Two Weeks in Portugal Itinerary: With & Without a Car

We spent five weeks road tripping through mainland Portugal and this itinerary includes what we think are the best places to visit in Portugal. It is a mix of well-known cities like Porto and Lisbon, plus a few gems such as Monsanto and Guimarães.

This itinerary is geared toward those planning their first trip to Portugal, since it includes Portugal’s main cities, but with 14 days in Portugal, you have just enough time to add in a few smaller towns. These towns just may be the highlights of your trip.

About this Portugal Itinerary

This itinerary is written two different ways: as a road trip and using public transportation. Renting a car has advantages and disadvantages. Having a car makes it easier to visit Portugal’s smaller towns, the Douro Valley, and the Algarve, so if you like the idea of having a little more freedom, renting a car is the way to go. However, you will have the hassles of parking and driving which can be a bit challenging in cities like Lisbon and Porto.

First, we list the main Portugal itinerary, which is done with a rental car. Next, we list a very similar itinerary that can be done by public transportation.

This itinerary is done as a loop, starting and ending in Lisbon. This makes it easy to plan flights and to avoid a drop fee if you choose to rent a car. However, it is also possible to fly out of Faro, which saves you travel time back to Lisbon. When you do your flight research, you could look into flying into Lisbon and out of Faro.

This itinerary can be done all year, but the best times are from May through June and mid-September through the end of October, when the weather is pleasant (not too hot or too cold). On our visit to Portugal, we were here from mid-September through mid-October and had a fantastic experience: warm, sunny weather for most days. It was actually the warmest in the Douro Valley, with temperatures spiking up to 35°C/95°F, which really surprised us (we were there in early October!).

We have a wealth of information about Portugal, which you can see in our Portugal Travel Guide. In this itinerary, I will frequently give links to our other posts, which has much more detailed information about each city, including where to eat and stay and detailed daily itineraries.

Porto, Portugal

Is Two Weeks in Portugal Enough Time?

Two weeks in Portugal gives you just enough time to visit the most popular places on the mainland, which are Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. There is also enough time that you can add on a few more important places, such as the palaces of Sintra and the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage wine region, plus a few of Portugal’s smaller, charming towns.

But to truly explore Portugal, you will need a lot more than two weeks. Three to four weeks on the mainland is ideal, if you like the idea of exploring Portugal’s castles, lesser-known smaller towns, ancient historical and religious sites, and thoroughly exploring the Algarve. Like I said earlier, we spent 5 weeks on mainland Portugal, which allowed us to travel at a leisurely pace and explore many small towns and historical sites not listed in this itinerary.

Madeira, a small island that sits off the coast of Morocco, is well worth at least 5 to 7 days of your time. And you could easily spend 10 to 14 days island hopping in the Azores.

Two Weeks in Portugal Itinerary: Portugal Road Trip

This first itinerary is written as a road trip through mainland Portugal. Rent a car, picking it up and dropping it in Lisbon.

Two weeks in Portugal Itinerary map | map adapted from Google

Portugal Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Lisbon

With two weeks in Portugal, you have plenty of time to spend in Lisbon. On this itinerary, you have three days in Lisbon, plus a fourth day that will be used to day trip to Sintra.

This first day in Lisbon can be challenging, especially for those traveling to Portugal from outside of Europe. I recommend keeping the first day rather light, since you have two full days to tour Lisbon.

Check into your hotel and then spend the afternoon in the heart of the city, strolling through the Chiado neighborhood, having dinner at the Time Out Market, and watching the sunset from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara.

The Bica Funicular in Lisbon

Where to Stay in Lisbon

In our Lisbon Hotel Guide, we cover the best locations, hotels, apartments, and hostels to stay in Lisbon. On this itinerary, you will spend 4 nights in Lisbon.

Portugal Itinerary Days 2 & 3

With two full days in Lisbon, follow our 2 Day Lisbon Itinerary (this link will open in a new tab so you can easily refer back to this itinerary).

Here is an overview of things you will see and do on these two days:

Day 2: City Center of Lisbon

In the morning, visit several of Lisbon’s best viewpoints (Miradouro de Senhora do Monte, Miradouro da Graça, and the bell tower of the Church of Our Lady of Grace) and visit the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the National Pantheon.

After lunch, tour São Jorge Castle, go for a stroll through the Alfama neighborhood, visit the Lisbon Cathedral, Praça do Comércio, and the Baixa neighborhood.

End the day in Bairro Alto and have dinner. We recommend Las Dos Manos.

Alfama | Two weeks in Portugal

Praça do Comércio

Day 3: Belém & Chiado

This itinerary starts in Belém, where you will visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries. In the afternoon, return to Lisbon’s city center to visit a few more must-see sights.

Start the day at Pastéis de Belém, a pastry shop that makes Pastel de Nata using the original recipe handed down from the monks at Jerónimos Monastery. Visit the amazing Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, and Belém Tower.

After lunch at the Time Out Market, go for a quick stroll on Pink Street, ride and photograph the Bica Funicular, visit the Carmo Convent, have an aperitif at Lumi Rooftop, and have dinner.

Jerónimos Monastery

Belém Tower

Dining at Time Out Market

Portugal Itinerary Day 4

Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon

Visiting the palaces and castles in Sintra is a must-do for first timers to Portugal. Taking a day trip to Sintra is very easy to do from Lisbon, with the train connecting Lisbon to Sintra in about 30 minutes.

Once in the town of Sintra, you can visit Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Castle of the Moors, the National Palace of Sintra, and Monserrate Palace. There are also a few coastal sites to visit, such as Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of continental Europe), Azenhas do Mar, Praia da Ursa, and Praia das Maças.

For the list of things to do, plus many more photos, refer to our article Best Things to Do in Sintra.

Refer to our Sintra Day Trip Guide, for multiple ways to plan your day trip, whether you just want to focus on the palaces and castles or split your time between the palaces and the coast.

Pena Palace | Two weeks in Portugal

Palace of Monserrate

Castle of the Moors 

Tonight, sleep in Lisbon.

Portugal Itinerary Day 5

Óbidos & Nazaré

This is where having a rental car comes in handy: visiting small towns between Lisbon and Porto.

Today, visit two of our favorites, Óbidos and Nazaré.

This morning, pick up your rental car, if you haven’t done so yet. Do this as early as possible, to give you the full day today.

From Lisbon, drive to Óbidos (85 km, 1 hour). We love this small town, and it reminded us of the hill towns in Tuscany, Italy. Spend a few hours here, walking the medieval walls, shopping, sipping on ginja, and strolling the picturesque streets. Before leaving Óbidos, have lunch. We recommend Tasca Torta.

Take a look at our article Things to Do in Óbidos for more information.

Óbidos | Two weeks in Portugal

Óbidos

In the afternoon, drive to Nazaré. This coastal city is famous for its enormous waves, making it a surfing mecca from October through March. Walk out to the São Miguel Arcanjo Fort and stroll through town.

Have dinner and check into your hotel in Nazaré. For restaurant and hotel recommendations, and more helpful information about Nazaré, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Nazaré.

On this itinerary, you will spend one night in Nazaré.

R. M. Nunes/shutterstock.com

Portugal Itinerary Day 6

Travel to Porto

Today, travel from Nazaré to Porto. If you drive directly from Nazaré to Porto, it takes about 2 hours to travel the 215 km. This gives you the afternoon in Porto and a full day tomorrow. If you want to spend an hour seeing more of Nazaré before you hit the road, you can do that too.

There are a few places you can visit between Nazaré and Porto. In my opinion, having the afternoon in Porto is ideal, as we enjoyed our time in Porto more than Aveiro, Coimbra, or the historical sites I am about to list. If you are a foodie or a wine lover, go directly to Porto, spending as much time here as you can.

But if you really enjoy visiting historical sites and aren’t into wine or port, then adding on one of these places listed below could be worthwhile for you.

Here are a few places you have the option to visit on today’s drive:

Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries. These two monasteries are located very close to Nazaré. Both are on the Seven Wonders of Portugal and UNESCO World Heritage Sites lists. You can learn more about them in our Seven Wonders of Portugal guide. To visit both of them will take you about 2 to 3 hours total, so you will arrive in Porto mid-afternoon.

Alcobaça Monastery

Fátima and Tomar. These two sites are located farther east of Nazaré. Tomar is home to the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to 1160 and the Portuguese headquarters of the Knights Templar. Fátima is an important pilgrimage site in Portugal. Visiting both of these together will take about half of a day.

Inside the Convent of Christ in Tomar

Coimbra. Coimbra is an ancient Roman city and is famous for being home to one of the oldest academic institutions in the world. The university is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and touring its library is one of the most popular things to do in Coimbra. A visit here lasts half to a full day.

Coimbra | Two weeks in Portugal

Aveiro. Aveiro is a small coastal city in central Portugal. It is known as “the Portuguese Venice” for its canals and waterways, similar to those in Venice, Italy. The top experiences in Aveiro include taking a boat tour through the canals, strolling through the city center, indulging in local pastries, and venturing beyond the city center to the salt flats and Costa Nova do Prado. You can see the highlights in about half of a day, learn how in our Guide to Aveiro.

Aveiro

Afternoon in Porto

What you choose to do on the drive has a big impact on how much time you will have in Porto today. If you drive directly to Porto, you will have almost two full days in the city, so I recommend following our 2 Day Porto Itinerary.

Once you get into Porto, check into your hotel. On this itinerary, you will spend three nights in Porto.

If you arrive in the afternoon, I recommend seeing a few sights in the city center or spending the afternoon in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is the area of Porto that is home to the port wine lodges.

Portugal Itinerary Day 7

Porto

Porto is a beautiful city in Portugal and we found it to be more interesting and enjoyable to visit than Lisbon. Tasting port wine at the ancient wine cellars, sampling the street foods, strolling along the Douro River, and visiting several breathtaking churches were our favorite experiences.

Today I recommend following our One Day in Porto Itinerary. It has two different ways to spend your time so pick the one that looks the most interesting to you.

Porto | Two weeks in Portugal

Dining at Vinum in Porto

Portugal Itinerary Day 8

Braga & Guimarães

Braga and Guimarães are two towns that are located near Porto and together make a wonderful day trip. This is optional (instead, you could spend today in Porto), but we really enjoyed this experience. It’s perfect for those who like the idea of strolling through a lovely historic town (Guimarães) and visiting Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga.

Braga is famous for being home to the oldest cathedral in Portugal. Just outside of Braga is Bom Jesus do Monte, an important Christian pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is fun to photograph and one of Portugal’s iconic sights.

Bom Jesus do Monte

Guimarães is famous for its very picturesque, historic city center, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of our favorite towns in Portugal. Touring the palace, strolling the picturesque streets, and riding the gondola to Penha Park top the list of things to do in Guimarães.

Guimarães | Two weeks in Portugal

Combining these two towns together is very easy to do from Porto, which we cover in our Guide to Guimarães. This will take a full day, but you can be back in Porto in time for dinner.

Spend the night in Porto.

Portugal Itinerary Day 9

Douro Valley

Today, you will say farewell to Porto and head east to the Douro Valley. This is the oldest wine region in the world, famous for its terraced slopes. It is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On this itinerary, you have just one day in the Douro Valley, which is just enough time to tour a few wineries and have a gourmet lunch or dinner. Leave Porto first thing in the morning, arriving in Douro Valley late morning. The Douro Valley is located about 120 km east of Porto and it takes and hour and a half to drive here.

If you arrive by late morning, you can start off with a tour of a winery, have a gourmet lunch (we recommend the Bistro Terrace at Quinta do Tedo or Cozinha da Clara at Quinta de la Rosa), followed by another one to two winery visits in the afternoon. A one hour boat cruise on the Douro River is another popular experience.

In the afternoon, check into your hotel (get hotel recommendations in our Douro Valley Travel Guide). You will spend one night in the Douro Valley.

We spent four days in the Douro Valley, visiting multiple wineries and restaurants, and have several detailed guides to help you plan your visit.

Portugal Itinerary Day 10

Monsanto or Évora

Now it is time to head south, towards the Algarve. You have the option to go straight to the Algarve (from the Douro Valley, it is a 575 km drive that takes five and a half hours) but we have two interesting places where you can stay to break up the drive.

Monsanto

Driving Time and Distance: 230 km, 4 hours

Monsanto is a tiny hilltop town famous for its colossal boulders. Stone houses are sandwiched between and under these boulders, making this one of the most unique villages to visit in Europe.

Monsanto

Strolling these picturesque streets is a popular thing to do but walking the walls of the hilltop fortress and photographing the town from a few lovely viewpoints are also great things to do in Monsanto.

For things to do, recommended hotels, and many more photos, read our Guide to Monsanto.

This is our top pick as a place to visit on the drive between the Douro Valley and the Algarve. Monsanto is very quick to visit, but we recommend spending the night here, since it would be a very long day (but doable) to end in the Algarve.

On the drive between the Douro Valley and Monsanto, you have the option to drive over Serra da Estrela (the highest point on mainland Portugal) and visit Sortelha, another tiny, charming, hidden gem of a town.

Here is the driving route if you choose to add in Serra da Estrela and Sortelha (280 km, 5 hour driving time): Douro Valley -> Serra da Estrela -> Sortelha -> Belmonte (optional for lunch and to quickly visit the Castle of Belmonte) -> Monsanto. Spend the night in Monsanto.

Évora

Évora is a small city located in Alentejo that is famous for its Roman Temple, well-preserved city center, and amazing Chapel of Bones. It is located much farther from the Douro Valley than Monsanto, but it puts you much closer to the Algarve.

There are two driving routes to Évora. The most direct route takes highway A1 and runs past Coimbra and Fatima and takes 4.5 hours (450 km). This is the best option if you want to see the sites in Évora.

Or, take the scenic route (444 km, 6.25 hours). Drive up and over Serra da Estrela, make the optional detour to the Castle of Marvão, and continue to Évora. Allowing additional time for stops, you won’t have much time in Évora today, so you will be choosing Serra da Estrela and Marvão Castle over Évora (in my opinion, the sites in Évora are more worthwhile).

Tonight, sleep in Évora. Refer to our Guide to Évora for recommended hotels and restaurants, plus things to see and do in Évora. You will spend one night in Évora.

Portugal Itinerary Day 11

Drive to the Algarve

In the morning, drive to the Algarve. From Évora, this drive is 200 km/2.5 hours and from Monsanto this drive is 500 km/5 hours.

Once in the Algarve, check into your hotel. You will spend three 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.

Spend the afternoon on the beach and/or visiting the sites near your hotel.

Portugal Itinerary Days 12 & 13

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.

Marinha Beach, located along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Camilo Beach, on the Ponta da Piedade Walk

Portugal Itinerary Day 14

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 from Faro to Lisbon. Spend the day on the beach and then drive 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 13.

It’s also worth researching flights home from Faro, as this could give you more time in the Algarve, versus driving back to Lisbon.

Two Weeks in Portugal Itinerary: By Public Transportation

If you prefer to do a similar itinerary but travel by train and bus, here’s how to do it. There are a few changes to the itinerary above, as it can be very challenging to get to Monsanto and some towns between Lisbon and Porto by public transportation. You will have to give up Monsanto but what you gain is more time in the Algarve.

Even though this itinerary can be done by public transportation, we still recommend renting a car for a few days in the Algarve. Having a car makes it much easier to get around the Algarve, especially to some of the best beaches. We’ll get into this more on that part of the itinerary.

Days 1, 2 & 3: Lisbon

Arrive in Lisbon and spend the afternoon of day 1 and all of days 2 and 3 visiting the top attractions in Lisbon.

Day 4: Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon

Visiting Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon is very easy to do using public transportation. Learn how in our One Day in Sintra Itinerary.

Day 5: Day Trip from Lisbon

This is one of the big changes from the first itinerary. It can be challenging to visit places like Óbidos and Nazaré using public transportation, especially with luggage. But they are easy to visit on a day trip from Lisbon, as you have multiple tour options.

On this day, take your pick from Óbidos, Nazaré, Cascais, the coastal sites in Sintra, Évora, Batalha and Alcobaça Monasteries, and Fátima. For the full list and advice on how to get to them, refer to our article Best Day Trips from Lisbon.

Tonight, sleep in Lisbon.

Cascais | Two weeks in Portugal

Day 6: Travel to Porto

Travel from Lisbon to Porto by train, a journey that takes 3 hours on the high-speed Alfa Pendular train. Here is the link to the official website for the Portugal railway and Rail Ninja also has useful information about traveling by train in Portugal.

Once in Porto, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon in Porto. A good introduction to the city is visiting Cais da Ribeira, the riverfront along the Douro River, having drinks and dinner. For advice on where to stay in Porto, take a look at our Porto Travel Guide. You will spend 4 nights in Porto.

Day 7: Porto

Spend one to two days in Porto (you can spend a second day in Porto rather than taking a day trip to the Douro Valley or Braga and Guimarães).

Day 8: Douro Valley Day Trip

Today, day trip to the Douro Valley. Refer to our article How to Plan a Douro Valley Day Trip to learn more.

Day 9: Braga & Guimarães

Today, day trip to Braga, Bom Jesus do Monte, and Guimarães from Porto. Refer to our guides on Braga and Guimarães on how to do it.

Day 10: Travel to Évora

Travel from Porto to Évora by train (alternatively, you can skip Évora and head directly to the Algarve).

By train, it takes 5 hours with one connection, on the most direct route. Instead, if you plan to go directly to the Algarve, it takes 6 hours.

If you choose to visit Évora, spend the afternoon in Évora and spend the night in Évora. Tomorrow, it will be a 3.5-to-4.5-hour train ride to the Algarve, depending on where you stay in the Algarve.

Days 11, 12 & 13: Algarve

On this itinerary, you have three glorious days in the Algarve. It is possible to get around the Algarve by public transportation, using the buses, trains, and ride share apps to get around. However, this is a very good place to rent a car, which gives you more freedom and flexibility to travel on your own schedule. Cars can be rented from Faro and returned here before traveling back to Lisbon.

Plan your visit to the Algarve with our Algarve Itinerary, our guide to the Best Places to Stay in the Algarve, and our Algarve Bucket List.

Day 14: Return to Lisbon

Return your rental car and travel by train to Lisbon (3-hour train ride). Spend the day on the beach and then the train to Lisbon in the evening, if you want more beach time.

It’s also worth researching flights home from Faro, as this could give you more time in the Algarve, versus traveling back to Lisbon.

Portugal Itinerary: With Less Time

If you don’t have a full two weeks, I recommend taking some time from Lisbon or the Algarve. I also recommend looking at our 10 Day Portugal Itineraries:

• 10 Days in Portugal: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Portugal
• 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon, Porto & 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 don’t 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.

Algar Seco in the 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.

Hotel Reservations

If you follow the first itinerary (the Portugal road trip itinerary), here are the places you will stay, the number of nights, and our guides to recommended hotels:

• Lisbon: 4 nights, Where to Stay in Lisbon
• Nazaré: 1 night, Things to Do in Nazaré
• Porto: 3 nights, Porto Travel Guide
• Douro Valley: 1 night, Douro Valley Travel Guide
• Monsanto: 1 night, Guide to Monsanto
• Évora: 1 night, Guide to Évora
• Algarve: 3 nights, Where to Stay in the Algarve
• Lisbon: 1 night, Where to Stay in Lisbon

Note: You will stay in Monsanto OR Évora, not both of them, unless you modify our itinerary.

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. 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 how to spend two weeks in Portugal or this Portugal road trip itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Portugal & Europe Travel Guides

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