7 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & the Algarve Coast

3 days in Lisbon — ride Tram 28 through Alfama, tour Belém's monuments, and take a day trip to fairy-tale Sintra.

2 days in Porto tasting port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia, exploring the Ribeira, and cruising the Douro. Then a final day on the Algarve coast.

Start at Martim Moniz and ride the legendary Tram 28 through Graça, Alfama, and Baixa. The vintage wooden tram rattles through narrow streets — sit on the left for best views. Buy a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and load a 24h pass.

The Moorish castle crowns Lisbon's highest hill. Walk the ramparts for a 360° panorama of the city, Tagus River, and 25 de Abril Bridge. Visit early to beat crowds. Entry €10.

Alfama's narrow alleys hide family-run tascas. Try bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes) at a local spot. For the best view, eat at a miradouro café overlooking the Tagus.

Stroll through Baixa's grid of neoclassical streets rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. See the Santa Justa Lift (book online to skip the queue) and watch life go by on Rossio's wave-patterned calçada.

End Day 1 with a traditional fado dinner in Alfama. Fado is Portugal's soulful, melancholic music — UNESCO heritage. Book a casa de fado in advance (€40-60/pp including dinner). The singers perform unamplified; the emotion is intense.

UNESCO-listed monastery, the masterpiece of Manueline architecture. The intricate stonework of the southern portal and the ribbed vaulting of the church are breathtaking. Book timed tickets online. Allow 1.5h.

The iconic fortress-tower on the Tagus riverbank — a symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery. Climb to the top terrace for sweeping river views. The ground-floor cistern is atmospheric. Entry €8 (combo with Monastery €12).

The original pastel de nata bakery since 1837. These custard tarts with cinnamon are legendary — eat them warm, fresh from the oven. Skip the queue by eating at the counter. A must-try for €1.30 each.

A 19th-century factory complex turned creative hub — street art, concept stores, pop-up markets, and excellent lunch spots. Sunday market is best. Grab lunch at Rio Maravilha for rooftop views of the 25 de Abril Bridge.

Chiado is Lisbon's elegant shopping and café district — think 19th-century grandeur meets trendy boutiques. As night falls, head up to Bairro Alto for petiscos (Portuguese tapas) and ginjinha (cherry liqueur) at a tasca. Lively, bohemian atmosphere.

Take the Lisbon–Sintra line from Rossio station. Journey ~40 min, trains every 20 min. Buy a return ticket (€5). The train weaves through suburban Lisbon before climbing into the pine-forested Sintra hills.

A riot of 19th-century Romanticist architecture — bright yellow, red, and blue turrets perched on a Sintra hilltop. Book the earliest entry slot online. The walk through Pena Park down to the castle is as impressive as the palace itself. Entry €14.

A mysterious estate full of symbolism — tunnels, grottoes, and the famous Initiation Well (an inverted tower descending 27m underground). Explore the grounds for 1.5-2h. Less crowded than Pena and many visitors' favorite spot in Sintra. Entry €10.

Sintra town center has many restaurants serving travesseiros (pillow-shaped puff pastries with almond cream) and queijadas (cheese tarts). For a proper lunch, try a local tasca serving cozido à portuguesa or grilled fish. Save room for pastry.

Train back to Rossio, then head to Time Out Market at Cais do Sodré. This curated food hall features top Portuguese chefs in a market setting — order a selection from different stalls. Try the croquettes, oysters, and a bifana sandwich. Open till midnight.

One last morning in Lisbon — walk to Miradouro das Portas do Sol for a final view over Alfama's red rooftops. Grab a pastel de nata and coffee at a nearby café while the neighborhood wakes up.

Alfa Pendular high-speed train from Lisbon Santa Apolónia to Porto Campanhã. Journey ~2h45. Book first-class (Conforto) for wide seats and a complimentary coffee. The route passes through rolling hills, cork oak forests, and small villages.

Porto's historic railway station — the entrance hall is covered in over 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history and daily life. Don't miss the panels showing the Battle of Valdevez and Prince Henry the Navigator. Free entry.

Climb the 225 steps of Porto's iconic bell tower for the best 360° view over the city, the Douro River, and Gaia's port lodges. Built in the 18th century by architect Nicolau Nasoni. Entry €8.

One of the world's most beautiful bookshops — art nouveau interior, stained-glass ceiling, and the iconic red staircase. Harry Potter fans will recognize the inspiration. Book tickets online (€5 voucher against book purchase).

Porto's riverside Ribeira district is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dine al fresco at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Dom Luís I Bridge and the port wine lodges of Gaia. Order a francesinha (Porto's signature sandwich) or grilled sardines with a glass of vinho verde.

Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia where all the major port houses are located. Visit Taylor's or Graham's for a cellar tour and tasting (€15-25, includes several aged ports). The guided tour walks through barrel rooms and explains the difference between Tawny, Ruby, and Vintage ports.

Join a guided Douro Valley tour from Porto. The drive along the N-222 is considered one of the world's most scenic roads — terraced vineyards plunging to the river. Stop at a traditional quinta (wine estate) for lunch with wine pairing. The valley produces both port and table wines.

Walk the upper deck of the double-decker iron bridge (built by a disciple of Eiffel) for a sunset view over the Douro. Cross from Porto to Gaia side — the entire Ribeira lights up in golden hour. The best free experience in Porto.

End the day at a port wine bar in the Ribeura. Try a 10-year-old Tawny or a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) at Wine Quay Bar or Prova. A glass of fine port costs €4-8. Pair with a cheese plate for the perfect finish.

Porto's iconic 19th-century market reopened after a major renovation. Two floors of fresh produce, flowers, cured meats, and local cheeses. Grab breakfast at the upstairs food court — try a bifana (pork sandwich) and fresh orange juice. Vibrant atmosphere.

The 'golden church' — the Gothic exterior hides an interior dripping in baroque gold leaf. Over 300 kg of gold dust was used on the carvings, columns, and altar. The catacombs below are a sobering contrast. Entry €7.

Portugal's premier contemporary art museum set in a stunning art deco villa and 18-hectare gardens. The park alone is worth the trip — with rose gardens, a trellised tunnel, and a farm. The museum features Portuguese and international rotating exhibitions. Entry €15 (garden only €8). Allow 2-3 hours.

One last evening in Porto at a traditional tasca. Order the full experience — caldo verde (green soup), arroz de tamboril (monkfish rice), and a glass of vintage port. Settle group expenses and pack for tomorrow's early departure to the Algarve.

Early morning flight from Porto to Faro (1h). Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and TAP run multiple daily flights. Book ahead — fares start at €20. Alternatively, the Alfa Pendular train takes ~5.5h. Flight saves the day for exploration.

The famous sea cave with a natural oculus in the ceiling — sunlight streams through creating a golden glow over the sand inside. Access by kayak or small boat tour (€25-30, 1h). Book in advance in summer. The larger Benagil beach nearby is great for a swim.

Dramatic golden limestone cliffs, sea stacks, and grottoes — the Algarve's most spectacular coastline. Walk the clifftop boardwalk (free) for panoramic views, or take a boat tour into the smaller caves. The rock formations in turquoise water are stunning. Allow 1.5h.

Lagos is a charming town with whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, and excellent seafood restaurants. Try cataplana (seafood stew in a copper pot) or grilled octopus with sweet potatoes. After lunch, stroll through the old town walls and browse local ceramics shops.

End the trip at Praia do Camilo — a small golden cove surrounded by cliffs. Descend the 200-step wooden staircase to one of the Algarve's most photogenic beaches. Warm turquoise water, golden sand, and sea arches make the perfect final destination. Head to Faro airport for departure.