9 Days in Portugal - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Portugal from Porto to Albufeira

This nine-day journey through Portugal begins in the north, and from there, you'll work your way south, hitting all the highlight cities and coastal hotspots, including Lisbon and Albufeira.

The journey begins in UNESCO-listed Porto. Sitting on the Douro River, discover Porto's history, beauty, and culture on a walking tour that will take you along main Boavista Avenue to highlights like the 14th-century Church of São Francisco, Ribeira Square, and the Dom Luis I Bridge. Then head south to Lisbon, known for its Roman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. A highlights tour includes the Alfama Quarter (the city's oldest neighborhood), the 12th-century Lisbon Cathedral, and the incredible views atop Castle Hill. In the evening, enjoy an intimate dinner and performance of traditional fado folk music.

On day five, you'll visit Sintra, a resort town favored by aristocracy dating back to the Romans. This wooded coastal area is famous for its 19th-century Pena National Palace, a fairy tale castle perched on a hilltop and designed in the Romanticist style. The last leg of the trip takes you south to the beach resort town of Albufeira, on Portugal's stunning Algarve coast. Besides enjoying the golden beaches and strolling its romantic Old Town, you'll visit medieval coastal cities like Lagos and the rocky promontory of Cabo de São Vicente, which offers sea views once thought to be the edge of the world. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Portugal's Culture & Cuisine

This nine-day culinary and cultural adventure delivers the best of Portugal, from food tours and folk music in Lisbon to strolling the historic streets of Porto to wine tasting in the Douro Valley.

Upon arrival in Lisbon, you'll transfer east to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region of southern Portugal. Much of the architecture in this city is medieval, but there are also temple ruins dating to the 1st century BCE when it was a vital Roman military center. You'll see these highlights on a walking tour that includes the impressive Cathedral of Évora, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. You'll also explore the olive groves and vineyards of Alentejo plus stop in Coimbra, the former capital of the country, which is home to famous medieval landmarks like the 13th-century University of Coimbra.

On day four, you'll arrive in Porto and enjoy its Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque city sights. This includes the São Bento Railway Station, an early 20th-century rail station whose interior is covered in azulejo tiles depicting the country's history. Then hop a boat down the river into the famous Douro Valley wine region and enjoy a tasting at a winery on the rolling hills of the riverbank. On your way to Lisbon, you'll stop in the medieval town of Óbidos to stroll its cobbled streets. Then in the capital, you'll enjoy a small-group food tour. A visit to Sintra and nearby coastal towns caps the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Self-Drive Portugal: Historic Cities & Rural Villages

Get behind the wheel on an epic nine-day ride that will take you to major cities like Lisbon and Sintra and off-the-beaten-path medieval villages and countryside vineyards. 

Spend the first two days in Lisbon exploring its ancient city walls, towering cathedrals, and grand plazas on foot. On day three, pick up your rental car and drive to nearby coastal towns like Cascais, once the summer home of the Portuguese royal family. You can also take a nature drive through the oak forests of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. On day four, you'll drive to Évora and explore its UNESCO-listed medieval center on foot. That night you'll stay in the charming hilltop village of Monsaraz. Other historic towns you can visit include Vila Viçosa, known for its 16th-century Ducal Palace.

Continue exploring the rural backroads of eastern Portugal and stop in towns like Monsanto and Sortelha, known for their medieval castles and old defensive walls. Day six ends in Belmonte, a hilltop village with a Jewish heritage that has thrived since the Middle Ages. On day seven, you'll cover many miles as you head north to the Douro Valley, stopping at heritage towns where the famous Port wine is produced. Feel free to visit a quinta (wine-growing estate) for a tasting. After a walking tour of Porto on day eight, you'll drop off your rental car on day nine and return home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Spain & Portugal: Cities, Beaches & Culture 

This nine-day cross-country trip includes some of the major highlights of the Iberian Peninsula, from Lisbon and Porto in Portugal to Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.

Your multi-national jaunt begins in Portugal's capital. You'll spend the first couple of days getting to know the city through its culinary staples like cod fritters, custard tarts, and the bifana (pork sandwich). On a private guided tour of the city, you'll hit famous shopping districts and historic plazas like the riverfront Praça do Comércio, cosmopolitan Chiado Square, and Rossio, one of the city's main plazas since the Middle Ages.

On day three, you'll head north to Porto, stopping along the way at the hilltop village of Coimbra to admire its medieval architecture and stunning views over the Mondongo River. A tour of Porto will take you to the historic center and Praça da Liberdade as well as Rua Santa Catarina, the main shopping boulevard. You'll also visit the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, an iron bridge that rises 279 feet (85 m) over the Douro River. After the tour, spend the remainder of the day in one of Porto's quaint cafés, and later, if you have the energy, enjoy the famed nightlife of the Ribeira neighborhood.

On day five, you'll fly to Madrid and have a free day to explore the city. Stroll the cobblestone Plaza Mayor, head to Gran Vía to see the "street that never sleeps," and maybe have a bite at Botín, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world (it opened in 1725). A private tour of Madrid on day six will take you to the Prado Museum, home to one of the world's best collections of European art. The next day, you'll hop a train north to Barcelona to visit highlights like the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona Beach, and Gaudi-designed landmarks like Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia church. Learn more

More Great Portugal Itineraries

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