7-Day Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon, Sintra, Porto & the Algarve

Fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) — the Metro red line connects directly to the city centre in about 20 minutes (€1.65).\n\nDay 1 — Alfama and the Waterfront: Start in the Alfama — Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, a maze of narrow streets, tiled buildings, and miradouros (viewpoints). Take Tram 28 up the hill (or walk) to the São Jorge Castle for panoramic views over the city and the Tagus estuary. In the afternoon, walk down to the Baixa (the grid-plan lower city rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake) and along the Ribeira waterfront. Evening: find a fado restaurant in the Alfama — Tasca do Chico or A Baiuca for authentic, intimate performances.\n\nDay 2 — Belém and LX Factory: Take the tram or Uber west to Belém — Lisbon's monumental riverside district. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture in the world) and the Tower of Belém. Stop at the original Pastéis de Belém bakery for a custard tart (pastel de nata) — they've been making them since 1837. Afternoon: visit LX Factory — a converted industrial complex with independent shops, restaurants, and a brilliant Sunday market.

Sintra is just 40 minutes from Lisbon by train (from Rossio station, €2.25 each way) and is one of the most magical places in Portugal — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of forested hills, royal palaces, and Romantic follies.\n\nMust-see: The Pena Palace — a wildly colourful 19th-century palace perched on a rocky peak, painted in yellow and red, with towers, battlements, and turrets. Book tickets in advance — queues without a booking can be very long in summer. The views from the ramparts over the Atlantic are extraordinary.\n\nAlso worth visiting: The Moorish Castle (medieval ruins with great views), the Quinta da Regaleira (a mysterious estate with an initiation well that descends 27 metres underground), and the National Palace of Sintra in the town centre (the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal).\n\nTip: Start early — Sintra gets very crowded by mid-morning in summer. The first train from Rossio leaves at 6:30am.

Take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train from Lisboa Oriente to Porto Campanhã — journey time 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes, fares from €25 booked in advance. Trains run regularly throughout the day.\n\nArrive in Porto in the early afternoon. Porto is built on steep hills above the Douro river — the Ribeira (riverside) district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in and spend the afternoon exploring the Ribeira and crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank — home to the famous port wine lodges. Most lodges offer tours and tastings (€10–€20 per person) — Graham's, Taylor's, and Sandeman are all excellent.\n\nEvening: dinner in the Ribeira — Cantinho do Avillez (by celebrity chef José Avillez) or one of the excellent tascas along the waterfront.

Morning: Visit the Livraria Lello — one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, a neo-Gothic masterpiece that inspired J.K. Rowling. Book a timed entry ticket online (€5, redeemable against a book purchase). Then walk to the Igreja do Carmo — a church with a stunning azulejo (blue tile) facade covering the entire exterior wall.\n\nAfternoon: Explore the Bonfim and Cedofeita neighbourhoods — Porto's most creative and independent areas, with excellent coffee shops, vintage stores, and street art. Visit the Mercado do Bolhão — Porto's historic covered market, recently restored, selling fresh produce, cheese, charcuterie, and local specialities.\n\nEvening: Take the Douro Valley train from São Bento station for a sunset ride along the river (the line to Pinhão is one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe — 1 hour 45 minutes each way). Or stay in Porto and explore the Foz do Douro area where the river meets the Atlantic.

Fly from Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) to Faro Airport (FAO) — the flight takes about 1 hour and fares are typically £30–£80 with Ryanair or TAP Air Portugal. Alternatively, take the train (5–6 hours, change in Lisbon) if you prefer not to fly.\n\nArrive in the Algarve and collect a hire car — essential for exploring the coastline. The Algarve has two distinct coastlines: the Barlavento (western, wilder, with dramatic cliffs and sea stacks) and the Sotavento (eastern, calmer, with long sandy beaches and lagoons).\n\nAfternoon: Drive to Lagos (about 1 hour from Faro) — the most beautiful town on the Algarve's western coast. Walk the old town walls, visit the Ponta da Piedade sea stacks (extraordinary golden limestone formations), and swim at Praia Dona Ana — one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.\n\nStay: Lagos or Albufeira — both have excellent accommodation options.

Morning: Explore the Algarve coastline at a relaxed pace. Praia da Marinha (near Lagoa) is consistently rated one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe — golden cliffs, turquoise water, and sea caves accessible at low tide. Carvoeiro is a charming fishing village with a small beach and excellent seafood restaurants.\n\nAfternoon: Drive east to Faro for your return flight. Faro's old town (Cidade Velha) is worth an hour if you have time — a walled medieval city with a cathedral, Roman ruins, and a bone chapel in the Igreja do Carmo.\n\nTip: Return your hire car with a full tank. Faro Airport is small and easy to navigate — allow 1.5 hours before your flight.\n\nOptional extension: If you have extra days, the Douro Valley (a UNESCO World Heritage wine region, 1 hour east of Porto) and the Alentejo (Portugal's vast, sun-baked interior, famous for cork, olive oil, and excellent red wines) are both spectacular and far less visited than Lisbon and Porto.