Portugal Itinerary 10 Days: Porto, Lisbon & the Algarve

The 10-Day Route at a Glance

Going north to south means the trip ends on the beach, which is the easier way round after two busy cities. You can also do it in reverse, starting in the Algarve and flying home from Porto.

Train or Car?

Our view: take the train between the cities and rent a car only for the Algarve if you want to explore the coast. You do not need a car in Porto or Lisbon, and parking there is difficult and expensive.

Days 1 to 3: Porto and the Douro Valley

Day 1: Arrive in Porto

Settle in and walk down through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, to the Ribeira on the river. Cross the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge at sunset for the view back over the city. Porto is steep, so plan the walk downhill and take a taxi or the funicular back up.

Day 2: The historic center and port wine

Start at São Bento station, known for its blue and white tile panels, then see the cathedral and climb the Clérigos Tower. In the afternoon, cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the port wine lodges offer tours and tastings.

Day 3: The Douro Valley

The Douro Valley, where port wine comes from, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The train from Porto Campanhã to Peso da Régua takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and part of the line runs along the river. By car, it is about 1 hour 15 minutes on the A4. A guided tour with a quinta visit, lunch and a short boat trip is the easiest way to see it in a day.

Want more time in the Douro? Spend one night there instead of a day trip. Waking up among the vineyards is worth it, and the drive or train back is short.

Days 4 to 6: Lisbon and Sintra

Day 4: Train to Lisbon

The Alfa Pendular takes about 3 hours from Porto Campanhã to Lisbon. Seats are reserved, so book ahead. In the afternoon, walk the Baixa to the Praça do Comércio and climb to Chiado, then watch the sunset from a viewpoint such as Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Day 5: Alfama and Belém

Spend the morning in Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, and at São Jorge Castle above it. In the afternoon, take a tram or taxi west to Belém for the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém, listed by UNESCO since 1983, and a stop for pastéis de nata.

Day 6: Sintra

Sintra's palaces and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, are about 40 minutes by train from Lisbon's Rossio station. Pick two or three sights, such as Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira, and start early to avoid the crowds.

Days 7 to 9: The Algarve

Day 7: Travel to the Algarve

Trains to Faro take about 3 hours and leave from Lisbon Oriente or Entrecampos, not Santa Apolónia. By car, it is about 280 km, around 3 hours, mostly on the A2. Choose one base for the three nights: Lagos for the western cliffs, Carvoeiro or Albufeira for the central coast and Benagil, or Tavira for a quieter town in the east.

Day 8: Cliffs, caves and beaches

Take a boat trip to see Benagil Cave and the sea caves of the central coast, or visit Ponta da Piedade near Lagos. Spend the afternoon on a beach below the cliffs.

Day 9: Sagres, or an old town

With a car, drive west to Sagres and Cape St Vincent, the south-western tip of mainland Europe. Without one, explore Faro's walled old town, Tavira or Lagos, or take a boat to the islands of the Ria Formosa.

Day 10: Fly home

Fly home from Faro, or take the train back to Lisbon if your flight leaves from there. Allow the full 3 hours plus time to reach the airport.

How to Add Évora

If you have 12 days, add 2 nights in Évora between Lisbon and the Algarve. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and it is the gateway to the Alentejo's vineyards and hilltop villages. Évora is about 1 hour 35 minutes from Lisbon Oriente by train or about 1 hour 30 minutes by car. Trains are few, only around four a day on weekdays, so check the timetable before you plan.

What Pace to Expect

This route has a comfortable pace: three nights in each place and only two long travel days. The cities are the most tiring part. Porto and Lisbon are built on hills with cobbled streets, so expect a lot of walking up and down, wear shoes with good grip and use taxis, trams and funiculars to save your legs. The Algarve days can be as relaxed as you like.

Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to see the main highlights, from cities to coast.

Who it does not suit: travelers who want to go deep into one region. For that, pick two bases instead of three, or see our 7-day itinerary.