11 Days in Portugal - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Portugal: Porto, Lisbon & Lagos

Get the full Portugal experience on this 11-day highlights and culture tour that will take you from Porto to Lisbon and down to the hidden coves and golden beaches of the Algarve coast. 

Upon arrival in Porto, you'll dive into this charming city's culinary scene on a food tour that includes port wine tastings. Then, experience Porto's classic beauty on a walking tour. This will take you to historic sights like the Beaux Arts São Bento Railway Station and the 13th-century Church of St. Francis. You'll also stroll across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge for views of the Douro River. Continue up that river for wine tastings in the rolling hills of the Douro Valley before heading to Libson via Coimbra. This was the capital of Portugal until the 13th century and is famous for its equally historic university.

Discover Libson on a walking tour to bohemian enclaves like Bairro Alto and the market square of Praça da Figueira. At night, enjoy dinner at a classic restaurant as you're serenaded by fado (folkloric) music played by local musicians. A quick trip to the nearby Sintra Mountains takes you to Pena Palace, a 19th-century romanticist castle perched on a hill and one of the country's premier landmarks. Then, hop a train south to the beautiful Algarve coast. Relax in the historic resort town of Lagos and visit highlight beaches like Ponta da Piedade and Pinhao Beach before heading home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Portugal's Culture & Cuisine

Experience an 11-day food and culture odyssey of Portugal that includes Lisbon and Porto and off-the-beaten-path gems like colorful Aveiro and UNESCO-listed Évora.

This food tour begins in Lisbon. As you stroll the capital's 12th-century alleyways and pass its historic plazas, sample traditional street food like cod fritters, custard tarts, and the famous bifana, a divinely inspired pork sandwich. Then hop in a tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) and ride up to the best lookouts in the city, like Senhora do Monte, the highest miradouro (viewpoint) in Lisbon. After a day trip to Sintra, you'll head north to Porto, stopping in Aveiro. See why they call this colorful coastal town the "Venice of Portugal" as you ride along its tranquil canals in a wooden moliceiro (canoe-like boat).

In Porto, augment a city walking tour with a drive (in a classic car, no less) to the waterfront Foz neighborhood and São Pedro da Afurada fishing village. On Day 6, cruise up the Douro River for lunch and a wine tasting at a lovely quinta (estate). Back in Porto, you'll pick up a rental car for a self-drive trip to Évora, the star of Portugal's south-central Alentejo province. Évora's UNESCO-listed historic center boasts must-visit landmarks like the 2000-year-old Temple Romano ruins. Finally, drive to the Algarve region, where you'll enjoy catamaran tours and visits to charming coastal towns like Tavira. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Escape to the Azores: São Miguel Island & Porto

Get the best of mainland Portugal plus exotic islands with this 11-day trip to Porto and the Azores, which includes hiking and beach time on São Miguel Island and city tours and wine tasting in Porto.

Upon arrival in Lisbon, you'll catch a connecting 2.5-hour flight to Ponta Delgado, the capital of Portugal's Azores archipelago. The city is located on São Miguel Island and your base for a few days of adventures. First up is the Furnas Valley, an ancient volcano caldera where you'll hike to waterfalls and thermal pools. Then, visit Praia de Água D'Alt, a beach known for its volcanic sands and clear waters. Round out the experience with scuba diving in underwater caves, spotting whales and dolphins near offshore islets, and hiking to Lagoa do Fogo, the most beautiful of São Miguel's crater lakes. 

After a cycling trip around the forest-covered craters of Sete Cidades, you'll fly to Porto on Day 9. Feel free to explore the city on a self-guided tour, perhaps stopping at the riverfront enclave of Ribeira, which is Porto's oldest neighborhood. Later, zip around Porto's other historic district's in a vintage car. On Day 10, you can take a day trip to the Douro Valley for a wine tasting amid the green hills overlooking the river. Or go hiking in Peneda-Gerês National Park, a 436 square-mile (703 sq-km) nature reserve near the Spanish border. It's the perfect end to an epic outdoor holiday. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Spain & Portugal

This 11-day adventure through Spain and Portugal answers the age-old question, why visit one country on the Iberian Peninsula when you can enjoy the best of both?

Spend three days discovering Lisbon's highlights on your own and on guided tours. Hop on a 19th-century cable car and ride the cobbled streets; visit landmarks like the 12th-century Lisbon Cathedral (the oldest church in the city) and medieval plazas like Rossio and Chiado Square. On Day 3, your driver will take you north to Porto, stopping in Coimbra to visit its medieval landmarks like its Romanesque Cathedral and 13th-century university. A private tour of Porto will take you to highlights like the bridge, railway station, and Praça da Liberdade, the largest plaza in the city. 

After wine tasting in the Douro Valley, you'll fly to Madrid on Day 6. Experience the best of Spain's capital as you visit Prado Museum to see one of the world's largest collections of European art before diving into the tapas bars around Plaza Mayor. Then take a train south to Barcelona for more culture as you walk down the wide Ramblas boulevard through the historic Gothic Quarter. Visit highlights like Park Güell and Sagrada Familia (two Gaudí masterpieces) and stroll the landmark Ciutadella Park. Continue north for hikes on the stunning Costa Brava before returning home on Day 11. Learn more

More Great 11-Day Portugal Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other 11-day Portugal itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.