Sharing with you an epic 10-day Portugal itinerary. Our Portugal itinerary includes stays in Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve, and day trips to the Douro River Valley, Sintra, Coimbra, and Obidos.
Our family spent 5 weeks in Portugal the summer of 2022. This allowed us to linger and get to know Porto, Lisbon, Lagos, and the Azores.
Whether you have 7 days in Portugal, 10 days in Portugal, 2 weeks in Portugal, or even just a few days, this itinerary will help you prioritize where to go and what to do in Portugal.
I am excited to share with you the experiences that made our time in Portugal so special.
Traveling to Portugal with kids?
We traveled to Portugal with our two kids, ages 7 and 9. Because of that, you won't find many museums or churches on our list of favorite things to do in Portugal. And yet, we left feeling like we truly experienced the best of Portugal.
I am excited to share with you the best things to do in Portugal, how to spend your time, and what to do in Portugal in 10 days.
Why Visit Portugal (with kids or without kids)?
We spent 5 weeks in Portugal last summer. When I told our family and friends about our summer plans, many asked "Why Visit Portugal?". My answer had less to do with the things to see in Portugal and more to do with practicalities.
Our 5 weeks in Portugal was our first attempt at traveling somewhere for an extended period of time. My husband had potential opportunity to work remotely. And so, we needed some practical conveniences. WE chose Portugal because...
easy to travel to and from the United States - a must incase my husband needed to fly back for work (which he ended up doing multiple times)
time zone difference was doable for working remotely (from the US)
many people had told us that they loved their visit to Portugal - very nonspecific, but I will always take a good personal recommendation
we had never been to Portugal
So, Portugal it was!
However, after spending our summer in Portugal, we truly fell in love. And now I can provide you with many specific reasons why YOU should visit Portugal.
6 Reasons Why YOU Should Visit Portugal
1. Portugal Has It All: Cities, Mountains, Beaches, Wine Regions
Portugal has so much to offer.
Major cities of Lisbon and Porto, loaded with history and charm.
Wine regions, like the Douro River Valley with its stunning steep and terraced hills. And, the lesser-known rolling hills of the Alentejo Wine Region.
Beaches in the Algarve with stunning limestone cliffs, grottos, and beautiful sandy beaches.
Mountains in central and western Portugal with popular hiking and incredible views.
And if you are adventurous enough, the dramatic volcanic islands of Azores and Madeira (which I won't include in this 10 Day Portugal itinerary but are magical and very much worth a visit).
The more we travel, the more we realize that (for our family) our perfect vacations include a blend of city life, adventure, and relaxation.
Portugal has it all. And they do all of these things very well.
2. Portugal Is Rich in Culture
Portugal is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With another 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites pending approval.
With about 400,000 years' worth of history and a variety of influences over those years, there are a lot of things to see and learn about in Portugal.
Lisbon and Porto's small narrow alleyways, cobbled streets, and famous azulejos (blue tiles) turn up the charm factor. It is truly a pleasure to walk around Portugal's cities in the present day. But learning about why they are the way they are adds so much meaning to it all.
3. Portugal Is Relatively Small: Less Time Traveling Around
One of my favorite things about visiting Portugal is that you can cover a lot of ground without a lot of travel time.
Portugal is essentially a 6-hour drive from top to bottom. The drive from Lisbon to Porto is 3 hours, and from Lisbon to the Algarve's beautiful beaches is 3 hours.
Day trips are doable either on your drive from Lisbon to Porto (Obidos, Nazare, Coimbra) or within an hour (or so) of Lisbon (Sintra, Cascais, Evora) or Porto (Douro River Valley).
No one wants to spend a ton of vacation time traveling. And this is even more true for us when traveling with kids.
No long grueling travel days makes for more time to enjoy (and happier kids!).
4. Portugal Is an Affordable Destination
Visiting Portugal is rather inexpensive when compared to other European countries. In fact, Portugal is one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe.
We found lodging, food, wine, and transportation extremely reasonable.
How much you spend will depend on the type of accommodations you book, how often you eat out, and what you order. Just like anywhere.
We tend to book "reasonable luxury". Meaning, we want convivence and comfort, but without overpaying for brand names or things we don't want or need.
We booked very nice, modern Airbnbs, in ideal locations, with 2-3 rooms, during peak travel season for $250-400/night. A sit-down meal for 4 people, including wine and kids ordering multiple things was often $60-100. Cab rides were often $5-10. Bottles of water were often $1.
5. Friendly and Welcoming Locals
The Portuguese were very welcoming of tourists.
People in the tourism industry almost always spoke to us in English. In fact, I was hoping to learn more Portuguese, but everyone spoke English to us.
And they love the kids. In Porto, older Portuguese would often pinch the kids cheeks as we walked by. The kids easily made friends at the parks.
6. Portugal is Family Friendly
Everything I have shared with you so far makes Portugal family friendly. Variety of things to see and do. Small country, thus short travel times. Welcoming of tourists and kids. Conveniences like cab rides (instead of walking with/carrying kids) are inexpensive.
But there are other things that make Portugal family friendly as well.
My kids voted Porto as the most family friendly city in Portugal. Mostly because you will find great parks all over Porto. As we met other families throughout our time in Portugal, my kids offered their unsolicited advice that they should take their kids to Porto.
The beautiful beaches in the Algarve are naturally family friendly. Kids love sand in their pants and jumping in the waves. But, with Portugal's long coastline, we also found beaches all over, including in Porto, Lisbon, Cascais, and Nazare.
Sintra (day trip from Lisbon) is like a magical dreamland for kids. Quinta de Regalaria felt like a secret garden and the Pena Palace like a Disney castle.
Walking the walls of Obidos was one of my kids' favorite things to do in Portugal.
Breakfast and brunch in Portugal are on point. And breakfast is my kids' favorite meal of the day, so for this this was a huge family friendly win. We easily found breakfast with pancakes, waffles, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, and oatmeal every day.
We found a wide variety of international food all over Portugal. Which made it easy to find restaurants with food that both kids and adults would enjoy. The Portuguese food was great (they put eggs on everything so that was a great backup plan for the kids), but we also ate lots of Italian and Indian food.
10-Day Portugal Itinerary
I am sharing with you a 10-day Portugal Itinerary. But I will also give recommendations on how to add or subtract days in each location depending on your interests or how much time you have.
Feel free to rearrange any of the activities mentioned. These things to do in Portugal don't have to enjoyed in this order. Though I have put them together in a way that flows.
The good news is this. You can pack a lot into 10 days in Portugal.
Within the 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary, I link to details of each destination in separate blog posts. Be sure to click the links for more details about my recommendations.
10-Day Portugal Itinerary
This itinerary leaves plenty of time for leisurely mornings and evenings.
You can likely fit another activity or two into each day if you really want to pack in your schedule. I like to leave our itineraries open for spontaneous adventures. However, I also like to have a list of things to do in case we find ourselves near a landmark or with extra time.
Included in this itinerary are what I would consider the must-do things in each location. However, I do detail our other favorite activities in each city as well. Be sure to click the link to separate blog posts dedicated to each destination to get more details.
10 Day Portugal Itinerary Summary
3 Days in Porto
including 1 day trip to Douro River Valley
1 Day Travel from Porto to Lisbon
stopping in 1-2 towns along the way
3 Days in Lisbon
including 1 day trip to Sintra
3 Days in Lagos
including 1 half day driving there
Day 1: Porto
Logistics: Fly into Porto International Airport (OPO)
Taxi or Uber to the city - about a 20-minute drive and is easy and affordable (20-30 Euros) - especially if you are traveling with multiple people
Train to Porto - perfect if you are staying close to a train station, or trying to save a few euros
Breakfast/Brunch in Porto at Nicolau Porto (map link)
Get Lost on Purpose - yes, it's a thing in Porto
Wander the hilly, narrow, cobbled streets of Porto and get lost on purpose
Our favorite thing to do in Porto!
Take the 6 Bridges Boat Cruise on the Douro River
A great way to get an appreciation for the landscape around Porto
Climb Escadas do Codecal
Epic set of stairs taking you from Ribeira (district by the river) to Baxia (Porto's city center) and the pedestrian part of the Dom Luis I Bridge
Note: There are a lot of steps! Worth it if you can physically tolerate. Otherwise, walk down Escadas do Codecal.
Climb a Church Tower and enjoy the views of Porto
Options: Iglesia de los Clergios or Porto Cathedral
You may need tickets - if you don't want to be locked into a reservation on your first day in Porto, you can easily do this on Day 2 in the morning
Check out 20 Best Things To Do in Porto for more details.
Day 2: Porto
Breakfast/Brunch in Porto at Lazy Breakfast Club (map link)
Cross the Dom Luis I Bridge
Pedestrian bridge with beautiful views of Porto
Connects Porto to Gaia (neighboring city across the river)
Port tasting in Gaia
Gaia is known for storing and aging Port Wine
Indulging in at least one Port Wine tasting is a must, IMO (I mean, when in Porto...)
The World of Wine is another great place to eat and drink in Gaia
Enjoy the sunset in Jardim do Morrow (Gaia)
Grab some food and drink from the local vendors, find a spot on the hill, and watch the sun set just beyond Porto, into the Atlantic Ocean
Check out 20 Best Things To Do in Porto for more details.
Day 3: Porto
Breakfast/Brunch in Porto at NOLA Kitchen (map link)
Option 1: Day trip to Douro River Valley
The scenic 1.5 hr drive from Porto to the Douro River Valley is stunning and makes the day trip worthwhile
Many towns and Quintas (wineries) you can enjoy, we spent our day in Pinhao
Option 2: Historic tram to Foz (if you want to stay in Porto)
Walk the promenade along the beach in Foz
Visit Porto's western most neighborhood, Foz, which sits on the Atlantic Ocean
Have lunch at Brasao Foz, a local brewery with delicious Portuguese dishes. Amazing service and amazing food.
Logistics
Hire a rental car the day before you leave Porto if you want to...
Take a day trip to Douro River Valley
Drive your car to Lisbon the following day, allowing you to make stops in Coimbra, Aveiro, Nazare, and/or Obidos along the way (hard to do by train if you have luggage with you)
Note: Return rental car to Lisbon Airport
Note: You can use public transportation for both of these trips, but it adds more logistics and takes more time. With just 10 days you may want to pay for convenience.
Check out 20 Best Things To Do in Porto for more details.
Day 4: Porto to Lisbon
Drive from Porto to Lisbon
Drop your car off at the Lisbon airport upon arrival in Lisbon and either cab/uber/train into Lisbon
Stop in 1-2 towns along the way (choose depending on your interests)
Aveiro
Known for its water canals, colorful houses and boats
Coimbra
Home of Portugal's oldest and most prestigious university
Sleepier in the summer when school is out of session
You could spend a full day here, making this your only stop on your way to Lisbon
Nazare
Known for its big waves and surfing
If you don't visit during the big wave season, Nazare is a cute fishing town with not much to do
Walk down to the lighthouse, check out the views, learn about the big waves
Wander into the church in the old town square, it is beautiful inside and out
We had lunch in the square while the kids ran around - enjoyed fresh sardines, which felt super appropriate since it is a fishing town.
Could make this a beach stop if you aren't visiting the Algarve and are longing for some beach time
Obidos
A small town, atop a hill, surrounded by a 14th century wall
You can walk the walls of the city which is super special, one of my kids' favorite memories
Wander the cobblestone streets, enjoy a glass of wine as you people watch, take a shot of the cherry liquor out of an edible chocolate shot cup
The entire city is preserved as a national monument
Plan for a couple hours here
Day 5: Lisbon
Breakfast/Brunch in Lisbon at Dear Breakfast (map links - Chiado, Alfalma, Bica)
Explore Castelo de Sao Jorge (our favorite landmark to visit in Lisbon)
Castelo de Sao Jorge sits at the top of Alfalma.
When you leave Castelo de Sao Jorge, you can easily meander down the narrow and windy streets of Alfalma.
Head over to the Time Out Market to grab lunch.
It should take you about 30 minutes to walk from Castelo de Sao Jorge to the Time Out Market, though plan on some extra time for stopping to soak it all in.
Hop on a Tuk Tuk tour of Lisbon and enjoy the views of the city
Just outside the Time Out Market are loads of TukTuks. After lunch, walk outside, find a driver that speaks your language, take the opportunity to rest your legs while you explore the city in the back of a tuktuk.
Engage with your tuktuk driver! They can share lots of fun facts about Lisbon.
Check out Best Things To Do in Lisbon for more details.
Day 6: Lisbon
Breakfast/Brunch in Lisbon at Boutik (map link)
Though you may want to plan for a quick breakfast so you can optimize your time in Sintra
Take a Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
Choose 1-2 sights to see, my recommendations would be Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace
This will take much of your day, but you will still have your evening to enjoy Lisbon
Check out Best Things To Do in Lisbon for more details.
Day 7: Lisbon
Breakfast/Brunch in Lisbon at Fauna & Flora (map link)
Take a walking food tour of Lisbon
We loved the Taste of Lisboa's Lisbon Roots, Food and Cultural Walk
You'll get the chance to eat typical Lisbon food, drink typical Portuguese wine, and enjoy the delicious Pastel de Nata.
This will take your full morning but well worth it.
Intentionally climb lots of steps in Lisbon
The steep hills and endless stairs are part of the charm of Lisbon.
If you haven't already climbed steep steps in Lisbon, wander around Lisbon and be sure to go out of your way to climb lots of steps on your final day.
Check out Best Things To Do in Lisbon for more details.
Day 8: Lisbon to Algarve
Breakfast/Brunch in Lisbon at Cotidiano (map link)
Though you may want to opt for a quick breakfast so you can optimize your time in Lagos
Logistics
Drive or take the train to Lagos
We decided to hire a rental car for our time in Lagos - we were there for a full week, knew we would spend some time outside of Lagos, and public transportation is not readily available in the Algarve Region
There are trains from Lisbon to Lagos, though not direct.
Hire a rental car when traveling from Lisbon to the Algarve if you want to...
Do things outside of Lagos like go-karting, surf camp, Benagil Cave, Seven Hanging Valley's Trail, water parks
If you prefer not to hire a rental car, you can find plenty to do and see in Lagos for 2-3 days without needing a car
Go-Karting in Portimão
The Portimão Circuit (Kartodromo Internacional Algarve) is just 20 minutes from Lagos.
Karting at Kartodromo Internacional Algarve was an awesome (and very family friendly) experience.
We hit this up on our drive into Lagos from Lisbon, perfect since it was on the way
Wander Old Town Lagos
Wander the town, enjoy its charm
Check out 6 Unique Things to Do In Lagos for more details.
Day 9: Algarve (Lagos)
Beach Day at Praia Dona Ana
Praia Dona Ana is one of the biggest and most popular Lagos beaches. And for good reason! It is truly something special.
Collect Seashells at Praia Dona Ana
Find the Secret Coves at Praia Dona Ana
TIP - Be sure to go back in the evening when the tide is low, as well - there are extra secret coves when the tide is low
Check out 6 Unique Things to Do In Lagos for more details.
Day 10: Algarve (Lagos)
Explore the Lagos Caves at Sunrise (via paddle board or kayak)
The best way to explore the Algarve coastline is by kayak and paddleboard. Hands down.
With just 2.5 days in the Algarve, I would book a tour right there in Lagos
Other option (if you have a car) is to head down the coast to Benigal Cave and the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Beach Day at Praia Dona Ana
Spend the rest of the day at the beach, soaking up the beautiful scenery and splashing in the waves
Logistics: Fly out of the Faro Airport or the Lisbon Airport
You will get better prices out of the Lisbon Airport, but it will require a 3-hour drive or train ride back to Lisbon.
You can often find cheap connection flights from Faro to Lisbon which may be worth it to save on time.
Check out 6 Unique Things to Do In Lagos for more details.
7 Days in Portugal: Itinerary
If you have just 7 days in Portugal, no worries! You have a few options.
Choose 1 Destination + Extra Day Trips
You could easily spend a full week in any region of Portugal. We spent a full week (plus) in Porto, Lisbon, and Lagos on our trip to Portugal. There was plenty to see and do and I was so glad we had so much time in each destination.
Why Choose Porto?
Porto is full of so much charm. It was our favorite city in Portugal (but don't tell Lisbon, because we love Lisbon too!)
You may choose Porto as your home base if you are interested in visiting the Douro River Valley (wine region)
You can easily day trip to Coimbra and/or Aviero
Check Out 20 Best Things To Do In Porto for more inspiration
Why Choose Lisbon?
Lisbon has lots to see and do and SO MUCH great food!
You can easily day trip to Sintra, Obidos, and Cascais
Check Out Best Way To Spend 3 Days In Lisbon for more inspiration - I include my favorite things to do in Lisbon if you have a full week
Why Choose The Algarve?
If you are looking for a beautiful European beach destination, the beaches in The Algarve are where it's at
There are plenty of activities to do in The Algarve like surfing, hiking, kayak/paddleboarding, and more.
We came during the summer, it was hot, but great! I have heard the water is quite cold in the Spring, so keep that in mind when you are planning your trip
Check Out 6 Unique Things To Do In Lagos, Portugal for more ideas
Choose 2 Destinations
You can easily do Lisbon + either Porto or Algarve
There is just a 3 hr drive to either destination from Lisbon, making it an easy mid-week relocation
If you want beach time - choose Lisbon + Algarve
If you want city time (or to see Porto) - choose Lisbon + Porto
It is possible to visit Porto + Algarve - but this is a longer trip (6 hrs), so less ideal
Use my 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary - just cut out the destination you won't be visiting
Choose 3 Destinations - Limit Day Trips
If you want to do a whirlwind tour of Portugal - you can totally do this
Spend 2 days in each location, with just one day trip
What are you most interested in? Wine country? Beach? Cities? How fast or slow do you like to travel? Let these questions guide your choice.
2 Weeks in Portugal: Itinerary
Have a full 2 weeks in Portugal?
Let my 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary be your starting place.
Then consider what you want more of. Beach days? Wine country? Catch a football match in Lisbon or Porto?
More Time in Porto
With more time in Porto I would...
Catch a football match
Wander more!
Lots of great churches to wander into, street art to come up, streets to get lost in
If you have kids, there are tons of great playgrounds, so Porto is a great place to linger with kids
Check out Museums
With kids in tow, we didn't visit many museums, but there are plenty of art filled museums in Porto worth checking out
We came upon a temporary exhibit by Banksy, so felt super lucky to view that while we were in Porto
More Time in Lisbon
With more time in Lisbon, I would...
Explore Belem
A district in Lisbon about 3 miles to the west of Lisbon's city center, situation on the Tagus River
Historic seafaring district, we enjoyed Jeronimos Monastery. Monument of Discoveries, and the Belem Tower
Pastel de Nata Cooking Class - situated in the Time Out Market
Catch a football match!
Ferry to Cristo Rei
More Time in Lagos
With more time in Lagos, I would...
Surf Camp
Water Park - If you are here with the kids during the summer time, this really was a fun day
Explore different beaches
3-5 days in Portugal: Itinerary
If you have just 3-5 days in Portugal, I would...
Choose 1-2 locations, like Porto and Lisbon or Algarve and Lisbon
Also, VERY worthwhile to spend 3-5 days in just ONE of these locations
If you find a great flight deal, it would be totally worth it to spend 5 days in any of these destinations.
So, I leave you with this.
If you are looking for a whirlwind tour of Portugal, I believe this 10 Day Itinerary will allow you to see the best of Portugal.
A wonderful 10 days in Portugal could look like 3 days in Porto, 4 days in Lisbon (including day trips to Sintra, Coimbra, and Obidos), and 3 days in Lagos.
But if you are lucky enough to linger in Portugal like we did, a week in any of these destinations is not too long.
If you are planning a trip and have any questions, or are looking for any opinions, please feel free to email me! I'd love to hear all about your trip!
If you have been to Portugal, tell us, what were your favorite things to do? Comment below!
Welcome! We are the Ramirez family.
Just your average family, based in Nashville, with a love of culture, togetherness, and making memories. Oh, and international travel.
We are here to document our family travel adventures. To share our stories and our travel experiences. And, perhaps inspire others, who find joy the same way we do, to take the trips. I don't think you will regret it.
Thank you for checking out our blog. Please reach out to say hello and share your stories!
Cheers,
Katie (mom), Roberto (dad), Roberto (2013), and Veronica (2015)