This is our one-week road trip itinerary to visit some of the best sights Portugal has to offer. Portugal is a colourful country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Portugal is to go on a road trip.
In this itinerary, we will take you on our 7-day road trip through Portugal that covers four destinations: Albufeira, Sintra, Porto, and Lisbon.
A 7-day itinerary for such a diverse and beautiful country like Portugal feels too short. But if you are limited on time, like we were, this is the best trip to do to experience most of what Portugal has to offer.
This itinerary will help you make the most of your time in 7 days.
DAY 1-2 PORTUGAL ITINERARY: ALBUFEIRA – ENJOY SOME BEACH TIME
Our Portugal itinerary starts in Albufeira, a charming town located in the southern part of Portugal’s Algarve region. The town is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lively nightlife.
We recommend starting your road trip by exploring the old town of Albufeira. The town has narrow streets and whitewashed houses that date back to the Moorish era.
You have to visit the Praia da Falésia, one of the most fascinating beaches in Portugal, and enjoy a swim there. We were there at the end of April, and it was a little too cold for us to swim.
On day two of our Portugal itinerary, head out to explore the surrounding areas of Albufeira. Take a boat trip to the Benagil Cave, a natural rock formation that has become one of Portugal’s most famous tourist attractions. We recommend an organized tour by Dream Wave Algarve.
You can also explore the nearby villages of Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, which offer a glimpse into traditional Portuguese life – but for that, you will need more than 2 days in this area.
We loved the laid-back holiday vibe of this part of Portugal. You can also relax on the beach and skip our itinerary recommendations.
WHERE TO STAY IN ALBUFEIRA?
We loved our stay at the Hotel PortoBay Falésia. It has direct access to the Falésia beach. The rooms are spacious, and breakfast has great options. It is also just a short walk away from restaurants.
DAY 3 PORTUGAL ITINERARY: SINTRA – A FAIRYTALE ESCAPE
The next destination on our Portugal itinerary is Sintra, a picturesque town located just outside Lisbon. It is famous for its fairytale palaces, castles, and gardens, all of which are located in the Serra de Sintra hills in Portugal.
Start by visiting the Pena Palace, a colourful palace that sits atop a hill and offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside.
Next, head to the Quinta da Regaleira, a Gothic-style mansion with beautiful gardens, underground tunnels, and grottoes. Lastly, visit the Moorish Castle, a medieval fortress offering views of the surrounding area.
You can check our more detailed Sintra guide and itinerary here.
WHERE TO STAY IN SINTRA?
The best thing you can do is not to take Sintra as a daily trip, but to spend the night there. The city is full of charm, and we loved spending one night there.
We stayed at the cutest place called Hotel Nova Sintra. The hotel has a great location within walking distance of everything. They also offer a free parking space, which was a bonus for us. You can check the availability here.
DAY 4-5 PORTUGAL ITINERARY: PORTO – DISCOVERING THE NORTHERN GEM
After exploring Sintra in our itinerary, we head north to Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Porto is famous for its port wine and charming old town. It is a must-visit in your Portugal itinerary.
Spend your first day exploring the city’s historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a stroll down the Rua das Flores, a pedestrian street lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Your itinerary must include a visit to the iconic Luis I Bridge, one of Porto’s most famous landmarks, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top. It is also a great place to watch the sunset.
We also recommend visiting the famous São Bento Train Station. It is one of the most beautiful train stations in Portugal and in the world.
The Ribeira district is a lively neighbourhood that sits on the banks of the Douro River and it is the perfect place to try some local Port wine. Trying the region’s famous wine is an essential part of your Portugal itinerary.
There are many wine tastings available in the city. One of the best-rated guided tours is at Cockburn’s Lodge, the largest Port cellar in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia.
You can check our more detailed Porto guide and itinerary here.
WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO?
We stayed at the Chic & Basic Gravity Hotel in Porto, you can check the hotel here. The hotel is in the best location possible. The rooms are nice, new, and clean. It also has a private parking garage, which was a big plus for us.
Everything in the city is within walking distance of this hotel. Because of that, you do not need to use public transport while staying there.
DAY 6-7 PORTUGAL ITINERARY: LISBON – A VIBRANT CAPITAL
No Portugal itinerary is complete without a visit to Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital city, known for its colourful neighbourhoods, historic landmarks, and delicious cuisine.
Spend your first day exploring the Alfama district, a charming neighbourhood known for its narrow streets and cute houses.
If you want to explore as much as possible, take a 3-hour sightseeing tour by tuk-tuk.
On your final day of your Portugal itinerary, visit the Lisbon Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic landmarks in Portugal. Explore the nearby Castelo de São Jorge, a medieval castle that offers beautiful views of the city.
We also recommend visiting the Belem district, home to the Belem Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery.
You can check our more detailed Lisbon guide and itinerary here.
WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON?
There are many great hotels in the city centre. As long as you choose the right location and hotel for your budget, you will be happy. Because of the great location and beautiful rooms, we recommend the Memória Lisboa FLH.
This itinerary was made to explore as much as possible in 7 days. We did our road trip at the end of April, the beginning of May, and we were surprised that the weather was not as warm as we expected it to be. In the Albufeira region, there were summer vibes, but Porto was quite cold and rainy.
Portugal truly is a unique country to visit, and it was one of our favourite trips on our European travels. With our 7-day itinerary, you will find beautiful nature, lively cities, and a 7-day glimpse of what Portugal has to offer.
Our Portugal itinerary is great if you are a nature lover or, history enthusiast. In this itinerary, we tried to include as much as possible for you to enjoy the beautiful Portugal.