Portugal Itinerary 10 Days: Porto, Lisbon & the Algarve
A 14-day Portugal itinerary from Porto to the Algarve, with the Douro, Lisbon and Évora. Day by day by car, plus a car-free version by train.
January 6, 2026 • 8 min read
Portugal Itinerary 14 Days: Car or Train
The 14-Day Route at a Glance
Car or Train?
Our view: the car is the better choice for 14 days, because the Douro, the Alentejo and the Algarve all reward a car. You do not need it in Porto or Lisbon, though. If you prefer the train, the route still works well; just plan the Évora days around the timetable.
Option 1: 14 Days by Car
Days 1 and 2: Porto
Leave the car until you leave the city. Walk down through Porto's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, to the Ribeira, and cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for the view back over the river. On day 2, see São Bento station's tile panels and the cathedral, then cross to Vila Nova de Gaia for a port wine cellar tour.
Days 3 and 4: The Douro Valley
Pick up the car and drive east to the Douro Valley, about 1 hour 15 minutes to Peso da Régua on the A4. The valley, where port wine comes from, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. With two nights, you can visit a couple of quintas for tastings, take a short boat trip on the river and drive the road between Régua and Pinhão at your own pace. Plan who drives on tasting days.
Day 5: Drive to Lisbon
This is the longest drive of the trip, so break it with a stop. Coimbra, with its old university on the hill, or Tomar, with the Convent of Christ, are both on the way. Once in Lisbon, leave the car parked at your hotel or in a nearby car park: you will not need it in the city.
Days 6 and 7: Lisbon and Sintra
Spend day 6 in Alfama and at São Jorge Castle, then head west to Belém for the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém, listed by UNESCO since 1983. On day 7, take the train from Rossio to Sintra, about 40 minutes, for the palaces and gardens of a UNESCO site listed in 1995.
Days 8 and 9: Évora and the Alentejo
Évora is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Lisbon by car, on the A2 and A6. Its walled historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, holds a Roman temple, a cathedral and the Chapel of Bones. On day 9, visit one of the Alentejo's wineries or the hilltop village of Monsaraz.
Days 10 to 13: The Algarve
The drive from Évora to the Algarve takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Choose one base for the four nights: Lagos for the western cliffs, Carvoeiro or Albufeira for the central coast and Benagil, or Tavira for the quieter east. Spend one day on a boat trip to the sea caves, one in Sagres and Cape St Vincent, and keep one free for the beach.
Day 14: Fly home
Return the car at Faro Airport. If you fly home from Lisbon instead, plan the drive back north, about 3 hours from Faro.
Option 2: 14 Days Without a Car
By train, the Douro is easier as a day trip from Porto, so this version gives Porto and Lisbon an extra night each.
Train times between the stops:
- Porto to Peso da Régua: about 1 hour 45 minutes, part of it along the river.
- Porto to Lisbon: about 3 hours on the Alfa Pendular. Seats are reserved, so book ahead.
- Lisbon to Évora: about 1 hour 35 minutes from Lisbon Oriente, with only around four trains a day on weekdays.
- Évora to Faro: between 3 hours 35 minutes and almost 5 hours, with a change, and only a few trains a day. The direct bus takes a similar time.
The Évora to Algarve leg is the weak point of the car-free version. If the timetable does not suit you, go back to Lisbon and take the direct train to Faro, about 3 hours.
Travel Times at a Glance
Timetables change by season, so check the current times at Comboios de Portugal before you book.
What Pace to Expect
With two to four nights in each place, this is a comfortable two weeks, and only one day has a long drive. The cities are the most demanding part: Porto and Lisbon are hilly with cobbled streets, so wear shoes with good grip and use taxis, trams and funiculars. The Douro and the Alentejo are best enjoyed slowly, and the Algarve days can be as relaxed as you like.
Who it suits: travelers who want to see mainland Portugal properly in one trip, with time for food, wine and the coast.
Who it does not suit: those who would rather go deep into one or two regions. For a shorter trip, see our 7-day and 10-day itineraries.
