Connect the dots to your next adventure…

travel planning itinerary portugal example for lisbon

Example: Portugal - Day 2

A travel itinerary schedule with times and events including swimming, walking, dinner, and an evening walk in a foreign town, with note about a dinner reservation at Casa de Linhares. The schedule mentions locations like Sao Pedro de Alacantra, Bairro Alto, Sao Roque Church, and Convento do Carmo.

Portugal 12-day Itinerary

Inside this carefully constructed itinerary, you will find a meticulously detailed travel roadmap to not only provide inspiration but also give you specific and practical information to shortcut your trip planning. Depending on your preferences, you may change the order of days, add or subtract sites, or use only the parts that meet your needs. Alternatively, you could follow every detail of the itinerary and change nothing.

Throughout the itinerary, RED text contains first-hand feedback and insight based on personal experience. This commentary offers practical guidance and tips so you can choose what’s best for you.

Go from spending countless hours of researching and confusing choices to easily mapping out your own plan with confidence.

A Breakdown of the 12-Day Portugal Itinerary…

lisbon portugal skyline travel planning itinerary

DAY 1

Today you’ll explore some of Lisbon’s most famous sights, including the Alfama and Baixa neighborhoods, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Praca de Commercio, and Rossio Train Station.

belel tower lisbon portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 2

The second day will take you to Belem for the famed waterfront tower and Jeronimos Monastery, as well as the Gulbenkian Museum, Elevador de Santa Justa, and an evening of dinner and Fado.

pena palace sintra portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 3

Today you’ll venture off to Sintra to explore the fabulous Pena Palace, Moorish Castle Ruins, and Quinta de Regaleira, then back to Lisbon to enjoy lively Pink Street and the Time Out Market.

algarve ponta da piedade rock arch lagos portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 4

The fourth day will take you south to the stunning Algarve where sun drenched and rocky coastline will not only delight but also invite you to relax in its beauty and history.

algarve tivoli carvoeiro waterfront travel planning itinerary

DAY 5

Today you’ll explore the iconic Benagil Cave and stunning rock formations by boat during the morning, then return to the resort for poolside relaxation and dinner in the charming town of Caroveiro.

evora roman ruins alentejo portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 6

Today you’ll travel north to ancient city of Evora in the heart of Alentejo, where you’ll discover ancient Roman ruins and a gorgeous cathedral, as well as wine and cuisine that will tempt you to stay much longer.

coimbra portugal skyline travel planning itinerary

DAY 7

Begin the day in Evora visiting the Church of St. Francis and Chapel of Bones, then onward to explore the walled medieval town of Obidos, and finally the famed university town of Coimbra where you stay.

coimbra portugal fado ao centro travel planning itinerary

DAY 8

The eighth day begins at the University of Coimbra in the exquisite King Joao’s baroque library, followed by a city walk and visit to the Machado Museum and Crypts. The evening will delight with fado and dinner.

sao bento station tiles porto portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 9

Today you’ll travel north to Porto with stops along the way to see the gorgeous towns of Aveiro and Praia de Costa Nova. In the afternoon, you’ll marvel at the Bolsa Palace, then enjoy exploring Porto.

douro valley portugal vineyard terraces travel planning itinerary

DAY 10

The tenth day is a delightful journey through the Douro Valley where you will visit vineyards, taste an array wines, dine outdoors at a Quinta, enjoy a Rabelo boat tour, and soak in the famed valley hillside terraces.

porto ribeira douro river dom louis bridge portugal travel planning itinerary

DAY 11

Today you’ll explore some of Porto’s most famous sights, including the Porto Cathedral, Dom Luis I Bridge, the Ribera, as well as venture across the river to enjoy the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia.

porto portugal ribeira riverfront travel planning itinerary

DAY 12

Today will begin with a morning walk through Porto, enjoying your final day in Portugal and reflecting on the incredible people and sights of this remarkable and inviting country.

Some of the major sights and experiences included…

  • Castelo de Sao Jorge

  • Fado Museum

  • Praca da Commercio

  • Rossio Train Station

  • Belem Tower

  • Monastery of Jeronimos

  • Gulbenkian Museum

  • Elevadors da Gloria and Santa Justa

  • Pena Palace and Moorish Castle ruins

  • Quinta de Regaleira

  • Lagos and Ponta da Piedade

  • Benagil Cave and boat tour

  • Caroveiro cliffside walk

  • Evora Cathedral and Roman Temple

  • Church of St. Francis & Chapel of Bones

  • Obidos walled medieval town

  • King Joao’s Baroque Library

  • University of Coimbra

  • Fado ao Centro concert

  • Aveiro canals and tiles

  • Praia de Costa Nova striped houses

  • Porto’s Bolsa Palace

  • Church of St. Francis

  • Ribeira (Porto Waterfront)

  • Dom Luis I Bridge

  • Livraria Lello

  • Clerigos Tower

  • Duoro Valley wine tour (full day)

  • Sao Bento station

  • Port wine lodges of Villa Nova de Gaia