4 Great Ideas for Your Week in Portugal

by Clare Christopher

Here’s the problem with Portugal: There’s just too much to do! There are so many compelling attractions that it can be difficult to decide what to do with just a week in Portugal. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you.

After arranging hundreds of vacations to Portugal, we know what makes travelers happy. We’ve used our expertise to craft a variety of tour packages that delight our customers. Consider one of these popular weeklong itineraries to get the most out of your time in Portugal for as little as $500 per person:

1. Go In-depth: Learn the Allure of Lisbon

6 Nights in Portugal’s Capital

History buffs, foodies and architecture lovers can never get enough of Lisbon. A solid week in Europe’s second-oldest capital starts with a half-day tour of highlights. Then, you’ll be set free to explore independently. The city’s sights – from the castle of St. George to the cuisine of Mercado da Ribeira to cobbled streets and shops of Bairro Alto – are easily reached on foot or by tram.

When you’ve seen, done and eaten it all, take a full-day tour of one of Lisbon’s nearby areas: Fatima, Cascais or Evora. Just choose your level of accommodation – from budget to five-star– and settle in to soak in the historic atmosphere and culture of Lisbon.

2. See It All! Train the Town, Coast and Countryside

7 nights in Lisbon, Cascais and Evora by Train

Diana Roman Temple – Evora – Portugal

Looking for a feel of everything Portugal has to offer? Here’s your trip. Begin with two nights of cultural immersion in Lisbon. Sightseeing is a snap with a 48-hour “Lisboa Card,” which provides free local transport and admission to the city’s best museums. Then change into your flip-flops and board a train to the beaches of Cascais, one of 2016’s hottest destinations.

Spend two nights enjoying the sights and beauty of the Estoril Coast before training to Evora, in the famous food- and wine-producing Alentejo countryside. The walled UNESCO World Heritage City walks its visitors through the history of Western Civilization, from Roman temples to Gothic cathedrals. Wrap up your week with the best of local food and wine.

3. Bask on the Beach: Find Sun and Fun in the Algarve

7 Nights in Lisbon and Algarve by First-Class Train

Marinha beach in Algarve – Portugal blog and news | Portugal.com

The beaches of Portugal’s Algarve coast are world renown, with something for everyone from backpacking partiers to families to European retirees. Your journey to the coast begins with two nights of exploring Lisbon. With the help of a Lisboa Card, you can see sights such as the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and still have time for shopping in lively Principe Real and a plate of porco preto.

Then board the first-class car on a train south and find yourself at the beaches of Vilamoura. Pick a chaise in the sun and get ready for five days of intense unwinding. When you “tire” of relaxing, take the Algarve Historical Tour highlighting the area’s Roman, Moorish and colonial landmarks and stopping at the “End of the World,” aka Cape Saint Vincent, the most southwestern point in Europe. Or just walk, eat, drink and dance on the sand in the Algarve’s legendary sunshine – and moonlight.

“Every detail was planned perfectly — we didn’t have to worry about a thing! All we had to do was sightsee, relax, and enjoy two lovely areas of Portugal. That’s the way to travel!” – Nancy B., USA

4. Go North and South: Explore Lisbon and Porto

Lisbon & Porto by First-Class Train

Split your week between cosmopolitan Lisbon in the south and provincial Porto in the north and you’ll get a double dose of Portugal’s history, architecture, cuisine and culture. During your three nights in Lisbon, a 48-hour Lisboa Card will cover your transport and museum admissions. You’ll also enjoy a day tour of nearby coastal towns and the historical village and palace of Sintra.

A first-class train will then whisk you north to Porto. The birthplace of Port wine is set on a hillside above the Douro River and serves as a gateway to the Douro River Valley’s winemaking and agricultural region. Take in Porto’s treasures on a half-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage City and a Port wine cellar before returning to Lisbon. Consider timing your vacation around one of the many lively festivals that each city holds during the year – it’ll be an experience you’ll never forget!

“The tour guide pre-arranged some of the tours and knew all the locals so had outstanding cooperation. We felt like insiders.” – Ed V., U.S.

Discover the Possibilities: Don’t see your perfect trip? Check Portugal.com for more expertly arranged trips, including longer itineraries, self-drive packages, private tours and more! Or contact us to design a custom trip to maximize your amazing week in Portugal!