Itinerary for Portugal tour

Guides are often asked for advice on what sights to see in Portugal on a first trip, what is a «must see». Perhaps you are currently compiling your itinerary. Let this outline serve as a "skeleton" for your unique holiday in Portugal — something to add, something to cross out!

In our opinion, in order to cover more and not waste precious holiday time in transit, you need to move through the country rather than be based in one place, so this cheat sheet is just for that. Most people fly to Lisbon, so let's consider the Portuguese capital to be the beginning and end of a Portuguese trip. We decided not to include relaxing on the beaches around Lisbon or in the Algarve region, as well as mountains and nature reserves.

 So, let's go!

Day 1

Lisbon: the gateway to Portugal, the capital of the once Portuguese Empire, the old city with its colourful quarters of the XII-XVIII centuries, the fortress of São Jorge (St. George) and the ancient cathedral, trams and the lifts, sunset on a viewpoint overlooking the tiled roofs and the Tejo River.

Day 2

Go by car or train to the fairytale city of Sintra! Mansions and palaces, cool in summer and foggy in winter, royal passions and the mysticism of the Freemasons...Afterwards, if you are travelling by car, you will visit the westernmost cape of Europe, Cape Roca, where you can see the sun hugging the ocean at sunset! Return to Lisbon along the ocean beaches with surfers on their boards and the Lisbon Riviera, the cities of Cascais and Estoril.

Day 3

Check out of your hotel/apartments and travel to north of the capital. Overnight in Porto. Choose what to visit:

• the medieval fortress town of Óbidos with whitewashed houses and delicious ginja, cherry liqueur,
• the majestic and austere Alcobaça Monastery with the sarcophagi of lovers Pedro and Ines, examples of the craftsmanship of stone-carvers of XIV,
• magnificent views of the ocean and coast from the cape near the town of Nazare, where surfers set records in winter on waves of more than 30 metres. A great place to take lunch with fish and seafood,
• the monastery and king´s pantheon in the town of Batalha, which means Battle, because the monastery was built in the XIV-XV centuries as thanks for the victory in an important battle in Portuguese history. You will see the tomb of Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese Eternal Flame with a guard of honour, 
• city of Aveiro, called the Venice of Portugal or an Art Nouveau open-air museum city. Take a boat ride on the canals or go for a walk. With your coffee, you can taste ovos moles. Go to the coast, admire the colorful houses of Costa Nova. Aveiro — the only location on this day that can be reached by high-speed train and bus from Lisbon.

Day 4

Porto! A walk through the historic centre of the city that gave its name to the country and its favourite drink, port wine: a panorama from the bridge over the Douro River; the ancient XII century cathedral; the stunning São Bento train station decorated with white and blue azulejo tiles; Santa Catarina shopping street and the city's traditional market; the main avenue of the city centre with French-style buildings of the early XX century; Majestic café and the bookshop the bookshop that NOT inspired J. K. Rowling; the Ribeira promenade, where boats leave along Porto's 6 bridges; the chic gilded interiors of churches and the skilful interior of the Stock Exchange Palace...and for those who like to drink, the port wine cellars in Porto's neighbouring town, Vila Nova di Gaia, on the opposite bank of the Douro River.

Day 5 

On the guide's car or on your own — from Porto take a day trip to Braga and Guimarães. Braga Cathedral, which is older than Portugal itself; the old town, which has become a large commercial quarter; the park-architectural ensemble for pilgrims Bom Jesus do Monte, which can be translated as the sanctuary of the Merciful Jesus on the Mountain, with a beautiful baroque white staircase; the cradle of Portugal, as they call the town of Guimaraes, with its fortress and cute little houses in the narrow streets of the historic centre.

Day 6

Check out of the hotel/apartments and start travelling to the province! Through the town of Amarante we arrive at the Mateus Palace, where we admire the architecture and the skilful work of the gardeners. Next on the itinerary is the Douro River Valley and dizzying views of the valley, recognised as a World Heritage Site. And how can you not visit a winery or two, producing port, dry wines and olive oil. Yes, yes, in this region and only in this region is it allowed to produce authentic port wine! Overnight in the Douro Valley: you can stay at a winery or in a hotel, depending on what you want and what your budget allows.

Day 7

The city of Coimbra, the first Portuguese capital, and for a long time a city with the only university in the country: ancient narrow streets with staircases; a church with the sarcophagi of the two first kings of Portugal; the botanical garden of the university; students in black robes but for some reason without magic wands; the university campus on top of a hill, whose oldest building is a former Moorish fortress and then a royal palace; the university library in baroque style, whose bookshelves shimmer with gilt, with ceiling frescoes, with tables made of precious Brazilian wood; the student prison; the former throne room, where today the defence of Phd degrees takes place; the ancient cathedral of the XII century.... In the evening, a Coimbra fado, performed by fellow students in the traditional student uniform with cape. Overnight in Coimbra.

Day 8

From Coimbra, the A13 highway takes you to visit the Templars, to their fortress in the town of Tomar, to which the monastery of the Order of Christ was added. The history of the country is unthinkable without these two monastic and knightly orders. Then our way leads to Fátima, the main Catholic shrine of modern Portugal. For the indifferent there is an alternative — the Mira de Aire karst caves or the Templar fortress on an island in the middle of the Tejo River, the Almourol fortress. Or, for example, a natural monument in the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park (it has the single longest known sauropod track in the world), and the town of Torres Novas (a fortress and nice art museum). Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 9

Goodbye to the capital: Belém quarter with its sights and sweets, which made Portugal famous — pastel de Belém; trip to Almada to the huge statue of Christ, blessing Lisbon and Portugal; walk through the Park of Nations with a visit to the Oceanarium. Or do shopping!

Even so condensed, it came out to 9 days! Even if you don't have a car but have trains/bus, most of the itinerary is doable! Of course, some people will add beaches and cut down the sights, some will choose the most interesting places for them, but in principle this is a ready-made itinerary that will help you to get to know and love this wonderful Portugal!