Portugal Itinerary: How to Spend 8 Days in Portugal

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Portugal, where ancient history and modern charm converge in a seamless dance. In this 8-day itinerary, we unravel the diverse tapestry of this captivating country, from the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve to the historic streets of Lisbon and the picturesque vineyards of the Douro Valley. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Portugal's culture, savor its delectable cuisine, and traverse landscapes that seamlessly blend the old with the new. Whether you're a history buff, a culinary enthusiast, or a seeker of scenic beauty, this curated guide promises an unforgettable exploration of Portugal's treasures in just 8 days. Let the adventure begin!

I hope you find this blog helpful in your travel planning to Portugal or helps convince you that Portugal should be at the top of your bucket list of places to go to in the world.

Additional Portugal Travel Blogs

Best Beaches to Visit in Lagos, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay and What to Eat

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Porto, Portugal: Travel Guide

Lisbon

Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, is a city that effortlessly blends old-world charm with a modern, dynamic energy. Set against a backdrop of pastel-colored buildings and intricate tile facades, Lisbon invites exploration through its historic districts like Alfama and Bairro Alto, where narrow cobblestone streets lead to panoramic viewpoints and lively Fado bars. The city's iconic yellow trams wind their way through the hills, offering a scenic journey to landmarks like the historic São Jorge Castle. Lisbon's riverfront, adorned with the striking Commerce Square, provides a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls along the Tagus River. With a lively cultural scene, delectable cuisine, and a welcoming atmosphere, Lisbon captures the hearts of visitors seeking an authentic and diverse European experience.

Lisbon was the starting and ending point for my trip around the country. I spent two out of my eight days in Lisbon exploring the various areas of the city and trying the many vegan restaurants throughout. I enjoyed wandering around the city and thought it was as beautiful and colorful as I thought it would be.

My favorite areas I explored in Lisbon:

• Baixa and Rossio: Baixa is the bustling downtown district of Lisbon, characterized by grand squares and elegant boulevards, while Rossio, located at the heart of the city, is a lively and historic square, serving as a central hub for both locals and visitors alike.

  • I stayed in Lisbon one night at the beginning of my trip and stayed in Baixa. I really liked staying in this area because it’s so centrally located to all of the spots I wanted to see.

• Bairro Alto: Bairro Alto is Lisbon's bohemian quarter, known for its narrow streets filled with eclectic bars, restaurants, and Fado houses, creating a vibrant and dynamic nightlife scene.

• Alfama: Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, is a charming labyrinth of narrow alleys and historic buildings, adorned with colorful tiles and echoing with the soulful sounds of Fado music, offering a captivating glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage.

• São Vicente: São Vicente, a district in Lisbon, is a tranquil and authentic neighborhood characterized by historic architecture, serene gardens, and cultural landmarks, providing a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city.

• Mouraria: Mouraria, Lisbon's multicultural and historic neighborhood, is a tapestry of narrow streets adorned with vibrant street art, offering an authentic atmosphere, diverse culinary experiences, and a captivating blend of cultures.

  • I stayed in this area of Lisbon for one night and really liked that it was a bit quieter of a neighborhood. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, nice hotel, I HIGHLY recommend staying at Quinta Colina Boutique Guesthouse. This was by far one of the best hotels I've stayed at. The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating, especially with a vegan diet. The views from the rooftop are legendary.

• Cais do Sodré: Cais do Sodré, a lively waterfront district in Lisbon, seamlessly intertwines historic charm with a trendy, contemporary vibe, boasting an array of stylish bars, eclectic eateries, and a bustling market, making it a dynamic hub for both locals and visitors alike.

• Chiado: Chiado, an elegant and upscale district in Lisbon, is a cultural haven known for its sophisticated shops, charming cafes, and historic theaters, offering a refined atmosphere and serving as a beloved gathering place for art, literature, and fashion enthusiasts.

Top 20 Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal

1. Visit the historic Belém Tower, an iconic symbol of Lisbon's maritime heritage.

2. Wander through the historic Alfama district, with its narrow streets, colorful houses, and Fado music.

3. Explore the beautiful Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning Manueline architecture.

4. Ride the iconic Tram 28, which traverses the city's hills, offering a scenic tour of Lisbon's neighborhoods.

5. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from São Jorge Castle, a medieval fortress with picturesque gardens.

6. Stroll along the lively waterfront area of Praça do Comércio and enjoy the riverside atmosphere.

7. Visit the trendy neighborhood of Chiado for shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.

8. Explore the LX Factory, a creative hub housed in a former industrial complex with art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

9. Discover the modern architecture of the Parque das Nações district, home to the Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Oceanarium) and the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

10. Explore the colorful streets of Bairro Alto, known for its vibrant nightlife and live music scene.

11. Visit the National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo) to appreciate the artistry and history of Portuguese tiles.

12. Enjoy a performance of Fado, traditional Portuguese music, at a local Fado house.

13. Explore the vibrant and historic market of Mercado da Ribeira, now transformed into a food court with a variety of culinary delights.

14. Take a relaxing boat ride along the Tagus River, offering beautiful views of the city's skyline.

15. Visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, home to an impressive collection of art spanning various periods and cultures.

16. Stroll through Parque Eduardo VII, a sloped, scenic park featuring tree-lined walking paths, manicured lawns & distant water views.

17. Visit the charming village of Belém, known for its iconic Pastéis de Belém and historical landmarks.

18. Explore the enchanting botanical gardens of Estufa Fria and Estufa Quente.

19. Take in the breathtaking views of Lisbon from one of its many miradouros (viewpoints), such as Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Miradouro da Graça.

20. Admire the view from the famous Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewing point.

    For more info about Lisbon, check out my other blog post, Lisbon, Portugal Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay and What to Eat

Porto

Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, unfolds along the Douro River with its iconic six bridges connecting vibrant neighborhoods. Renowned for its historic Ribeira district, port wine cellars, and intricate azulejo tiles, Porto exudes a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern vitality that beckons exploration.

I really liked Lisbon, and there’s a lot to do there, but there was something about Porto that had my heart from the moment I stepped out of the train station. It’s an easy city to explore in a day or two with so much charm, great restaurants, colorful architecture, and yummy port wine spots. You can’t miss out on going to Porto when you’re traveling through Portugal.

Read more about Porto in my travel blog, Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Porto, Portugal: Travel Guide

Top things to do in Porto:

• Walk across Luís I Bridge: Built back in 1886, the Luís I Bridge is a double-deck bridge that spans across the River Douro between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. The bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Porto and an integral part of its skyline.

• Explore Ribeira: Wander through the charming streets of the Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the colorful buildings, narrow alleyways, and lively atmosphere. Enjoy a meal at a riverside restaurant and soak in the picturesque views of the Douro River.

• Visit Livraria Lello: Step into the magical world of Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Marvel at the intricate neo-Gothic architecture, grand staircase, and stunning stained glass. This bookstore is known for its connection to J.K. Rowling, who drew inspiration for Hogwarts from its enchanting ambiance.

• Admire Igreja do Carmo: This baroque-style church is a stunning place to visit in Porto, as it is well known for its tiled side facade. This church was built between 1756 and 1768.

• Tour the Port Wine Cellars: Cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and explore the historic Port wine cellars. Take a guided tour to learn about the wine-making process, the history of Port wine, and enjoy tastings of this renowned local specialty.

• Climb the Clérigos Tower: Ascend the iconic Clérigos Tower for panoramic views of Porto. Climb the 240 steps to the top and be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the cityscape, river, and beyond.

• Discover São Bento Station: Marvel at the stunning beauty of São Bento Station, known for its ornate blue-and-white tilework. The interior of the station is adorned with traditional azulejos depicting historical scenes, making it a must-visit architectural gem.

• Visit the Cathedral (Sé do Porto): Explore the Porto Cathedral, an impressive Romanesque structure that dates back to the 12th century. Admire its intricate façade, explore the cloister, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its terrace.

• Wander through the Gardens of the Crystal Palace: Escape the city bustle and relax in the peaceful Gardens of the Crystal Palace. Enjoy beautifully manicured gardens, fountains, stunning viewpoints, and even a small lake. It's a great spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic.

• Take a Boat Cruise on the Douro River: Experience Porto from the water by taking a boat cruise along the Douro River. Enjoy the scenic views of the city's skyline, the six bridges spanning the river, and the vineyards along its banks.

• Visit the Serralves Museum and Park: Explore the contemporary art exhibitions at the Serralves Museum and stroll through its extensive park. The museum showcases works by renowned national and international artists, while the park offers tranquil gardens, striking sculptures, and a beautiful Art Deco villa.

• Indulge in the Local Cuisine: Porto is a food lover's paradise. Sample traditional Portuguese dishes like francesinha (a hearty sandwich), bacalhau (salted codfish), and pastéis de nata (custard tarts). Don't forget to pair your meals with a glass of local Port wine or Vinho Verde.

• Jardim do Morro, which translates to "Garden of the Hill," is a beautiful public garden located in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the Douro River from Porto, Portugal. It is situated on a hillside, offering stunning panoramic views of Porto's Ribeira district, the Douro River, and the iconic Luís I Bridge. The garden is nestled next to the hill where the Monastery of Serra do Pilar is located, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jardim do Morro serves as a green oasis and a popular spot for both locals and tourists to relax, enjoy nature, and admire the breathtaking vistas.

Douro Valley

About 60 miles from Porto is Portugal’s Douro Valley, where they are most known for their production of port wine. Since I only had one day to experience this part of Portugal, I decided to do an Airbnb experience/tour. The tour I did is linked here, which I highly recommend because the guide takes you to smaller, locally-owned wineries, which was important to me.

It took around 90 minutes to drive from the heart of Porto to our first winery (Quinta Da Fonte Do Milho), where we tasted the various types of port wine, fresh olive oil, jam, and bread. From this first winery, we drove to the town of Pinhão, which was breathtaking and was the town I would have gone to on my own because of all the different winery options and quaint town vibe. We had lunch in this town and took an hour boat ride on the Douro River. Lastly, we stopped at Quinta do Roncão, which was another smaller winery owned by a husband and wife duo. This was in the heart of the valley and had more great port wine-tasting options.

My recommendation for visiting the Douro Valley is if you have rented a car, you can more easily check out other towns and wineries on your own, but there’s not as much to do if you stay in one town for a few days without a car. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can take a train to a few of these well-known towns. Or if you were like me and didn't want the hassle of getting myself around on my own, and when solo traveling, this is a great way to make friends, sign yourself up for a tour.

Lagos

Your trip to Portugal isn’t complete without a few days in the Algarve region in the southern part of the country. Along the southern coast are the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to. When I was deciding what town to stay in, I decided to research all the beaches that looked the most epic and beautiful. After doing my research, Lagos was the clear winner for me. The beaches are legendary, and most of the best beaches are tucked between cliffs.

Lagos is the perfect destination for someone looking to lounge by the beach for a few days. Or if you are someone like me who enjoys laying by the beach but isn’t something you enjoy doing all day, then Lagos is for you. There were enough beaches to walk to and figure out how to get down to them that I was quite entertained each of the three days I was there.

As for where to stay: in town or by the beach? I stayed at a hotel near one of the prettier beaches I was hoping to visit. I found that since my priority was to check out the different beaches in Lagos, this option suited me more. The town of Lagos is quite nice, and there are a lot of restaurants to try (which is the one downside of staying further away from town, you have to walk each time you want to get food - or eat at the hotel).

Find my more detailed blog post, Best Beaches to Visit in Lagos, Portugal, here

Top Beaches/Places to Visit in Lagos:

• Praia de Dona Ana - my hotel was right across the street from this beach, which made it convenient to get to the beach before everyone else did by mid to late morning (the sunrises are pretty epic here too).

• Praia do Camilo

• Ponta da Piedade - not a beach, but you can take the stairs down to the water to see all of the boats nearby

• Farol da Ponta da Piedade Lagos - not a beach, but it has a spectacular view of the cliffs and water

• Praia do Barranco do Martinho

• Praia do Pinhã

I recommend getting up early to see the sunrise at the various beaches. The rocks slowly being lit up for the day is unreal and makes for some of the best photos you can take during the day.

If you aren’t able to be up early to see the sunrise, sunsets in Lagos are also incredible. One of my favorite nights during my trip was when I hiked along the cliff edges to the different lookout points. Slowly walking along the cliffs and seeing the sunset across the horizon is something I won’t ever forget.

Sintra

Sintra, Portugal is an easy day trip from Lisbon and a highly recommended place to visit in your seven or eight days of traveling around Portugal. Sintra is a micro-climate part of Portugal, so if you are visiting in the summer, it is a great place to beat the heat for a day.

Similar to my decision to do a tour in the Douro Wine Valley, I wanted to see as many things in this region, and I knew doing a tour would be the best idea for me (the tour I booked). The tour met in the heart of Lisbon and drove for about 40 minutes before we got to the historic center of the Vila de Sintra. We spent time walking around and learning about the history of the region.

Next, we headed to the famous Quinta da Regaleira which houses the most elaborate, lush gardens in a former private residence I had ever seen. You can’t miss this place when you visit the area. I recommend getting lost in the gardens and many secret passages on the property.

The crown jewel of the town is Pena Palace. It’s located in the Sintra Mountains, where on a clear day you have sweeping views of the region. Unfortunately, the day I visited was extremely foggy, so I couldn’t see the dramatic views from the palace, but the palace itself was worth a visit.

The last two stops of the day were at a beach/surf town for lunch, and the lookout point of Miradouro da Praia do Caneiro. It was an overcast day for our tour, but I loved getting along the coast and seeing the big waves crashing along the rocks by the shore.

Other Notable Mentions for your Trip to Portugal:

• Praia do Guincho

• Colares

• Cascais

• Parque Natural da Arrábida

• Berlenga Grande Island

• Óbidos

• Nazare Beach

• Tomar

• Coimbra

• Aveiro

• Braga

• Covão dos Conchos

• Marvão

Enjoy your trip to Portugal!