Portugal Panorama: Lisbon, Lagos, Coimbra & Porto - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Afternoon Culinary Experience

Welcome to Lisbon! Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the city center. After checking in, you can unwind after your long journey or head out for a quick stroll. You'll find Lisbon to be an unheralded gem of a European capital. Grand plazas and pastel-colored buildings dot hilly waterfront neighborhoods, many dating back hundreds of years. Old cable cars lurch up winding cobbled roads, and medieval castles are perched atop the city's highest points.

Acquaint yourself with Lisbon's culture through its traditional cuisine this evening with a gourmet food tour. Wear a good pair of walking shoes because you and your guide will meander through a series of authentic winding alleys tasting the incredible flavors of Portuguese gastronomy. Over four hours, you will visit seven delicious spots that brilliantly link tradition with modernity and discover classics like pastéis de bacalhau (cod fritters), grilled sardines, and pastéis de Nata (egg custard tarts).

Day 2: Guided City Tour, Sunset Sailing Cruise

First things first, get your bearings on a locally guided tour of the city's most happening neighborhoods as you hop on board an iconic tram and head into Bairro Alto. Continue to Chiado and discover a cultural enclave where the great writers and philosophers of the 20th century gathered to hone their ideas. Next up is the picture-perfect neighborhood of Alfama. Here, you'll get a feel for traditional Lisbon with its narrow cobblestoned streets and the stunning 12th-century Sé de Lisboa Cathedral.

Later, you can see the "City of Seven Hills" from a different vantage point with a sunset cruise on one of the Tagus Estuary's trademark wooden sailboats. For centuries, these specially crafted vessels were a fundamental means of transport for the Lisbon region, ferrying cargo and people between the river's two banks. Spot the city's iconic landmarks and skyline as you sail along the Tagus, ending the evening with a spectacular waterfront sunset.

Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra, Heritage Hike

Located just outside the capital, Sintra's lush hills dotted with fairy tale palaces and extravagant villas have enchanted visitors for centuries. Today you'll hike through these remarkable landscapes of dense forest and exotic flora as you discover this mystical region's best trails and viewpoints. Reach the incredible 8th-century Moorish Castle, then continue to the mountaintop Pena Palace. Towering above the clouds, this Romantic-era national monument is full of historical treasures and is considered one of Portugal's Seven Wonders.

Day 5: Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Lagos & the Algarve

Today you will pick up your rental car and drive south to Lagos, a seafaring town on the western side of the Algarve region, situated along Portugal's southern coast. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. Lagos is known for its charming inner-walled Old Town, pretty harbor, dramatic sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, authentic restaurants, and buzzing nightlife. Locals are proud to say that Lagos has not succumbed to mass tourism like other areas of the Algarve, and the city still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm.

Day 7: Free Day in the Algarve, Cabo de São Vicente Sunset

Spend today discovering more of the 16th-century city of Lagos and its cobblestone streets, inviting squares, and great restaurants. You could also head east to explore bustling resort towns and whitewashed villages offering mouthwatering cuisine and exhilarating coastal scenery. Lovers of quiet should head to the massive Costa Vicentina Natural Park, which covers 182,857 acres (74,000 ha) of protected land, including beaches, cliffs, rolling hills, and marshland, with more than 750 species of flora and 200 species of birds.

End your day with a breathtaking sunset from the most southwesterly point in continental Europe. As twilight approaches, your guide will transfer you to the spectacular Cabo de São Vicente of Sagres, where you can watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean while you sample Portuguese wine and bread with chorizo.

Day 8: Drive to Coimbra, Private City Tour

Today you'll bid the beach farewell and make your way north to Coimbra. This former medieval capital wears its weighty importance in Portuguese history with dignity and pride, witnessed by its colorful collage of buildings that span nearly a millennium. The historic core cascades down a hillside to create a lovely setting along the east bank of the Rio Mondego.

Upon arrival, you'll meet with a local guide for a private tour of the city. The 13th-century University of Coimbra remains the star attraction, with a tremendous amount of history and knowledge accumulated within its walls. A must-see is the Baroque Library, home to an incredible collection of over 200,000 books stored in carved and gilded bookshelves. The Chapel of Saint Michael next door is also worth the visit, and make sure to take a stroll through the atmospheric medieval streets of the historic center.

Day 12: Day Trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park

Escape the city for a full day of adventure in the wilds of Peneda-Gerês National Park. While there are many listed natural parks within Portugal's borders, Peneda-Gerês is the only official national park and takes up a whopping 436 square miles (703 km) in the north near the Spanish border.

Surrounded by unspoiled mountain landscapes, you'll take a short hike to reach a lookout point with breathtaking views over the park. Go wild swimming in crystal clear lagoons, discover waterfalls straight out of a fairy tale, and travel back in time to see how the locals lived in centuries-old villages. After working up an appetite in the fresh air, finish today's excursion with a traditional lunch and a glass or two of Vinho Verde at a local restaurant. 

Day 13: Depart Porto

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal! Depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to squeeze in one more walk through the streets of Porto or perhaps pick up some last-minute souvenirs. You'll be transferred to the airport at the designated time to catch your departing flight. Safe travels and boa viagem!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other Portugal itineraries, explore different ways to spend 13 days in Portugal, or discover the best time to visit Portugal.