Portugal Itineraries: 7 to 12 Day Routes from Local Experts

Portugal is small enough to see a lot in a week or two, and varied enough that no two trips need to look the same. These itineraries are written by people who live here. Each one keeps driving days short, leaves free time in the afternoons and sticks to places that are easy to reach.

Use them as ideas, mix and match, or send one to our recommended local partner, Portugal Magik, and ask them to shape it around your dates.

7 day itineraries

• 7 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra and Porto
  If this is your first time in Portugal and you only have a week, this is the route most people are glad they chose. Pace: Easy.
• 7 Days in Portugal: Lisbon and the Quiet Alentejo
  A week split between the capital and the wide, slow countryside to its east. Pace: Relaxed.

8 day itineraries

• 8 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and the Douro Valley
  This is the classic north and south pairing with the Douro Valley added at the end. Pace: Easy.
• 8 Days in Portugal with Kids: An Easy Family Route
  A family trip works best with fewer hotel changes and a beach at the end. Pace: Relaxed.
• 8 Days in Portugal: Porto to Lisbon
  The classic route run in reverse, which works well for flights arriving in Porto. Pace: Easy.

9 day itineraries

• 9 Days in Portugal: Lisbon to Porto through Central Portugal
  Most visitors rush between Lisbon and Porto in three hours. Pace: Moderate.
• 9 Days in Portugal: Lisbon and the Algarve Coast
  City first, sea second. Pace: Relaxed.
• 9 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Fatima and the Silver Coast
  A route with faith and the sea at its heart. Pace: Easy.

10 day itineraries

• 10 Days in Portugal: The Classic Route
  If you want to see the whole country in one trip without feeling rushed, ten days is the sweet spot. Pace: Moderate.
• 10 Days in Portugal: Wine and Heritage
  Portugal’s three best known wine regions, linked by its oldest towns. Pace: Relaxed.
• 10 Days in Northern Portugal: Porto, Douro and Minho
  The north is greener, cooler and more traditional than the south. Pace: Relaxed.
• 10 Days in Portugal at a Gentle Pace
  For travellers who want to come home rested. Pace: Very relaxed.
• 10 Days in Portugal for First-Time American Visitors
  Flights from the US usually land in Lisbon early in the morning. Pace: Easy.

11 day itineraries

• 11 Days in Portugal: Highlights and the Atlantic Coast
  Eleven days let you add the quiet Atlantic coast south of Lisbon, rice fields, dunes and long empty beaches, to the classic city pairing.. Pace: Moderate.
• 11 Days in Portugal: Castles and Border Towns
  A route through the walled towns of the inland border, where castles still watch over Spain. Pace: Moderate.

12 day itineraries

• 12 Days in Portugal: North to South
  Twelve days is enough to see almost all of mainland Portugal without rushing. Pace: Moderate.
• 12 Days of Slow Travel in Portugal
  Three bases, twelve days and plenty of space. Pace: Very relaxed.
• 12 Days in Portugal: Douro Vineyards to Algarve Beaches
  A balanced trip with something for everyone: city, beach, vineyard and one day of rest in each.. Pace: Moderate.

How to choose

• 7 to 8 days: two or three bases. Lisbon plus Porto, or Lisbon plus the Algarve.
• 9 to 10 days: add the Douro, the Alentejo or central Portugal.
• 11 to 12 days: north to south, or fewer bases and more rest.