Portugal's compact size means you can pack a lot into a short trip—a few days allows for exploration of Lisbon and Porto, along with a few excursions beyond city limits. With a week, enjoy a more comprehensive route, detouring to the coast and countryside. Those with two weeks can plan a full north-to-south trip and maybe even tack on a visit to Portugal's lesser-explored islands or neighboring Spain.
If you only have five days in Portugal, you can pair two major cities—Lisbon and Porto, for example—or choose one region for an in-depth experience. Explore the dreamy Algarve coast, head to the wine-famous Duoro Valley, or stick to Lisbon and its surrounds. The itineraries below offer unique options that appeal to all kinds of travelers, from Portugal first-timers to foodies and wine enthusiasts to sun worshipers.
Six days in Portugal will leave you wanting more. The good thing, however, is that the country's small size relative to other popular European countries works in your favor, allowing you to pack in a diverse range of cities and scenery in under a week's vacation. You'll have time to see the highlights of Lisbon and Sintra, spend time on the beaches of the Algarve, get to know the Azores, or discover the country's Jewish heritage.
In one week, you can explore three to five destinations in Portugal, opting for a fast-paced itinerary that leads you and the family from Porto to Lisbon with added excursions to Peneda-Gerês National Park, Sintra, and Tomar. Swap out Porto for a family getaway to the Algarve to swim, snorkel, cruise with dolphins, and board a catamaran to explore Benagil Cave. Alternatively, for a more relaxed itinerary, opt for a food tour in Porto, a day trip to the Mira de Aire Caves, and a tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon.
With one week in Portugal, you can check out the must-see sites of Lisbon and Porto or opt for a beach and coastline-filled itinerary featuring the Algarve Coast. If you're a foodie, opt for a culinary tour of Portugal, complete with cooking classes and market visits, while hiking enthusiasts embark on a supported trek from Guincho to Sintra. Other options include a trip split between Lisbon and Lagos and a history-filled journey in northern Portugal.
With one week to spend soaking up Portugal's luxurious side, you can delve into Lisbon and Porto's history and cuisine on a highlights tour or swap in the Algarve coast for an experience filled with lavish coastal excursions. Travelers seeking an idyllic getaway that combines adventure, leisure, and guided tours will find Madeira's lush landscapes the perfect choice. Meanwhile, if you're eager to venture off the beaten path, rent a car and discover the unspoiled beauty of the Alentejo region and Comporta.
With a week and a day, there's ample time to plan a relaxing or action-packed trip to one, two, or even three regions of Portugal. Plan a gourmand's self-drive adventure in historic Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley wine country. Immerse yourself in the magnificent volcanic landscapes, misty forests, and golden beaches of the Azores or Madeira. Or lace up your boots for an in-depth hiking experience of the Algarve coast, including the fairy-tale palace at Sintra.
Nine days is enough time to travel the length of Portugal, from the neoclassical skyline of Porto in the north to the crescent beaches of Albufeira in the south. In between, there are adventures to be had at the palaces of the Sintra Mountains, the windswept cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente, and of course, all the culture, cuisine, and history you can handle in Lisbon. You can also embark on an off-the-beaten-path road trip to some of the most beautiful villages in the country.
Ten days in Portugal is an excellent amount of time to immerse yourself in luxury and embark on exclusive excursions. For a deep dive into the country's flavors and culture, split your time between Lisbon, Porto, and Évora. Or, if your idea of a perfect vacation includes time at the beach, swap in Lagos or the island of Madeira. Meanwhile, Douro Valley, Alentejo, and Comporta are ideal destinations for an off-the-beaten-path trip, and including time in Spain allows you to visit Seville and Granada.
Within 10 days, you can visit at least two regions in Portugal and Morocco. First-timers and photographers can hit the hotspots and visually impressive stops that include Pena Palace and Chefchaouen. Active travelers can hike through Portugal's forests and Morocco's Berber villages, while those that prefer a leisurely pace can sail in the Algarve. Foodie travelers will be spoiled for choice, with wine tasting in the Douro Valley, cooking lessons in Porto and Essaouira, and a street food tour in Marrakesh.
Ten days in Portugal allows you to cover the highlights with a family-friendly food and cultural itinerary. Try pastéis de nata in Porto, take a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, and relax on the many beaches in the Algarve. Add two days in Nazaré to your itinerary to see record-breaking waves, or opt for a more relaxing holiday in the Serra da Arrábida region. Swap the coast for visits to Coimbra and Óbidos to explore the Buçaco Forest and the thrilling Mira De Aire Caves.
With 10 days in Portugal, you can visit at least three regions—or add a few days in Spain. Foodies can join a cooking class with a Michelin-starred chef in Lisbon and enjoy wine tastings in Porto and the Douro Valley. Active travelers can kayak to Benagil Caves, take a food walk around Lisbon, and experience volcanic activity in the Azores. History and art enthusiasts will appreciate a private tour of Museo del Prado in Madrid, a visit to Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and a guided city tour in Lisbon.
In 11 days, you can get to the heart of Portugal as you travel from the northern wine country to the sun-kissed southern coast. Along the way, you'll spend ample time in its historic coastal cities, like Lisbon and Porto, and the medieval mountain towns of its interior. And if you're still thirsting for more, jet off to exotic islands like the Azores or hop the border to Spain for more fun times in Madrid and Barcelona.
Twelve days is ample time to hit the major cities in Portugal, plus enjoy off-the-beaten-path excursions. Plan an ultimate adventure in historic Porto and the Douro Valley wine country from behind the wheel of a classic car. Then head south to the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve coast and the fairy-tale palace at Sintra before jet-setting to stunning Madeira Island. And don't forget delicious food tours and unforgettable city walks of Lisbon's historic enclaves and medieval buildings.
With 13 days in Portugal, there's almost nothing you can't do, whether that's hitting the highlights of major cities or going off the beaten path on the northern and southern coasts. It's enough time to experience Lisbon and Porto's culture and history while embarking on road-trip adventures to medieval mountain towns and secluded coves on the golden Algarve coast. There will also be time leftover for wine tours, jetting to offshore islands, and even an excursion to neighboring Spain for more fun.
Two weeks in Portugal gives you ample time to enjoy the highlights at a relaxed pace. Spend time in both Lisbon and Porto — complete with private guided tours and gorgeous day trips — while also adding time further afield, on the beaches of the Algarve or on an island like São Miguel in the Azores. Take a road trip, explore the Douro Valley, or tour the broader Iberian Peninsula by combining Portugal with neighboring Spain in one vacation. Read on for more unique itineraries.
Two weeks in Portugal and Morocco is a great amount of time to explore the famous sites in Porto, Lisbon, Marrakesh, and Rabat on a highlights tour. Or, if you're a keen hiker and cyclist, focus your time on Peneda-Gerês National Park, Sintra, Arrábida Natural Park, and the Sahara. Foodies will find plenty of delicious flavors to sample while joining street food tours and cooking classes in each country's major cities, and those looking for a more relaxing journey will love a trip down the Atlantic coast.
With two weeks in Portugal, you can embark on an ultimate family-friendly itinerary ticking off the country's highlights from top to bottom, or take a more relaxing approach and split your time between Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve coast. Families with older kids will enjoy a trip that mixes the cultural splendors of Porto and Lisbon with a five-night stay on São Miguel Island, whereas families with younger children can combine Spain and Portugal for a highlights tour.
Two weeks in Portugal is an excellent amount of time to experience the country's luxurious side while hopping between a few distinct regions. If you're eager to delve into the city's cultural hotspots, focus on Lisbon, Porto, and Évora, or swap in the Alentejo and Comporta for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. The Algarve and Madeira are superb options for a slice of coastal splendor, while those curious about Spain's wonders can include Seville and Granada in their itinerary.
With two weeks in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, you can hit the must-see sights of bustling capital cities on a highlights tour or let your tastebuds lead the way and opt for a culinary and cultural discovery itinerary. Those who dream of traveling back in time will delight in a two-week history tour packed full of relics dating to the Roman Empire, while beach lovers should opt for an epic coast tour complete with time on the Algarve, in Málaga, and along Morocco's west coast.
Fifteen days in Portugal offers travelers a range of options for adventure and leisure. Visit the highlights on a cross-country sightseeing trip, or opt to see more of the Iberian Peninsula by splitting your time between Portugal and Spain. Adventure travelers love to explore the natural landscape of the Azores on an island-hopping tour, including a hike up Portugal's tallest mountain. Or eat and drink your way through Portugal on a foodie tour that introduces you to the best of Portuguese cuisine.
With 16 days to spend in Portugal, you can explore three to six destinations, even choosing to add a trip to nearby Spain. In Portugal, culture and food lovers will enjoy Lisbon, Porto, and historic Coimbra, as well as sampling wine in the Douro Valley. Nature lovers can see Madeira's lush green landscapes via 4WD tours and go beach hopping and whale watching in the Azores or via a relaxed self-drive tour to the Algarve's beaches. Or, add six iconic Spanish cities for a multicountry adventure.
With three weeks to explore, you can discover Portugal, Spain, and Morocco's must-see sights on a highlights tour or opt for an activities-focused trip and admire iconic cities and landscapes from an e-bike, kayak, and on foot. If you're all about the food, opt for a culinary itinerary filled with cooking classes and foodie tours, while history buffs can focus their time on 2,000-year-old relics and beach lovers spend uninterrupted days on the Algarve coast and tour down Morocco's west coast.
If you have three weeks, you can visit up to 10 destinations on an itinerary that includes multicountry destinations in Portugal and Morocco. Indulge in foodie experiences and dine with local families with a culinary-focused itinerary or learn about history and heritage with visits to Braga and Guimarães and Morocco's imperial cities. Beach lovers will want to head to the Atlantic coast, while those seeking a variety of cultural gems should include a luxury stay in the Sahara Desert.
