Planning a Portugal 2 week itinerary? You’re in the right place. Portugal has been climbing the ranks for tourism over the past few years, especially with Americans (and Brits, who’ve been coming for ages).
The food is fantastic, the people are some of the friendliest you’ll meet, and it’s still affordable compared to most of Western Europe. Most visitors coming from North or South America stay about a week, but if you want to see it ALL (and you really can’t — nobody can), two weeks is what it takes.
This itinerary lays out exactly how we’d do it: a full north-to-south route from Porto to the Algarve, day by day, with the real logistics — transportation, timing, where to stay — so you’re not left guessing.
Portugal is a small country, but there is a lot to see. They have a great public transportation system, and getting to most major cities by bus or train is easy. But the best way to travel the whole country in a short amount of time is with a car.
If you do decide to rent a car, make sure that you take pictures and videos of the vehicle, ask about tolls, and get the full insurance package. This will save you some hassle later.
This itinerary is a fast-paced travel guide (IMO) with full days. It’s not quite the way we like to travel. We enjoy having days to sit and rest and soak up the energy of a place. But if you want to see as much as possible, here is how we would do it.
If you want a private guide to tour certain sites, check out this post about Private Tour Guides in Portugal.
Wandering what to pack? Here is a guide just for that!
Start in Northern Portugal
I would fly into Porto to begin. You can fly into Lisbon and take the train north, but it is an extra 3 hours, and, to be honest, the Porto airport is smaller and easier to navigate. Plus, you land in the city you will be in for the next 3 days.
Days 1-3: Get to know Porto and the surrounding area
For your first day, stay in Porto and get to know the city. There are plenty of private tours and fun things to do in Porto. Our blog post will help you out if you need suggestions. I recommend doing a port wine tour in Vila Nova de Gaia (across the Luis I Bridge), seeing the cathedral, visiting São Bento train station, and spending time down by the Douro River.
Day two can be day trips to Braga and Guimarães (together), and then day three, go to the Douro Valley, Portugal’s famous wine region. Both of these places are beautiful and easy to get to. Sign up for a wine tasting tour or take the boat tours up to Pinhão. You can also do it independently with the train, but having a guide helps.
In Braga, see the Bom Jesus do Monte and the cathedral. Also, EAT the FOOD. I swear it’s the best in Portugal. If you take a day trip tour, you can also check out Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal.
Day 4: Begin the journey South: Aveiro to Nazaré
Leave as early in the morning as possible (well, don’t get crazy and leave at 5:30 am), but early enough to stop in Aveiro and take in the beautiful coastal town. The town is very walkable and has great places to shop and eat, and if you love Art Deco and Art Nouveau, you will love this place.
Make sure you take a traditional Moliceiro cruise on the canals since you are in the “Venice of Portugal. Eat lunch here and try the Ovos Moles.
After lunch, take a drive (or FlixBus) down the coast to Nazaré. This small fishing village is very popular in the summer because the beach is fantastic.
Day 5: Nazaré
A full day here — Sítio do Nazaré and the lighthouse for the famous waves (better Oct–March), the fort, the beach town below, dinner by the water.
For all of the fun things to do in Nazaré, check out our blog post and podcast!
Day 6: Skirt on down the coast OR have some medieval fun in Tomar
If you would rather scoot further down the coast, stop in Óbidos or Peniche. Óbidos is a medieval town with a wall and a castle. It is charming, and there are lovely places to stay there.
Peniche is also nice but is a little further out on a peninsula. If you feel like taking a beach day here, visit Berlengas Island but do so in the summer. The ocean is very choppy in the winter months.
From Nazaré, you can head east to Fatima or Tomar instead. It is a very long (4hr) bus ride to Tomar, so I would only go if you have a lot of time or a car. It’s about an hour’s drive.
Tomar is not often on everyone’s list, but it should be. It has a fabulous old town that offers cool restaurants and shopping.
Then, head up the hill to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Convent of Christ and the Knights Templar Castle of Tomar. But make sure you have several hours to spend here. The convent is HUGE but worth the visit.
If you decide to visit Tomar, I suggest you stay the night and relax in the city. Maybe even take a tour of the city and enjoy the rich history of this small town.
Day 7-9: Lisbon and Surrounding Area
There is A LOT to do in Lisbon. You can spend a week in the capital city and still not see everything. But in a day or two you can hit the highlights.
Visit all the neighborhoods including Alfama, Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Belém. This way, you will see the major attractions such as São Jorge Castle, Santa Justa Elevator, Belém Tower, and the Jerónimos Monastery. Take a walking tour or a TukTuk tour, and you can see it all in a few hours.
If you opt for a TukTuk, we recommend going with the antique cars tour because cobblestones are bouncy and can be uncomfortable in other TukTuks.
Outside of Lisboa
Évora is a fantastic city in the Alentejo region, which is just a couple of hours from Lisbon. Don’t miss the Chapel of Bones and the Temple of Diana. The wines in this region are also fantastic.
There are several private tours you can book, but we do recommend you contact Emmanuel Silva with Lisbon TukTuk Tours by Lifonso. He knows so much about the region.
The regional trains can also take you to places such as Sintra and Cascais. The beaches in Cascais are beautiful, and it is a great place to get seafood.
Sintra is a whole other day trip and a long one if you want to see everything. The train ride is about 45 minutes, and then you can Uber to visit Pena Palace, Quinta do Regaleira, and the city center.
If you are looking for a great tour of Sintra, contact Daniel Ponce. He is the absolute best.
If you are interested in other Day trips from Lisbon, our blog post 12 Incredible day trips from Lisbon by bus or Train is a great help.
Days 10-13: The Algarve
Now, admittedly, 3-4 days is just not enough time in the Algarve, but it will give you a taste. Travel from Lisbon to Faro (about 3 hours in the car), which is the “capital” of the Algarve, and have your home base there until it is time to leave.
You can also book your flight from Faro to make it easier, and you won’t have to use your last day to travel back to Lisbon. Plus, the Lisbon airport can get kinda crazy. The Faro airport is much smaller and more navigable.
The best option for transportation while you are in the Algarve is a rental car. Uber and buses are available, but if you want to go from one end to the other quickly, you need a car. If you are planning on staying in one town and chilling on the beautiful beaches, then a car is not entirely necessary.
We do recommend you go to Portimão and see the Benagil Caves. Amazing!
Faro is very walkable, and the Ria Formosa should not be missed.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
The best time to come to Portugal is from May to mid-July, and September to October. The summer months can be very hot, especially in the interior.
Also, August is the most popular vacation month in Europe, and places will be more crowded.
A Little Advice about Restaurants
Portuguese food is delicious! But a few things to keep in mind when looking for a great restaurant is to find a small place with a small menu. Also, look to see if locals are eating there. Then you know it is good!
Restaurants with large menus and pictures are geared toward tourists and will be more expensive and less good.
Dress in layers for a restaurant. In the summer, eat outside under an umbrella if you can. Most restaurants do not have air conditioning and are HOT inside. This is true even in the winter. Many places will have outdoor seating with heaters in the winter.
Bring cash as many places will not take foreign cards. It is not as common in major cities but very common with small restaurants.
Order the prato do dia for lunch. It is the plate of the day (special) and authentically Portuguese. Also, try a dish that is specific to the region you are visiting. You will learn a lot about the culture and restaurant owners like this. When in doubt, ask for recommendations!
Book a table in advance during busy seasons, especially at popular restaurants. We have been turned away numerous times.
Understand that things will be SLOW. Dinner can be a 3-hour affair. The waiters often bring you couvert to start (bread, olives, pate, etc.). If you do not want this, ask them to send it away. If you eat any of it, you will be charged. Water is not often free. You have to ask for the bill; they will not just bring it to you.
Enjoying Portugal
Honestly, the best way to enjoy Portugal is by taking your time. You will notice that life moves slower here, even in the tourist areas and big cities. Take a moment on your way to the next place and stop and have a coffee or a glass of wine. Portugal is more for “sipping” and less for “gulping” if you get my drift (although the hills in Lisbon might have you gulping lots of water).
But whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself! Whether you are a foodie, an adventurer, or a traveler, Portugal has something for everyone.
If you want to learn more about our adventures living and traveling in Portugal (and other places), check out our Podcast! We tell some very amusing stories. You can find us on Spotify, Apple, Prime, and other apps that feature podcasts.
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Shelley is a full-time traveler, writer, and podcaster based in Portugal, where she lives with her wife and their beloved bulldog, Scoot. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Shelley is a former history teacher who swapped the classroom for cobblestone streets and passport stamps. These days, she explores Portugal and Europe in search of fascinating stories, unforgettable sights, and local flavor—then shares it all through her blog and podcast, Wandering Works for Us, where curiosity meets adventure (and sometimes wine).