Ten days is the perfect amount of time for a first trip to Portugal. It is enough to explore Lisbon and its fairytale neighbor Sintra, fall for Porto and its port cellars, and finish with sunshine, sea caves, and cliffs in the Algarve. This itinerary for 10 days in Portugal uses mostly public transportation, starts in Lisbon, where most international flights land, and assumes you arrive the night before day one.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1 and 2: Lisbon and Cascais
- Day 3: Sintra
- Days 4 and 5: Porto
- Day 6: Aveiro and Costa Nova, or the Douro Valley
- Days 7 to 10: The Algarve
Day 1: Lisbon
Stay in Baixa, Chiado, or Alfama to be within walking distance of the main sights. For public transportation, buy a reloadable Navegante card at any metro station.
- Morning in Baixa and Chiado: Have breakfast near Rossio Square, walk down Rua Augusta to the grand riverside Praça do Comércio, and climb the Arco da Rua Augusta for the view. Ride the Santa Justa Lift up to Chiado.
- Afternoon: Grab lunch at Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré, then explore Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood. Visit the Sé Cathedral and the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint, and climb to São Jorge Castle.
- Evening in Bairro Alto: Lisbon's nightlife district comes alive after dark, with bars, restaurants, and fado houses.
Day 2: Belém and Cascais
- Morning in Belém: See the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, and try a pastel de nata at the famous bakery nearby. Art and design fans should also visit MAAT or the National Tile Museum back in town.
- Afternoon in Cascais: Take the coastal train from Cais do Sodré, about 40 minutes. Relax on Praia da Rainha or Praia da Conceição, wander the old town, and walk to the Boca do Inferno cliffs.
- Evening: Stay for a seafood dinner and the sunset before heading back to Lisbon.
Day 3: Sintra
Trains leave Lisbon's Rossio station for Sintra regularly and take about 40 minutes. Book timed tickets online in advance, and arrive early, as Sintra gets very busy.
- Pena Palace: A brightly painted Romanticist palace on a hilltop, surrounded by a huge park.
- Quinta da Regaleira: A mysterious estate with grottoes, tunnels, and a spiral initiation well.
- Monserrate Palace: An exotic palace with beautiful gardens and fewer crowds.
- The Moorish Castle: Medieval walls with sweeping views, if you have energy left.
Day 4: Lisbon to Porto
Take a morning train from Lisbon to Porto's Campanhã station, about three hours on the fastest services, then continue to São Bento in the center. Stay in Ribeira, around Avenida dos Aliados, or near Rua de Santa Catarina. Porto's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very walkable.
In the afternoon, admire the tiled interior of São Bento station, visit the Bolhão Market, and see the azulejo facades of the Chapel of Souls and Santo Ildefonso Church.
Day 5: Porto
- Morning: Visit Livraria Lello (book ahead), climb the Clérigos Tower's 200-plus steps for the view, and see the tiled side wall of the Igreja do Carmo.
- Lunch: Try a francesinha, Porto's famous sandwich layered with meat and covered in melted cheese and a rich beer-tomato sauce.
- Afternoon and evening: Explore the Ribeira waterfront, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia for a port cellar tour, and watch the sunset from the Jardim do Morro.
Day 6: Aveiro and Costa Nova or the Douro Valley
Choose your day trip:
- Aveiro and Costa Nova: Trains reach Aveiro in about an hour. Ride a colorful moliceiro boat along the canals and try ovos moles, the local sweet. Then take a short taxi or bus to Costa Nova to see its candy-striped houses and long beach.
- The Douro Valley: Take the train along the river to Pinhão or join a tour with wine tastings and a river cruise.
Day 7: Travel to the Algarve
The train from Porto to the Algarve takes most of the day, with a change in Lisbon. To save time, fly from Porto to Faro in about an hour. Base yourself in Lagos, with its lively old town and nearby beaches. In the evening, watch the sunset at Ponta da Piedade.
Day 8: The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
This spectacular clifftop hike runs for about 6 km each way between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale Centeanes, past sea arches, sinkholes, golden coves, and the Alfanzina lighthouse. Start early, wear good shoes, and bring water and sun protection. A rental car or a tour makes it easiest to reach the trailhead.
Day 9: Benagil Cave and Albufeira
- Morning: See the famous Benagil sea cave, with its round opening in the roof, on a boat or kayak tour. Landing on the beach inside the cave is no longer allowed, but boats and kayaks can still visit from the water.
- Afternoon and evening: Explore the whitewashed old town of Albufeira, relax on Praia dos Pescadores, and enjoy fresh seafood with a sea view.
Day 10: Lagos
- Morning: Take a boat or kayak tour through the grottoes and arches of Ponta da Piedade.
- Afternoon: Relax on Praia do Camilo or Praia Dona Ana, or walk the clifftop paths between them.
- Evening: Celebrate your last night with dinner and drinks in Lagos's old town.
Tips for Your 10-Day Portugal Trip
- Book ahead: Reserve Sintra palaces, Livraria Lello, and popular boat tours in advance, especially in summer.
- Slow it down: This is a busy itinerary. Drop a day trip if you want more time to relax.
- Consider a car: Public transportation is great between cities, but a car makes the Algarve much easier.
- Stay connected: An egoViet Portugal eSIM lets you buy tickets, check train times, and navigate without roaming fees. See our Portugal eSIM guide.
For more ideas, read our Portugal travel guide, see the best things to do in Lisbon, and find out the best time to visit Portugal.
FAQs: 10 Days in Portugal
Is 10 days enough for Portugal?
Yes. Ten days is enough to see Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, and the Algarve at a comfortable pace.
Should I start my trip in Lisbon or Porto?
Most international flights arrive in Lisbon, so it is the easiest starting point. If you fly into Porto, simply reverse the order.
How do you get from Porto to the Algarve?
The fastest option is a one-hour flight from Porto to Faro. The train takes most of the day, with a change in Lisbon.
Do I need a car in Portugal?
Not for Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto, which are well connected by train. A car is useful in the Algarve and the Douro Valley.