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Are you looking for an epic 10 day Portugal itinerary? This blog post has everything you need to know about planning a trip to Portugal. We’ll start by exploring Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Then we’ll move on to Porto, the country’s second-largest city. From there, we’ll head to the Algarve region for some coastal fun and explore Lagos, a charming town with plenty of history. Finally, we’ll wrap up our trip in Madeira, a picturesque Portuguese island off the coast of Africa. Let’s get started!

Why Plan a Trip to Portugal

Portugal is on the list of Best Places to Travel in 2023. Planning a trip to Portugal is a must for any traveler looking for a diverse and culturally rich destination. The country boasts beautiful cities like Lisbon and Porto, both filled with stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. But it’s also a location full of natural wonders, from dramatic cliffs on the Algarve coast to verdant vineyards in the Douro Valley.

Portugal’s unique history has led to a blend of European, African, and South American influences in its culture, making it an exciting destination for anyone interested in exploring new traditions and experiences. And with its convenient location in Europe and relatively affordable prices, planning a trip to Portugal is not only rewarding but also logistically easy.

When to Visit Portugal

One of the many joys of planning a trip to Portugal is deciding when to go. While it’s lovely during the peak season from June through August, it can also be crowded and expensive. Consider planning a trip during the off-season in the winter or shoulder season in May or September-October. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but prices will be lower as well.

Ultimately, the best time for a trip to Portugal depends on personal preference, budget, and available time. For example, if you have time to plan a 10 day Portugal itinerary in the middle of the summer, but not in the fall, then go in the summer. Whether you choose to visit in peak season or off-season, Portugal offers stunning natural beauty and rich cultural experiences all year round.

How Long Should a Portugal Trip Itinerary Be?

When planning a trip to Portugal, it’s important to consider how much time you have available. A long weekend might be enough time to spend in a few cities, such as Lisbon and Porto. But it won’t be enough time to fully experience the country’s diverse landscapes and attractions.

For a more comprehensive trip, seven to ten days is a good amount of time to visit both the larger cities and smaller towns. Two weeks or more allows for leisurely exploration and the chance to truly immerse yourself in Portuguese culture.

Overall, the length of your trip will depend on your personal preferences and travel style. Whether short or long, though, Portugal will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable experiences. This blog post will cover a 10 day Portugal itinerary. However, the post is broken into different locations and it is easy to add some extra time in a few places if you have more time and remove a city altogether if you have less.

10 Day Portugal Itinerary Map

Getting Around Portugal

When it comes to getting around Portugal, there are several options for travelers. One popular choice is to take the train, which offers scenic views and connects major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. For shorter distances, buses are a budget-friendly option that can take you to smaller towns and villages. If you need to cover more ground quickly, domestic flights are available through companies like TAP Portugal.

Renting a car also allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore remote areas at your own pace. Whichever method of transportation you choose, be sure to plan ahead and allow enough time for potential delays. Ultimately, the best way to experience all that Portugal has to offer is by utilizing a combination of these methods of travel.

Special Items to Pack when Planning a Trip to Portugal

Without doing an entire detailed packing list for Portugal, here are a few things you certainly will want to pack (or not pack) for your trip:

• Waterproof Phone Case – Whether you’re cliff jumping and ocean kayaking near Lagos or hiking in the rainforest in Madeira, odds are that your phone will likely get wet. Make sure you can capture your experiences without destroying your phone with a waterproof phone case. The linked one is under $10!
• Packable Towel – As there are many side adventures you can go on during your trip to Portugal, having a packable towel handy will come in clutch. And you will certainly find plenty of uses for it once you are back home.
• Packable Backpack – If you are not planning to bring and entire hiking bag on your trip (or even if you are), bringing along a small packable backpack will serve multiple purposes such as a grocery bag, a beach bag, and a hiking bag.
• Adventure Sandals – Hiking and kayaking in tropical places means you are in and out of the water a lot. The best way to stay comfortable while being active is with some adventure sandals. Whether you love Keen sandals, Merrell sandals, Teva sandals, or Chaco sandals, make sure these are in your bag.
• Portable Wi-fi – If your Portugal trip itinerary has a mix of city and adventure, portable Wi-Fi is a great way to make sure you stay connected without breaking the bank. If you are focused in the city, it is easy to find free wi-fi between cafes, restaurants, and hotels. However, if you are adventuring, this is not an option. Many cell providers offer a $10/day add on to your cell bill for international use. For your 10 day Portugal itinerary – that’s $100 just for one person. But if you’re a couple or traveling with a group or family, these costs can easily top $500. With a portable wi-fi network, you can drastically reduce these costs, especially if you have a longer stay or on your second ex-US trip.
• Leave the Stilettos at Home – The streets and sidewalks all over Portugal are all made of tiny cobblestones. While incredibly picturesque, they are an ankle turner waiting to happen with so many uneven cracks. Wedge and platform sandals will be a much better choice for your trip to Portugal.

Portugal 10 Day Itinerary Overview

Here is an outline of the Portugal travel itinerary that will be covered in this blog post. As it is not outlined hour by hour you can use the overview below to plan your Portugal itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Explore Sintra

Day 2: Explore Lisbon, Leave for Porto (with a stop in Nazare)

Day 3: Porto

Day 4: Porto, Leave for Lagos

Day 5: Lagos

Day 6: Lagos

Day 7: Lagos, Leave for Madeira

Day 8: Madeira

Day 9: Madeira

Day 10: Madeira, Leave for Home

Lisbon – The Capital of Portugal

A great place to start your 10 day Portugal itinerary is Lisbon. Lisbon is a large city with a large airport and many flight options. However, since this this trip is only a bit longer than a week, we will allow a little over 24 hours in Lisbon with a goal to be in Porto by the second night. Personally, our flight landed in Lisbon before noon and we left for Porto via private car the next day at 4pm.

We actually stayed in Sintra and enjoyed the sites near Sintra on our first day and saved the city of Lisbon for day 2. Sintra is about 30 minutes outside of Lisbon. It is quite close to the coast and is known for its castles. My husband enjoyed a round of golf right when we got to the hotel while I went to the pool. Avoiding a nap on day 1 is a great way to avoid jet lag and get right on schedule. If you are staying in Lisbon, check out this link for an organized trip to Sintra.

If you only have 24 hours in Lisbon, there are plenty of must-do activities to fill your time. First and foremost, a trip to Pasteis de Belem is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. These iconic pastries have been made according to the same secret recipe since 1837. These pastries are sold all over Portugal, but they are truly the best here. Make sure to get to Pateis de Belem early and plan to leave at least 15 minutes before the Monastery opens to get in line.

Next, explore some of Lisbon’s historic sites like Jeronimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries, both of which pay homage to Portugal’s maritime history. Belem Tower and Tram 28 also offer unique perspectives on the city’s past and present. Finally, end your day with lunch at Time Out Market, where you can sample delicious dishes from various local vendors.

After leaving Lisbon, we took a private car to Porto through Daytrip and stopped along the way at Nazare. This is home to the “100 foot wave” and is an infamous surfing location. The waves are the largest in the winter so if this is when you are visiting Portugal, stopping here is a MUST. However, even outside of winter, the waves are quite large by most standards and the view is incredible.

Porto – Portugal’s Second-Largest City

If you have two days to spend in Porto, there is plenty to see and do. A popular excursion is a trip to the Duoro Valley, where you can partake in a Port wine tour and sample some of the world-renowned wines from this region. If you don’t want to dedicate an entire day to Port, you could also do a Port wine tour right in town.

Another adventure would be to take the cable car up to Serra do Pilar. Here you can admire panoramic views of the city’s colorful buildings. Don’t miss out on exploring the historic center by foot! Take a walking tour to learn about Porto’s history and visit iconic landmarks like Clerigos Tower and Livraria Lello bookshop. Lastly you can also check out the beautiful bridges of the city with a boat tour.

After a day spent sightseeing, head to one of the many riverside restaurants for fresh Portugal seafood paired with local vinho verde. From wine tasting to scenic views, two days in Porto can be packed with unique experiences.

Lagos and the Algarve Region – A Coastal Delight

Lagos and the Algarve region in Portugal offer an endless array of things to do for visitors. For the ultimate flexibility, renting a car will help you get around this area and it is recommended.

Not far from Lagos, one must-see destination is Benagil Cave. Known for its picturesque natural cave formation, it is accessible by kayak, boat or swim (very strong swimmers only!). This is a very touristy spot so a sunrise tour (like this one) is a great way to see the cave when it isn’t crawling with people. If you aren’t into kayaking or swimming, you can take a boat, but be wary many of the speedboats do not allow you to get off the boat onto the shore.

For those seeking adventure, Ponta da Piedade offers hiking trails with stunning views of rock formations jutting out of the ocean. It is an excellent place to see sunrise. You can also kayak around some of the rock formations to see a view from below.

Sagres is the perfect spot to catch the sunset and relax on one of its beautiful beaches. And speaking of beaches, a beach hopping excursion can take you to some of the most idyllic stretches of sand in the area. Whether it’s taking in nature’s beauty or embarking on thrilling activities, Lagos and the Algarve have it all.

Madeira – The “Hawaii of Europe”

Madeira, a small Portuguese island off the coast of Africa, is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse terrain. Without a doubt, the coolest part of this trip was the time that we spent here. As a hiker, Madeira was quite literally paradise. However, even if you are not into hiking, the nickname the “Hawaii of Europe” is appropriate and there is plenty to enjoy without putting on your hiking boots. This is another location where it was great to have a rental car. Try to avoid getting a manual transmission as there are plenty of hills.

One of the best things to do in Madeira is to go hiking. The island offers a range of trails, from short walks suitable for all fitness levels to multi-day treks up mountains and through canyons. Hiking in Madeira offers breathtaking views of the ocean, colorful wildflowers, and unique volcanic rock formations. For those looking for a more leisurely hike, the levada trails offer flat paths along irrigation channels with serene greenery on both sides. If you are new to hiking, check out these hiking tips for beginners.

For those seeking a challenge, the Pico Ruivo trail takes hikers up to the highest peak on the island or it can be joined with Pico do Areeiro for a full through hiking experience.

If hiking is not something you like to do on vacation, consider driving to Pico do Areeiro where you arrive close to the top of the mountain. There is a gift shop and observation tower all with limited walking and hiking involved.

Portugal Travel Tips

Here are some awesome Portugal travel tips that I used and that helped me with my 10-day itinerary for Portugal.

• Book Hotels In Advance – Portugal is currently one of the most popular destinations in Europe. As a result, hotels in popular destinations fill up fast, especially during summer (June through August). So, once you have your trip outlined book your accommodations ASAP. If you can, try to visit between November and March. It’s off-season and you will have a bit more flexibility with regards to trip planning.

• Remember That You Can’t See the Entire Country in One Trip – What many people don’t know is that while Portugal is relatively small, there is still a lot to see and do. After all, there are upwards of 100 beaches in the Algarve and you could easily spend your entire trip there. So, don’t try to see it all since you’ll quickly become overwhelmed. Instead, pick one or two regions and focus on them. It will help you make the most of your trip and prevent you from getting stressed out.

• Remember That Nothing is Free When Eating Out – Waitstaff at restaurants like to bring olives, cheese, bread, and butter to your table before your meal. This seems awesome until you realize that the price of these items will be added to your bill. If you don’t want these appetizers, politely say “no thank you” when they are brought over and you can avoid additional fees.

• Skip the Car and Use Trains/Buses – Not only is traveling by bus/train more environmentally friendly, but Portugal has a pretty solid train system that connects the cities of Faro, Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. It also makes traveling a bit easier since you won’t have to stress about toll roads, traffic, parking, etc.

• Don’t Use a Taxi at the Airport – All three of Portugal’s major international airports are well-connected to the city via bus, train, and metro. So, skip the taxi and use public transportation instead. After all, Lisbon’s Red Line and Aerobus can quickly (and cheaply) get you into the city. Meanwhile, Porto’s metro line E will whisk you from the airport to the city center in no time. Finally, the Vamus Algarve Aerobus will efficiently take you from Faro airport to southern parts of the country.

Portugal 10 Day Itinerary

If you’re looking to plan an epic 10 day Portugal itinerary, hopefully this blog post gets you excited. This blog post takes you on a journey across Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Lagos, and Madeira to discover the best things to see and do in each destination so you can make the most of your time in Portugal. Have you been to Portugal? Is visiting this beautiful country on your list? Let me know in the comments!

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