10 Days in Portugal: A Simple Itinerary

Portugal is compact, affordable and easy to travel. Ten days is enough to see its two great cities and still get some beach time.

Day by day

• Days 1–3: Lisbon — Alfama, Belém, sunset at a miradouro
• Day 4: Sintra — palaces and forest, as a day trip by train
• Days 5–7: Porto — the river, port cellars and the Douro Valley
• Days 8–10: The Algarve — Lagos, cliffs and beaches

Getting around

Trains connect Lisbon and Porto in about three hours. For the Algarve, a car gives you the most freedom to reach the quieter beaches.

When to go

Spring and early autumn are ideal: warm, less crowded and cheaper than July and August.

Make it yours

Put the route on a Maapzy journey, save the cafés and viewpoints you find and share the trip with your travel partner.