Culture guide
Lisbon · Portugal
Portugal Travel Guide
The Portugal guide: Lisbon, Porto, the Douro and the prices.
8 min read · 7 days · Updated September 12, 2026
- portugal
- travel guide
- Destination
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Duration
- 7 days
- Best time
- Apr-Jun
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 110 EUR
Portugal is Western Europe's value play: Lisbon's hills and fado, Porto's port cellars, the Douro Valley's terraced vines, Sintra's fairytale palaces — at €90–110/day, the friendliest price tag west of Vienna.
The classic route: Lisbon (3) → Sintra day → Porto (3) by the scenic rail line, with the Douro as the add-on.
What this guide covers
Lisbon & Porto
South to north by rail.
Day 1
Lisbon — Alfama
The castle and the fado.
Day 2
Lisbon — Belém
The tarts, the monastery, the tower.
Day 3
Sintra day
Pena's palaces in the mist.
Day 4
Rail to Porto
The Ribeira and the bridge.
Day 5
Porto — cellars
The Gaia lodges at sunset.
Day 6
The Douro
Pinhão's valley train and the quintas.
Day 7
Farewell
The last pastel de nata; OPO.
Where to Go
Lisbon covers Alfama, Belém and the miradouros. Sintra needs its own day. Porto adds the cellars and the river. The Douro Valley and the Algarve's beaches complete the picture.
- Classic: Lisbon 3 → Porto 3 (+ Sintra, + Douro).
- Beach: Lisbon 2 → Algarve 4.
- North-deep: Porto 3 → Douro 2 → Guimarães 1.
The Hills & the Tram
Both cities climb. Comfortable shoes outrank every itinerary tip; Tram 28 is a photo op, not transport.
What to know before you go
Money
- Lisbon and Porto ~€90–110/day at planning figures.
- Petiscos dinners and €1 coffee culture keep it kind.
When
- April–June and September–October are ideal.
- November is mild and quiet — the insider month.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Lisbon — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
Related destinations
More guides
- Lisbon 3 Day Itinerary: Alfama's Lanes, Belém's Tarts and the MiradourosThree days across Lisbon's hills — castle lanes, monastery mornings, tram rides, and the sunset miradouro circuit — at Western Europe's friendliest price.Lisbon · 8 min read
- Porto 3 Day Itinerary: River, Cellars and TilesThe bridge, the cellars, the staircase and the Douro train.Porto · 5 min read
- Europe 7 Day Itinerary: Two Cities, Done ProperlySeven days in Europe is two cities, not five: pick a pair, add a day trip each, and skip the train-marathon regret. Here's how to choose and plan it.Paris · 9 min read
- The Best European Cities for First-Time Visitors, Ranked HonestlySix European cities ranked for first-timers — by wow-per-day, ease, and budget — plus the two-city pairings that make the best first trip.Paris · 8 min read
- Lisbon vs Porto: Portugal's Two PersonalitiesThe hills and fado against the river and port cellars — three hours apart.Lisbon · 5 min read
- Amsterdam 4 Day Itinerary: Canals, Museums and BikesFour days of Amsterdam: the museums, the Anne Frank house, the Jordaan, and the bike day through the waterlands.Amsterdam · 6 min read
Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Lisbon or Porto?
Lisbon — bigger, hillier, the arrival hub. Porto finishes the week moodier.
Is Portugal cheap?
By Western Europe's standards, yes — €90–110/day with wine at €3.
How many days for Portugal?
A week does Lisbon, Sintra and Porto; ten adds the Douro and the Algarve.