Portugal in 21 days
Porto to the Algarve, north to south, so you finish on the beach. Wine country, waterfalls and cliff walks, balanced with slow days.
- Best months
- Mid-September to early October, or April to early June.
- Pace
- Four active stretches, the rest slow.
- Getting around
- Trains link Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve. A car helps for Peneda-Gerês, the Alentejo and the Fishermen’s Trail area.
The Shorts, by region
Northern PortugalPorto, Peneda-Gerês, the Douro Valley and Coimbra. See the stops.
Central PortugalLisbon, Sintra, Évora and the Fishermen’s Trail. See the stops.
Southern PortugalLagos, Ponta da Piedade, the Seven Hanging Valleys and Benagil cave. See the stops.
The route
Slow daysActive days
-
Days 1 to 3
Porto
Slow
Riverfront, old town and port cellars. A gentle start while you adjust. Book a river cruise under the six bridges, then cross to Gaia for a port wine cellar tasting.
Where to stay in PortoSix Bridges river cruisePort wine tasting walkMore things to do in Porto
Where to sleep
- BudgetThe Central House Porto RibeiraBaixa, central and walkable
- Comfort1872 River House by OliviaRibeira, on the riverfront
- LuxuryThe YeatmanGaia, with views over the port cellars
-
Days 4 and 5
Douro Valley
Slow
Terraced vineyards and river views. Harvest runs from late September into October, and many estates welcome visitors then. Ride the train to Pinhão and sit on the right going out for the best river views.
Where to stay in the DouroDouro Valley day trip with wine and cruiseMore Douro wine tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetImpério HotelPeso da Régua, by the station. Train to Pinhão in about 25 minutes
- ComfortCasa de Casal de LoivosHigh above the river, Pinhão area
- LuxuryThe Vintage House HotelPinhão, on the river by the train station
Compare these and more stays in the Douro (Pinhão) on Expedia
-
Days 6 to 8
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Active
Portugal’s only national park: waterfalls, mountain lagoons, granite villages and thermal baths. Plan on a car. It is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Porto and public transport is very limited.
Where to stay in GerêsGerês full-day tourHike and swim in GerêsMore Gerês tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetAdelaide HotelGerês village, two-star
- ComfortHotel São Bento da Porta Aberta & SpaSpa hotel inside the national park, about a 12-minute drive from Gerês village
- LuxuryÁguas do Gerês – Hotel, Termas & SpaSpa hotel near the Caniçada reservoir
-
Day 9
Coimbra
Stop on the way south
A break in the university town before Lisbon. Book a timed ticket for the baroque university library. Coimbra’s fado is heard in silence, so don’t clap.
University and library tour with ticketsMore Coimbra tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetHotel Oslo CoimbraGuesthouse near the university
- ComfortTivoli CoimbraHistoric centre
- LuxuryHotel Quinta das LágrimasHistoric palace with gardens
-
Days 10 to 13
Lisbon and Sintra
Slow
Two city days, a Sintra day trip, and a food or fado evening. Ride tram 28 early, before the queues. In Sintra, book a timed ticket for Pena Palace: entry is by chosen date and time, and late arrivals are turned away. Porto to Lisbon by train takes about 2 hours 40 minutes on the Alfa Pendular.
Where to stay in LisbonPena Palace ticketSintra day tripFood and wine walkFado showsMore Lisbon tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetHotel Acta MoaAreeiro, a few metro stops from the centre
- ComfortHotel MundialRossio, breakfast included
- LuxuryBairro Alto HotelBairro Alto, central
-
Days 14 and 15
Évora
Slow
Roman temple, historic centre, wine and countryside in the Alentejo. See the Chapel of Bones, and wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles.
Where to stay in ÉvoraChapel of Bones and wine tourMore Évora tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetMoov Hotel EvoraTown centre
- ComfortEvora Olive HotelTown centre
- LuxuryM’AR De AR AquedutoBoutique hotel in a 16th-century palace
-
Day 16
Fishermen’s Trail
Active
A day on the coastal path. The Dunas do Almograve walk on the Rota Vicentina follows the coast past cliffs and empty beaches. The full trail is about 226 km in 13 one-day stages, medium difficulty, with exposed clifftop sections, so keep well back from unfenced edges.
A day walk with no overnight needed. Base yourself in Évora or on the Algarve and go for the day.
-
Days 17 to 21
Lagos and the Algarve
Active and slow
Ponta da Piedade cliffs, the Seven Hanging Valleys walk (very busy in summer), then beach days. Benagil cave can only be entered on a licensed guided boat, kayak or paddleboard tour. Swimming in and landing on the inner beach are banned, and larger boats cannot fit inside.
Where to stay in LagosBenagil caves boat tourBenagil kayak tourPonta da Piedade grotto tourMore Benagil tours
Where to sleep
- BudgetTop City Hostel and SuitesHistoric centre, private rooms
- ComfortCasa MãeBoutique hotel with a sun terrace in each room
- LuxuryNH Lagos Algarve ResortBeach club at Meia Praia
Good to know
Without a car. Lisbon to Lagos by train needs a change at Tunes and takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
Renting a car. It helps most for Peneda-Gerês, the Alentejo and the Fishermen’s Trail area, and is not needed in Porto, Lisbon or Lagos. Book early, compare insurance cover, check fuel and toll arrangements, and ask whether returning it somewhere different from pick-up adds a fee.
About the stays. Each stop has a budget, comfort and luxury pick, chosen from current hotel guides. Sintra is a day trip from Lisbon, and the Fishermen’s Trail is a day walk, so neither needs a stay. Rooms and rates change, so check current availability and reviews before booking.
What to book first. Reserve your stays and the Benagil tour before anything else, since those fill up.