Portugal is a relatively small country, but it’s full of beautiful places, fascinating monuments, stunning beaches, and breathtaking natural landscapes. With good accessibility and an efficient transportation network, it’s easy and comfortable to explore the different regions, making the most of everything this destination has to offer.
In this article, we’ve created a one-week itinerary in Portugal designed for travelers who don’t want to rent a car (though it’s perfectly possible to do so) and prefer to use public transportation, perhaps even taking guided tours or excursions.
Since we only have one week and will be using public transport exclusively, we suggest focusing on Portugal’s two largest cities, Porto and Lisbon, exploring them thoroughly while also doing some day trips to other must-see destinations.
One-Week Itinerary in Portugal
Portugal is a very diverse country, and you can create countless itineraries, all interesting and packed with places worth visiting. However, this itinerary is ideal for:
- Those who don’t want to rent a car – it can be done entirely by public transportation.
- First-time visitors to Portugal – we’ll give basic tips and mainly suggest the top attractions.
- Year-round travelers – it’s not beach-focused, but it’s possible to include some beaches.
- Those looking for an urban trip focusing on exploring iconic cities like Porto and Lisbon.
- Those wanting to explore Portuguese culture – we’ve included several tips on where to listen to fado, try Port wine, and enjoy Portuguese cuisine.
- Travelers of all ages – it’s not particularly physically demanding.
Is it worth visiting Portugal for just one week?
Yes! It’s worth it, but we must be aware that it will require making some tough choices. With only one week to visit Portugal, we won’t be able to see all the best and most famous destinations, let alone include some of the less popular spots.
In our opinion, the ideal would be to have around 15 days in Portugal. With that amount of time, you can experience a lot and explore the culture, nature, and food. With less time, you’ll have to make difficult choices, such as leaving out the beautiful regions of Alentejo and Algarve.
It’s important to note that, in this article, we are completely ignoring the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, as they deserve a trip of their own or significantly more travel time. If you wish to visit them, we strongly suggest extending your trip and checking out our articles on these regions, including:
When to visit Portugal?
Portugal is a destination that can be visited year-round, but the experience varies significantly depending on the season. Summer is ideal if you aim to enjoy the beaches, especially from June to September.
During these months, temperatures are higher, the sun shines intensely, and the beaches are at their best, with warmer waters for swimming (especially in August and September) and a vibrant atmosphere. However, it’s also the busiest time of year, with famous tourist destinations often overcrowded with visitors worldwide.
Winter can be an excellent option if you want to avoid the crowds and benefit from lower prices. Although the months from December to February are rainier and temperatures are cooler, there’s a special charm in exploring Portuguese cities and towns with fewer people. It’s a great time to discover the country’s historical and cultural heritage, enjoy a good wine in a rustic, romantic setting, or explore the natural landscapes, which are especially green during this season.
It’s also important to note that the climate varies between northern and southern Portugal. During the winter months, the north, including cities like Porto and Braga, tends to be colder and rainier, while south Portugal, including Lisbon, Sintra, Évora, and the Algarve, remains sunnier.
How to travel in Portugal?
One of the first decisions to make when planning an itinerary in Portugal is choosing the mode of transportation: using public transport, renting a car, taking tours, or even combining these options.
The more flexibility and speed you want, the more sense it makes to rent a car. If you plan to visit more remote places, you’ll probably need a car, but it won’t be necessary if you stay in the big cities, like Lisbon and Porto.
We always suggest not renting a car in Lisbon and Porto, as there are good public transport options, taxis/Uber, and many attractions are close enough to walk to. Additionally, traffic in the historic centers can be chaotic and stressful. Furthermore, some areas are restricted to traffic, making driving even more complicated. Lastly, parking is not easy and can get quite expensive.
For all these reasons, we won’t rent a car on this itinerary. We’ll use a combination of public transport and taxis/Uber, with the option to take some tours for added convenience.
One Week in Portugal – Itinerary from Porto to Lisbon
This Portugal itinerary will focus on the country’s two largest cities and mainly explore their culture, food, and monuments. We suggest spending three days in Porto, three days in Lisbon, and one day traveling, making the most of the opportunity to visit Coimbra, historically Portugal’s third most important city.
We’ll start the journey in Porto and finish in Lisbon, although it’s equally easy to do the reverse. Travel between Porto and Lisbon is straightforward and relatively quick, with plenty of options, including buses, trains, and flights.
Day 1 – Porto’s Downtown (Baixa)
We’ll begin the trip in Porto, dedicating three days to the city and its surroundings. We suggest spending two days in downtown Porto and one day on a tour of the Douro Valley.
Porto’s downtown concentrates most of the city’s main attractions, so we recommend spending at least a full day there. Some must-see attractions include:
- São Bento Station – known for its beautiful tile panels and stunning architecture. It also now has a Time Out Market, a recent addition, with various restaurants.
- Bolhão Market – the most famous market in Porto, it has been renovated and is very popular among tourists.
- Ribeira Neighborhood – a traditional Porto neighborhood by the river, famous for its narrow streets and colorful houses.
- Dom Luís I Bridge – the famous iron bridge that connects Porto to Gaia (you won’t need to cross it today, as you’ll return here tomorrow).
- Clérigos Tower and Church – One of Porto’s most iconic monuments, with an unbeatable view from the top.
- Lello Bookstore – One of Portugal’s most famous and oldest bookstores, well-known for having inspired J.K. Rowling.
- Palácio da Bolsa – A beautiful building with a richly decorated interior, especially the Arab Room.
- Porto Cathedral – One of the city’s most beautiful and imposing buildings.
If you don’t mind walking, you can visit all these attractions and monuments on foot, as they’re relatively close to each other.
Since you’ll spend three days in Porto, we recommend checking out our Porto travel guide.
Where to Stay in Porto
During these first three days, while you explore Porto, we recommend staying in the city center. Baixa and Ribeira are the most central areas, where most attractions are located, and have the best access.
This article analyzes the best areas to stay in Porto and suggests some hotels. We recommend reading it to determine which area and hotel best suit your travel style.
What to Eat in Porto
We believe Porto is one of Portugal’s best cities to eat. It’s the ideal place to try traditional Portuguese cuisine, but it offers various international and more tourist-friendly options. Check out our recommendations below:
Day 2 – Foz, City Park, and Port Wine Cellars
On your second day in Porto, we suggest venturing outside the city center and using public transport to visit some attractions a bit farther away.
In the morning, we recommend taking tram line 1, which runs from Infante to Foz. This route is beautiful, following the river the entire way. Near the end of the line, you’ll find one of our favorite brunch spots in Porto, Camélia – Brunch Garden.
Afterward, if you enjoy walking, head to the beach and stroll along the waterfront to City Park. If you prefer cycling, you can rent a bike and explore the Foz area and City Park by bike.
In the afternoon, head to Gaia and tour one of the famous Port wine cellars. In this article, you can see what to expect from a guided tour. We recommend booking in advance, as it’s one of the most popular activities in Portugal.
At the end of the day, climb up to the Serra do Pilar Monastery to enjoy a stunning sunset. It’s one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Porto, and at the end of the day, it becomes a magical spot. To return to Porto, walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge. The views from the bridge are equally magnificent.
Day 3 – Day Trip from Porto
On your third day in Porto, we suggest leaving the city and exploring one of the many beautiful places near the northern capital of Portugal.
Since we don’t have a car, our main suggestion is the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest and most famous wine regions.
This region is renowned for its terraced vineyards, stretching along the Douro River’s hillsides, creating a unique and picturesque landscape. Besides its natural beauty, the Douro is the birthplace of the famous Port wine, and it’s possible to visit several wine estates where this wine is produced. The valley can easily be visited by train or through an organized guided tour, but many other options exist. If you prefer to go by train, check out this article, where we explain everything you need to know.
If you prefer to relax with a guided tour fully, we suggest this one, for example.
Here are some of our other favorite options:
- Guimarães – A UNESCO World Heritage city with a beautiful historic center and castle. See more information about Guimarães here. Easily accessible by train or bus.
- Braga – One of the main cities in the north, with a beautiful historic center and many attractions. The famous Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary is located close to Braga. You can go by train or bus. See more information in this article.
- Aveiro – A city south of Porto that is easily visited by train. Known for the colorful houses of Costa Nova, its canals, Art Deco architecture, and its local delicacy, ovos moles. Check out our Aveiro guide here.
- Peneda-Gerês National Park—The only national park in Portugal, it’s a unique and extraordinary natural destination. However, it’s impossible to visit in one day without a car. You’ll need to take a tour like this one if you want to visit. We have dozens of articles about this region, such as this one, exploring what to see in Gerês.
Day 4 – From Porto to Lisbon
The fourth day of this one-week itinerary in Portugal is more than just a simple trip between Porto and Lisbon. The journey itself takes about 3 hours, whether by train or bus, allowing us to stop along the way and explore another destination. Here, we present two options: Aveiro or Coimbra.
Our suggestion is to take the train for a comfortable journey, taking advantage of the many trains available throughout the day at different prices, levels of comfort, and speed. There are also many buses at great prices, but the train is more convenient if you want to make the most of your day.
Both Aveiro and Coimbra are mandatory stops for trains between Lisbon and Porto, and in both cases, the stations are close enough to the city center to walk. If you prefer, you can always take an Uber or taxi.
Between Aveiro and Coimbra, our preference goes to Coimbra. Historically, it is considered Portugal’s third most important city and has many monuments. We highlight the University of Coimbra, which, in addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest universities in the world. Check out our full guide to Coimbra here.
To visit Coimbra by train from Porto, take the train from São Bento or Campanhã to Coimbra B. The trip takes a little less than an hour and a half. After visiting Coimbra, head back to Coimbra B station and catch the train to Lisbon (Santa Apolónia or Oriente). The travel time is a little less than 2 hours.
Note
If you stop in Coimbra, you’ll need to buy two tickets — one for the trip between Porto and Coimbra and another between Coimbra and Lisbon.
Aveiro is also one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal, with its canals and Art Deco buildings. If we had an extra day, it would certainly be an excellent option to add to our itinerary. Check out our Aveiro guide here.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
If you follow our itinerary, you’ll end the day in Lisbon. The ideal place to stay is in Baixa Pombalina or nearby. Check out this article for our recommendations on the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon and our favorite hotels in each one.
Day 5 – Lisbon’s Downtown (Baixa)
Upon arriving in the capital, we’ll start by exploring the center of Lisbon, which, like Porto, is full of impressive Portuguese landmarks, beautiful viewpoints, and many things to see and do.
Our suggestion for your first day in Lisbon is to visit some of the city’s main sights and enjoy its beautiful landscapes. In the morning, we’ll visit Alfama and Mouraria, with their narrow, winding streets that have been revitalized in recent years by tourism and trendy shops.
This area is also home to:
- São Jorge Castle – Besides being an important historical monument, it offers one of the city’s best panoramic views.
- Lisbon Cathedral is the city’s oldest church, founded in the 12th century. It combines architectural styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque.
- Tram 28 – The famous yellow tram that runs through Lisbon’s hills.
- Graça and Portas do Sol Viewpoints – Two excellent viewpoints offering breathtaking views over the city.
In the afternoon, we suggest walking around Baixa Pombalina and visiting some of its most iconic monuments, such as Rua Augusta, the Santa Justa Lift, and Rossio Square. The architecture here is completely different from the rest of Lisbon, having been rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.
We leave for the end of the day at the Rua Augusta Arch and Commerce Square, probably the city’s two most iconic places. Head to the riverbank and enjoy Lisbon’s stunning sunset.
Day 6 – Belém and Bairro Alto
On the sixth day of our one-week itinerary in Portugal, we’ll visit Belém (in the morning) and Bairro Alto (in the afternoon/evening).
Early in the morning, take a taxi or Uber to Belém (public transportation is also an option). This neighborhood, which was once completely separate from the rest of the city, is home to some of the most famous monuments in Portugal, as well as fascinating museums. Don’t miss visiting:
- Jerónimos Monastery – A fabulous building that is the pinnacle of Manueline architecture.
- Belém Tower – A beautiful tower that once protected the city from maritime attacks.
- Monument to the Discoveries – A monument erected in honor of the Portuguese navigators of the 15th and 16th centuries.
- National Coach Museum – A fascinating museum with a collection of antique carriages.
- Berardo Collection Museum – A modern and contemporary art museum with exhibitions from international artists.
- MAAT – A contemporary cultural space located on the banks of the Tagus River.
The three main monuments can be seen in half a day, but if you want to visit the museums, you’ll need a full day. At the end of the day, if you have time, head up to Bairro Alto and visit the fabulous ruins of the Carmo Convent, one of our favorite spots in Lisbon.
To wrap up, we suggest attending a Fado show in Bairro Alto. This article explains everything you need to know about Fado and how to attend a performance. Going to a Fado show is an intimate way to connect with the soul and culture of Portugal.
Day 7 – Day Trip to Sintra
Just like in Porto, we’ll dedicate a day to a getaway from Lisbon. There are several guided tours departing from Lisbon and many places worth visiting, but Sintra is undoubtedly the most famous and probably the destination everyone wants to see. It’s also our suggestion.
Sintra is easily accessible from Lisbon, especially by train, and is a popular option for those without a car. Trains depart regularly from Rossio station, taking about 40 minutes to reach Sintra.
If you choose to visit Sintra, there are three places you must visit:
- Pena Palace – Built in the 19th century, it is one of Portugal’s most iconic examples of romantic architecture.
- Quinta da Regaleira – A mysterious palace and garden filled with mystical symbolism, including tunnels, caves, and the famous Initiation Well (also called the inverted tower).
- Moorish Castle – A fortress built by the Moors in the 9th century, strategically located on a hilltop. The panoramic views are breathtaking.
If you have time, we suggest including Monserrate Park and Palace, a marvel of architecture and a much less visited site than the others. It’s our favorite palace in Sintra but a bit farther from the town center.
If you decide to visit Sintra, check out our travel guide dedicated to this village, which looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Alternatives to Sintra
As we mentioned, there are many other options for day trips from Lisbon. Sintra is just the most well-known and popular. If, for any reason, you don’t want to visit Sintra, some of the best alternatives are:
- Cascais – A charming coastal town known for its beaches, marina, and elegant atmosphere, which attracts tourists with its quality of life and natural beauty. It is famous for its history, which is connected to royalty and aristocratic tourism. It can be easily visited by train.
- Évora – A historic city in the Alentejo region, with a well-preserved old town that includes the Roman Temple and the Chapel of Bones. It can be visited by train or bus. Check our Evora travel guide.
- Almourol Castle – An iconic castle on a rocky island in the Tagus River. It’s not the easiest destination to reach, but it’s worth it for being such a unique place. Here’s how to visit.
- Mafra Palace is a monumental 18th-century Baroque building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Mafra. It includes a royal palace, a basilica, and a convent. You can visit it by bus from Lisbon. Check out our guide to Mafra.
As mentioned, one week in Portugal is only enough to see the most famous and popular destinations. It also forces us to make tough decisions, so we left the Algarve, Azores, and Madeira out.
If you have more time, we highly recommend spending at least ten days, including the Algarve, or 15 days to explore the fabulous interior of Portugal.
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