1 Week in Portugal - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Lisbon & Porto

Perfect for first-time visitors to Portugal, this weeklong itinerary packs in the highlights of Lisbon and Porto, along with side trips to picturesque towns. Enlist the help of friendly local guides to discover each city's culinary secrets and must-see sites, and enjoy plenty of time to wander at your own pace. Throughout, you'll also have the opportunity to admire the charming palaces of Sintra, embark on numerous river cruises, and sip wine in the Douro Valley.

Welcome to Portugal! After arriving at Lisbon's airport and settling into your hotel, you'll delve right into the local culture while joining a gourmet food tour in the neighborhood of Campo de Ourique. Then, head farther afield the following day as your private guide takes you around Belém, Alfama, and the famous Liberdade Avenue. A day trip to the whimsical town of Sintra is next on the agenda, where you'll admire its colorful palaces and stop by the nearby Cascais before boarding a catamaran back in Lisbon for an enchanting river cruise.

As you wake to the second half of your trip, it'll be time to transfer three hours up the coast to Porto. Check into your hotel, then join a half-day tour along Boavista Avenue and to Vila Nova de Gaia, famous for its port wine cellars. The following day, leave the city behind for a memorable excursion in the Douro Valley, where you'll hop between wineries and cruise on a traditional wine boat while sipping port. With your trip winding down, transfer back to Lisbon and tick off any highlights you've circled before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Portugal: Lisbon, Évora & Lagos

Split your time between the culture-packed capital city of Lisbon and the sun-kissed Algarve coastline on this highlights trip. Ideal for those curious to discover both the history and natural beauty of Portugal, you'll embark on city and food tours, enjoy an evening of fado, and bike, kayak, and beach hop your way around Lagos. In between, squeeze in an overnight in the ancient city of Évora.

Your weeklong trip begins in the vibrant capital city of Lisbon. While here, you'll introduce your taste buds to Portuguese food during a guided culinary excursion and wander through the beautiful area of Belém and the artsy Alfama district on another guided tour the following day. Relax after some serious sightseeing with a fun evening enjoying classic cuisine and fado music. Next, embark on an exciting day trip to Sintra, home to fairytale-like palaces, then continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Portugal, Cascais, and the upmarket Estoril before hopping aboard a sunset cruise back in Lisbon.

A transfer to Évora is next on the agenda, a city famous for its Roman ruins and medieval churches. Join a local guide for a city tour and spend the evening exploring on your own, then return to Lisbon and catch a train to Lagos. Located on the renowned Algarve coast, Lagos is the ideal spot to devote your final days to soaking up the sun. Start on a scenic guided bike tour, spend an afternoon kayaking to the impressive Benagil Cave, beach hop between Praia Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade, and embark on a dolphin-watching tour before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Portugal: the North & Douro Region

Spend a week exploring the picturesque north of Portugal on this well-rounded trip that intertwines history, culture, nature, and delicious cuisine. Perfect for those who want to indulge their senses with authentic food, port, and charming landscapes while staying off the main tourist path, you'll split your time between Porto, the Douro Valley, and the Viana do Castelo. Other highlights include a day in Peneda-Gerês National Park and an overnight in the medieval city of Guimarães.

Kickstart your trip in Porto, the ideal place to dive into Portugal's renowned culinary scene and rich history. Check into your hotel, then meet with your English-speaking guide for a food tour and port wine tasting. Another guided tour awaits the following day, this time along Boavista Avenue, past Porto Cathedral, down the banks of the Bouro River, and to a canning factory to admire handmade processing techniques. Next, embark on a day trip to the picturesque Douro Valley and lose track of time as you hop between wineries and unwind on a scenic river cruise.

On Day 4, you'll hit the road to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal as a nation, stopping in Braga along the way to visit the "Triangle of Faith." Cross over the border into Spain the following morning for a memorable boat trip to the Cíes Islands, and spend the afternoon hiking and relaxing on expansive beaches. Continue to Viana do Castelo next and delight in a day of hiking, swimming under waterfalls, and soaking up breathtaking views in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Then, after a morning transfer back to Porto, it'll be time to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Portugal: the Algarve Region

Crafted especially for beach-loving travelers, this coastal itinerary features the spectacular Algarve coast. With the help of a rental car, you'll explore the quaint fishing village of Santa Luzia, spend two days beach hopping in Lagos, and travel to the rugged southwest corner of Portugal to walk wild coastlines. Plus, with time in Faro to start and end your adventure, you'll have ample opportunity to discover the bustling walled old city.

Your Algarve Coast adventure begins in Faro, and after picking up your rental car, you'll spend your first day wandering among the city's narrow streets and indulging in fresh seafood. Enjoy a night's rest, then hit the road for a day trip to the charming towns of Tavira and Santa Luzia, where you can watch colorful fishing boats bring in the day's catch and savor the goods at a local restaurant. Next, pack up your bags and travel through Silves, the region's historic Moorish capital, on your way to Lagos. Kick off your stay in this charming coastal town with a scenic bike ride.

A thrilling day of exploring Lagos and its beautiful surroundings is next on the agenda, including the impressive Benagil Cave, the coves of João de Arens, and numerous hidden beaches. Then, it's back on the road, this time to Sagres, located in the southwest corner of Portugal. Over two days, you'll discover the wild coastline near Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St Vincent) and enjoy a long walk alongside sheer cliffsides in Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Spend your final evening in the tiny village of Pedralva before returning to Faro to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Portugal: Food Tour of Lisbon & Alentejo

Perfect for foodies, this weeklong trip takes you on a journey through Portugal's traditional and modern cuisine. Through guided food tours, cooking classes, and tasting excursions, you'll get to know the many flavors of Lisbon and Évora. Along the way, meet fascinating locals eager to share their food and hospitality with you, especially in the off-the-beaten-path Alentejo region.

Begin your culinary adventure with four nights based in Lisbon, the ideal place to dive into Portugal's impressive culinary heritage. Kick things off on a four-hour guided gourmet food tour and get to know the city's architectural highlights while walking and riding the city's famous yellow trams. Put your knowledge and skills to the test the following day as you buy ingredients at a local market and head into a chef's kitchen to learn how to cook a traditional Portuguese meal. Then, leave the city behind on Day 4 to discover the picturesque palaces, gardens, and squares of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril.

Next on the agenda is a transfer to Évora, deemed the gastronomic capital of the Alentejo region. While here, you'll enlist the help of a local guide to discover the chilling 17th-century bone chapel, Capela dos Ossos, and learn about significant moments in Portugal's history. Then, head out on a full-day excursion in the idyllic Alentejo region to experience a more traditional way of Portuguese life while savoring home-cooked cuisine and wandering through olive groves and vineyards. After a short transfer back to Lisbon, it'll be time to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Portugal: Sintra Heritage & Coastal Trails Hike

Discover the beauty of Portugal's local life and landscapes on this active itinerary. Ideal for travelers who prefer exploring on foot and uncovering both small details and wide-open vistas, the tour takes you around the Sintra Mountains and the coastlines between Guincho and Adraga Beach. In between time on the trail, stay at a  lovely inn once a convent, enjoy time in hidden coves on the beach, and admire colorful palaces from above.

Straight off the plane, you'll head out of Lisbon to Cascais, a 650-year-old town with a fascinating history, charming city center, and lovely restaurants. Stretch your travel legs during a self-guided walk or a visit to Museum Quarter, then wake early and head to Guincho Beach, where your coastal hike begins. As you walk through Portugal's landscapes and towns over the following five days, you can enjoy a relaxed pace knowing that your luggage will be transferred between destinations, and you'll rarely cover more than 8 miles (13 km) a day. So take your time on the trail to drink in spectacular vistas and enjoy nature's palate.

Your first destination is the Convent of São Saturnino, which takes a 6-mile (10 km) trek between dunes, valleys, and small villages to reach. From there, you'll embark on a day hike in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park before continuing by foot to Colares. Spend the following day hiking through lush forest trails to Monserrate Palace and the charming village of Sintra. Then, explore the lush hills above Sintra, which rewards you with fabulous views of the colorful Pena Palace, and transfer back to Lisbon to delight in a morning of sampling street food until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Portugal Itineraries

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