7 Days in Portugal: Three Perfect One-Week Itineraries

One week in Portugal is enough to see its two great cities and a taste of the coast or countryside, as long as you don’t try to do everything. Here are three ways to spend 7 days in Portugal, depending on whether you love cities, beaches or wine, all easy by train.

Quick answer: the classic week is 3 nights in Lisbon (with a day trip to Sintra), then the train to Porto for 3 nights (with a day in the Douro Valley). Beach lovers can swap Porto for the Algarve. Lisbon to Porto is about 3 hours by train, and Lisbon to Faro about 3 hours. No car needed.

Which week suits you?

Portugal is small, but a week still goes fast. The key is to pick two bases and stick to them. Moving hotel every night eats into your time and wears you out. Choose Option 1 for a first visit and the best mix of history, food and views. Choose Option 2 if you want beach time. Choose Option 3 if you’ve seen Lisbon before, or you love wine and green countryside.

Option 1: Lisbon and Porto (the classic)

• Day 1: arrive in Lisbon; evening in Alfama and a sunset viewpoint such as Miradouro de Santa Luzia or Senhora do Monte. The Graça funicular, which reopened in April 2026, saves you part of the climb. Have dinner in Alfama and, if you like, a fado house.
• Day 2: the castle, Baixa and Chiado, then Belém for the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower (reopened in May 2026 with timed entry) and a pastel de nata. Take the tram or train out to Belém to save your legs. See 2 days in Lisbon.
• Day 3: day trip to Sintra (the train from Rossio takes 40 minutes). Pena Palace tickets are for a set date and time (the Essential ticket is about €20), so book ahead. Private cars can’t drive up to Pena, so walk or take the tourist bus from the station. Add the Moorish Castle or Quinta da Regaleira if you have energy. See Sintra in one day.
• Day 4: train to Porto (about 3 hours). Afternoon in the Ribeira, then walk across the top deck of the Dom Luís I bridge to Gaia for a port tasting and views back over the city.
• Day 5: Porto’s highlights: São Bento station’s tiles, Livraria Lello (about €8 to €10, taken off the price of a book), the Clérigos Tower and a short river cruise. Try a francesinha for lunch. See Porto in one day.
• Day 6: day trip to the Douro Valley. Join a tour with tastings, or take the train from São Bento up the river to Pinhão, one of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe. It takes about two and a half to three hours each way, so start early. The whole line reopened in April 2026 after works. See Douro wine tours.
• Day 7: fly home from Porto (or day trip to Aveiro or Braga first).

Tip: book your flights into Lisbon and home from Porto (a "multi-city" booking on most airline sites) so you don’t have to go back the way you came.

Option 2: Lisbon and the Algarve (city and beach)

• Days 1–3: Lisbon and Sintra, as above.
• Day 4: train to Faro (about 3 hours), then on to Lagos or Tavira by regional train, or pick up a car. For Lagos, you can also change at Tunes instead of going to Faro. The A22 motorway across the Algarve has been toll-free since 2025.
• Days 5–6: beaches, a boat trip to see the Benagil cave from the water, and the Seven Hanging Valleys clifftop trail (about 5.7km one way). Since 2024 you can’t swim into Benagil or land on its beach, and kayaks must go with a licensed guide. See the best Algarve boat trips and where to stay in the Algarve.
• Day 7: fly home from Faro.

Base yourself in Lagos for cliffs, coves and nightlife, or Tavira for a quieter town and island beaches. See Lagos vs Tavira.

Option 3: Porto and the north (wine and green hills)

• Days 1–3: Porto, with a day in Aveiro or Braga and Guimarães. Braga and Guimarães are each about an hour or a little more from Porto by train. In Braga, see the Bom Jesus do Monte staircase; Guimarães has a castle and a beautiful medieval centre.
• Days 4–5: the Douro Valley, staying at a quinta. Spend the days on tastings, a short boat trip and the viewpoints above Pinhão. See the best Douro hotels.
• Days 6–7: Peneda-Gerês or Viana do Castelo, then back to Porto. See Viana and the Minho.

This route is easiest with a hire car from day 4. Pick it up when you leave Porto, not before: you won’t want one in the city.

Getting around

• Trains link Lisbon, Porto and Faro comfortably. Book Alfa Pendular and Intercidades early for promo fares. See our Portugal train guide.
• A car only makes sense for the Algarve or the countryside, not the cities. See driving in Portugal.
• In the cities, walk, and use the metro, trams and Uber or Bolt for the hills.

What to eat in a week

• Lisbon: pastel de nata, grilled sardines in summer, bifanas (pork sandwiches) and ginjinha cherry liqueur.
• Porto: the francesinha, tripe Porto-style, and port and vinho verde.
• Algarve: cataplana seafood stew, grilled fish and piri-piri chicken.

See what to eat in Portugal.

When to go

May, June, September and early October are the sweet spots: warm, but without the August crowds and heat. In winter the cities are mild and quiet, but the Algarve is more about walks than swimming. See the best time to visit Portugal.

Tips

• Don’t overdo it: two bases is plenty for a week.
• Book big sights ahead: Pena Palace, Belém Tower and Livraria Lello have timed tickets.
• Check Mondays: many museums and monuments close.
• Know what’s closed: in Lisbon, the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars and the Santa Justa lift have been shut since September 2025. In Porto, the Guindais funicular is suspended.
• Before you go: see entry requirements and things to know before visiting Portugal.

FAQ

Is 7 days enough for Portugal?

It’s enough for two regions, such as Lisbon and Porto or Lisbon and the Algarve. Trying to fit in all three means more time on trains and less time in each place.

Do I need a car for a week in Portugal?

Not for Lisbon, Porto or Sintra, which are all easy by train. A car helps in the Algarve and the north, so hire one only for those days.

How much is the train from Lisbon to Porto?

Standard fares start at about €28 on the Intercidades and about €35 on the faster Alfa Pendular. Seats are reserved, and booking early on the CP website can be cheaper.

Should I start in Lisbon or Porto?

Either works. Lisbon has more international flights, so many people start there and fly home from Porto.

Got longer? See 10 days in Portugal or our two-week road trip.

From our sister blog: 55 essential tips for your first trip to Portugal on Sunset Travellers.

See also: how many days in Portugal, 5 days in Portugal and 2 weeks in Portugal.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.