Portugal Itinerary: The Perfect 7-Day Portugal Road Trip

My 7-Day Portugal Itinerary: The Perfect Portugal Road Trip

November 13, 2020

Last Updated on September 20, 2024

A Portugal road trip is high on many travelers’ bucket list. This is the ultimate 7-day Portugal itinerary recommended by expat Nick Wharton.

Portugal has long conjured up images of sandy beaches and dramatic coastlines, but few people know just how diverse the country is. From the luscious vineyards of the Douro Valley to the historical architecture of Lisbon and the rocky cliffs of Algarve, Portugal is much more than just a beach destination.

My partner and I had the opportunity to live and travel around Portugal for more than 8 months and we have gotten to know it rather well. I’m an avid fly fisherman, and enjoy traveling Portugal with my fishing fly rod; while my partner loves hiking and camping, as well as good wine. We’ve found Portugal to be a fantastic all-round destination whether you like the outdoors, history or food.

Table of Contents

The Ultimate 7-Day Portugal Itinerary

The Ultimate 7-Day Portugal Itinerary

How to Get to Portugal

This Portugal itinerary starts and ends in Faro in the Algarve region. If you’re in Europe, there are plenty of cheap flights from various cities around Europe. Eg you can get budget flights from London to Faro for $50 return. From the US, you can find flights from New York to Lisbon for as cheap as $500 return.

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Travel Insurance for Portugal

It’s important to have travel insurance, whether you’re traveling Portugal for a week or a few months. It will cover you in case of mishaps or emergencies.

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for worldwide coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Getting Around Portugal

By Car

Car rental in Portugal is extremely affordable and driving is the easiest way to visit Portugal. These days you can find a 7-day Faro car rental deal for just 50 euros! Their roads are excellent since a vast network of toll roads was built a few years ago. Unfortunately, the toll fees do add up. They can cost as much as €35 per day depending on where you’re traveling.

Search for Car Rental in Portugal

By Campervan

This is the best way to explore Portugal in my opinion. My wife and I rented a campervan for a 2-week trip around Portugal and we absolutely loved it. The campervan came with everything we needed for around $90/day including basic insurance, outdoor table and chairs, bedding, cooking gear and even a wifi router.

Wild camping is one of the best things about campervan travel, but unfortunately, it’s not always possible in Portugal. Technically wild camping is allowed in Portugal, but you can find some beautiful, remote wild camping spots on Park4Night App.

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By Train

Train travel in Portugal is comfortable, fast, reliable, and affordable. But if you want to explore the backroads, trains might not get you where you want to go.

The main train line in Portugal runs from the north all the way down to the Algarve in the south with the main stops being Porto, Lisbon, and Faro. The national rail company is Comboios de Portugal. You can find all the schedule and train fares on their website.

Best Time To Visit Portugal

We have lived in Portugal in every season. The best time to visit Portugal depends on what you want to do and where you’re visiting. Summer (July – August) is the best time to visit northern Portugal as the weather is cooler in the mountains and there are never as many people in the north as in Lisbon or in the Algarve.

If you want to be on the beach without the crowds, the best time to visit is in late spring (May – June) and early autumn (September). Avoid winter (November – February) as it will be too cold for swimming. For surfing, you should come in September and April when the surf is considerably more powerful.

7 Days in Portugal

For this Portugal itinerary, I recommend flying into and out of Faro in the Algarve. Alternatively, you can do this route in the opposite direction and fly to Porto instead. From there, head to Peneda-Gerês and through Lisbon to the Algarve, and back to Porto.

Day 1-2: Faro to Olhão
Day 3: Olhão to Lagos
Day 4-5: Lisbon
Day 6: Porto
Day 7: Peneda-Gerês National Park

Map of My Portugal Itinerary

Portugal Itinerary Day 1: Faro to Olhão

After arriving in Faro, drive straight to the town of Olhão about 20 minutes to the east. Faro itself isn’t the nicest town in the Algarve (in my opinion). Olhão, on the other hand, is a beautiful fishing village that is an up-and-coming tourism destination. It’s growing quickly, but as of now it’s still delightfully quiet.

In Olhão, check into your accommodation and then wander down to the seafront to see its many restaurants and artisan shops. You won’t miss the red-brick municipal market that’s chocked full of stalls selling fresh seafood and local produce. For dinner, head to Chá Chá Chá Restaurant for some authentic Portuguese food in an atmospheric setting on a quiet back street.

Where to Stay in Olhão

Airbnb: Jasmine Cottage

Jasmin Cottage is a stylish cottage just 10 minutes from Olhão, tucked in the quiet countryside with a gorgeous pool (pictured). Its design oozes character, from the vaulted ceiling to the vibrant artwork and designer furniture. Check availability here.

Mid Range: Hotel Cidade de Olhão

Set in the Olhão city center, this well-priced hotel has a rooftop pool and an all-white contemporary design. It’s got an excellent location steps from restaurants. Check rates here.

Luxury: Quinta dos Poetas

Located in Olhão’s countryside, this resort has a large outdoor swimming pool, a large garden with lake and spacious apartments housed in a colonial building. Check rates here.

Portugal Itinerary Day 2: Islands around Olhão

Next day, hop on one of the frequent ferry boats to one of the nearby islands, such as Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona. These islands are part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and both boast some of the best beaches in Portugal.

You’ll also find restaurants that specialize in the famous razor clam rice or the caldeirada fish stew, one of Portugal’s best dishes.

We booked this island boat tour — it was fantastic and informative. Check out more island tours here.

Explore the Quinta de Marim

Situated 2.5km east of Olhão is the beautiful 60-hectare Centro Educação Ambiental de Marim (commonly known as Quinta de Marim). A 3km trail takes you through various ecosystems – dunes, salt marshes, pine woodlands – as well as to a wildlife rescue centre and a historic water mill.

The hike is stunning and well worth the €2.80 entrance fee. To get there, you need to drive there following this Google Maps link.

Portugal Itinerary Day 3: Olhão to Lagos

It’s time to hit the road! Heading west along the coast towards Lagos. The drive only takes 1 hour, so you have time to stop in a few of the towns along the way: stroll on the boardwalk and waterfront in Alvor, and have lunch in busy Portimão before arriving in breathtaking Lagos.

Lagos is a clifftop beach town that is a fully developed tourism destination. Don’t expect a small quaint village like Olhão. You’ll find British pubs, night clubs, and packed beaches. But there is still charm in the city.

Portugal Itinerary: The Perfect 7-Day Portugal Road Trip

Explore Old Town Lagos

Lagos is an important city that is steeped in history, and the variety of historical monuments and buildings reflect this varied past. The old town is the nicest one in the Algarve in my opinion. Visit the beautiful Santo Antonio church, the Mercado dos Escravos (Europe’s first slave market) and the charming 17th century Bandeira Fort.

Consider joining a walking tour with our friend Maria who runs her food tour on Airbnb. It’ll take you to some truly local spots and give you a sample of regional cuisine and tasty wines.

See the Cliffs of Ponta de Piedade

This is what the Algarve is most famous for: the Ponta da Piedade are a series of beautiful sandstone cliffs, considered the finest natural feature of Algarve. This headland to the south of Lagos has been eroded over the millennia by powerful winter storms to form unique cliff formations, which include sea arches, grottos and smugglers caves.

Explore the cliffs via the pathways that cross and climb the cliffs and go surfing if the weather permits. Alternatively, join one of the boat tours that depart from Lagos marina. Another boat tour worth checking out is the trip to famous Benagil Caves.

Where to Stay in Lagos

Airbnb: Casa Lily

With spectacular beach views, this ultra-modern 2-bedroom apartment is part of the upmarket Ocean View development, which sits atop a hill over the wonderful Praia Porto de Mós. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Lagos Avenida Hotel

Offering an outdoor pool and views of the marina and sea, Lagos Avenida Hotel (pictured) is set in Lagos city center in the Algarve, within a 10-minute drive from Meia Praia Beach Lagos. Check rates here.

Luxury: Belmar Spa & Beach Resort

Located right on the beach of Porto de Mos, this resort is one of the best in Lagos with chic and luxurious rooms boasting pool views. Check rates here.

Portugal Itinerary Day 4-5: Lisbon

From Lagos, it’s a 3-hour drive north to Lisbon. The capital city is a highlight of any Portugal road trip, so it definitely deserves 2 nights of your time in Portugal!

This city is one of the funkiest cities I’ve been, with amazing food, impressive architecture, and excellent museums. Check out this Lisbon itinerary for a detailed day-to-day breakdown.

Get Lost in the Historical Centre

On day 1, either wander on your own in the old town areas of Alfama, Principe Real and Chiado or join a walking tour. We recommend this walking tour on Airbnb. Alternatively, catch one of the vintage cable cars to get from one neighborhood to another.

In the evening, head up to the Park Rooftop Bar, for stunning sunset views of the city from above. After sunset drinks, have dinner at Taberna Portuguesa, one of the best restaurants in Lisbon, for some authentic Portuguese fare. If you’re craving for some international food in a cool setting, try the Timeout Market, an open-air market with trendy culinary flair.

Stroll along the Waterfront

The next day, wake up and head down to the waterfront. Enjoy a nice stroll or a Seyway tour along the boardwalk and check out Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Get your tickets here to skip the line.

Then hop on the ferry and cross the Tagus River to the other side where you can have fantastic views back towards Lisbon. The Belem ferry runs every few minutes and costs less than 3 euros each way. Spend the evening on this side of the water, head to one of the many restaurants with fantastic views.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

Airbnb: Baixa-Chiado Penthouse

With a spectacular 180º terrace view, this spacious penthouse is located in one of the most iconic streets of Lisbon right next to Terreiro do Paço. Check rates here.

Mid Range: H10 Duque de Loule

This attractive boutique hotel features panoramic views and modern rooms with four-poster beds and unique flair. Check rates here.

Luxury: The One Palácio da Anunciada

Located in the heart of Lisbon, this landmark hotel is housed in a regal colonial icon. It has a stunning outdoor swimming pool, spa and luxurious suites. Check rates here.

Portugal Itinerary Day 6: Porto

Next, this Portugal road trip will take you further north to Porto (also known as Oporto). Portugal’s second biggest city is around a 3-hour frmo Lisbon.

Located on the Douro River, Porto is a colorful, stunning city famous for its Port wine and charming old town.Check out our detailed 3-day Porto itinerary for details.

Wander around Porto

Get here as early as possible and start with a walk along the riverside area of Cais da Ribeira. Enjoy a coffee and a pastel de nata (egg tart) at one of the many restaurants here and then head to the iconic Luís I Bridge for some photos.

Stroll to the Church of São Francisco, the Palácio da Bolsa, Clérigos Church, Praça da Liberdade, Casa da Música, and the Porto Cathedral before ending the day off at the windy Foz do Douro (the point where the famous Douro River meets the Atlantic). If you’re here in time for a late lunch, head to Bacchus Vini for some wine and tapas when it opens at 3pm.

Watch a Fado Show

For dinner, I recommend going for dinner with a traditional Fado show. Fado is a Portuguese music style that’s been placed on UNESCO list of World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The best place to see a fado show is here in Porto, so don’t miss it! Alternatively, Artesão Bistrô is great for a finer dining experience.

Where to Stay in Porto

Airbnb: The Porto Concierge

Centrally located in Casa da Musica, this loft style house is stylish, spacious and extremely welcoming. It sleeps up to 4 people comfortably. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Pão de Açúcar Hotel

In Porto’s historic center, this art deco hotel is just a hop away from Avenida dos Aliados and the Metro station. Some of the rooms even feature vintage cars and unique retro decor. Check rates here.

Luxury: Palácio Do Freixo

It doesn’t get more luxurious than this! Overlooking Douro River in Porto, the 5-star Palácio Do Freixo (pictured) is a national monument and heritage hotel set in a restored 18th-century Baroque building. Check rates here.

Itinerary Day 7: Peneda-Gerês National Park

From Porto, it’s only about an hour’s drive to reach the pristine Peneda-Gerês National Park. If you’re a fly fisherman like me, then this is the best place to experience fly fishing in Portugal. I hired a guide named Antonio with Minho Fly Fishing and itt was great to have an experienced angler to show me the ropes.

There are some fantastic hiking trails in Peneda-Gerês National Park like the Hiking Loop from Rua do Calvário or the trails around Vidoeiro Gerês Camping. I highly recommend staying at the campsite for the night if you have a car/campervan for this Portugal road trip.

Where to Stay in Peneda-Gerês

Airbnb: Casa Antiguo Tribunal

Located in a picturesque village (Parada Lindoso) in Alto Minho within the Peneda Geres Park, this old stone house has been lovingly restored into a warm, comfortable home. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Pousada Geres-Caniçada

Uniquely located in the heart of the national park, this traditional guesthouse (pictured) overlooks the river Cávado and the peaceful Caniçada dam. It offers an outdoor pool and a restaurant with panoramic views. Check rates here.

Luxury: Luna Arcos Hotel Nature & Wellness

Within Arcos de Valdevez, part of the Biosphere World Reserve, this modern hotel has a large pool and spacious, modern rooms with spectacular views. Check rates here.

Itinerary Day 8: Faro

This is the last day of your Portugal road trip! It’s going to be a long day, so wake up early. On a straight shot, the drive back to Faro takes about 6 hours.

If you have time, try to do a quick side trip into the Douro Valley. This is Portugal’s most scenic wine country and is a fantastic place for a scenic drive and gastronomic experience. There are plenty of wineries here that offer incredible tastings and delicious lunches. Quinta da Roêda is the oldest Port wine producer and Quinta das Carvalhas is considered the icon of Douro with unique views of the landscape.

Cost of this Portugal Itinerary

Portugal is relatively cheaper than other parts of Western Europe like Germany and UK. If you’re traveling Portugal on a tight budget, taking public transport everywhere, and cooking your meals and staying in a cheap Airbnb, then you can get by on as little as €75 per person per day.

If you step it up a bit and rent your own car or campervan and eat at restaurants from time to time, then you’re looking at closer to €150 per person per day.

What To Pack for Your Portugal Road Trip

What you pack for your Portugal road trip will depend on when you go and the activities you want to do. If you’re surfing, be sure to bring your board, or plan to rent one on the way. Bring a good pair of hiking boots if you’re heading to the northern part of the country.

If you’re like me and you love fly fishing, then you should definitely bring a fly rod with you. If you’re spending most of your Portugal trip on the beach, then a couple of beach chairs and an umbrella are essential, but you can pick those up at Pingo Doce for as little as €40 for a full set.

Enjoy Your Portugal Road Trip!

Phew that’s a wrap! We’ve definitely packed a lot in this 7-day Portugal itinerary. This is just about as much as you can cram into a Portugal road trip without feeling burned out.

In fact, this Portugal itinerary would work even better if you have 2 weeks in Portugal. You’ll then get to spend a few nights in Lisbon and Porto, and take side trips to the charming towns of Sintra and Cascais. But for those with just 7 days in Portugal, this Portugal itinerary is a good middle-ground and gives you enough time to see the best of the country.

Here are more of my articles to help you with your trip planning:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to companies I use and trust. I get a small commission when you click on my links, at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.

About the Author: Nick Wharton

Nick is an avid angler and traveler who has been on the road since 2008, seeking the outdoors and great fishing spots everywhere he goes. He started his own blog about fly fishing where he shares his knowledge of the sport and favorite destinations for anglers around the world.

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Travel Resources

Over the years (and traveling to 140+ countries), I’ve learned a thing or two about travel planning. I’ve put together this list of travel resources that I personally use to find the best deals and book travel! For more details, check out my travel tips resource page.

Booking Flights: Kayak is brilliant for finding the best dates to fly as it allows you to search for the lowest airfares within a 3-day period. Then I use Skyscanner as they’ve consistently given me the lowest airfares.

Accommodations: I always use Booking.com to book hotels, mainly because of the flexible cancellation policy and good customer service. You can also find short-term rental apartments there (I prefer not to use Airbnb due to the extra charges).

Travel Insurance: It’s important to have travel insurance, regardless of whether you’re traveling for a few days or months. Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers any healthcare expenses I may have worldwide. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Health Advice: I always refer to the travel guides on the CDC website for recommended medications and vaccines. You can get them at your travel doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.

Tours: If you’re looking for all-encompassing tours, I recommend small-group adventure tour outfitter, G Adventures. I’ve traveled with them to Antarctica, Mongolia, Svalbard, and Nepal, and loved every single trip. For day tours, I always book with Viator and GetYourGuide; they have easy booking systems and free cancellations.

Car Rental: I always book car rentals on Discover Cars, as they’ve consistently given us the best rates and customer service (with free cancellations). We’ve used them in Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.

Transportation: Whenever possible, I book local transportation online using Bookaway and Busbud. They’re more reliable than many local transport websites and cover trains, buses, and car hire.

Restaurants: TripAdvisor is my go-to resource for restaurant reviews and bookings. I also make restaurant reservations on OpenTable.
Internet/Data: Get an eSIM on Airalo before your trip to stay connected wherever you go. Just download the app before your trip, purchase a data package and voila! No need to change SIM cards or visit a telco store.