Portugal is such a versatile destination that it might be difficult to decide what to see and what not. Do you want to see the rugged coastline, golden beaches, and clear waters of the Algarve or do you want to see lush national parks and waterfalls of the north? What about Porto’s charming buildings covered in Azulejos or Lisbon’s phenomenal atmosphere? There is so much to choose from so let me help you with this 2-week itinerary around the country!

This itinerary is what I would describe as the perfect road trip through Portugal. Portugal has much to offer so you could easily spend more than two weeks there. Unfortunately, not everyone might be able to spend two weeks in Portugal, so you might want to adjust this itinerary to your wishes 🙂

Getting There & Getting Around

Portugal has three international airports: Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), Porto Airport (OPO) in Porto, and Faro Airport (FAO). It might be worth checking the prices before deciding where to fly to. For me, it was cheaper to fly from Schiphol Airport to Porto Airport, and more expensive to fly from Faro Airport. This will depend on your location. You could totally do this itinerary backward or start in the middle. All three airports are sufficient for the start of your visit to Portugal.

Portugal covers just over 92,000 square kilometers, which means you can’t simply go to the other side of the country for a day trip. The country does offer decent public transport, and you’ll definitely get to do most of this itinerary, but some of the more remote locations won’t be reachable without a car. I truly would recommend renting a car to get around. It will give you far more freedom and possibilities to travel around. Driving in Portugal is not difficult at all. The roads are well maintained and the locals drive rather relaxed.

When to Visit

Portugal is a great year-round destination, so it depends on what you prefer. I went in summer, which was a little intense heat-wise, yet doable, however, you might prefer a colder season or a less crowded one. Here is an overview of the seasons and their advantages and disadvantages:

• Spring (March to May)
  • Weather: Mild temperatures, landscapes are greener, flowers are blooming and the waterfalls have water.
  • Advantages: Lower crowd levels, better weather for outdoor activities.
  • Disadvantages: The sea might still be a little too cold for a swim.
• Summer (June to August)
  • Weather: Hot and sunny.
  • Advantages: Perfect for enjoying the beautiful beaches and doing water sports.
  • Disadvantages: Peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. Might be too hot for sightseeing.
• Autumns (September to November)
  • Weather: Warm temperatures continue into September and October, gradually cooling down in November. Expect more rain in the north and central Portugal.
  • Advantages: Fewer tourists and lower prices compared to the summer months. Better temperatures for outdoor activities.
  • Disadvantages: Depending on the month it could be getting too chilly to swim in the sea. The temperatures in the south remain warmer.
• Winter (December to February)
  • Weather: Mild in the south, but cooler in the north. More chances of rain in north and central Portugal.
  • Advantages: Not crowded at all! Perfect for a quieter and more relaxed visit.
  • Disadvantages: Not ideal for beach activities.

Portugal Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: Porto

If you start in Porto you’ll be off to a great start on your Portugal road trip. I was pleasantly surprised by Porto and might even prefer it over Lisbon. There is so much to see and do! Porto is one of the older European centers, its historical core has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, but it dates all the way back to Roman times. Hence why Porto combines historical charm with a vibrant cultural scene and has a lot to offer for those interested in history, food, and wine.

Porto is not a very big city, you could easily get around on foot or by public transport. It has a couple of hills, but not nearly as many as Lisbon. Another benefit of starting in Porto is that it is the perfect base for some day trips, but to get used to the Portuguese way of life start with exploring Porto. Here are some of my highlights:

• Climb the Clérigos Tower at Sunset for a perfect view of the city.
• Visit Porto Cathedral and its cloister for the perfect photo backdrop (Azulejos: blue ceramic tiles), also climb the tower for a phenomenal view of the Douro River and the Luis I bridge!
• Visit one of the most gorgeous libraries in the world: Livrario Lello

These are just a couple of things to see, there is so much more to explore. Check out this post for more must-dos in Porto.

Day 3: Visit National Park Peneda-Gerês

Penada-Gerês is a 72.290 hectares big national park where you can enjoy amazing landscapes, a variety of waterfalls, and if you’re lucky some wildlife. Somehow the national park is not very popular among international tourists.

The National Park is about a 1.5-hour drive from Porto to a town called Gerês. Gerês is a valley in the national park with some stores, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and even a tourist office. This is a great starting point for either hikes or a road trip through the national park.

The park has so much to offer, you could easily spend an entire week there. I unfortunately only had one day to spend there, but if you’d like you could add extra days to this itinerary to explore Penada-Gerês, although if you’d make that choice I’d recommend spending a couple of nights in Gerês.

Trails & Waterfalls

• PR6 – Trilho dos Miradouros – This trail takes you past several ‘miradouros’ (viewing points) with spectacular views of the entire valley. The trail is 12 kilometers long, starts in Gerês, takes about 5 hours, and is of medium difficulty.
• PR3 – Trilho dos Currais – This trail contains areas where animals graze during summer. This system of seasonal grazing is called ”vezeiras”. From May to September the local community takes cattle up into the mountain pastures. The cattle herders stay with them in small cottages built alongside the corrals. This trail is 10 kilometers, takes about 4 hours, starts in Gerês, and is of medium difficulty.
• PR7 – Trilho de S. Bento – This trail does not start in Gerês, but in Rio Caldam which isn’t too far away from Gerês (by car). It’s a trail packed with historical, cultural, and religious interest, based around the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta. The trail is 14 kilometers long, takes about 6 hours, and is of medium difficulty.
• Cascata da Laja – Slightly above Gerês (you do need to go by car) is Cascata da Laja, a waterfall in front of a wooden bridge. PR10 goes past this waterfall. You could do the PR10 trail backward to go to this waterfall.
• Cascata de Leonte – a 19-meter waterfall. PR10 goes past this waterfall, you could do the trail backward if you don’t want to do the full trail. Beware! In summer this waterfall has often disappeared.
• Cascata de S. Miguel (Portela do Homem) – This waterfall consists of multiple waterfalls. It is further up north past the Spanish border. You can park near the waterfall but will have to walk 500 meters. Especially in summer, this waterfall is rather popular because you can swim there. Do be careful of slippery rocks when descending towards the water!

This is one of the locations that can only be reached by car. If driving is not an option for you, worry not, you could always book an excursion!

Day 4: Visit the Paiva Walkways

The Paiva Walkways is an 8-kilometer wooden walkway running alongside the Paiva River through untouched nature. The walkway starts in Airenho or Espiunca (it’s a linear route), the easiest route starts in Airenho because you will cross the 400+ steps in the beginning, and from there on it will mostly be downhill. Halfway through is a little beach where you can swim or cool down.

You could decide to do the trail both ways or you could opt for a taxi at the end of the trail, they come and go so it’s not necessary to walk back unless you’d like to.

Additionally, you could add a visit to the 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge, which is at the start of the walkways. This suspension bridge is suspended 175 meters above the gorge, making it the second largest in the world. It’s see-through, so not for the faintest of hearts!

You will need a ticket to visit the Paiva Walkways and the 516 Arouca Bridge, a ticket to the Paiva Walkways does not include a ticket to the suspension bridge. You can buy your walkways ticket for €2 at the official website and your suspension bridge tickets for €12 at their official website.

Day 4: Travel to Lisbon

It’s time to pack our bags again and head to the next destination; Lisbon, unless you of course want some more days in Porto. The drive from Porto to Lisbon is about 3 hours, but there are some stops you could make along the way.

First of all, you could spend a couple of hours at Coimbra. Coimbra once used to be the capital of Portugal, nowadays it is mostly known for its university and it’s about 1.5 hours away from Porto, perfect for a stop along the way! The University of Coimbra is at the top of the mountain, a scenic walk will take you up higher and higher. Up there you could visit parts of the University, feel like you’re in a Dark Academia novel in the Joanina Library, feel like a royal at the Royal Palace, and enjoy the beautiful view from the free Botanical Garden.

Once you’ve finished exploring the university, head down to the city center where you can find various souvenir shops, restaurants, and stores. Additionally, the Santa Cruz Church and the Old Cathedral of Coimbra are worth a visit before continuing your trip to Lisbon.

Another stop that can be added to the route is Óbidos, a picturesque Medieval town quite close to Lisbon. Roam through the labyrinth of cobblestone streets, and white houses that are traditionally painted with blue and yellow edges. Take pictures underneath the balconies filled with flowers, or visit one of the many churches. And when I say many, I mean MANY (14!).

Óbidos, was gifted to Queen Isabel in the 13th century. It became part of the Queens’ Estate and got improved and enriched through multiple dynasties, hence why there are so many churches in a small area. Some worth visiting are: Igreja de Santa Maria, Senhor Jesus da Pedra, and Igreja de Sao Tiago (is now a cute bookstore).

Besides churches, there are many other things to do in Óbidos such as visiting the Óbidos Castle, or walking along the city 13 meter tall city wall.

Óbidos is about an hour away from Lisbon, you could also go on a day trip from Lisbon if the drive from Porto is a bit too much for you.

Day 5 & 6: Explore Lisbon

It’s time to explore the city of seven hills, known for its historic architecture, colorful neighborhoods, and scenic views. The city of Lisbon can be divided into two parts; one being the Belém area and the other being the city center. It’s up to you to decide where to start.

Start your day at the metro stop Rossio, where your Lisbon adventure will start! Our first stop of the day is going to be the Santa Justa Lift. This elevator will bring you to the very first viewpoint of the day, and many more will follow. This ride however is not free, but there is a free way to get the same view. Check out this blog post for more information.

Up next is the Ruins of the Carmo Covent. This roofless covent is located right next to the viewing platform of the Santa Justa Lift. The ruins are a symbol of Lisbon’s resilience after the devastating 1755 earthquake that destroyed the Covent and the city.

It’s time to head back down to Pink Street for a short photoshoot. Before taking a break at Praça do Comérico. This massive square will make you feel very tiny and insignificant and it will not come as a surprise that it’s Europe’s biggest square. Take some time to watch the brightly coloured trams pass by, have a drink at one of the terraces, and feel the river breeze blow through your hair. Don’t forget to take a picture at the Rua Augusta Arch, which you can also climb if you want to. Even from above, Praça do Comérico will feel massive.

Up next it’s time to climb up towards Castelo de São Jorge, but first, visit the Lisbon Cathedral along the way. You have now entered the Alfama district which is worth exploring. Characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, boutique shops, and local cafes it is truly a lovely area to wander around, whilst making your way up to the castle.

It’s up to you to decide to visit Castelo de São Jorge. In all honesty, I wasn’t that impressed by the Moorish castle. There are few information posts so I didn’t really learn anything. It does, however, have one of the best viewpoints of Lisbon, but if you decide to not visit the castle Graça Viewpoint is a great substitute.

On day two you could explore the Belém area. Multiple buses go back and forth throughout the day. Start with Jerónimos Monastery & The Church of Santa Maria de Belém. This marvelous building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and they are a must-visit when in Lisbon.

Once you have explored the monastery head to Pastéis de Belém for an authentical Pastel de Nata. This pastry shop is almost next to the monastery and they have the best Pastel de Nata’s. They are delicious!

Afterwards, walk towards Belém Tower which is another UNESCO Heritage site. You can enter the tower or just enjoy its exterior. Then head to our last destination of the day: Quake, an interactive museum about the 1755 earthquake.

Once it’s time to head back, I’d suggest renting an electric step (they can be found everywhere in Lisbon) and cruising down the waterfront promenade with the Ponte 25 de Abril in the distance. There is a bicycle lane that almost entirely goes back to the Cais do Sodré train and bus station.

These are just some of the things you can do in Lisbon. Check out this post for even more things to do in Lisbon:

A traveler’s guide of the best things to see and do in Lisbon

Day 7: Beach Day

A full week of exploring is incredibly exhausting, so it is time for a well-deserved beach day. Lucky for you there are multiple great beaches to choose from.

Cascais

If you’re not tired yet of all the exploring, Cascais is the location for you! Cascais is a beachside town with glamorous villas, golden beaches, museums, and a pretty harbor, which is only a 40-minute train ride (or 30-minute drive) away from Lisbon.

Head to The Condes do Castro Guimarães to photograph the extravagant villa, visit the Santa Maria Lighthouse, seek shade in Parque Marechal Carmona, feel the ocean breeze at the unique cliff formationBoca do Inferno, and spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach. The two beaches in the center of the town are called Praia da Rainha and Praia da Ribeira. Either will guarantee a fantastic afternoon at the beach.

Galapinhos Beach

A bit further away is Galapinhos beach. You can reach this beach after a 54-minute drive and a 10-minute walk downwards. The beach is said to be one of Europe’s prettiest beaches, with its crystal clear water, green scenery, and white sand. The beach does not have any facilities but there are multiple beaches nearby that do.

Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo

An even more secluded beach can be found within a 47-minute drive and a steep 30-minute walk downwards. The view from above is stunning. White sand, turquoise water, cliff formations, truly a wonderful sight to see. There are no facilities at the beach, so make sure you bring plenty of water and preferably a parasol because there is little shade.

Day 8: Sintra Daytrip

My absolute favourite thing to do in Portugal was visiting Sintra. Sintra has been the home of kings, queens, and rich Portuguese who have turned the hilltop village into a fairytale-like village with castles, palaces, and exotic gardens.

You’ll need to board a 40-minute direct train from Rossia station to Sintra to get there. It’s also possible to take the train from Entrecampos if your hotel is located up higher in Lisbon, like mine was. Whatever you do, don’t go there by car. The roads of the village are not suitable for the amount of tourists visiting nowadays. There is little to no parking and lots of traffic jams. Instead, it’s best to go around by the hop-on-hop-off bus (bus 434 & 435) or by taxi, uber or tuk-tuk.

Another, more relaxed option, is to book a day excursion. Here are some of my favorites:

If you do decide to go to Sintra on your own, here is a list of the best locations in Sintra:

• Pena-Palace: A beautiful palace with a brightly colored exterior and lots of different architectural styles combined.
• The Moorish Castle: Ruins of a Moorish castle which provide a stunning view of Pena Palace and everything down below.
• Quinta da Regaleira: a neo-gothic mansion with a massive garden around it including an initiation well, waterfall, and many secret passages.
• National Palace: Medieval palace, which was the original palace.
• Monseratte Palace: an Arabian-inspired villa.

This is the order in which I visited the locations: Pena palace -> Moorish Castle (you can walk from Pena Palace to the Moorish Castle) -> Quinta da Regaleira -> Monseratte Palace. My friends and I used an Uber and split the cost, which was cheaper than buying a €15.20 ticket per person for the bus.

To enter the castle, palaces, and villa you need to buy a ticket. It’s most convenient to do this beforehand, then you’ll also get a discount. You can do this at the official website and you can buy your Quinta da Regaleira tickets over here.

Day 9: Drive to Lagos and spend the sunset at Ponta da Piedade

The day has arrived to travel to our next destination: The Algarve, Lagos to be specific. The drive from Lisbon to Lagos takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. It’s a long drive, but beach paradise is waiting for you. As far as I know, there aren’t any stops worth visiting along the way, but please correct me if I’m wrong!

Today’s itinerary entirely depends on your preferences and arrival time. Perhaps you’d like some more time in Lisbon or you might depart early in the morning. It’s all up to you! I can imagine being tired after such a long drive so you might want to take some time to freshen up in your accommodation or spend some time at the beach or pool. Others might still be full of energy, those could explore Lagos.

In Lagos you could wander through the lively town center looking for the best souvenirs, gawk at the intricate details of the interior of the Church of Santo Antonio, or visit the Lagos Castle. Lagos is not very big, one afternoon is enough to explore the city.

During sunset, I’d recommend visiting Ponta da Piedade. Ponta da Piedade is a collection of cliffs overlooking the ocean. Many people gather there daily to watch the sunset, some even bring picnic baskets! They have recently opened a new boardwalk, which is perfect for an evening stroll along the coast. You could also head down the stairs to get to the water’s edge. It’s a beautiful area to explore!

Day 10: Beach day

A visit to the Algarve is not complete without multiple beach days. Multiple, you might wonder? Yes, multiple because there are so many beaches to choose from. You could spend months in the Algarve trying to visit all the beaches.

Today we are going to start with the beaches near Lagos. There are multiple ones you can visit:

• Praia do Pinhão with the Pinhão Fort Bridge
  Praia do Pinhão is a small secluded beach that can be accessed from Praia dos Estudantes through a man-made tunnel. The beach is mainly popular amongst Instagrammers and photographers due to the bridge connecting two cliffs that is all that is left of what once was a fort.
• Praia da Batata
  This beach might not be the most impressive beach out there, but it’s very conveniently located near the city center and easily accessible! Because of that, it can be crowded.
• Praia Dona Ana
  For some more interesting cliff and rock formations you should head to Praia Dona Ana. There is a beach bar and a public toilet, but it can get very crowded.
• Praia do Camilo
  Whenever you Google ‘Algarve beaches’, Praia do Camilo will show up. This beautiful beach is located near Ponta da Piedade and is divided into separate areas that you can access through short carved tunnels. The beach is fairly small yet gets very crowded, keep that in mind when visiting.
• Praia da Balança
  For a true secluded beach vibe, you should head to Praia da Balanca. It takes some effort to get there (read: you have to climb down a narrow canyon), but you will be rewarded. This unparalleled natural beauty has dramatic rock and cliff formations are only enjoyed by those who dare to climb down and those who arrive by canoe, thus creating a tranquil experience.

Day 11: Marinha Beach and the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Benagil Cave

Have you had enough time to relax and unwind? Good, because it’s time to get active again. Today we are going to go on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, visit the gorgeous Marinha beach, and canoe/kayak to the Benagil Cave, you better get up early!

Start the day early at the Praia do Marinha parking (39 min drive from Lagos). It’s a relatively small parking, so it is important to get there early otherwise it will be full (I arrived at 10 AM in August and it was already full, there is a parking area about 20 minutes of walking away called Aparcamiento Parking). Although you will be very close to Marinha Beach, I’d advise to first do the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

The trail is a 6km long linear trail from Praia da Mariha to Praia de Vale Centeanes past several beaches and cliffs. The trail is of moderate difficulty with several ascending and descending parts, but nothing too intense.

Why not start at Praia de Vale Centeanes?
It has even less parking spots, and by starting at Praia da Marinha you get to enjoy a cold refreshing beverage at one of the restaurants at the end of the trail, there are no restaurants at Praia da Marinha.

The trail can be divided into three parts:

• Part 1: Praia da Marinha – Benagil Beach | 2 kilometres
• Part 2: Benagil Beach – Praia do Carvalho | 1.5 kilometres
• Part 3: Praia do Carvalho – Praia de Vale Centeanes | 2.5 kilometres

The first two parts are the most popular. It is possible to quit earlier if you’d like to. Do keep in mind that there is little to no shade along the trail, hence why it’s best to do this trail in the morning, and don’t forget to bring enough water, sunblock, and a hat.

Benagil Beach will be the first stop to have a break at. The trail will take you past the opening of the Benagil Cave, but you won’t be able to look into the cave, which is why it’s time to view the cave from the inside. At Benagil Beach, it is possible to rent a canoe or kayak to visit the nearby Benagil Cave that is only accessible from sea. Try to rent one in advance just in case they will run out of canoes.

After the Benagil Cave stop it is time to continue onwards with the trail. Once you have arrived at the end (and have had your refreshing beverage) you can book an Uber to get back to Praia da Marinha, and now it is finally time to enjoy the rest of your afternoon at this gorgeous beach.

Day 12: Beach day, Visit Another town, Or Do Both!

It’s really up to you to decide what you’d like to do today. Do the feet need a rest day, then spend the day at the beach. Do you want to see more of the Algarve, drive to another town in the area. Or do both!

I have already told you about some of the best beaches in Lagos, but the Portuguese coastline has many more gorgeous beaches to offer:

• Praia da Prainha.
  Located in Prainha, this beach has multiple little coves separated by intricate rock formations such as arches, ledges, chasms and caves. The amount of marine life makes it a great location for snorkeling. Keep an eye on the tide because the entire beach disappears with high tide.
• Praia da Angrinha
  Located in Ferragudo, this beach is mostly used by locals. From the beach you get a great view of a small castle, which characterizes the beach. It’s a river beach, so it’s sheltered from waves. Perfect for those looking for calmer waters.
• Praia da Falésia
  Located near Albufeira, this 6-kilometer-long sandy beach will guarantee you of a quiet spot and there are many facilities.
• Praia dos Três Castelos
  Located in Portimão, right next to another popular beach: Praia Da Rocha. This beach is less crowded than its popular neighbor however just as gorgeous.

When it comes to towns, you’ve also got multiple options to choose from. Neither of the towns are very big, so one afternoon/day should be enough to explore hence why it can be so perfectly combined with a beach day or with a visit to another town.

• Go to Faro, the capital city of the Algarve, if you prefer bigger cities. Over there you could explore Cidade Velha (old town), the Chapel of Bones, Ria Formosa Natural Park (a coastal lagoon), go on a shopping spree, or head to one of the beaches.
• Go to Albufeira for another small-town experience. Over there you can explore the old town, the old fishermen’s area, visit the strip at night, or go to the beach during the day.
• Go to Tavira if you want a more authentic experience. This town is less touristy but still has an old town, the remains of an old Moorish fort, a church with a tower you can climb, and stroll along the waterline.

Day 13: Waterpark

The Algarve is a popular summer destination and with a popular summer destination often comes awesome waterparks. They’re a fun way to spend the day especially in the hot temperatures. There are three parks in the area that are worth visiting, two of them are even in the top 20 best European Waterparks according to TripAdvisor!

• Slide & Splash – Located near Portimão, this water park has about 22 waterslides of which some are built in a beautifully themed mountain. Prices start at €27 (for adults) and vary depending on the season.
• Aquashow Park – Located near Quarteira, this water park has about 14 waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a rollercoaster, and some other flat rides. The park also has an indoor area (which is closed during summer). Entry is €33.
• Aqualand – Located near Alcantarilha, this water park has about 10 slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Buy your tickets online because then they’re €19 instead of €31.

Day 14: Travel day

The last day of your Portugal road trip has arrived. The program for today is truly up to you, regard this as a free day. It could be that you have an early flight back today (or lost the 1st day because of a late flight), perhaps you still want to work on that tan at one of the many beaches. If you want to know what else the Algarve has to offer, check out my: Explore the Algarve: The Best Things To See and Do post.

I hope you enjoyed reading this itinerary. Have you ever been to Portugal, if so what did you think? If you have any suggestions for locations to add into this itinerary please let me know!

Love,

Sharon