Portugal rewards a route that mixes cities, countryside, and coast rather than sticking to just Lisbon and Porto. This one runs south to north to south again, covering all three.
Days 1–3: Lisbon
Spend the first two days on Lisbon proper — the Alfama district’s narrow streets and fado bars, the Belém waterfront (the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower), and Praça do Comércio by the river. On day three, take the train to Sintra (about 40 minutes) for the fairy-tale Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle, both perched in the hills above town.
Days 4–6: Porto and the Douro Valley
Take the train north to Porto (about 3 hours). Spend day four in the city itself — the Ribeira riverside district, the Livraria Lello bookshop, and a port wine tasting across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Days five and six: head into the Douro Valley, where the terraced vineyards along the river are some of the most striking countryside in Europe. A river cruise or a driving loop through Pinhão covers the highlights.
Days 7–9: The Algarve
Fly or drive south to the Algarve coast (about 4–5 hours by car from Porto, or a short flight from Lisbon on the way back down). Base yourself in Lagos for access to the region’s dramatic cliffside beaches — Praia Dona Ana and the Ponta da Piedade sea caves are the standouts. Spend a day exploring nearby towns like Sagres, at Portugal’s southwestern tip.
Day 10: Faro and departure
Finish in Faro, the Algarve’s main transport hub, for a relaxed last morning in the old town before flying out.
Practical tips
Book Douro Valley wine tastings and Sintra’s Pena Palace tickets ahead in peak season — Sintra in particular gets very crowded by midday, so an early train from Lisbon is worth it. The Algarve is at its best (and least crowded) in late spring and September, avoiding the peak-summer heat and prices.