Ten days is enough time to experience Portugal's greatest highlights — from Lisbon's baroque grandeur and the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra, through the sun-baked plains of the Alentejo and the vine-terraced hills of the Douro Valley, to the charismatic streets of Porto. This itinerary balances city exploration with scenic detours and coastal beauty.
Portugal Itinerary Days 1–3: Lisbon
Spend your first three days exploring Portugal's vibrant capital. On Day 1, get your bearings with a walk from the Baixa district up through Alfama — visiting the Sé Cathedral, also known as Lisbon Cathedral, and São Jorge Castle — while taking in the area’s cobblestone streets and narrow streets, then end the evening with live fado in a neighborhood tasca. Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a natural stop along the way in Alfama. You can also detour to Miradouro da Graça for another view in a more local neighborhood. On Day 2, devote the morning to Belém: the Jerónimos Monastery, Torre de Belém, and the Museu dos Coches, followed by pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém. In the afternoon, explore LX Factory and ride Tram 28. On Day 3, visit the Museu Nacional do Azulejo and the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, then wander Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real, an upscale neighborhood, for dinner and evening drinks.
Day 4: Sintra
Take an early train from Rossio station for a popular day trip to Sintra, a short train ride from Lisbon. Pre-book tickets for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. If this is your first trip, head straight to Pena Palace first. Visit the Pena Palace first thing to beat the crowds, walk down to the Moorish Castle for panoramic views, then explore the Quinta da Regaleira in the afternoon. Return to Lisbon via Cascais, with an optional stop at Cabo da Roca before continuing on, arriving back in the capital by evening.
Day 5: Évora and the Alentejo
Rent a car or take an early express bus to Évora (1.5 hours from Lisbon). Explore Évora’s famous sights — the Roman Temple, Gothic cathedral, and Chapel of Bones — in the morning, all within its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a traditional Alentejano restaurant and try carne de porco à alentejana (pork with clams) with a glass of local Alentejo red for some of the region’s delicious food. In the afternoon, drive through the rolling cork oak plains to the hilltop village of Monsaraz for a spectacular sunset view over the Guadiana River reservoir. Évora also works well as a short trip if time is limited. Stay overnight in Évora or nearby.
Day 6: Drive to the Douro Valley
Head north from Évora through the Alentejo wine country, stopping at the baroque palace of Estremoz or the medieval castle of Arraiolos before joining the A1 motorway toward Porto. Detour east into the Douro Valley, with time for a winery visit before arriving in the Pinhão wine region by late afternoon. Check into a riverside quinta for a two-night stay, and join an evening wine tasting. The terraced Douro landscape at sunset, with the Douro River winding below and picturesque villages nearby, is one of the most beautiful sights in Portugal.
Day 7: Douro Valley Wine and Scenery
Spend a full day in the Douro Valley — hiking among the vine terraces, visiting two or three quintas for wine tastings and cellar tours, and perhaps taking a boat cruise, a scenic boat ride on the Douro River, for vineyards and excellent wine. Afternoon exploring can include another quinta or a riverside village. The area around Pinhão and the Régua valley is the heart of port wine production. Local restaurants serve simple, excellent food: roast kid, grilled lamprey in season, and the region's own Douro DOC wines alongside better-known port.
Days 8–10: Porto
Drive or take the train to Porto (2 hours from Pinhão), one of Portugal’s major cities, arriving in the city center or at a central train station. Spend your first Porto day exploring the Ribeira in downtown Porto, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, and touring port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, with many sights within walking distance. On Day 9, visit São Bento train station’s azulejo panels, climb the Clérigos Tower, browse Livraria Lello, and have dinner in the Bonfim neighborhood. On Day 10, take a walking tour through the old town before exploring the Mercado do Bolhão, walk the Foz waterfront where the Douro meets the Atlantic, and have a final lunch of fresh grilled fish before heading to the airport.
Practical Tips
A rental car is highly recommended for the Alentejo and Douro Valley sections, as public transportation is limited outside cities. For a 10-day route, you can also add 2–3 days in the Algarve for a beach day or more beach time, with Lagos as a convenient location and a strong base for exploring what many call The California of Europe, a region famous for stunning beaches and cliffs along the southern coast’s dramatic limestone cliffs and golden beaches. If you want more than simple relaxation, plan beach hopping on the west coast, seek out the best beaches and other gorgeous beaches in the early afternoon, join kayak tours or boat trips to Ponta da Piedade for striking rock formations, walk part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, and make time for Benagil Cave and other sea caves for an unforgettable trip. Lisbon and Porto are best explored on foot and by public transportation in the city center, and if you want a central stay in Lisbon, Hotel Santa Justa offers excellent access near the town center. Book Sintra palace tickets well in advance, especially in summer. The train between Lisbon and Porto takes about 2h45 on high speed trains, which connect the major cities efficiently, or you can consider a scenic overnight option, while trains from Lisbon to Faro take about 3 hours. Portugal is compact enough that a trip to Portugal can cover much of the entire country without feeling rushed, and this guide works well as a complete itinerary for exploring Portugal. In high season, book earlier, and direct flights can simplify the entire trip if you do not want to backtrack; in the Algarve, Bela Vista Hotel & Spa in Portimão is a luxury option, Hotel da Rocha is a good pick for ocean views, and you can also grab lunch, look into food tours, or save ideas for your next trip.