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.
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 and São Jorge Castle — and end the evening with live fado in a neighborhood tasca. 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 for dinner and evening drinks.
Day 4: Sintra
Take an early train from Rossio station to Sintra (40 minutes). Pre-book tickets for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. 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 (train connection at Sintra), 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 the Roman Temple, Gothic cathedral, and Chapel of Bones in the morning. Lunch at a traditional Alentejano restaurant — try carne de porco à alentejana (pork with clams) and a glass of local Alentejo red. 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. 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, 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 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 short boat trip on the river. 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). Spend your first Porto day exploring the Ribeira, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, and touring port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. On Day 9, visit São Bento station's azulejo panels, climb the Clérigos Tower, browse Livraria Lello, and have dinner in the Bonfim neighborhood. On Day 10, explore 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 — public transport is limited outside cities. Lisbon and Porto are best explored on foot and by public transport. Book Sintra palace tickets well in advance, especially in summer. The train between Lisbon and Porto takes about 2h45 (Alfa Pendular service), or consider a scenic overnight option. Portugal is compact enough that you can cover a lot of ground without feeling rushed.