Thanks to super-easy direct flights from Stuttgart to Porto via Eurowings, I've visited Portugal twice this year, once on a family trip and once for a girls’ trip. Both times were similar routes, but with a few additional day trips sprinkled in. From those trips, I have compiled a fantastic seven-day Portugal itinerary (with an optional eighth day). This itinerary has it all: cities, beaches, wine country, and historic palaces. It's slow-paced, making it perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers. Are you ready?

Method of travel for this itinerary: Rental car (no international license needed). A small SUV, such as the Juke, is recommended.

Day 1-2: Porto

You can find my full two-day Porto itinerary here with a bit more detail.

Where to stay:

Village by BOA or in the Riberia district (everything on this itinerary was walkable from Village by BOA, except Praia do Senhor da Pedra).

What to See:

Church of Saint Ildefonso
Vila Nova de Gaia
Dom Luís I Bridge
La Ribeira
Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
Igreja dos Carmelitas & Igreja do Carmo
Sao Bento Station
Chapel of Souls
Porto Cathedral
Livraria Lello
Praia do Senhor da Pedra
Cellar tour and tasting
River cruise

Where to Eat:

Garden Porto Café
Casa Guedes
Gran Cruz House/ Casario Restaurant
Mercado do Bolhão
Mistu
Fábrica da Nata & Manteigaria (for the best pastel de natas)

Day 3: Duoro Valley Wine Country

Hop in the car for an easy drive to the Douro Valley. For anyone who struggles with motion sickness (raises hand), now is the time to pop those Dramamine tablets or apply a motion sickness patch. The roads are beautifully scenic, but incredibly windy as you enter the valley.

Optional stop: If you're looking for a beautiful location, just a little out of the way from the Douro Valley, head to Capela da Casa de Mateus from Porto. It's then roughly a 40-minute drive back to the Douro Valley.

Where to Stay: Quinta da Faisca or Imago Houses

What to do:

Visit the scenic viewpoint São Leonardo da Galafura
Book a river cruise
Winery tours and tastings. A few have walk-in hours later in the day, but most require an appointment to be made in advance. The Douro Valley is quite large, so you can expect to drive up to an hour to get to another tasting, depending on how you map your day. Just something to keep in mind. Recommended wineries to start:
- Quinta Da Pacheca. If living out your real-life I Love Lucy fantasy and stomping grapes in a giant tub is a dream, make sure you visit here during harvest season. One of my favorite experiences in Portugal, by far. You can also stay overnight in a wine barrel here.
- Quinta do Vallado
- Quinta de Santa Eufemia

In the evening, enjoy a swim and a bottle of wine at your accommodation.

Day 4: Costa Nova, Coimbra & Óbidos en Route to Lisbon

Costa Nova

This cheerful striped town will leave you with a smile. In the 19th century, Costa Nova (just outside Aveiro) became a summer escape for Portugal's elite. But its famous candy-colored houses weren't always vacation homes; initially, they were fishermen's huts used to store nets, boats, and gear.

Legend says the bold stripes were painted so the fishermen could spot their homes in the fog, or, depending on who you ask, so that they wouldn't stumble into the wrong house after a night out.

Over time, the huts were rebuilt as vacation homes, but the tradition of using bright colors stuck, and now they attract visitors from all over. The beach is only steps away, and Aveiro (known as the "Venice of Portugal") is just a 10-minute drive, with its canals, salt flats, museums, and shops.

Where to Eat: Mimo Restaurante, fantastic Italian food

Coimbra

The next stop is Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Spend an hour or two walking around, visit the famous library, and grab gelato before heading on to the last stop of the day, before arriving in Lisbon.

What to See

Biblioteca Joanina
Chapel of São Miguel
Walk through Old Town

Where to Eat: Gelato at Gelataria Così

Óbidos

I've visited here twice now during my travels in Portugal, and the white-washed houses draw you in, especially in the summer when they're accented with bright, colorful flowers growing up the sides. You only need a few hours here to walk the streets and the castle walls. There is a lovely bakery, Capinha d'Obidor, and lots of restaurants to choose from. Óbidos is a great place to pick up souvenirs from the local shops.

Where to Eat: Capinha d' Obidor

What to Try: Ginjinha de Óbidos, a cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup

Day 5: Lisbon Highlights

If Porto hasn't prepared you for walking hills, Lisbon will throw you right into it. Warm up those hammies, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready for some hill walks.

Where to Stay: I recommend the Alfama or Chiado districts. I have stayed in both and they were within walking distance of many of the sights.

What to See

Belém District (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and Pastéis de Belém)
Ride Tram 28 (recommended for later in the evening to avoid long wait times to board the tram during busy seasons)
Convento do Carmo
Scenic Viewpoints (sunrise or sunset options): Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro da Graça, or Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

End the day with dinner at Rocco, a trendy spot with fantastic cocktails, reservations required.

Day 6: Sintra Day Trip to Pena Palace

*Views of Pena Palace from the Moorish Castle*

Just a short train ride or drive from Lisbon is Sintra, a town full of palaces, forest trails and you guessed it, more hills. You can read more about taking a trip to Sintra from Lisbon here.

What to see

Pena Palace (secure your time-slotted ticket in advance)
Moorish Castle (ticket good for the entire day)
Quinta da Regaleira
Enjoy a late-afternoon lunch in the town center.

Return to Lisbon in time to watch the sunset at one of the scenic viewpoints or have dinner in Bairro Alto.

Day 7: Cabo da Roca & Praia da Adraga

Portugal's coastal landscape is rugged and dramatic. Pack your hiking shoes and swimsuits and enjoy an afternoon exploring the trails around Cabo da Roca, then finish the morning soaking up the sun at Praia da Adraga. The rock formations here are striking. You can lounge on the beach enjoying the surfers, or have a leisurely lunch nearby.

In the afternoon, make your way back to your departing city, either Porto or Lisbon, for your flight home.

If you have an 8th day, here is an optional add-on! I would do this after Porto.

Overnight at Bussaco Palace

Want to spend the night in a Portuguese palace? This fairy-tale hotel, situated in the middle of a forest, is a must. Although the rooms are a bit dated, the palace and its grounds are stunning, making a stay worthwhile. Spend the day walking in nature and unwinding on the porch with a spritz. In the evening, enjoy a lovely meal in the palace's dining room.

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7 Day Portugal itinerary: Porto, Douro Valley & Lisbon

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