Portugal packs an unusual amount into a small country, which makes a 7 day Portugal itinerary one of the best value weeks in Western Europe. This route runs Lisbon to Porto by train, adds the palaces of Sintra and the vineyards of the Douro, and never asks you to rent a car.
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Quick facts before you book
Best time to go: April to early June, or September to October. Warm, long days and far fewer crowds than July and August, when the Algarve fills up and Lisbon gets uncomfortably hot.
Daily budget: around 95 US dollars a day for a comfortable mid range trip, or roughly 60 US dollars a day staying in guesthouses and eating at neighbourhood tascas.
Visa: Portugal is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities enter visa free for short stays, others need a Schengen visa. Check your passport in the GlobeDude Explorer.
The route at a glance
Lisbon for three nights with a day trip to Sintra, then the train north to Porto for three nights with a day in the Douro Valley. One direction, two bases, no wasted hours.
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon
Settle into Alfama or Baixa, then walk without a plan. Alfama is a maze of washing lines and tiled facades, and getting lost in it is the point. Watch sunset from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, then find a small place serving grilled sardines and vinho verde.
Day 2: Belem and central Lisbon
Morning in Belem for the monastery, the tower and a custard tart straight from the original bakery, still warm and dusted with cinnamon. Afternoon back in the centre for the Gulbenkian museum or a slow crawl through Chiado and Bairro Alto. Finish with fado in a small Alfama restaurant.
Day 3: Sintra day trip
Forty minutes by train and a completely different world. Pena Palace looks like a child designed it in bright yellow and red, and the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira hide an initiation well you climb down through moss. Book Pena entry ahead and go early, because the queues by midday are brutal.
Day 4: Train to Porto
The Lisbon to Porto train takes under three hours and drops you in the middle of town. Spend the afternoon on the riverfront at Ribeira, cross the Dom Luis bridge on the upper deck for the view, and end the day tasting port in a Vila Nova de Gaia cellar.
Day 5: Porto properly
Livraria Lello early before the crowds, then Sao Bento station for its blue tile panels, the Clerigos tower for the climb, and the Bolhao market for lunch. Porto rewards wandering more than ticking things off. Try a francesinha if you are brave, and expect to skip dinner afterwards.
Day 6: Douro Valley
Take the train up the Douro line, one of the prettiest rail journeys in Europe, following the river past terraced vineyards. Stop at Pinhao for a quinta visit and a tasting, or take a short river cruise. Back in Porto for the evening.
Day 7: Slow morning and fly out
Coffee and a pastel de nata by the river, one last look at the bridge, then the metro straight to Porto airport. Flying into Lisbon and out of Porto usually costs no more than a return and saves you the trip back.
What this week actually costs
Per person for a mid range trip. Pick your home country above and the flight row updates with live return fares from your nearest hub:
| Expense | Per person |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, six nights | 420 US dollars |
| Food and wine | 230 US dollars |
| Trains and transport | 110 US dollars |
| Entries and tastings | 105 US dollars |
| Est. flights from your country | Pick your country above |
| Total for the week, with flights | 865 US dollars |
See what that means against your income in the Salary Goes Furthest tool.
Where to stay
In Lisbon, Alfama is atmospheric but hilly, Baixa is flat and central, and Principe Real is quieter with good food. In Porto, stay within walking distance of Ribeira or Aliados. Find hotels in Portugal.
Getting around
Trains connect everything on this route, so skip the car. Lisbon’s hills are steep, so use the trams and funiculars rather than fighting them. Buy tickets for the Lisbon to Porto train a few days ahead for the cheaper fares.
Book ahead
Pena Palace, Livraria Lello and the better Douro tastings all sell out in season. Browse tours and tickets in Portugal on GetYourGuide.
Stay connected
Train tickets, museum entries and taxis all run through apps here, so get online as soon as you land.
Pay at the real rate: a Wise account avoids the quiet markup cards add on every euro transaction.
Cover the trip: SafetyWing is a low cost monthly plan built for travelers.
Find the fare: Compare flights to Portugal, and consider open jaw tickets into Lisbon and out of Porto.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Portugal?
Seven days is comfortable for Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and the Douro at a relaxed pace. Adding the Algarve beaches to the same week makes it rushed, so save the south for a separate trip or extend to ten days.
How much does a week in Portugal cost?
Around 865 US dollars per person for a mid range week excluding international flights, covering accommodation, food, trains and entries. A budget version runs closer to 550, and Portugal remains the best value country in Western Europe.
What is the best month to visit Portugal?
May, June, September and early October give warm weather, long days and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy, especially on the coast. Winter is mild in Lisbon but wetter in Porto.
Should I visit Lisbon or Porto?
Do both, because the train between them takes under three hours. Lisbon is bigger, sunnier and more varied, while Porto is compact, moodier and cheaper. Three nights each is a natural split.
Do I need a car in Portugal?
Not for this route. Trains link Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and the Douro Valley directly. A car only becomes useful for the Algarve coast or the Alentejo countryside.
Is Portugal cheap compared to Spain and Italy?
Yes. Accommodation, eating out and wine all cost noticeably less than in Spain, France or Italy, while the food quality stays high. Compare it live against your own currency in the GlobeDude Explorer.
This itinerary is AI assisted and reviewed before publishing. Costs, opening hours and transport schedules change, so confirm current details before you book. Some links above are affiliate links that support GlobeDude at no extra cost to you.
