7 Day Portugal Itinerary | Porto, Douro Valley, Lisbon

Combine quirky Lisbon, old-world Porto (my favorite), and the stunning Douro Valley with this 7 day Portugal itinerary. I'll take you through logistics, how many days to spend in each place, and the best things to do!

Portugal, once the forgotten neighbor of Spain, has quickly risen in popularity. The beautiful coastline, colorful palaces, old-world towns, stunning wine region, and cheap price tag entice visitors from around the world.

While Portugal isn't a big country, it can be overwhelming to decide what to fit into your itinerary without wasting too much time traveling between destinations.

This post is here to help with which places to visit, how long to spend at each, and how to get from point A to point B.

If you're spending one week in Portugal, combining Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley should be your first itinerary.

It’s easy to get to each city/region and the travel time between destinations is minimal. This 7 day Portugal itinerary offers the perfect mix of big city, small city, and the stunning wine region. What more could you ask for?!

Flying into and out of Portugal

Book your flight into Porto (airport code OPO) and out of Lisbon (airport code LIS).

With this 7 day Portugal itinerary, I prefer to fly into Porto and out of Lisbon. Spending one week in Portugal means a quick pace (i.e. not much time to adjust for jet lag and time change).

Porto offers a slower pace than Lisbon and is the best city to arrive in. I've started this Portugal itinerary slow, with extra time in Porto knowing you'll probably be tired the first day.

Lisbon, on the other hand, will be fast and furious with side trips.

I've found it's best to start with a smaller city as opposed to hitting the ground running in the largest, busiest city.

Break down of this 7 day Portugal itinerary

Porto: 3 nights

Douro Valley: 1 night

Lisbon: 3 nights

Porto: 3 nights and 2.5 days

Assuming you're coming from the USA, you'll likely arrive (and be settled into your hotel) by the late morning or early afternoon. This means you'll have about half a day on arrival, plus 2 full days after that.

Porto is a great city to slow down and enjoy the views, food, Port wine, and atmosphere.

This is precisely why I start this 7 day Portugal itinerary in Porto. This city is just the right size, offering plenty to do without being overwhelming or exhausting. It's the perfect place to get over your jet lag.

With a little over 2 days in Porto you'll be able to visit Livraria Lello (a bookstore that served as inspiration for the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter), walk across the Luís I Bridge, enjoy a few Port tastings in Gaia (technically another city, but it's just across the bridge), join a walking tour and/or food tour, and hit all the top sights.

I always recommend joining at least one tour in each city. This ensures you see the worthwhile tourist attractions and gives access to a guide who can recommend restaurants and other places to visit. It's a great way to become oriented with a new city.

A few tours I recommend:

Highlights & Hidden Gems of Porto: Private City Tour is three hours and led by a local. The price isn't bad for a private tour. It's $170 for two people and $187 for four. It becomes cheaper per person the larger the group.

Those comfortable on a bike and hoping to see more of the city in three hours should consider an E-Bike tour (Porto is very hilly, so an E-Bike is a must). 3-Hour Porto Highlights on an Electric Bike - Guided Tour is a great option.

Foodies more interested in the local cuisine will love this 3-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour. Choose a group or private tour that's guided by a local.

If you choose to do your own thing, I recommend buying Rick Steve's Portugal guide and following his Porto walk. This ensures you hit all the top sights and do it in a logical order.

Below are the musts for your Porto itinerary:

• Igreja do Carmo - baroque-styled church
• Bolsa Palace
• Church of São Francisco
• Stroll Cais da Ribeira - riverside street with bars, shops, and tiny homes stacked on top of each other
• Luís I Bridge - two-level bridge (cross on the upper level for incredible views)
• Praça de Lisboa - park
• Clérigos Tower - climb the tower for views of the city
• Sao Bento station - train station with beautiful tile
• Rua das Flores - popular street
• Avenida dos Aliados - popular street

Another reason I opt to spend 3 nights in Porto is the affordability. You can find a steal of a deal at a 5-star hotel. Maison Albar Le Monumental runs for about $450 a night and would easily cost over $1,000 in the USA.

Porto is a great city to indulge in. Book a Michelin-starred dinner, sail along the Douro River on a catamaran, and sip on cocktails while enjoying the views. Your dollar goes far in Porto, so take advantage!

Additional Porto Blog Posts: 

WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO, PORTUGAL | AREAS + HOTELS

IS PORTO WORTH VISITING + PHOTO DIARY

BEST COFFEE SHOPS & CAFES IN PORTO | TOP 5

A DAY TRIP TO PORTO FROM LISBON | DETAILED ITINERARY

HOW MANY DAYS IN PORTO DO YOU REALLY NEED?

Douro Valley: 1 night and 1 day

Jake and I did this exact itinerary for my birthday. My actual birthday was the night we spent in the Douro Valley. I couldn't have chosen a more memorable place to celebrate.

Both Jake and I kept saying we couldn't believe the views and that pictures don't do this region justice. 

We stayed at Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta and LOVED IT! The onsite restaurant was wonderful (especially breakfast in the morning with stunning Douro Valley views), the rooms were spacious and comfortable, and the overall property and grounds were just breathtaking. 

Logistics: how to get from Porto to the Douro Valley

You'll need a rental car for this leg of the trip. I recommend reserving your car as early as possible. We booked through Hertz and took an Uber to this Hertz location.

Slowly make your way into the Douro Valley and pick a few Port lodges to stop at. If you don't plan on sharing tastings/have a designated driver, then either:

• drive all the way to your hotel first and have a driver take you around the valley from there as a 1/2 day tour.
• hire a driver to take you to your hotel, stopping at Port lodges and viewpoints along the way. This means you will also need a driver to take you back to Porto.

The roads are narrow with tight turns in some areas. Not a good idea to mix drinking in any condition, but especially with these roads.

Should you do a day trip to the Douro Valley instead?

You may be thinking, "why not do a day trip to the Douro Valley from Porto instead?". Day trips are extremely popular and many travelers choose to go this route. 

I 100% think it's worth the effort of booking a rental car (or driver) to have at least one night in the valley.

The Douro Valley was stunning. Watching the sunrise and sunset in this region was one of the most memorable moments of this trip. Not to mention our breathtaking breakfast while gazing at the mist-filled valley. 

My only regret was that we didn't have 2 nights. Our hotel had numerous "valley hikes" and a beautiful pool I would have loved to enjoy.

If you still think it's not worth your time to spend a night in the Douro Valley and prefer to do a day trip, I recommend changing this 7 day Portugal itinerary to the below:

• day 1 - sleep in Porto: arrive in Porto/afternoon to explore Porto
• day 2 - sleep in Porto: explore Porto
• day 3 - sleep in Porto: day trip to the Douro Valley
• day 4 - sleep in Lisbon: travel from Porto to Lisbon

With this itinerary, you still have 3 nights in Porto and add an extra night in Lisbon.

Most day tours to the Douro Valley are about 8 to 9 hours in length:

• Wine Venture and Boat Trip in Douro Valley - small group with 8 people
• Douro Valley Private Tour (All Inclusive)
• Private off the beaten Douro Valley Tour
• Private Wine Tour in the Douro Valley - Private wine tastings and lunch included

Lisbon: 3 nights and 2.5 days

While it may seem rushed, 3 nights in Lisbon is plenty.

Portugal, as a whole, is not like the UK, Italy, or other popular tourist countries across Europe where your days are crammed with as many tourist sites as possible.

Portugal doesn't have world-famous museums, a never-ending list of palaces, or jaw-dropping cathedrals. It's more about wandering the streets and neighborhoods, checking out beautiful viewpoints, and enjoying the culture and food.

This 7 day Portugal itinerary gives time to linger in Porto. Lisbon, on the other hand, will be busy.

When discussing Porto vs. Lisbon, I always go for Porto. I believe it's a better city to wander and slow down. I don't feel the same about Lisbon.

See the main sites and neighborhoods, check off the top day trips, and move on.

Logistics: how to get from the Douro Valley to Lisbon

If you rented a car for your day in the Douro Valley, you can either drive straight to Lisbon or drop your car off in Porto and take the train or bus to Lisbon. 

Drive from the Douro Valley straight to Lisbon

It will take about 4 hours to drive from the Douro Valley to Lisbon. The perk of driving is that it gives you the freedom to stop in Aveiro and Coimbra along the way and go at your own pace.

This is what Jake and I did because we liked the flexibility. We dropped the car off in Lisbon and took an Uber to our hotel.

Take the train from Porto to Lisbon

Your other option is to drop your car off at your car rental agency in Porto and take an Uber to the train station. The high-speed train takes 2 hours and 50 minutes from the Campanha station in Porto to the Oriente station in Lisbon.

Take the bus from Porto to Lisbon

You can also take the bus, which will take about 3 hours and 15 minutes. I've used Flixbus multiple times and have always had a good experience.

In reality, it will take roughly the same amount of time whether you drive straight from the Douro Valley or drop your car off in Porto and take the train or bus to Lisbon.

If you didn't rent a car and did the Douro Valley as a day trip, it's super easy as you'll just take the train or bus straight from Porto.

How to plan your 3 days in Lisbon

I would break out my time in Lisbon like so:

Day 1 in Lisbon

Arrive in Lisbon from the Douro Valley/Porto in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the day exploring Lisbon. 

I recommend booking a bike tour for today. This will give a good introduction to the city and you'll be able to see so much more by bike. Plus, the city is really hilly, so booking an electric-bike tour will be worth it.

Jake and I did this e-bike tour and loved it. This Go 7 Hills Electric Bike Tour is another good option.

Not comfortable on a bike? These are some great walking tours:

• Best of Lisbon Private Walking Tour
• Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour - small group
• Lisbon Essential Walking Tour: History, Stories and Lifestyle - small group

Food and photography tours:

• Lisbon Walking Tour with a Photographer - Morning Edition
• Lisbon Food and Culture: 3 Hour private Tour
• Undiscovered Lisbon Food Tour - small group
• Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour - small group

Day 2 in Lisbon

This day is sure to leave an impression with a visit to Pena Palace, one of the most colorful castles in Europe (and one of my favorites).

It’s an easy day trip from Lisbon, being a quick 40-minute train ride from Rossio station.

Try to visit Tuesday – Thursday for fewer crowds. Arrive as early as possible and book your ticket/time slot in advance. 

If you plan to just tour Pena Place and walk around the main town, you can make this a half-day trip. This means you'll have another half day to explore Lisbon.

If you've had enough of Lisbon, there's plenty to keep you busy in and around Sintra. Or you might consider joining a tour that combines several worthwhile stops that would be difficult to do on your own.

Sintra tours:

• Secrets of Sintra/Cascais Natural Park – Fairytale Tour
• Private Day tour with private Guide - Palaces of Sintra & Gardens
• Small Group Full Day PrivateTour Sintra+Cascais+Roca(4-6 persons) price per car
• Wonders of Sintra & Coast

Day 3 in Lisbon

Take an Uber to Belem and plan to spend 2-3 hours here.

Make sure to visit the impressive and massive Monastery of Jeronimos.

Torre de Belem, aka Belem Tower, has become a popular Instagram location and a visit to Pastel de Belem for the original Portuguese pastry is a must. Some say Pastel de Belem has the best Pastel de Nata pastries in Portugal.

AwA Tip: Most guidebooks will tell you to take trolley #15E to reach the district of Belem. While riding the trolley is unique, I wouldn't recommend it.

Take a 10-minute Uber instead. Not only does the trolley take a minimum of 30 minutes, but it's also almost always packed. You might not be able to get on if it's already full once it reaches your stop, which means you'll end up taking an Uber anyway.

Use the rest of day 3 in Lisbon for whatever sights you haven't hit yet and consider joining another walking tour.

Additional Lisbon blog posts: 

10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN LISBON PORTUGAL

HOW MANY DAYS IN LISBON DO YOU REALLY NEED?

TOP 5 LISBON CAFES AND COFFEE SHOPS

BEST DESSERTS IN LISBON | PASTEL DE NATA, PASTRIES, GELATO

Ideas if you have more than a week in Portugal

Thinking of extending this 7 day Portugal itinerary? You have a couple of options.

The first would be to slow this itinerary down. Spend 3 nights in Porto, 2 in the Douro Valley, and 4 to 5 nights in Lisbon (in order to do a few more day trips).

Another option is to fly to the Azores. An archipelago of 9 volcanic islands. This is perfect for my adventure travelers. The Azores have been referred to as the "Hawaii of Europe". Lush, green, lots of hiking, and stunning scenery...though the weather can be very hit or miss.

You could also spend a few days in the Algarve region, famous for its beaches.

In summary

I hope this 7 day Portugal itinerary points you in the right direction of how to plan your time and get from place to place. This is the most recent itinerary Jake and I did and we loved it!

The amount of time we spent in each destination was perfect (though I would have loved one more day in the Douro Valley) and it was the ideal combination of slowing down in Porto, speeding through Lisbon, and taking in the scenery of the Douro Valley.

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7 Day Portugal Itinerary | Porto, Douro Valley, Lisbon

See my other Portugal blog posts!

If you used this 7 day Portugal itinerary, share in the comments below how your trip went!