With 16 days to spend in Portugal, you can explore three to six destinations, even choosing to add a trip to nearby Spain. In Portugal, culture and food lovers will enjoy Lisbon, Porto, and historic Coimbra, as well as sampling wine in the Douro Valley. Nature lovers can see Madeira's lush green landscapes via 4WD tours and go beach hopping and whale watching in the Azores or via a relaxed self-drive tour to the Algarve's beaches. Or, add six iconic Spanish cities for a multicountry adventure.

Itinerary #1: Portugal Cities & Landscapes: Porto, Douro Valley, Évora, Lisbon & the Algarve

Culture and nature lovers will enjoy this classic highlights tour of Portugal's cities and landscapes. You'll indulge in local gastronomy with a regional cooking class in Évora, a vineyard tour in the Douro Valley, and wine tastings in Porto and the Algarve. Highlights include a fado show in Lisbon, cycling in Sintra, a hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park on a day trip from Porto, a boat trip to the famous Benagil Cave, guided tours of Porto and Lisbon, and a 4WD sunset tour in the Algarve.

Cycle past some of Sintra's most iconic landmarks, like Pena Palace
Cycle past some of Sintra's most iconic landmarks, like Pena Palace
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Porto, Food & Wine Tour  Porto
Day 2 Vintage Car Tour in Porto, Explore at Leisure Porto
Day 3 Hike in Peneda-Geres National Park Porto
Day 4 Transfer to the Douro Valley, Vineyard Tour Douro Valley
Day 5 Cruise the Douro River, Explore at Leisure Douro Valley
Day 6 Transfer to Evora via the Convento de Cristo & Almourol Castle Évora
Day 7 Regional Cooking Class, Explore Évora Évora
Day 8 Transfer to Lisbon, Fado Music & Dinner Lisbon
Day 9 Lisbon Walking Tour, Explore at Leisure Lisbon
Day 10 Discover Sintra by Bicycle Lisbon
Day 11 Transfer to Lagos, Explore the Algarve Region Algarve
Day 12 Algarve Beaches Day, 4WD Sunset Tour Algarve
Day 13 Regional Tour of the Algarve & Liqueur Tasting Algarve
Day 14 Benagil Cave Cruise, Dolphin-Watching Tour Algarve
Day 15 Visit Igreja de São Lourenço, Transfer to Lisbon Lisbon
Day 16 Depart Lisbon  


Welcome to Portugal! Delve into Porto's culinary scene with a gastronomic tour, sampling traditional dishes and port wines. The next day, you'll explore Porto's charming streets in a vintage 1920s car and wind down with a port wine tasting. Afterward, trek through the picturesque Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, spotting wild horses and enjoying panoramic views. By Day 4, you'll be in the Douro Valley, touring its vineyards and sampling the region's finest wines before a leisurely cruise along the Douro River. Next, transfer to the UNESCO-listed city of Évora, stopping at the 12th-century Convento de Cristo and Almourol Castle en route.

Once in Évora, participate in a cooking class on a local farm and explore the city's historic center. Then, transfer to Lisbon, Portugal's capital, for a fado music performance and dinner. Take a guided walking tour of Lisbon on Day 9 before heading out on a cycling adventure in the nearby town of Sintra. The following day, transfer to Lagos in the Algarve region, where you'll have four days to relax on the beach, enjoy a 4WD sunset tour, and take a guided regional tour with a liqueur tasting. You'll cruise to Benagil Cave and go on a dolphin-watching tour before visiting the town of Almancil's Capela dos Ossos, adorned with human bones. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Portugal & the Azores: Lisbon, Coimbra, Douro Valley, Porto, São Miguel

Swapping the Azores for the Algarve, this alternate highlights itinerary will interest food and nature lovers. Start in Lisbon, where you'll explore historic neighborhoods and sample local cuisine. Then, head north to Coimbra and the Douro Valley for a taste of the country's wine culture. Visit historic Porto before flying to São Miguel for beach relaxation, hiking, and (more!) food tours. Highlights include a ceramic tile-painting workshop, a Douro River cruise, a 4WD tour of the lush hillsides in Sete Ciudades village, and a whale watching tour off the island's coast.

Explore São Miguel, stopping at landmarks like the Lagoa das Sete Ciudades
Explore São Miguel, stopping at landmarks like the Lagoa das Sete Ciudades
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Food Tour of Mouraria & Baixa Lisbon
Day 2 Historical Tour of Lisbon, Free Afternoon to Explore the Capital Lisbon
Day 3 Day Trip to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril Lisbon
Day 4 Explore Lisbon's Markets, Enjoy Dinner With a Local Family Lisbon
Day 5 Drive to Coimbra via Tomar & Obidos Coimbra
Day 6 Guided Tour of the University of Coimbra & the Historic Center Coimbra
Day 7 Drive to the Douro Valley, Explore the Lush Grape-Growing Region Douro Valley
Day 8 Vineyard Tour, Cruise the Douro River Douro Valley
Day 9 Drive to Porto, Vintage Car Tour, Explore at Leisure Porto
Day 10 Ceramic Tile-Painting Workshop, Wine Tasting at Sandeman Cellar  Porto
Day 11 Fly to São Miguel, Discover the Island's Pristine Beaches São Miguel Island
Day 12 4WD Adventure to Sete Ciudades São Miguel Island
Day 13 Food Tour Across Ponta Delgada  São Miguel Island
Day 14 Full-Day Tour of Furnas & Parque Terra Nostra São Miguel Island
Day 15 Free Morning on São Miguel, Whale Watching Tour São Miguel Island
Day 16 Depart São Miguel  


In Lisbon, sample petiscos (small plates) on a neighborhood culinary tour and join a historical tour on Day 2, where you'll have a free afternoon to explore. Enjoy a day trip to the gardens in Sintra's Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais before browsing Lisbon's buzzy Time Out Market stalls and eating a traditional Portuguese meal with a local family. On your way to Coimbra's UNESCO-listed university, discover the medieval Castelo de Óbidos. Continue to the lush grape-growing Douro Valley region, partaking in a vineyard tour and Douro River cruise. On Day 9, drive to Porto, where a vintage car tour, ceramic tile-painting workshop, and wine tasting await. 

Two days later, you'll fly to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago. Here, you'll experience the island's pristine beaches, a 4WD adventure to Sete Ciudades, known for its volcanic craters, and hiking along a volcano's rim at Cumeeiras Trail. Sample Azorean cozido das furnas, a stew slow-cooked in volcanic steam, on your food tour across Ponta Delgada. Afterward, witness geothermal activity at Furnas' natural hot springs and see Parque Terra Nostra, the oldest botanical garden in the Azores. Learn about tea making at the Gorreana Tea Factory before a whale watching tour off the coast. Learn more

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Itinerary #3: Explore Mainland Portugal & Madeira Island

This Portugal and Madeira Island getaway adds a sixth stop to the itinerary, Nazaré, and includes four nights on the island of Madeira. This trip combines city exploration in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra with 4WD adventure tours across Madeira's towering mountains, lush greenery, and subtropical rainforest. You can expect to join a cooking class in Porto, take a guided vineyard tour in the Douro Valley, and paint a Portuguese ceramic tile in Lisbon. You'll also get a taste of Portugal's natural beauty with hikes through Buçaco National Forest and three different tours across Madeira Island.

Explore the island of Madeira on your own and in a 4WD vehicle
Explore the island of Madeira on your own and in a 4WD vehicle
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Sunset Boat Cruise Lisbon
Day 2 Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour, Explore Lisbon's Markets Lisbon
Day 3 Helicopter Ride Over Lisbon, Free Afternoon to Explore the City Lisbon
Day 4 Drive to Nazaré, Explore the Coastal Town Nazaré
Day 5 Drive to Porto, Tour the City on a Tuk-Tuk Porto
Day 6 Boat Cruise Down the Douro River, Explore the Ribeira Neighborhood Porto
Day 7 Local Market Visit & Private Cooking Class Porto
Day 8 Drive to the Douro Valley, Enjoy a Two-Hour River Cruise Douro Valley
Day 9 Guided Vineyard Tour, Drive to the Riverfront City of Coimbra Coimbra
Day 10 Explore the Buçaco National Forest, Drive to Lisbon Lisbon
Day 11 Fly to Funchal & Madeira, Explore the Island Madeira
Day 12 4WD Tour to the West Side of the Island Madeira
Day 13 4WD Tour to the Northwest Side of the Island Madeira
Day 14 4WD Tour to Chão dos Louros Forest Park & Local Vineyard Madeira
Day 15 Fly to Lisbon, Traditional Fado Performance & Dinner Lisbon
Day 16 Portuguese Ceramic Tile-Painting Workshop, Depart Lisbon  


Begin with a sunset boat trip around Lisbon and, later, cruise around the city's colorful neighborhoods and viewpoints via a guided tuk-tuk tour. After a helicopter ride over Lisbon, pick up your rental car and drive north to the coastal town of Nazaré to explore its beaches en route to Porto. Discover the city on a guided tour, cruise the Douro River, admire the colorful-tiled buildings of the Ribeira neighborhood, and learn how to make authentic Portuguese food. Hop aboard another river boat to sail in the Douro Valley with views of terraced hills, then visit Coimbra and its charming historic center. Afterward, spend a day hiking through the Buçaco National Forest.

Fly to Funchal on Day 9, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, where you can explore the Old Town. On your first 4WD tour, experience the west side of the island's fishing villages and swim in the Porto Moniz Natural Pools. Then, wander past ancient moss-covered laurel trees in the mystical Fanal Forest within a subtropical rainforest on the island's northwest side. Your third day of 4WD tours takes you to Chão dos Louros Forest Park and a local vineyard to sample Madeira wine. Fly back to Lisbon for a traditional fado performance and dinner. On your final day, learn to paint azulejos (Portuguese ceramic tiles) during a workshop. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Self-Drive Portugal & the Azores: Lisbon, the Algarve & Ponta Delgada

Experience the best of Portugal and the Azores on this self-drive slower-paced adventure. Start in Lisbon, where you'll enjoy a traditional cooking class, a day trip to Sintra, and a tuk-tuk tour of Belém. Then, head south to the Algarve for beach hopping, boat cruises, and snorkeling. Finally, fly to the Azores, where you'll explore the capital city of Ponta Delgada, kayak across Lagoa das Sete Cidades, and relax in the thermal waters of Parque Terra Nostra. From cooking traditional dishes to exploring hidden caves, this trip brings a mix of culture and adventure.

Drive along the Algarve's coastal roads on this 16-day self-drive tour
Drive along the Algarve's coastal roads on this 16-day self-drive tour
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Tour the Capital on Your Own Lisbon
Day 2 Half-Day Walking Tour, Enjoy Dinner & a Fado Performance Lisbon
Day 3 Tuk-Tuk Tour of Belém, Boat Cruise, Cooking Class  Lisbon
Day 4 Day Trip to Sintra, Explore the Area's Landmarks & Natural Landscapes Lisbon
Day 5 Pick Up Your Rental Car, Drive to the Algarve Algarve
Day 6 Relax on One of the Algarve's Pristine Beaches Algarve
Day 7 Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade Algarve
Day 8 Drive to Albufeira, Discover the City's Beaches Algarve
Day 9 Snorkel Tour at Ponta da Piedade, Explore Faro on Your Own Algarve
Day 10 Drive to Tavira, Take a Ferry to Ilha de Tavira Algarve
Day 11 Drive to Portimao, Discover Fortaleza de Santa Catarina Algarve
Day 12 Fly to Ponta Delgada, Explore the Capital of the Azores on Your Own Ponta Delgada
Day 13 Whale Watching Cruise, Ponta Delgada Walking Tour Ponta Delgada
Day 14 Kayak across Lagoa das Sete Cidades Ponta Delgada
Day 15 Drive to Furnas, Relax in the Thermal Waters of Parque Terra Nostra Ponta Delgada
Day 16 Depart Ponta Delgada  


Tour Lisbon, starting with an azulejos (decorated ceramic tiles) museum and riding the Elevador de Santa Justa up to the Bairro Alto district. Take a walking tour of Lisbon's historic neighborhoods, a tuk-tuk tour of the maritime district of Belém, a boat cruise down the Tagus River, and a day trip to see Sintra's National Palace of Pena. Then, drive your rental car south to the Algarve, where you'll have a week to enjoy beaches like Praia Dona Ana, a boat cruise to Ponta da Piedade's rock formations and caves, a hike down the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, relaxing on Albufeira's beaches, and spotting turtles on a snorkeling tour.

Following this, drive to Tavira on the Gilão River and ferry to Ilha de Tavira, an island in the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. Afterward, drive to Portimão, a coastal city on the Arade River, and climb up to a 17th-century fortress. Finally, you'll fly to Ponta Delgada, the Azores' capital city, for four nights. Here, you'll experience the Caldeira Velha natural hot springs, a whale watching cruise, and a walking tour where you'll stop at the 18th-century archways of Portas da Cidade and a Baroque church. Next, kayak across Lagoa das Sete Cidades in a volcanic crater and visit the thermal waters of Parque Terra Nostra in Furnas. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain's Iconic Cities

Travelers who prefer urban exploration over natural detours will enjoy this multicountry grand tour of Portugal and Spain, beginning in Porto and culminating in Barcelona. You'll explore the "Venice of Portugal" as you cruise Avéiro's canals in a brightly painted fishing boat, take a day trip to Guimarães, the "birthplace of Portugal," unwind in a Nasrid-era hammam spa in Granada, dine on a 10-course tapas tasting in Valencia, and learn how to cook authentic Catalan dishes in Barcelona. 

Explore Portugal's capital, Lisbon on a private city tour
Explore Portugal's capital, Lisbon, on a private city tour
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Guided City Tour Porto
Day 2 Day Trip to Avéiro & Coimbra Porto
Day 3 Day Trip to Guimarães & Braga Porto
Day 4 Transfer to Lisbon via Nazaré & Óbidos, Fado Performance & Dinner Lisbon
Day 5 Guided City Tour of Lisbon Lisbon
Day 6 Day Trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais & Estoril Lisbon
Day 7 Fly to Seville (Spain), Walking Tour, Tapas & Flamenco Night Seville
Day 8 Day Trip to Córdoba via Carmona Seville
Day 9 Day Trip to Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema & Ronda Seville
Day 10 Transfer to Granada, Guided Tour of Sacromonte & Albaicín Granada
Day 11 Guided Tour of the Alhambra, Relax in a Hammam Granada
Day 12 Drive to Valencia, Visit the City of Arts & Sciences  Valencia
Day 13 Train to Barcelona, Explore the Catalonian Capital on Your Own Barcelona
Day 14 Full-Day Tour of Barcelona, Gaudí's Masterpieces & Roman Temple  Barcelona
Day 15 Discover Blanes & Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava Barcelona
Day 16 Boquería Market & Cooking Class, Depart Barcelona  


In Portugal, you'll explore Porto's UNESCO-listed Ribeira district and the Dom Luís I Bridge. Then, cruise Avéiro's canals aboard a colorful moliceiro and visit one of the world's oldest universities at Coimbra. On a day trip, see Guimarães, the "Birthplace of Portugal," and Braga's Romanesque architecture. Transfer to Lisbon via Nazaré village and the medieval town of Óbidos, followed by a fado show and sampling of Portuguese dishes. Afterward, tour Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos monastery. Venture to Sintra for views from the Castelo dos Mouros and then a coastal drive to Cascais, a former fishing village.

Fly to Seville, Spain, on Day 7 for a walking tour, flamenco performance, and tapas tasting. Take day trips to check out Córdoba's mosque-cathedral and Zahara de la Sierra before seeing Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema and crossing the very high Puente Nuevo in the white town of Ronda. Transfer to Granada to tour Albaicín's Nasrid architecture and Sacromonte's cave dwellings. Visit the Alhambra, a palace complex, before unwinding in a hammam. Stay a night in Valencia before strolling La Rambla, admiring Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces, and learning to make paella in Barcelona. Learn more

More Great Portugal Itineraries

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

Map

Map of 16 Days in Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 16 Days in Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas