Overview
Portugal is compact enough to combine its two main cities with coastal time, using the fast Lisbon-Porto train and a short flight or drive down to the Algarve.
Best time to visit
May-June and September are the sweet spot - warm enough for the coast, without the peak-summer heat and crowds of July-August, which also push up Algarve accommodation prices significantly.
Suggested day-by-day
- Days 1-3: Lisbon - Alfama and a tram 28 ride, Belem's monuments and pastel de nata, a day trip to Sintra's palaces.
- Day 4: Train to Porto (under 3 hours).
- Days 4-6: Porto - Ribeira riverfront, a port wine cellar tour across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, a day trip to the Douro Valley.
- Days 7-8: Fly or drive to the Algarve (Lagos or Albufeira for beaches and the Benagil sea caves).
Practical tips
The Lisbon-Porto train (Alfa Pendular) is faster and less stressful than driving between the two cities - save the rental car for the Douro Valley day trip or the Algarve leg. Sintra gets very busy by mid-morning; arrive at opening time or book skip-the-line tickets for Pena Palace. The Algarve is a long drive from Porto (around 5 hours) - a short domestic flight to Faro is usually the better use of time on an 8-day trip.