The ultimate 21-day itinerary through Sunny Portugal
Itinerary 12 days Itinerary 17 days
Welcome to Portugal, the land of beautiful landscapes and rich history! With our itinerary, you will discover the whole country. Whether you want to enjoy the sunny beaches, immerse yourself in ancient traditions or enjoy the lively atmosphere of charming cities. Portugal has something for everyone. With its breathtaking coastline, picturesque villages, bustling cities and delicious culinary delights, this is a destination that will capture your heart. Be amazed by the colorful tiles of Lisbon, explore the enchanting palaces of Sintra and discover the charming streets of Porto. Portugal, a destination that you will always remember with a smile.
The Porto and Lisbon City Card
Before you head to Portugal, we recommend ordering the Porto City Card and Lisbon City Card. These cards give you free entry to many attractions, discounts on activities in the two cities for one or more days and benefits such as skip the line. Traveling by public transport in the cities is also included for free. If you plan to do and see a lot during your visit in these cities, the cards will save you a lot of money. We will soon publish an article where you can read all about the Porto City Card. We have already published an extensive article about the Lisbon City Card and what you get in return.
How to get around in Portugal
Discover Portugal with various transport options. You can rent a car for ultimate freedom and flexibility. Explore remote villages and beautiful landscapes at your own pace. Portugal has toll roads, bear this in mind. You can also use the extensive bus and train network, which is affordable and comfortable. An additional advantage is that you can enjoy the beautiful views in peace and quiet. For long distances and saving time, domestic flights are a convenient option. With airports in Lisbon, Porto and Faro, you can easily explore the whole country. We opted for the convenience of a rental car, this gave us the chance to go off the beaten track where necessary. Want to know all about renting a car and other transport options in Portugal? We have conveniently compiled everything in an article and will publish it on our website soon.
How many days do you need for this itinerary
For this itinerary, we recommend 21 days. Do you have a different travel pace? Then you can, for example, spend one day less or more in Porto, Lisbon or the Algarve. So you can play around with your wishes and decide exactly how many days you need at each location.
Tip: Can’t get enough of wonderful Portugal? Then be sure to travel to the beautiful island of Madeira.
Day 1 and 2: Porto
You’ll start the trip in Porto, Portugal’s second largest city and one of the most popular destinations in the country. Porto is located on the Douro River and has one of the oldest historic centres in Europe. Porto is known for its port wine, tasting this drink is a real must in this city! Be sure to visit the Livraria Lello, one of the oldest bookstores in the world. What you should definitely not miss is the Igreja do Carmo. This is a beautiful Baroque church with a facade of Portuguese blue azulejos (tiles). In a soon to publish article we have listed all of the most beautiful sights in Porto for you.
One of the city’s most popular hostels is Selina Porto. This cozy and busy hostel has a very nice atmosphere and is a good place to meet fellow travelers. If you need a little more peace and quiet, we recommend Eurostars Porto Douro, which is located right on the river and has spacious rooms. You can be in the city centre within a five-minute walk.
Tip: Livraria Lello Bookstore is a very popular attraction and there is pretty much always a line outside. The reason is because only a limited number of people are allowed in per day. We recommend that you buy your tickets in advance via the official website or book a guided city tour.
Day 3: Aveiro and Coimbra
Today you travel on to Coimbra, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious university cities. Before you get there, take a small detour to the village of Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal. This is a nice place to leisurely walk around the canals and watch the colourful gondolas. Before driving on, you can have a nice lunch here.
Once in Coimbra, you can visit the city’s university. The ‘Universidade de Coimbra’ is the oldest university in Europe and was built on 1 March 1290. Furthermore, in the city you will find the impressive Biblioteca Joanina, a baroque library with golden shelves and frescoes. You can also visit the old cathedral, the convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova and the Roman ruins of Conímbriga. In the evening, you can catch a fado performance in one of the many fado houses or cafés. Fado is a beautiful emotional song accompanied on the traditional Portuguese guitar. It often tells stories of love and loss. We highly recommend a visit to Fado ao Centro. Every day you will find a live fado performance there at 6 pm. Buy your ticket here in advance and enjoy the traditional fado music.
An unusual overnight accommodation in Coimbra is the Zero Box Lodge. The capsule concept and artistic design of the interior are really different from what you might be used to. In any case, we are very charmed by this hotel. If you are looking for a more traditional overnight stay, we recommend Hotel Mondego or the more affordable Hotel Larbelo. Both right in the city centre and close to the important sights in Coimbra.
Tip: Prefer to travel by train? You can! Go via São Bento station in Porto to Coimbra. The ride takes around an hour and costs around 10 euros.
Day 4: Nazaré and Obidos
On the way to Obidos, you can make a stop at the coastal village of Nazaré. Here you’ll find vast beaches and the first chance to soak up the sun. Nazaré also has the highest waves in the world. In October 2020, a German surfer set a new world record here with a wave as high as 26.21 metres! The best location to get the nicest view is at Farol da Nazaré (the lighthouse), which you can walk to from the village.
From Nazaré you drive on to Obidos. This city of queens is known for its narrow streets covered with flowers and yellow and white-coloured houses. In the past, it was common for Portuguese kings to gift this city to their queens. Walk on top of the 13-metre-high city wall and enjoy the beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.
Note: There are no fences or railings on top of the wall when you are facing towards the city, please be careful while walking.
We recommend Hostel Argonauta which is right in the centre of tiny Obodis. This homely hostel offers both private rooms and dormitories. If you want something more luxurious, we recommend Pousada Vila Óbidos. This hotel is in the middle of the village and has a delicious included breakfast.
Day 5 and 6: Lisbon
In the morning, take another walk around the peaceful town of Obidos before heading to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and largest city. Lisbon radiates a unique mix of historic beauty and modern liveliness. Visit the atmospheric Alfama and Bairro Alto districts and listen to traditional fado music. Take a ride on Tram 28, visit the Jerónimos Monastery, admire the Torre de Belém and walk around Sao Jorge Castle. Wondering what else Lisbon has to offer or want to stay an extra night? We have listed the best sights in Lisbon for you.
This time we opted for a more luxurious stay at Hotel Lis Baixa in the popular Baixa-Chiado district, the historic and commercial heart of the city. After a long day strolling around Lisbon, a soft bed and good amenities are very nice. If you like to meet fellow travellers, Selina Secret Garden Lisbon in the Bairro Alto district is highly recommended.
Day 7: Cascais
Today you will depart for Cascais, a charming town located on the coast and close to Lisbon. Once a fishing village, Cascais later became one of the favourite destinations of the Portuguese royal family. Today, Cascais is a popular seaside resort where you can enjoy the sun, sea and beach. Be sure to visit Praia da Rainha, a small and picturesque beach close to the city centre. Fancy some culture? Visit Igreja Matriz, the city’s main church. Want to know all about Cascais and what you can do there? You will soon read all about it in our article.
It is best to stay in the historic centre of Cascais, where you are close to the main attractions and the beach. Hotel Baia has a rooftop indoor pool and a terrace offering panoramic ocean views. It is located in the centre of Cascais, just 20 metres from Playa de los Pescadores beach. The more affordable Nice Way Cascais Hostel & Surf Camp is also centrally located in Cascais. This hostel has an outdoor pool, bar and a cosy common room where you can meet fellow travellers.
Day 8: Sintra
Today you will travel to Sintra, a fairytale city located about 18 kilometers from Cascais. Sintra is known for its romantic palaces, many castles and beautiful gardens. We recommend staying two nights, that way you have time to really explore Sintra. On the first day, start at the Palácio Nacional da Pena and the large palace garden surrounding it. Make sure you have bought a ticket in advance for the palace with a designated time slot that you can enter. It can be very crowded and this way you know exactly where you stand. Afterwards, walk to the nearby Castelo dos Mouros, this castle was built by the Moors around the 9th century. After all the cultural violence, you can return to Sintra’s historic centre where you’ll find great souvenir shops and good restaurants. Read all about Sintra in our soon to publish comprehensive article.
Moon Hill Hostel is a nice hostel in the centre of Sintra with a cosy common room. You can choose between a dorm or a room to yourself here. Another great option is Chalet Saudade, this charming hotel is located in a restored chalet from the 19th century that has a cosy and romantic atmosphere.
Day 9: Sintra
On the second day we recommend to get up early so you can get ahead of the real crowds. Your first visit is the popular Quinta da Regaleira. This estate is known for its fairy-tale architecture and beautiful gardens. Upon entering, walk straight to the Initiation Well. This is the main attraction and many people will get there immediately and a queue will form. Afterwards you can wander around the estate in peace. After this, you can take the bus to the Palace of Monserrate located further down the road. This beautiful estate has strong Arabic and Indian influences. The palace is set in the middle of a botanical garden where you can relax. We will publish an article soon where you will find everything you want to know about Sintra and the most convenient way to travel around there.
Tip: Prefer to travel by train or make a day trip of it? You can! Trains depart from Rossio, Lisboa-Sete Rios or Lisboa-Oriente stations in Lisbon. The ride takes 35 minutes and costs around 2 euros. Also, this ride is included with the Lisbon City Card.
Day 10, 11 and 12: Lagos (Algarve)
Today a drive of about three hours to Lagos is scheduled. The good news is that you will drive around the beautiful surroundings of the Algarve region. The city Lagos is very central to all the attractions in the Algarve. For this reason we stayed in the city and used it as a base. A rental car is highly recommended, as the sights in the region are not close to each other. For example, head to Ponta da Piedade, a spectacular rock formation where you can hike and swim. A fantastic activity you can do here is a kayak tour of the nearby sea caves. The Algarve is a lovely region to relax and take it easy. Enjoy the surroundings and beautiful beaches. There is a lot to tell about the Algarve region. Soon we will publish our tips for this region and Lagos.
Just a little outside the city centre you will find the Hotel Dom Pedro Lagos. It is very close to the popular Meia Praia beach and has its own swimming pool. If you like to sit right in the centre, we recommend the fine and affordable Hotel Mar Azul. Almost around the corner you will find many nice cafes and restaurants.
Day 13: Faro (Algarve)
Today you travel on to Faro, the capital and largest city of the Algarve region. It is a nice, quiet city and a whole day is really enough to see and do everything. Like us, you can choose to stay one night in Faro or you can choose to stay an extra night in Lagos and do a day trip to Faro. The city has a charming historic centre surrounded by a medieval wall. Visit the Sé Catedral, a Gothic cathedral built in the 13th century. A must visit is the Capela dos Ossos, a chapel covered with the bones and skulls of more than 1,000 people. Soon you will find an article on our website where we list the most beautiful sights in Faro.
On a central square close to the historic centre behind a yellow door you will find Lemon Tree Stay. It is in a quiet spot, has excellent rooms and offers a fantastic breakfast. If you prefer to be in Faro’s old town check out 7 Styles Apartments. Each room is decorated differently and equipped with all amenities.
Day 14: Évora
Leave early today as a drive of about three hours is scheduled. You will travel on to Évora, a historic city located in the interior of Portugal. Again (as in Faro), visit the Capela dos Ossos, a macabre chapel built in the 16th century by a Franciscan monk. This chapel is “decorated” with the bones and skulls of more than 5,000 people. Also worth a visit are the Temple of Diana and the Sé Catedral, Portugal’s largest Gothic cathedral. Finally, a walk along the Aqueduto da Água de Prata is highly recommended. The special thing about this monument is that houses and cafes have been built inside the arches of this aqueduct.
We recommend M’AR De AR Aqueduto which is located in the historic centre of Évora. Housed in a former palace from the 16th century, this hotel has been completely renovated. If you travel on a budget and enjoy meeting fellow travelers then Heaven Inn Suites & Terrace is great choice.
Day 15: Elvas
Today you will travel on to Elvas, a historic town near the border with Spain. It is known for its impressive fortifications such as Forte de Santa Luzia and Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça. The last one is an imposing fortress from the 18th century which has stunning views over the city and its surroundings. Also visit Aqueduto da Amoreira, this eight-kilometer aqueduct has more than 800 arches and is an impressive feat of engineering from the 17th century. If you still have time to spare, you can also visit Castelo de Élvas. This 13th-century castle was originally built by the Moors.
Vila Gale Collection Elvas is ideal if you are looking for luxury accommodation. It is located in a renovated courthouse in the middle of Elvas’ city centre. Ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings. For a fine and affordable option, we recommend Concept Guest House which is in the perfect location in the heart of the city centre. The interior of the building is very nice and it features a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the sunset.
Day 16: Monsanto
After another drive of about three hours you will arrive in Monsanto, a picturesque village that is considered the most Portuguese village in Portugal. This title is due to the city’s unique medieval character and well-preserved culture. It is built on a granite mountain, where huge boulders serve as walls, roofs or furniture for the houses. Wander the streets of Monsanto and take the walking path that goes around the village. The main attraction of the village is Castelo de Monsanto. This 12th century castle is located on top of the mountain and offers spectacular views over the village and the landscape. Highly recommended for a nice meal is Taverna Lusitana, their terrace offers a beautiful view and is built on top of the boulders.
In Monsanto we recommend two hotels that are located right in the centre. All sights are within walking distance, so you can get the most out of the day. Casa do Castello Monsanto and Casas da Villa are two authentic locations to relax and enjoy this special city.
Day 17 and 18: Douro valley
Today is the last of the three-hour drives. You will visit the Douro Valley, a beautiful region in northern Portugal through which the Douro River flows. It is known for its vineyards, which are terraced against steep slopes. It is also home to the famous port wine, which is produced and aged here in large and small Quintas (wineries). You will drive along beautiful winding roads where you will be treated to fantastic landscapes. Be sure to make a stop in Pinhão, this is a small riverside town that is considered the heart of the wine region. Many tours are organised in the Douro region. For instance, you can take a boat trip on the river here, do a wine tasting at one of the many wineries or take a walk along the vineyards. Visiting the Douro valley is most likely one of the highlights during your trip. We therefore recommend staying for at least two days. We have collected all the tips and sights in the Douro Valley for you, we will publish the article on our website soon.
If you stay at one of the many Quintas, you can help make wine during the harvest season, in September. This is possible at Quinta de la Rosa, this family hotel is located near Pinhoa and is build on the site of a winery. Guided tours and wine tastings are organized daily. If you like to meet fellow travelers, we recommend the popular Hostel Douro Backpackers. This cozy hostel in the middle of Pinhoa is the perfect base to discover the Douro Valley.
Day 19: Natural do Alvão Natural Park
Leave early today because you will visit the Natural do Alvão Natural Park. This unspoiled park has not yet been discovered by mass tourism and here you end up in the “real” Portugal. Here you will find the beautiful Fisgas de Ermelo waterfall. Take the PR3 – Fisgas de Ermelo walking route that starts in Ermelo. After you have taken in all the natural beauty, you will leave for Braga.
We recommend staying as close to the centre as possible in Braga. This includes the attractive Hotel Bracara Augusta in the historic centre of Braga, located in a renovated 14th-century building. Looking for an affordable Guesthouse? Then Vila Santa Cruz Guest House is really a top accommodation. Right in the city centre with the main attractions within walking distance.
Tip: Can’t get enough of the beautiful nature? Further north is the Peneda-Gerês National Park. In this natural park you will find beautiful waterfalls, such as the Cascata de Pincães and you can even swim there. With a little luck you can spot the European wild cat and the Iberian wolf during a walk.
Day 20: Braga
Braga is a vibrant city in the Minho region and is considered one of the oldest and most religious cities in Portugal. It has a rich cultural heritage with the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary and Sé de Braga, the city’s cathedral. But the city also has a very modern side where you will find many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. After a long journey it is nice to take it easy here and relax a bit. Read all our tips for Braga in a separate article soon.
In Braga you can of course stay for a second night in the previous recommended accommodations. If you wish you can also choose for a more luxury option in this city. In that case wee recommend the Vila Gale Collection Braga which is located in a beautiful building. With its central location you can also reach the city centre on foot in no time.
Tip: Depending on whether you have an early or late flight the next day, you can choose to leave for Porto today. Take into account a drive of approximately one hour.
Day 21: Porto and going home
Unfortunately, your flight home is waiting for you today. Are you coming from Braga or are you already in Porto and do you still have time to do one last sightseeing trip before returning your rental car? Then we recommend this hidden gem, Miradouro da Vitoria. This viewpoint offers beautiful panoramic views of the city, the river and the bridges and is not well known by tourists. Take your last photos here and admire the beautiful city one more time.
if you left Braga the previous day and went straight to Porto you can of course stay again in the previously recommended accommodations. If you would like to spend your last night in a bit more luxury, we recommend the Torel Palace Porto. In this five-star hotel you will have everything you need and you are guaranteed to go to the airport rested the next day.
We hope you had an unforgettable trip full of adventure, history, nature and relaxation and that you came home with countless wonderful memories! From Porto, where you can enjoy its historic charm and famous port wine. And Lisbon, where you enjoyed the lively atmosphere, historic sights and bustling streets. To Sintra, a magical place full of palaces and castles. But don’t forget the Douro Valley, where you’ll have seen breathtaking landscapes as you drive along the winding river.
Will you let us know how it was? Be sure to check out our website often. We will soon publish a 12-day and 17-day route if you want to explore the country at a different pace!