
If you have any free time in the afternoon or evening, stroll along the riverfront, watch the sunset from Dom Luis I Bridge (where the header photo for this guide was taken), and have dinner.
Portugal Itinerary Days 5 & 6: Porto
On this itinerary, you have two full days in Porto. There are two ways to spend your time.
Option #1 would be to spend all of that time in Porto. With 2 days in Porto, you have plenty of time to see the highlights plus spend half to a full day port tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia. Learn how to do this in our 2 Days in Porto Itinerary.
Porto
Lunch or dinner at Vinum is one of the best dining experiences in Porto
View from the Porto Cathedral
Option #2 is to spend one busy day in Porto and one day on a day trip to the nearby towns of Guimarรฃes and Braga OR the Douro Valley. We have a detailed one day Porto itinerary that covers the highlights of Porto.
Day tripping to Braga and Guimarรฃes is a good option for those who donโt have a big interest in port wine tastings and those who like the idea of strolling through a lovely historic town (Guimarรฃes) and visiting Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga. We cover this day trip option in our Guide to Guimarรฃes and our Guide to Braga and Bom Jesus do Monte.
Guimarรฃes | 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary
Bom Jesus do Monte
Day tripping to the Douro Valley is perfect for wine aficionados, as long as you donโt mind giving up the port tastings in Porto. To day trip to the Douro Valley, you can do it independently if you have a rental car. If not, the best option is to take a tour, such as this highly rated tour from Porto that includes wine tastings, a boat ride, and lunch in the Douro Valley. We cover exactly how to do this in our article How to Day Trip to the Douro Valley from Porto.
Douro Valley
If you decide to take the day trip option, learn how to plan your time in Porto with our 1 Day in Porto Itinerary.
Porto City Guides
Here are a few city guides on Porto with more information about things to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Portugal Itinerary Day 7: Travel to the Algarve
Today is a big travel day. You have three options for getting to the Algarve: car, train, or plane.
The train is fast, budget friendly, and eco-friendly. It takes about 6 hours to travel from Porto to Albufeira and Faro on the high-speed train. Once in the Algarve, you can rent a car for the next three days or get around using public transportation.
Itโs possible to stay in one convenient location (such as Albufeira or Lagos) and use the buses and Uber (or another ride share app) to get around, negating the need to rent a car. There are also a lot of tours that leave from these towns, which also make it easy to spend a few days in the Algarve without renting a car.
Flights are relatively cheap. There are direct flights between Porto and Faro. If you account for travel time (direct flights take just over one hour) and airport check in time, it takes about 4 hours to get to Faro. Itโs the fastest option but it has the highest carbon footprint.
Finally, you can drive to the Algarve, which takes about 5 hours. You have the option to stop at one of the places listed on day 4 of this itinerary but I recommend heading directly to the Algarve. If you leave early, you can spend late afternoon on the beach, giving you a little more beach time.
You will spend 3 nights in the Algarve. For suggestions on where to stay (both the best towns and the best hotels), take a look at our Algarve Hotel Guide.
Portugal Itinerary Days 8 & 9: The Algarve
Spend two wonderful days in the Algarve. Relax on the beaches, take a boat tour of Benagil Cave, walk the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (one of the most beautiful walks in Europe), and/or visit Ponta da Piedade.
Algarve Travel Guides
To help you plan your trip to the Algarve, we have these guides:
Camilo Beach
Marinha Beach
Portugal Itinerary Day 10: Return to Lisbon
Today, return to Lisbon for a flight home or to travel to your next destination.
It is roughly a 2.5-hour drive or a 3-hour train ride from Faro to get to Lisbon. Spend the day on the beach and then drive/take the train to Lisbon in the evening, if you want more beach time. Or make the drive first thing, if there is more you want to see and do in Lisbon.
If your flight leaves from Lisbon today, either leave the Algarve very early in the morning or travel to Lisbon the night of day 9.
Itโs also worth researching flights home from Faro, as this could give you more time in the Algarve, versus driving back to Lisbon.
10 Days in Portugal Itinerary Version 2
Porto, the Algarve & Lisbon
Porto, the Algarve & Lisbon Itinerary
Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Porto
Day 3: More Time in Porto or a Porto Day Trip
Day 4: Travel to the Algarve
Day 5: The Algarve
Day 6: The Algarve
Day 7: The Algarve
Day 8: Lisbon
Day 9: Lisbon Day Trip
Day 10: Lisbon
10 Days in Portugal Map: Porto, the Algarve, and Lisbon
This second itinerary starts in Porto and ends in Lisbon. If you prefer this itinerary, checking flight options should be your first step in your travel planning process.
The big difference in this itinerary is that you eliminate the day of travel between Lisbon and Porto. Thatโs both good and bad, depending on your preferences.
Itโs bad because it eliminates the possibility of visiting รbidos and other places as you travel from Lisbon to Porto.
Itโs good because gives you an extra day, which you can use in the Algarve or in Lisbon. I put that extra time in the Algarve, which still gives you a day and a half in Lisbon, plus the day to visit Sintra.
If you prefer to do a second day trip from Lisbon (there are a lot of great day trip options, with รbidos, the Sintra coastline, Cascais, Fatima, and historical sites such as Mafra National Palace and Alcobaรงa Monastery), the take a day from the Algarve and return to Lisbon on day 7.
Below is a brief overview of the itinerary. Many of these days are provided in more detail in the first itinerary.
Days 1, 2 & 3: Porto
Arrive in Porto. You have almost two full days to explore Porto and an additional day to day trip to the Douro Valley OR Braga and Guimarรฃes.
Day 4: Travel to the Algarve
Travel to the Algarve by train, car, or plane. The specifics of this are listed in day 7 of the first itinerary.
Days 5, 6 & 7: The Algarve
On this itinerary, you have three full days in the Algarve. The evening of day 7, you can travel to Lisbon, to give you more time in Lisbon, if you prefer that option.
Day 8: Travel to Lisbon
First thing in the morning, check out of your hotel in the Algarve and travel to Lisbon by car or train. Spend the afternoon in Lisbon, following recommendations from day 1 of the first itinerary.
Day 9: Sintra Day Trip
Today, day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, following suggestions of day 3 in the first itinerary.
Day 10: Lisbon
This itinerary ends with one full, busy day in Lisbon. Get recommendations on what to see and do in our Lisbon Bucket List and day 2 of the first itinerary. Of course, you can switch the order, spending day 9 in Lisbon and day 10 on a day trip to Sintra.
Portugal Itinerary: With Less Time
If you have less time, it gets very hard to shorten this itinerary. Because of the travel times between Lisbon and Porto and Porto and the Algarve, it gets tough to take a day from either Porto or the Algarve, and still make it worth the travel time to get to them. So, if you have less than 10 days, give up Lisbon, Porto, OR the Algarve.
How to Get Around Portugal
There is a very handy network of buses and trains in Portugal. You can get to most towns and cities using public transportation. There are a few areas where having a car is ideal, such as the Douro Valley, the Algarve, and eastern Portugal, where the public transportation network is not as extensive.
There are two types of trains in Portugal: the high-speed Alfa Pendular trains and the slower regional trains. The Alfa Pendular train is a great way to connect cities that sit far apart, such as Lisbon to Porto, Lisbon to the Algarve (Albufeira and Lagos), and Porto to the Algarve.
Learn more about the trains on the official website (which is very easy to use) and Rail Ninja (which has a lot of useful information about using the trains in Portugal).
The regional buses are very useful for day trips from Lisbon and Porto as well as getting around the Algarve if you donโt have a car.
Having a rental car is great for exploring the areas outside of Lisbon and Porto. These two cities are challenging to drive in, and a car is not necessary to get around these cities, so if you will be spending most of your time in Lisbon and Porto, there is no need to rent a car.
Having a rental car is beneficial if you plan to visit the Algarve, the Douro Valley, and eastern Portugal.
For information on renting a car, including rental car fees, drop fees, and things to know ahead of time, take a look at our article Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe.
Praia da Falรฉsia, Algarve
Average Trip Costs
Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times).
Hotel Costs:
Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 – $150
Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 – $250
Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $300+
These are the prices for standard double rooms for each hotel class. Many hotels offer suites, rooms with a view, or apartments, and these will be more expensive than the price for a double room.
More Trip Costs
Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $30 to $125, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time.
Meals: Meals cost $8 to $25 per dish, depending on the restaurant. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner.
Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day per person for miscellaneous fees, such as a short taxi, souvenirs, etc.
Designing Your Own Portugal Itinerary
This Portugal itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. If you haven’t seen it yet, we also have a 10 Day Portugal Itinerary that lists 5 ways to plan a trip through Portugal. If you have more than 10 days, take a look at our 2 week Portugal Itinerary, which includes Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and a handful of small towns on mainland Portugal.
For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article:
7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe
To see all of our articles about Portugal, take a look at our Portugal Travel Guide. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page.
If you have any questions about this 10 days in Portugal Itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.
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