7 days · updated October 2026
7 Day Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon to Porto by Train
- The route
- Lisbon (3 nights) → Porto (3 nights), with Coimbra en route
- The cost
- For two people, expect a midrange 7-day trip to cost roughly $2,700–$5,200 before international flights, depending mostly on hotels, dining and Douro choices.
This 7-day Portugal itinerary suits first-time visitors who want Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and a taste of wine country without changing hotels every night. It starts at Lisbon Airport and works best if you fly home from Porto.
The route uses Lisbon for three nights and Porto for three nights, with Coimbra as a stop between them. Trains keep the long-distance travel simple, while short taxis help with hills, luggage and late dinners.
It leaves out the Algarve and the far north because adding them would turn the week into a transfer-heavy trip. If beaches are the priority, swap Porto and the Douro for Lagos or Tavira instead.
Day 1 · Lisbon
DirectionsArrive at Lisbon Airport and keep the first day gentle. The airport is about 20–30 minutes from central Lisbon by taxi or metro, so plan on a downtown walk, an easy food hall stop and one proper dinner if your flight timing allows.
Midday
Praça do Comércio
Baixa
Start here for a clear sense of Lisbon’s riverfront scale and a flat first walk after the flight. Keep valuables close in the square and nearby tram stops, especially with luggage.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Time Out Market Lisboa
Cais do Sodré
This is an easy first meal because several good Lisbon vendors are under one roof. Go outside peak lunch or dinner times if you want a seat without circling the hall.
Afternoon
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Bairro Alto
The terrace gives a useful overview of the castle, Baixa and the east side of the city. Take the Glória funicular or a rideshare up if jet lag makes the climb feel like too much.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Cervejaria Ramiro
Intendente
Go for shellfish, garlic shrimp and the steak sandwich many people order at the end. Join the virtual queue or arrive early, because waits can be long at prime dinner time.
Day 2 · Lisbon
DirectionsSpend the day between Belém and the old city. Belém is about 20–30 minutes from central Lisbon by tram, train or taxi, and the afternoon moves back toward the castle hill and Chiado for dinner.
Morning
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Belém
The monastery is one of the clearest examples of Portugal’s Manueline architecture. Book ahead when available and go early, as ticket and security lines build quickly.
Tickets & tours
Morning
Pastéis de Belém
Belém
This is the classic stop for warm custard tarts close to where the recipe became famous. The takeaway line can move faster, but sitting inside is better if you want coffee and a break.
Midday
MAAT
Belém
The museum and riverside roof add a modern counterpoint to Belém’s historic sites. Check the current exhibition before paying to enter, or simply walk the exterior and river path.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Castelo de São Jorge
Alfama
The castle is worth it for the city views and a better sense of Lisbon’s older street pattern. Buy tickets online and take a taxi up if the heat or hills are wearing you down.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Taberna da Rua das Flores
Chiado
This small restaurant is a good place for Portuguese dishes with a more current touch. It is popular and compact, so check its booking policy and have a backup nearby.
Day 3 · Sintra
DirectionsTake the train from Lisbon to Sintra, usually around 40–50 minutes each way, and focus on a few major sights rather than trying to see every palace. Start early because timed-entry sites and mountain roads make the middle of the day slow.
Morning
Palácio Nacional da Pena
Sintra Mountains
Pena is the headline palace, with interiors, terraces and gardens that justify the early start. Reserve a timed entry and allow extra time to get from the gate to the palace entrance.
Tickets & tours
Morning
Castelo dos Mouros
Sintra Mountains
The ruined walls give a more open, rugged view of Sintra and the coast than the palace terraces. Wear shoes with grip, because the stone steps can be uneven and slick.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Incomum by Luís Santos
Sintra
This is a practical sit-down lunch near the center, with polished Portuguese cooking that feels calmer than the busiest tourist cafés. Reserve ahead on weekends and holiday periods.
Afternoon
Quinta da Regaleira
Sintra
Come for the gardens, tunnels and Initiation Well, which are more interesting if you leave time to wander. Buy tickets ahead and keep a little daylight in reserve for the grounds.
Tickets & tours
Day 4 · Coimbra and Porto
DirectionsTravel north by train, breaking the Lisbon-to-Porto journey with several hours in Coimbra. Lisbon to Coimbra takes roughly 2 hours, then Coimbra to Porto is about 1–1.5 hours; if luggage logistics sound annoying, go straight to Porto instead.
Morning
Universidade de Coimbra
Coimbra
The old university quarter is the reason to stop in Coimbra, especially if you include the Biblioteca Joanina on a timed ticket. Take a taxi up from the station area, as the climb with bags is steep.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Zé Manel dos Ossos
Coimbra
This tiny tavern is known for hearty Coimbra cooking and a room full of handwritten notes. Arrive before peak lunch time or be ready to queue, because it has limited seating.
Afternoon
Sé Velha de Coimbra
Coimbra
The old cathedral is compact, atmospheric and easy to pair with the university area. Check access before you go, as church visits can shift around services and events.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Estação de São Bento
Porto
Arriving in Porto here gives you one of the city’s best first impressions, with tile panels in the main hall. Step aside from the entrance to look around, since it is still a working station.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Brasão Aliados
Porto
This is a reliable place to try a francesinha in central Porto after the travel day. Book ahead, especially if you want a normal dinner hour rather than a late table.
Day 5 · Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia
DirectionsGive Porto a full day on foot, moving from the tiled churches and bookshop around Clérigos down to the Ribeira and across to Gaia. Distances are short, but the hills and stone pavements make it slower than it looks on a map.
Morning
Livraria Lello
Porto
The bookshop is crowded, but the carved staircase and interior are memorable if you manage expectations. Buy a timed ticket in advance and choose the earliest slot you can make.
Tickets & tours
Morning
Igreja do Carmo
Porto
The blue-and-white tiled exterior is one of Porto’s easiest and most photogenic architecture stops. Go early for a quieter look at the side façade before tour groups gather.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Mercado do Bolhão
Porto
The renovated market is useful for a casual lunch, produce stalls and food souvenirs. It is liveliest earlier in the day, so do not leave it until late afternoon.
Afternoon
Palácio da Bolsa
Porto
The guided visit is worth doing for the Arab Room and the building’s role in Porto’s trading history. Tours can sell out by language, so book ahead or go early to secure a slot.
Tickets & tours
Evening
Caves Ferreira
Vila Nova de Gaia
A port lodge tasting in Gaia connects the city to the Douro wine trade you will see tomorrow. Reserve a tour time and avoid scheduling it too tightly after lunch.
Tickets & tours
Day 6 · Douro Valley
DirectionsUse the day for the Douro Valley from Porto. The train to Pinhão takes roughly 2–2.5 hours each way and follows the river for part of the ride, so this is a long but rewarding day without needing to drive after tastings.
Morning
Pinhão Railway Station
Pinhão
The station’s tile panels make it more than a transit point and help set the scene for the valley. If you come by train from Porto, sit on the river side when you can and keep the timetable handy for the return.
Tickets & toursMorning
Douro Vintage Boat Trips
Pinhão
A short river cruise from Pinhão lets you see the terraced vineyards from the water without committing the whole day. Book ahead in warmer months and leave a buffer after your train arrival.
Tickets & toursAfternoon
Quinta do Bomfim
Pinhão
This walkable estate is one of the simplest quality tastings to do without a car. Reserve a tour or tasting in advance, especially around harvest season.
Tickets & toursAfternoon
Casa do Arco by Quinta de la Rosa
Pinhão
This is a convenient valley meal with views and a menu that fits the wine-country setting. Book ahead and arrange a taxi if you do not want the uphill walk from central Pinhão.
Day 7 · Porto and Matosinhos
DirectionsStay in Porto for a slower final day by gardens, contemporary art and the Atlantic at Matosinhos. From Matosinhos it is usually a short taxi or metro ride to Porto Airport, so this works well with an evening flight.
Morning
Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
Porto
The gardens are a good final slow walk, with broad views over the Douro and Gaia. Go in the morning for cooler paths and fewer people on the viewpoints.
Tickets & tours
Midday
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
Porto
Serralves combines contemporary exhibitions, an Art Deco villa and generous parkland. Check what is on before you go and allow more time if you want to walk the grounds properly.
Tickets & tours
Afternoon
Praia de Matosinhos
Matosinhos
This broad urban beach is the easiest Atlantic coast add-on from Porto. Bring a layer even in summer, as the wind can make it feel cooler than the city center.
Tickets & toursEvening
Marisqueira Antiga
Matosinhos
Finish with seafood in Matosinhos, where many Porto locals go for grilled fish and shellfish. Reserve if you are aiming for a weekend lunch or early dinner before a flight.
Where to stay
Hotel da Baixa
Lisbon
A central, well-reviewed base in Baixa that keeps Day 1 easy and puts metro, tram and train connections within a short walk.
Check availabilityTorel 1884 Suites & Apartments
Porto
A characterful central stay close to São Bento and Ribeira, useful for walking Porto and reaching the station for the Douro day trip.
Check availability
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Make it yours
Open this 7-day plan in the planner with every stop already on your board, then change anything: your dates, your pace, your budget.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
April to June and September to October are the best months for this route: warm enough for long city days, generally better for walking than high summer, and good for Sintra and the Douro. July and August bring heat, crowds and higher hotel rates, especially in Lisbon and Porto. November to March is cheaper and quieter, but you trade that for more rain, shorter daylight and a less reliable Douro weather day.
How do you get around Portugal on this trip?
Use trains for Lisbon to Sintra, Lisbon to Coimbra, Coimbra to Porto and Porto to Pinhão. A car is not helpful in Lisbon or Porto and creates parking stress in Sintra, but it can make the Douro easier if one person is not tasting. The smoothest version is open-jaw flights into Lisbon and out of Porto; if you must return to Lisbon, allow roughly 3 hours by train from Porto and avoid a tight same-day international connection.
How much does a 7-day trip to Portugal cost?
For two people, expect a midrange 7-day trip to cost roughly $2,700–$5,200 before international flights, depending mostly on hotels, dining and Douro choices.
| Hotels, per night | $160–$320 |
|---|---|
| Food and drinks, per day for two | $90–$190 |
| Intercity trains for two | $90–$220 |
| Local transport and taxis for two | $80–$180 |
| Museums, palaces and port tasting for two | $220–$480 |
| Douro day, train plus tastings or guided option for two | $120–$450 |
Tips for 7 days in Portugal
- Book Palácio Nacional da Pena, Livraria Lello, Palácio da Bolsa and Douro tastings before the trip, especially from spring through fall.
- For Sintra, take the earliest train you can manage and use the tourist buses, taxis or rideshares instead of trying to walk between hilltop sights.
- Buy long-distance train tickets through Comboios de Portugal in advance when your travel times are fixed; flexible travelers can compare later departures for lower fares.
- Pack shoes with grip. Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto all involve steep streets, polished stone and uneven pavements.
- Reserve small restaurants for dinner where possible, and keep backup options because popular places can have long waits or limited seating.
- Use taxis or rideshares strategically for hotel arrivals, Coimbra’s hill and late nights; saving energy matters on a 7-day trip.
- If your flight home is from Lisbon, consider skipping Matosinhos on Day 7 and taking an early Porto-to-Lisbon train instead.
Questions people ask
Is 7 days enough for Portugal?
Seven days is enough for a strong first trip if you focus on two bases: Lisbon and Porto. It is not enough to comfortably include Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, the Douro and several small towns without spending too much time in transit.
Should I rent a car for this 7-day Portugal itinerary?
You do not need a car for this route. Trains handle the main journeys well, and a car would be more of a burden in Lisbon, Porto and Sintra; consider a guided Douro tour only if you want door-to-door winery logistics.
Is it better to start in Lisbon or Porto?
Lisbon is the easiest start because it has the country’s largest international airport and plenty of arrival-day options. Porto also works if flights are better, but reverse the order and keep the same number of nights.
Can I add the Algarve to a 7-day Portugal trip?
You can, but something important has to go. For a beach-focused trip, do Lisbon plus the Algarve and save Porto and the Douro for another visit.
How many nights should I spend in Lisbon and Porto?
For one week, three nights in Lisbon and three nights in Porto is the cleanest split. It gives you one Lisbon arrival day, one full Lisbon day, one Sintra day, two Porto days and one Douro day.