I haven't been to Portugal, but I managed to get my hands on an itinerary from a few very trusted sources, people whose recommendations I trust. Hope this helps with your planning. Perhaps one day I'll get to follow in their footsteps and put a personal touch on this one!
Enjoy!
Day 1: Arrival
The girls did 4 nights in Lisbon. Some say it's too much, but do you really want to be running around everywhere trying to pack everything into 2 days? If it's vacation, make it one. Give yourself time to absorb and enjoy!- The aerobus from the airport goes straight to the street near this condo. The owner will send you all the details.
- Depending on the time you arrive and how tired you are, either go to bed early to start the next day fresh, or take a nap, refresh and go explore Lisbon; just walk around, visit the shops and enjoy the atmosphere. I've listed what you can do down below. It's up to you how you want to break it up.
- There are free walking tours offered in Lisbon.
- This is a great site to help you plan out your trip, as well as Your-RV-Lifestyle.
Day 2-4: Downtown Lisbon, Belem, Sintra, Cascais
The next three days you'll spend exploring Lisbon and the surrounding areas, so here's what you can fill your time with:Castelo de Sao Jorege - Alfama
- Take the Tram no. E28 (Initial stop Martim Moniz Metro). A single ticket will cost you €2.85 to be paid when you get on the tram or at the machine in advance.
- Get on at Praça do Martim Monizwhich and hop off close to Castelo de Sao Jorege in the Alfama Neighbourhood – the oldest district in Lisbon that survived the 1755 earthquake. It has a strong medieval atmosphere with tiny streets that go high up into the hills. Despite the many steps to the highest viewpoint, the city views here are fantastic. Explore the castle and the garden.
- On the way down (recommended to walk down to see some viewpoints) follow the tram rails downhill, stop at the viewpoint Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a view will open up towards the river Tagus and the city.
- Another viewpoint is Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (Miradouro Graca) - Calçada da Graça is actually rated as #1 on Pinterest.
- Lisbon Cathedral (Se de Lisboa) is the oldest and most important church in the city. Its official name is Santa Maria Maior. The cloister is worth exploring.
While the girls were in Lisbon I was in San Francisco and we came to the conclusion that the two cities have some similar characteristics. They both have a similar bridge, the one in Lisbon was actually modelled after the Golden Gate, they are both by the water, both require flats to be able to walk it, both have the trams and fantastic food.
Baixa Neighbourhood – Baixa Chiado Metro Station
- Here you will find the shopping and banking district in the city. It is the centre of the city. It includes Praca do Comercio and Rossio Square, and the main Rossio train station (which will take you to Sintra - described later on in the itinerary).
- Walk along the gorgeous cobblestone street Rua Augusta. At the end of this street there is a Arco da Rua Augusta, the triumphal arch, which opens up onto Commerce Square. The observation level is open to visitors.Tip: Tickets can be purchased in a small shop north of the arch on the east side of Rua Augusta
Chiado
- This is a more fancy part of Lisbon, located between Baixa and Bairro Alto. You can walk around and visit boutiques, bars and restaurants. Go to the famous Ginjinha Bar, and try the Ginja, which is a Portuguese cherry liqueur.
- The Elevator of Saint Justa is a 19th century elevator, which has a viewing platform at the top. Stop by in the early evening and you’ll get to see most of the Baixa district, the Castel and the Catedral Sé Patriarcal at sunset. This is included in the public transport ticket.
- Visit the Carmo Convent and the Church of Sao Roque (Tuesday - Saturday, free) which is much more interesting than the Lisbon Cathedral.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara
- This place is close to Lisboa Rossia metro and its best to come here at sunset
- This is is a garden with a panoramic view across the city (located close to Lisboa Rossia metro).
- There is a funicular that can take up up and down the hill between the center of the city (Restauradores Square) and Barrio Alto.
- Barrio Alto is where the nightlife spots are; bars, clubs, the works. The famous Pink Street is also here. Check out Q Lata for happy hour and €1 sangria.
- Check out the Solar do Vinho do Porto (Port Wine Institute), where you can sample more than 300 different Ports.
- Rossi Square and Praça da Figueira are also close by
Belem
- There are a few ways to get from Lisbon to Belem:
- Tram No 15 from Praça do Comércio (main square) - 15 minutes.
- Bus no. 28 or 43 departs from Praça da Figueira - 15 minutes.
- The train from the station of Cais do Sodré - 10 minutes.
- All the above cost €1.40.
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - €10 - do this first as the lineups get long. You can also buy a ticket for the Monastery and Torre de Belem - €12, which helps you skip the queue. This is a UNESCO site.
- The Jardim de Belem - a botanical garden with hundreds of different flowers. Entrance is free.
- Church of Santa Maria de Belem is attached to the monastery.
- Walk along the harbour.
Sintra
- You can do this Sintra Tour or do a tour on your own. The train and ticket info on how to get from Lisbon to Sintra is here.
- Check out this site for more available tours.
- This is a great itinerary that recommends how much time to spend at each site. It will help with the planning.
- Pena Palace - this is a great website for online tickets, information and hours of operation.
- The entrance fee to the palace and Pena Park is €13.50, which includes state rooms, which are highly recommended.
- If you have some time, stroll around the lush gardens for great photos.
- This is by far one of the most unique palaces in all of Portugal and is the highlight of Sintra.
- Set aside the most amount of time for exploring.
- The Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) - the castle is open 7 days a week and the entrance fee is €7.
- The Castelo dos Mouros and the Palácio da Pena are 400m away from each other by foot.
- Quinta Da Regaleira (smaller castle) – worth a visit if have time.
Cascais
- Cabo da Roca - awesome lookout.
- Boca do Inferno - scenic caves and cliffs, 20 minute walk from the centre.
Day 5: Porto
- Start in the morning, rent a car and drive to Porto, it's about a 3-hour drive.
- On the way to Porto, stop at Tomar Castle, open October through May. The cost is €6
- Stay at Fontaínhas Apartment – parking is included
- Explore Porto. This is a good site to start planning
- Igreja Do Carmo - this church has a well-known tiled side façade
- Ribeira is one of the oldest districts in Porto. It has narrow, winding streets, crammed with restaurants and cafes. See the UNESCO World Heritage protected Ribeira Square
- From the Ribeira District, head to the iconic Ponte Luis I Bridge
- Strolling from the cathedral across the higher level of the bridge, down to the waterfront and port cellars, then back again via the lower level. It’s definitely the easier route!
- Head to Ferreira Cellar. This is the only wholly owned Portuguese Port producer. The tour costs €6 per adult and this includes a 30 minute guided tour and a tasting of two Port wines
- Clérigos Tower (Igreja E Torre Dos Clérigos) is situated on the highest point of the old city and, obviously, has fantastic views of the city. There is a €3 entrance fee, which is definitely worth it.
- Lello bookshop (Livraria Lello) is one of the oldest bookshops in Portugal. It was the inspiration for the Hogwarts library and staircases.
Day 6-8: Lagos, Benagil, Albufeira, Faro
- Drive to Lagos. This is approximately a 5 hour drive.
- On the way to Lagos, stop at:
- Sesimbra, a small fishing village.
- Evora - get lost in the old quarter.
- Beja
- Faro
- Stay at this home with a beautiful view
- Explore Lagos
- Ponta da Piedade is a series of weathered cliffs. The view is magnificent.
- Camilo Beach (Praia Do Camilo) - awesome view from the top.
- Praia da Dona Ana is the most beautiful beach of the Algarve.
- Follow the signs for boat trips to find the steps (east side of the lighthouse) and make your way down. Sunrise is the best time to come see this place.
- Lagos Old Center and the Igreja de Santo Antonio (Church of San Antonio).
- Benagil Beach Caves.
- Algar de Benagil is a cathedral like cave with arched entrances and a small beach inside. This is best reached by boat or kayak and there are regular trips from the beach at Benagil.
- Check out this website for things to do in Benagil
- You can find tours here.
- Take a 1.5 hour Boat tour. It costs: €30 (1 hour €25)
- Albufeira - explore the old town
- Faro - see the Se cathedral
Day 9: Lisbon
- Drive back to Lisbon, return the rental car and catch your flight home.
Where to Eat in...
Lisbon:
- Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) - gourmet food market
- Pasteis De Belem - pastries
- Petiscos - tapas (although they'll say it's not)
- Prato Do Dia - for dish of the day
- Topo Chiado - great view
- Ginjinha bar - Ginja
- Ponto Final - great view, right by the water
- A Civicheria - fantastic seafood. reservation highly recommended
- For other recommendations, check out the following website
Porto:
- Francesinhas are served with a small glass or two of local beer. Go to Rua Passos Manuel, 226, 4000-382 Porto
- Porto wineries
Lagos:
- Ala do Castelo - try Cataplana in Lagos (similar to Paella).
Budget (in Euros, mid-March)
Costs such as Car/Hotels/Gas can be split.
| Direct flight (including checked bags of €165) | € 720.00 |
| Lisbon Accommodations (€187/2) | € 93.50 |
| Public Transport Ticket | € 6.00 |
| Castelo de Sao Jorege | € 8.50 |
| Cathedral's cloister | € 2.50 |
| Triamphal Arc | € 2.50 |
| Mosteiro dos Jerónimos | € 10.00 |
| Monastery and Torre de Belem | € 12.00 |
| Pena Park | € 13.50 |
| The Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) | € 7.00 |
| Tomar Castle | € 6.00 |
| Tolls (€120/2) | € 60.00 |
| Car Rental (€395/2) | € 197.50 |
| Gas (€230/2) | € 115.00 |
| Porto Accommodations (€124/2) | € 62.00 |
| Ferreira Cellar tour | € 6.00 |
| Clérigos Tower (Igreja E Torre Dos Clérigos) | € 3.00 |
| Lagos Accommodations (€174/2) | € 87.00 |
| Benagil boat tour - 1.5 hours | € 30.00 |
| Food | € 400.00 |
| Total | € 1,842.00 |
Tip: If you're looking to combine Portugal with something else, I would highly recommend Spain. See Barcelona Itinerary. Another option is to combine this trip with a trip to the Azores.