6 Days in Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Discover the Best of Porto & Lisbon 

This six-day discovery tour is a no-brainer for a first visit to Portugal, taking in the highlights of its major cities, Lisbon and Porto, and a wine-tasting excursion in the Douro Valley. You'll also enjoy a Portuguese cooking class and take a day trip to the charming, canal-filled city of Aveiro and the medieval town of Óbidos.

Start things off in Porto, the country's second-largest city. Dive right in with a sidecar tour on your first day, as your driver-guide takes you from the riverside Ribeira district to hilltop viewpoints and across landmark bridges, with a stop to taste Portuguese pastries and hear plenty of local, insider lore about Porto. The next day, head into the scenic countryside of the famed Douro Valley wine region. You'll sample wines from several family-owned estates, have lunch at a winery, and have the option to boat on the Douro River.

On Day 3, say goodbye to Porto as you make your way toward Lisbon. En route, stop in Aveiro, the "Venice of Portugal," where you'll board a colorful moliceiro gondola and glide along picturesque canals. Then, your driver will take you to the well-preserved medieval city of Óbidos, where you'll tour a historic castle. Arrive in Lisbon in time for dinner and maybe some nightlife. On Day 4, enjoy a private guided walking tour of Lisbon's top sights and neighborhoods. Spend your fifth day learning to cook authentic Portuguese food at a cooking class before heading home on Day 6. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Portugal for Foodies

Portugal is known for its fresh coastal cuisine, and this food-themed itinerary offers you a mouthwatering introduction to the country's gastronomy. Discover Porto's lively food scene, learn about the traditional winemaking process in the Douro Valley, sample delicious pastries in Aveiro, and savor Lisbon's seafood specialties. 

Spend your first day exploring Porto's historic Ribeira district. After a stroll through its maze of narrow streets, enjoy your first Portuguese dinner at one of the city's many riverside restaurants. Then, head to a wine bar or back to your hotel for an early night—tomorrow, you'll have the chance to visit the city's top sights on a private guided tour, visit a 17th-century wine cellar, and taste traditional dishes at some of the city's most authentic spots. On Day 3, it's time to say goodbye to Porto and head to the Douro Valley, where you'll tour a winery and have lunch at a traditional quinta (wine estate).

Take Day 4 to explore the Douro Valley wine region. Wander through idyllic villages, sample local delicacies, or check out the area's museums and monuments (like the medieval castle in Lamego). The next day, start your journey toward Lisbon. First, make a stop in Aveiro, where you'll tour the historic center by tuk-tuk and try some ovos moles de Aveiro (soft eggs of Aveiro), a traditional pastry. Once you arrive in Lisbon, enjoy another tuk-tuk tour and discover the city's central neighborhoods. Cap off your fifth day in Portugal with one last dinner before heading home the next morning. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Self-Drive Southern Portugal

If you're a fan of sunshine and beaches, you'll love this six-day road trip that starts in Lisbon and ends in Portugal's southern Algarve region. Explore the cultural highlights of Lisbon and Sintra, discover the unspoiled scenery of Arrábida and Costa Vicentina natural parks, and see the dramatic clifftop fortress at Cabo de São Vicente. 

The adventure begins with a day of exploration in Lisbon. Later, enjoy a dinner accompanied by the sounds of fado, traditional Portuguese music characterized by its mournful lyrics and colorfully haunting melodies. On Day 2, head westward and begin your road trip. Start with a visit to Cascais, the former summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, before continuing to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Finish off in Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to several monuments, most notably the romanticist Pena Palace.

The third day will have you switching gears entirely, leaving the bustling Lisbon region behind. Instead, you'll head toward the nature of Arrábida Natural Park, the peaceful beaches of Tróia, and the historic center of Alcácer do Sal. On Day 4, continue along the west coast toward the southern Algarve region, overnighting in the whitewashed town of Aljezur. Stop in Sagres and visit the fortress at Cabo de São Vicente, then enjoy a seafood dinner in Lagos. Spend your sixth morning on a boat tour of the area's picturesque caves and grottoes before heading back to Lisbon. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Adventure to Lisbon & the Azores

Portugal's charms aren't limited to its Iberian mainland. The country also includes dozens of islands, such as the remote Azores, a chain of pearls strung out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This archipelago is known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, historic wine culture, and stunning turquoise water. With this itinerary, you'll get a taste of both Lisbon and the largest island of the Azores, São Miguel Island.  

Start your vacation with a private tour of Lisbon. You'll ride one of the city's iconic 19th-century trams, exploring the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama. On Day 2, head to Sintra to see the Pena Palace and the town's eighth-century Moorish Castle, then return to Lisbon for an evening of fado and traditional Portuguese food. The next day, fly to São Miguel Island in the Azores. You'll be staying in Ponta Delgada, the archipelago's capital and largest city. Spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on one of the island's beaches like Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara, Praia de Água d'Alto, or Praia do Fogo.

Day 4 is a great opportunity to wander around the cobblestone streets of Ponta Delgada at a relaxed pace, taking in the city's sights. In the evening, sample the island's fresh fruit, meats, seafood, pastries, and wines on a food tour. Spend the fifth day of your trip on an off-road Jeep excursion to Sete Cidades, an area of outstanding natural beauty. You'll see lushly-forested hillsides, volcanic craters, and lakes, hike along a scenic trail and stop for coffee in a village. The next day, enjoy a final wander around the island before returning to Lisbon. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Portugal's Jewish Heritage

Judaism has a rich history in the Iberian Peninsula. Modern Portugal is considered part of historic Sepharad, the region of origin of Sephardi Jews. This itinerary will take you on a fascinating journey of discovery through the country's most important centers of Jewish heritage, including Évora, Belmonte, Porto, and Lisbon.  

Begin in Évora and use the first day to stroll through the city, admiring the scenery and sampling the food. On Day 2, take a three-hour walking tour, where you'll be introduced to Évora's main sights and dive into its Jewish history. Explore the historic Judiarias (Jewish quarters), see a memorial to the victims of the Portuguese Inquisition, and learn about the Holy Inquisition Court, which was once present here. In the afternoon, leave for Belmonte, stopping in the towns of Marvão and Castelo de Vide to see their traditional architecture, tour a medieval synagogue, and learn about the local Jewish communities.

On Day 3, explore Belmonte, starting at the Beit Eliahu Synagogue. You'll meet Jewish community members, see the town's cemetery, and visit the Belmonte Jewish Museum. After lunch, make your way to the Douro Valley. Stop off at the former residence of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands of refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in Bordeaux. Spend the evening in the riverside town of Peso da Régua before heading to Porto the next day. Use Day 4 to explore Porto and see the Porto Cathedral and the Clérigos Tower.

The next day, head to Lisbon for a Jewish heritage walking tour, stopping off at sights like the Shaare Tikvah Synagogue, the 1506 Jewish Massacre Memorial, and the Lisbon Judiaria. Finish with a circuit of Lisbon's downtown neighborhoods before ending the tour in Belém. Learn more

More Great Portugal Itineraries

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