Portugal in 10 days: Porto, the Douro, Lisbon and the Algarve
Ten days let you see Portugal from north to south in one go: Porto and the vineyards of the Douro, the old university town of Coimbra, the great monasteries and Fátima, Sintra and Lisbon, and finally the cliffs and beaches of the Algarve. Fly into Porto and out of Faro, and hire a one-way car for most of the trip.
Porto: the historic centre
Explore Porto on foot: the tiled hall of São Bento station, the view from the cathedral, the Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello, then walk down to the Ribeira for dinner by the river.
São Bento Station → Porto Cathedral (Sé) → Clérigos Tower → Livraria Lello bookshop → Ribeira riverfront
Night: Porto · hotels in Porto
Porto: Gaia and the sea
See the Palácio da Bolsa, cross the Dom Luís I bridge to Gaia for a port-wine cellar visit, and end the day at Foz do Douro for sunset over the Atlantic. Pick up the hire car in the evening or the next morning.
Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) → Dom Luís I Bridge and Jardim do Morro → Port wine cellars → Foz do Douro
Night: Porto · hotels in Porto
The Douro valley
Drive about 1 h 30 to the Douro. Stop at the São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint, see the tiled station of Pinhão, take a boat trip on the river and watch the sunset from Casal de Loivos. Sleep at a wine estate if you can.
São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint → Pinhão Station → Douro boat trip → Casal de Loivos viewpoint
Night: Pinhão · hotels in Pinhão
Coimbra
Drive about 2 h south to Coimbra. Visit the old university and the Joanina Library (book the time slot), then walk down through the Sé Velha to the Baixa. In the evening, listen to Coimbra fado.
University of Coimbra → Old Cathedral (Sé Velha) and Baixa of Coimbra
Night: Coimbra · hotels in Coimbra
Batalha, Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos
A full day: the Gothic monastery of Batalha, the Sanctuary of Fátima, the view from the Sítio of Nazaré and finally the walled town of Óbidos, where you spend the night inside the walls.
Batalha Monastery → Sanctuary of Fátima → Sítio da Nazaré → Óbidos village
Night: Óbidos · hotels in Óbidos
Sintra and Cabo da Roca
Drive about an hour to Sintra. Visit Pena Palace (book a timed ticket) and Quinta da Regaleira, then see the sunset at Cabo da Roca before driving into Lisbon. Park the car for the next day.
Pena Palace → Quinta da Regaleira → Cabo da Roca
Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon
Lisbon
A day on foot and by tram: São Jorge Castle, the Alfama viewpoints, Tram 28, the Baixa and the Praça do Comércio, and an evening in Chiado and Bairro Alto.
São Jorge Castle → Santa Luzia viewpoint and Alfama → Tram 28 → Baixa and Praça do Comércio → Chiado and Bairro Alto
Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon
Belém, then south to Lagos
Visit the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower in the morning, and try a pastel de nata in Belém. After lunch drive about 3 h to Lagos, in the western Algarve.
Jerónimos Monastery → Belém Tower → Lagos Old Town
Night: Lagos · hotels in Lagos
Lagos and the Algarve cliffs
Walk the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade early, see the Benagil sea cave from a boat or kayak, and walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail in the late afternoon.
Ponta da Piedade → Benagil Cave (Gruta de Benagil) → Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos)
Night: Lagos · hotels in Lagos
Tavira and Faro
Drive east to Tavira, with its Roman bridge and old churches, then on to Faro to see the old town inside the walls before returning the car and flying home.
Tavira → Faro Old Town (Cidade Velha)
Night: Faro · hotels in Faro
Practical tips
- A one-way car hire from Porto to Faro usually has an extra fee. Compare it with the cost of returning the car in Lisbon and taking the train to the Algarve.
- You do not need a car in Porto or Lisbon. Pick it up when you leave Porto and park it on the day you spend in Lisbon.
- Many motorways have electronic tolls only. Ask the rental company for a toll device.
- Book timed tickets for Livraria Lello, the Joanina Library and Pena Palace, especially in summer.
Want to go deeper?
Each part of this route is also a full circuit with more stops and extra days.
