You have finally booked your dream European Summer holiday to Portugal and it’s time to plan your trip – let’s get on it! This is the ultimate 2 week Portugal itinerary including where to go in Portugal, what to do and the very best places to visit. The guide includes vibrant and popular cities like Porto and Lisbon, as well as hidden gems you will love like Cascais.
Is Portugal Safe?
As a black woman, safety is one of the most important factors I consider before choosing a destination. Of all the places I’ve travelled to, Portugal has been one of the places I’ve felt the safest. In fact, Portugal was the first place I ever travelled to for a relatively long solo trip (12 days). In the 12 days, I visited 5 different cities in Portugal, travelled by public transport and felt safe all of the time.
How to Travel Around Portugal?
The best way to travel around Portugal is by train. It’s convenient, easy to use and very affordable. If you plan your Portugal itinerary right, transportation should be very easy to figure out.
For some train routes, it is recommended to book tickets in advance especially if you are going in peak seasons. You can search and book your tickets here.
Best Time to Travel to Portugal?
Portugal is blessed with wonderful weather almost year-round, so keep this in mind when booking your trip. To have a good combination of amazing weather (warm, but not too hot), and manageable tourist crowds, I’d recommend travelling to Portugal mid-May to June and mid September to October. In the heart of summer, Portugal gets really hot and I’d find it too uncomfortable to explore.
Portugal Itinerary: Porto - 3 days
We are starting our Portugal adventure in Porto. Having spent a few days here, I’m still surprised that Porto isn’t more popular! Firstly, Porto is a stunning city that’s actually divided into 2 regions or mini cities. Porto sits on the north of the Douro river while Vila Nova de Gaia is on the south.
Discover the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center. Explore the centuries-old buildings adorned with intricate white and blue azulejo tiles including the Porto Cathedral (Se de Porto), São Bento station and more.
One of the best things to do in Porto is to actually take a day trip to the Douro Valley for some
Porto is known for its port wine cellars located in Vila Nova de Gaia (south of the Douro river). If you’re a wine lover or would simply like to taste some port wine, book this port wine tasting and guided cellar tour.
Portugal Itinerary: Aveiro - 1 day
Aveiro is often referred to as the Venice of Portugal due to its network of canals and traditional molicero boats. This coastal town is located just 50 minutes by direct train from Porto.
It is not a large city, so 1 day is enough to see all that Aveiro has to offer, so it’s a great day trip from Porto. If you prefer slower paced travel, then you can allocate 2 days for your visit.
Visitors can explore the historic and colourful city center and admire the Art Nouveau architecture. Other things to see in Aveiro include the Aveiro Cathedral, the salt pans and relaxing on the nearby sandy beaches of Costa Nova. Don’t miss out on the Aveiro delicacy, ovos moles which are sweet egg yolks sold as desserts or snack.
Is Aveiro worth visiting? It definitely is!
Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon - 4 days
Portugal’s vibrant capital, Lisbon is probably the most visited destination in the country. Wander through the winding streets of Alfama, the city’s oldest district, where colorful buildings adorned with intricate tiles line narrow alleys.
The Belem area of Lisbon has iconic and must-see attractions including the Jeronimos monastery, an architectural masterpiece and the Belem Tower, Lisbon’s main landmark. Don’t leave the Belem area without feasting on a pasteis de Belem – the original pastel de nata.
When in Lisbon, you absolutely have to go on this city walking tour with drinks and food tastings to get a feel of the town from a local. A tourist-free hidden gem in Lisbon is the Ajuda palace. Bonus – the Lisbon card gives free access to the Ajuda palace! Read more on the Lisbon card here.
Portugal Itinerary: Sintra - 2 days
Sintra is the land of palaces and fairy tales and together with it’s unique charm, makes it well worth a visit! This relatively small town is most famous for its palaces and there are 4 to see – Quinta Regaleira, Monserratt, Pena (the most popular) and Sintra National Palace.
You might be surprised that I’ve allocated 2 days and that’s because a single day is not enough to see all the palaces. I learned this the hard way and I’m now planning my next trip to visit the ones I missed.
If you really are tight for time and can only spend a day in Sintra, then you have 2 options. The first option is to book a guided day tour from Lisbon. This tour includes the drive from Lisbon to Sintra and then guided tours of Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, as well as a stop in Cascais.
For a more affordable and ‘relaxing’ visit, take the train from Lisbon to Sintra in 30 minutes. It costs less than €4 and you can spend as long as you want without worrying about your tour group leaving you.
Palaces aren’t the only things to see in Sintra. Sintra’s historic centre is a charming maze of cobblestone streets, lined with quaint cafes, shops, and historic buildings. If you are looking for nature, opt for the beautiful landscapes of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with its lush forests, winding trails, and secluded beaches.
Portugal Itinerary: Cascais - 3 days
Cascais was a hidden gem for me and I really did not know what to expect. I booked it because I wanted some beach time and that was one of the best decisions I made. The train from Lisbon to Cascais only takes 40 minutes, so it’s also the perfect day trip from Lisbon!
Cascais was once a small fishing village, but has now been transformed to a stunning tourist destination with its cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and lively squares.
If you are in Northern Portugal and are not able to make it to the Algarve, then Cascais is the perfect seaside town. I particularly loved how much calmer it was compared to busy Lisbon and having the beach a few steps away. Make sure to visit Boca do Inferno in the nearby seaside cliffs at sunset, truly beautiful to witness.
This sunset boat trip is a perfect way to see Cascais with the Sintra mountains in the background.
There are a variety of things to do in Cascais Portugal. My favourite was relaxing on the many beaches around the town, eating pastel de natas and fresh seafood (not at the same time). More things to see in Cascais include Cascais Citadel, a historic fortress overlooking the sea, and the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, which offers insights into Portugal’s maritime history.
Cascais really is the perfect addition to your Portugal itinerary.
Additional Questions on Portugal Travel
Is Portugal Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Most definitely! Here are the reasons I believe Portugal is great for solo travel. Firstly, public transport is widespread around the country and is it’s really easy and convenient to use. Secondly, I found it pretty safe to travel around Portugal on my own. As an English speaker, I was relieved that the locals I engaged with all spoke English, so communication was easy. Additionally, if you’re looking to meet new people, there are loads of hostels to choose from and activities to help you meet others.
How many days to spend in Portugal?
There is no set number of days to spend in Portugal! It really depends on how much time you have, what you want to see and do. In this Portugal travel guide, I take you through a 2 week itinerary for Portugal primarily focused on the northern part of the country.