Despite the pandemic in 2021, we were fortunate enough to travel in Portugal and experience the beauty of this country. In a short time, we managed to visit four cities and pack in a lot of sightseeing and experiences. We’ve put together a detailed itinerary on how to travel in Portugal that you can follow if you’re planning a similar trip. Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions.
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Here’s a glimpse of our week-long adventure when we travel in Portugal
- Day 1-2: Porto: Conclude your journey in the charming city of Porto, known for its port wine, colorful riverside district, and lively atmosphere. Explore the Ribeira district, climb the Clérigos Tower for panoramic views, and indulge in traditional Portuguese cuisine.
- Day 3: Aviero and Coimbra: Nicknamed the “Venice of the West,” Aveiro is a charming Portuguese city brimming with colorful canals, traditional moliceiro boats, and rich cultural heritage. This captivating destination offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty, waiting to be explored.
- Take a step back in time in the university city of Coimbra, renowned for its medieval charm and prestigious university. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, admire the stunning architecture of the university buildings, and visit the iconic Joanina Library.
- Day 4-7: Lisbon: Immerse yourself in the vibrant capital, exploring its historic districts, charming cafes, and iconic landmarks like the São Jorge Castle and Jerónimos Monastery.
- Daytrip: Sintra: Escape to the enchanting town of Sintra, nestled amidst the hills of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Wander through fairytale-like palaces like Pena National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, and soak in the mystical atmosphere.
This itinerary is just a suggestion, and you can easily customize it to fit your interests and time constraints. Portugal offers a wealth of experiences, from its captivating cities to its stunning natural landscapes.
We hope this blog post inspires you to plan your own Portuguese adventure! Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
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Map
Best time of year to go
When you Travel to Portugal you can visit all year round. The best time to visit Portugal is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) months. The weather is mild and pleasant and there are fewer tourists than in the summer months. July and August are hot and dry with lots of tourists and the peak season. Summer is best for beach activities and nightlife. Winter (November to March) is mild and wet with fewer tourists.
How long to stay when you travel in Portugal
When we Travel in Portugal we spent with 2 days in Porto, a combined day in Aveiro and Coimbra and 3 days in Lisbon. If you have more time when you are traveling to Portugal we would also recommend visiting the southern parts of the country.
Accommodation
Porto
We recommend staying in a central location. Suggested areas are:
Baixa is considered the city centre and is close to many of the city’s attractions and has many restaurants, cafes and shops.
Ribeira is a historic district on the Douro River. The area has charming cobbled streets, colourful houses and views of the Ponte Dom Luís I.
Cedofeita is a trendy and young area with art galleries and creative shops. The area is close to the shopping street Rua de Cedofeita and is a bit more relaxed than the city centre.
Miragaia is close to Ribeira but is a bit quieter. There are many popular restaurants within walking distance and it is close to the river walk and quays.
Coimbra
We recommend staying between the University and the bus/train station. Suggested areas are:
Baixa de Coimbra is the central area close to the city centre and main streets. This area has many cafes, restaurants and shops and is within walking distance of attractions such as Universidade de Coimbra.
University area if you want to be close to the Universidade de Coimbra and its attractions. The streets are charming and have a historic feel.
Santa Clara is an area along the Mondego River with a peaceful atmosphere. The Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha is nearby.
Almedina is a historic area with narrow streets and picturesque architecture. Sé Velha (the Old Cathedral) is nearby and there are short walks to restaurants and cultural attractions.
Lisbon
We recommend staying in the central areas to be close to the attractions. Suggested areas are:
Baixa and Rossio are considered the city centre and are close to popular attractions such as Comercio Square and Rossio Square. There are also many shops, restaurants and public transport.
Bairro Alto is known for its nightlife, bars and restaurants with many artistic and cultural events. It has views of the city from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
Alfama is an older district with charming streets and a traditional atmosphere. You will be close to São Jorge Castle and Sé Cathedral.
Chiado is a cultural and artistic area with theatres and shops. The area has many trendy cafes and designer shops and is close to Bairro Alto and Baixa.
Príncipe Real is a trendy area with fashion shops, antique shops, beautiful gardens and parks. The area is a bit quieter than Bairro Alto but still close to the nightlife.
Do a qick search for accommodation here:
Transportation
Porto is well served by several airports. We recommend searching and comparing flights on Skyscanner or Google Flights. From Porto Airport, you can take the metro into the city center which takes around 30 minutes and the train runs every 20-30 minutes.
When you travel in Portugal public transportation is excellent, with a variety of options available in each city. Here’s a suggested itinerary that considers these options.
Porto is a relatively compact city and it is easiest to get around on foot or by public transport.
Between Porto and Aveiro and Coimbra, there are several connections. You can choose between bus or train and the journey takes around an hour.
Aveiro and Coimbra are relatively small cities so it is easy to get around on foot.
Between Coimbra and Lisbon, it is easy to travel by both bus and train. The bus journey takes around two hours.
Lisbon is a city with many steep hills so be prepared to walk a lot. It is easy to get around by public transport, metro, trams and buses will take you to all the sights. To Lisbon Airport, you can easily take the Aeroporto-Saldanha metro line. From the city center, it takes about 20 minutes to the airport.
Packing List for when you travel in Portugal
Here is some tips on what to pack when you travel in Portugal:
Clothes:
- 3-4 Breathable shirts (t-shirts & 1-2 long-sleeved).
- 2-3 Lightweight pants/shorts
- 1 Light sweater/cardigan
- 1 Swimwear & cover-up
- 1 Pair walking shoes
- 1 Hat & sunglasses
Essentials:
- Day bag & reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen & insect repellent
- Toiletries & medications
- Passport & copies (documents)
- Sleepwear & underwear
Optional:
- Quick-dry towel (beach/pool)
- Small first-aid kit
- Portable charger (electronics)
- Camera & entertainment
- Phrasebook & small umbrella
- Cash & credit card
Remember: Pack light, layers for evenings, and comfortable shoes.
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Travel in Portugal: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Porto
Porto is the perfekt city to start in when you travel in Portugal.
Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and is located on the Douro River. The city is known for its beautiful architecture, its port wine, and its lively atmosphere.
Avenida dos Aliados – We started our day at Avenida dos Aliados, a wide boulevard in central Porto. Here you can find the city hall, a statue of Dom Pedro IV, and several other historic buildings.
São Bento Railway Station – At the lower end of Avenida dos Aliados lies São Bento, one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. The station is known for its beautiful azulejo tile walls that depict scenes from Portuguese history.
Miradouro da Vitoria – To get a panoramic view of Porto, we continued on to the Miradouro da Vitoria viewpoint. The view was breathtaking and gave us an overview of the Douro River and the city’s rooftops. We always prefer to explore a new city by getting an overview of the city from a high point, and this view of Porto really made an impression.
Ribeira – Our next stop was Ribeira. Ribeira is a cozy and lively promenade along the Douro River. Here you can find colorful houses, traditional restaurants, and many cafes.
Clerigos Tower – We ended the day at the Clerigos Tower. The Clerigos Tower is one of Porto’s most famous landmarks. The tower is 75 meters high and offers fantastic views of the city.
Day 2: Porto Day 2
Morning
Start your day with a visit to Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. The bookstore is known for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and its spiral staircase. You need to buy an entrance ticket to get into the store but it is refunded if you buy a book. Livraria Lello is a popular tourist destination so it can get crowded. A tip is to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
If you are interested in shopping, you can visit the nearby shopping district, Rua de Cedofeita, which is home to a wide range of shops, including fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, and groceries.
Afternoon
Take a lunch break and try the traditional Portuguese sandwich francesinha. Francesinha is a sandwich filled with meat, sausage, cheese, and an egg sauce.
After lunch, you can visit Porto Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral from the 12th century. The cathedral is one of Porto’s most famous landmarks.
Near Porto Cathedral is the Pillory of Porto, a historic building that was built in the 16th century. The Pillory was used to punish criminals.
Take a walk over Luis I Bridge, a steel bridge that connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. The bridge offers stunning views of the city.
Continue up to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a monastery that was built in the 17th century. The monastery is located on a hill overlooking the city.
Evening
Walk down to the port area and try some port wine at one of the many restaurants along the river. Port wine is a sweet wine that is produced in the Douro Valley, which is located north of Porto.
If you have more time, you can visit one of the city’s many museums or galleries, or you can take a day trip to a nearby town, such as Braga or Guimarães.
Recommended tours in Porto:
Day 3: Aveiro and Coimbra
Morning
Take the bus from Porto to Aveiro, which takes about an hour by bus. Aveiro, also known as “Little Venice,” is a picturesque little town known for its canals, colorful houses, and moliceiros, traditional Portuguese gondolas. If you have more time in Porto or Coimbra, it is possible to come here on a day trip, but if you have limited time, a stop during the day is fine.
Luggage storage lockers may be limited, so check with hostels or hotels about the possibility of dropping off your luggage for a small fee for a few hours. From the bus station, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the city center.
Afternoon
Here you can see the colorful houses, churches and museums. Be sure to visit Se Catedral de Aveiro, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Take a ride on a moliceiro boat and glide through the canals while enjoying the beautiful views before continuing on to Coimbra. From Aveiro we took the train to Coimbra which took about 30 minutes.
Coimbra is a historic city in northern Portugal, known as Portugal’s cultural and intellectual center. The city is home to Portugal’s oldest university, Universidade de Coimbra, which was founded in 1290. Coimbra is also a beautiful city with a rich history and culture.
When you arrive in Coimbra, start with a walk through the old town. Here you can see the medieval streets, houses and churches. Be sure to visit Se Velha de Coimbra, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral.
Continue to Universidade de Coimbra where you will see the beautiful campus. If you are short on time, we recommend focusing on exploring Paço das Escolas, a medieval building that houses the university’s library (Biblioteca Joanina), chapel, dungeons, and palace.
Evening
Then walk down the steps at Largo de Sé Velba to the main street, Rua Visconde da Luz. Visit Coimbra’s oldest café, Café Santa Cruz, at the bottom of the street and experience their free fado show which takes place every day at 6pm and 10pm. Try the local delicacy Pastel de Nata.
Then walk across the Ponte Santa Clara bridge that spans the Rio Mondego and explore the ruins of Mosteiro de Santa Clara, which have been preserved after being submerged underwater.
Then continue along the river to the next bridge, Ponte Pedonal Pedro e Ines, and enjoy the historic atmosphere.
Coimbra is a beautiful city
Recommended tours in Coimbra:
Day 4: Lisbon Day 1
Today we started by heading to Lisbon by bus, which took about 2 hours. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The city is built on seven hills and offers a variety of attractions and activities. After checking in to our hotel, we left our bags and immediately set out to explore the city’s culture and history.
Start the day with a walk through Rossio Square, the city’s central square. Here you can find the National Theater, a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture.
Take the steep hill up to the Garden of São Pedro de Alcântara. From the garden you have a fantastic view of Lisbon and the Tagus River.
The continuation of our walk led us to the Santa Justa Lift, a 1902 lift that was unfortunately temporarily closed due to covid-19.
Pass by the Carmo Convent, an old convent that was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. The convent is an impressive example of Baroque architecture and is worth a visit even if you don’t go inside.
Walk or take the tram up to São Jorge Castle. The castle is located on top of one of Lisbon’s hills and offers a fantastic view of the city. The steep hill up to the castle offers great views, and we stopped at some of the ice cream parlors along the way to refuel. Upon reaching São Jorge Castle, we spent the rest of the day exploring its fascinating surroundings and enjoying the historic atmosphere.
Day 5: Day trip to Sintra
Morning
This day we suggest a day trip to Sintra. Start the day early by taking the first morning train to Sintra. The train ride takes about 40 minutes. At the train station you can take the Scott Urb hop-on hop-off bus to easily get to all of Sintra’s attractions. Alternatively, you can choose to rent a bike or hire a private driver to tailor your experience. Since one day is not enough to explore all the castles and sights of Sintra, it is wise to plan your stops and sights in advance. Try to be there when the castles open to avoid the long queues.
Start the day with a visit to Sintra National Palace, a beautiful 16th-century palace. The palace is located on a hill overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. We arrived with the first bus and avoided all the queues.
Take a short walk down to the Moorish Castle, a medieval castle. The castle is located on another hill overlooking the town of Sintra.
Afternoon
Take the bus to Sintra Historic Center and explore the charming town. Here you will find colorful houses, narrow streets and many restaurants and cafes. We had lunch at Beer and Bread.
Although we had planned to visit Pena Palace, we decided to skip it due to the long line to get in. Instead we took the bus back to the train station to change to a bus to Roca Cape, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Despite the windy weather, we were enchanted by the dramatic cliffs that met the sea and stretched to the horizon.
Tips
- Sintra is a popular tourist destination, so it is important to plan your trip in advance.
- To avoid the long queues, it is best to be there when the castles open.
- If you are interested in history and culture, you can visit some of the town’s many museums, such as the Museu de Sintra or the Museu do Palácio Nacional de Queluz.
- Bring cash. Some restaurants and shops in Sintra do not accept cards.
- You can also choose to rent a bike or hire a private driver to get around Sintra. This can be a good option if you want more flexibility and want to explore the city at your own pace.
Day 6: Lisbon Day 2
On our last day in Lisbon, with our evening flight ahead of us, we had the privilege of further exploring this fantastic city. Start the day by taking a tram, about 30 minutes, to the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks. The monastery is beautifully decorated with azulejo tiles and has an impressive church.
Next to the monastery is the Belém Tower, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower is a symbol of Portugal’s rich history as a maritime nation.
Less than a kilometer away is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, a tribute to the Portuguese explorers. The monument is located on the Tagus River and offers a fantastic view of the city.
Continue walking along the waterfront to Ponte 25 de Abril, a bridge reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. On the other side of the bridge you can glimpse the majestic statue of Christ.
Just over a kilometer away lies Lx Factory, a trendy and charming neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and small shops offering handmade and unique items. The atmosphere is almost festive and gives you a festival feeling. For those who have an extra day to spend or want a memorable night out, we recommend staying in Lx Factory
Tips
- If you have an extra day to spend when you travel in Portugal, then you can visit some of Lisbon’s other attractions, such as Alfama, Ribeira, or Parque das Nações.
- After that you can visit Lx Factory that is a popular area, so it is a good idea to book restaurant reservations in advance.
Recommended tours in Lisbon:
Outro
Our week in Portugal was filled with unforgettable experiences, from exploring the colorful canals of Aveiro to climbing the Clérigos Tower for panoramic views of Porto. We hope this itinerary inspires you to travel in portugal and create your own Portuguese adventure. If you have any questions about specific places we visited or need help planning your trip, feel free to contact us.
Additional tips
- When you travel in Portugal it is good to learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. This will go a long way with the locals and show that you are making an effort to connect with their culture.
- Be prepared for crowds, especially during the summer months. Lisbon is a popular tourist destination, so be prepared to share the city with other visitors.
- Take advantage of the public transportation system. Lisbon has a good public transportation system that is easy to use and affordable.
- When you travel in Portugal just relax and enjoy! Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. Take some time to relax and soak in the atmosphere.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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