Highlights
- Tour Porto's UNESCO-listed Ribeira district
- Try port wine at a family-owned winery in the Douro Valley
- Visit Guimarães, one of Portugal's oldest villages
- Road trip through the beach towns of the Algarve Coast
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto & Sidecar Tour | Porto |
| Day 2 | Private Guided Tour of Porto with Wine Tasting | Porto |
| Day 3 | Northern Portugal Day Trip: Guimarães, Braga & More | Porto |
| Day 4 | Transfer to the Douro Valley Wine Country | Douro Valley |
| Day 5 | Douro Valley Private Winery Tour | Douro Valley |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Faro & the Algarve Region | Algarve |
| Day 7 | Private Sailing Experience on the Algarve Coast | Algarve |
| Day 8 | Free Day in the Algarve Region | Algarve |
| Day 9 | Depart from Faro Airport |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto & Sidecar Tour
Welcome to Portugal! A driver will await you at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel. After settling in, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Porto at your own pace. Walk to Palácio da Bolsa (Old Stock Market) or go azulejo (Portuguese-style painted tiles) hunting at Santa Catarina Street, and Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church), whose gorgeous azulejo-covered façade has made it social media famous.
Day 2: Private Guided Tour of Porto with Wine Tasting
This morning, enjoy a private half-day tour of Porto. After being picked up from your hotel, the first stop will be the famous Lello Bookshop, nicknamed "the Harry Potter Bookshop" for its aesthetic. Climb the 225 steps of Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower) for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Your tour will then take you through the Old Jewish Quarter and the Railway Station of Saint Bento, where you'll learn about the history of the city.
Continue to the Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral), an intricate 12th-century cathedral. Make your way along the winding medieval Escada das Verdades (Stairway of Truth), heading south until you reach Ribeira. In Porto's most famous district, discover the iron Bridge of Luís I and the colorful UNESCO-listed houses by the Douro River. Throughout the tour, stop for local snacks, or petiscos, and wine. Free time in the afternoon will give you the perfect opportunity to tour some of Porto's famed vintage wine cellars like Ramos Pinto, Graham’s, and Taylor’s.
Day 3: Northern Portugal Day Trip: Guimarães, Braga & More
Today is devoted to a full-day tour of the historic cities of Guimarães and Braga. Inhabited for over a millennium, Guimarães is one of Portugal's oldest settlements and is considered the birthplace of Portuguese identity. Get insight into its vivid history as you visit the mighty medieval Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
From there, head to Braga, which boasts the towering medieval Cathedral of Braga, and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a grand Catholic shrine in nearby Tenões. On the way back to Porto, you can choose between visiting Ponte de Lima, the country's oldest town, and Viana Do Castelo, crowned by its Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; or a wine estate. Alternatively, you could do a day trip to the seaside town of Matosinhos.Day 4: Transfer to the Douro Valley Wine Country
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Douro Valley Private Winery Tour
Spend the day discovering the amazing Douro Valley, where you will visit some of the best and most exclusive family-owned wineries in Europe. During your visit to wine estates, learn about—and, of course, taste—Douro wines, from reds and whites to famous ports.
To wrap up the winery experience, enjoy lunch in a traditional quinta (winery). But this tour is not just about drinking wine. It's also about taking in the beautiful vineyard landscapes as you drive through mountain backroads. You'll have the rare experience of sailing along the Douro river on a traditional rabelo boat, a style of vessel distinctive to this region.
Day 6: Transfer to Faro & the Algarve
It's time to say goodbye to northern Portugal and head to the southern region of the Algarve. A private driver will take you to the airport so you can fly into Faro, the Algarve's largest city. Once you land, pick up your rental car.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking, so prepare to be blown away by the region's dramatic cliffs that dive into the wild Atlantic Ocean. Faro has many lovely beaches to visit, as well as a beautiful old town filled with white houses. You can also visit the red sandstone Castelo de Silves (Silves Castle) or churches like the Igreja do Carmo and Igreja da Misericórdia.
Day 7: Private Sailing Experience on the Algarve Coast
Day 8: Free Day in the Algarve Region
Looking for an offbeat destination? Drive to Serra do Caldeirão, a mountain range that houses Foia Peak, the highest mountain in the Algarve. Or visit Ria Formosa Natural Park. This biodiverse wetland provides sanctuary for numerous bird species and is one of the region's most underrated destinations.
Day 9: Depart from Faro Airport
Treat yourself to a good Portuguese breakfast and take a last walk around Faro. Then, drive to Faro Airport where you will drop off your rental car and prepare to fly back home. Safe travels and boa viagem!
More Great 9-Day Portugal Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other 9-day Portugal itineraries, which include culinary tours, self-driving adventures, and historic itineraries.
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