15 Days in Portugal - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Portugal

For the ultimate sightseeing experience covering the historic neighborhoods of Porto to the scenic beaches of the Algarve, embark on this 15-day journey showcasing Portugal's top highlights. You'll travel in style, from vintage cars to hot air balloons, while experiencing the best of what Portugal offers.

Welcome to Portugal! Begin your trip in Porto with a glamorous vintage car tour through the city's historic downtown and neighborhoods, concluding with a visit to a port cellar. Travel by private driver to the Douro Valley, where you'll learn about wine-growing history, taste regional wines, and have lunch at a famous estate. Upon your return to Porto, take a free day to explore nearby towns and historical sites, like the canals of Aveiro, nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal."

Departing from Porto, stop to take in the medieval city of Coimbra on your way to Lisbon. Over the next three days, you'll get to know Lisbon and take day trips to nearby attractions, including the romantic palaces of Sintra. Then, pick up your rental car and drive to the UNESCO-listed Évora, where you'll experience a bird's eye view of the ruins of the 2000-year-old Templo Romano on a hot air balloon tour. Finally, wrap up your cross-country adventure at the beach, spending three days in the Algarve region before returning to Lisbon for some last-minute souvenir shopping before you depart. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Portugal for Food & Wine Lovers

Sample the flavors of Portugal on this 15-day foodie holiday, taking you through the wineries and olive oil estates of Alentejo and the vineyards of the Douro Valley. Embark on a culinary adventure, including a jeep safari of a cork forest and a private cooking tour.

Start your trip in Lisbon with a stop at six local food joints and a guided tour of the city's neighborhoods. Then, take a day trip to the Setúbal Peninsula wine region, where you'll savor regional pastries and try the region's sweet fortified wine, muscatel de Setúbal. After a free day in Lisbon, drive to the city of Évora and enjoy a sommelier-guided dinner at the Cartuxa Winery. Experience the Alentejo region with a Jeep safari through a cork forest and a private tour of an olive oil farm before visiting the 19th-century Quinta de Dona Maria vineyard and taking a hot air balloon tour of Évora.

Depart Évora for a road trip to the north of Portugal. Stop for lunch in the medieval town of Coimbra on your way to the Douro Valley, where you'll enjoy a port tasting at a family winery and take a cruise down the Douro River. Embark on a full-day guided bike tour and visit the village of Pinhão, known for its famous azulejos (Portuguese-style tiles). Then arrive in Porto for a vintage car tour and a cooking class with a top Portuguese chef. Conclude your trip with a picnic lunch in the Peneda-Gerês National Park and sample ginjinha d'Óbidos sweet cherry liquor in the charming historic town of Óbidos. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Island Hopping in the Azores

Hike, kayak, snorkel, and sail your way through the Azores on this 15-day tour across four of the Portuguese archipelago's islands that will take you to dormant volcanoes, deep magma chambers, and natural pools made by solidified lava.

Begin your adventure by taking a ferry to Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island. Spend six days exploring São Miguel—canoe the lagoons of the western coast, visit the only permanent tea plantation in Europe and soak up the sunshine on the beaches of Caloura, Pópulo, and Baixa d'Areia. Drive from Ponta Delgada to the Furnas Valley, where you can rejuvenate in the thermal pools and try a local stew cooked using only geothermal heat. Finish off your time in São Miguel by visiting the waterfalls of Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park.

Catch a flight to Faial Island and explore the city center of Horta, the capital of Faial. Cross the channel to Pico Island, where you can see the UNESCO-designated vineyards of the Madalena-São Roque area, summit the highest peak in Portugal, and spot whales at Vigia da Queimada. Over the next four days, discover the volcanoes and beaches of Terceira Island. Spot the island's colorful impérios, temples devoted to the Holy Spirit, and take a dip in Terceira's biscoitos, natural pools formed from cooled lava. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Spain & Portugal

Discover the Iberian Peninsula on this 15-day trip across Portugal and Spain that showcases both countries' capital cities and introduces you to architectural marvels, including the Pena Palace in Sintra and the famous cathedral of Toledo.

Kick off your trip in Lisbon with a walking tour and a tasting of ginjinha (liquor made from sour cherries). Tour the Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) on a day trip to Sintra and enjoy the coastal cliffs of Sintra Cascais Natural Park. Then, depart for Porto with a stop in Coimbra, home to one of Europe's oldest educational institutions. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto on an expert-guided tour that shows you architectural wonders like the Dom Luís I Bridge. A day trip to the Douro Valley includes visiting a quinta (winery) with a wine tasting and a riverboat cruise down the Douro River.

Fly to Spain, where your adventure continues with two days to tour Madrid's museums and culinary scene. Experience the "City of the Three Cultures" on a day trip to Toledo, where landmarks such as the 15th-century Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes showcase the city's diverse history. Travel by train to Barcelona, where you'll marvel at architect Antonio Gaudí's most impressive works, including the Sagrada Família. Spend two days enjoying the fresh air along Spain's Costa Brava, finishing your trip with a wine tasting in the Empordà region, which has produced wine since the fifth century BCE. Learn more

More Great 15-Day Portugal Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other 15-day Portugal itineraries, with road trip adventures, historical trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.