This 10 day Portugal itinerary will help you maximize your travel time without missing out on the best places to go and things to do, see and eat in Portugal!
We recently shared our 3 week Portugal itinerary with kids, and it’s the perfect resource if you have time to spend 3 weeks in this beautiful country! Since we realize that not everyone will have that much time to travel, we decided to create a 10-day itinerary to help you hit all the best places in a shorter amount of time. So here we go; let’s explore the best parts of Portugal in 10 days!
Overview of a 10 Day Portugal Trip
Portugal is a country steeped in history, culture, and beauty! This vibrant country is home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights, from the rugged cliffs of the Algarve to the bustling capital of Lisbon. Portugal offers something for everyone in the family with its stunning scenery, magnificent monuments, and delicious cuisine.
In this 10-day Portugal itinerary, you’ll explore some of Portugal’s most beautiful and iconic landmarks, while also discovering hidden gems along the way. From the iconic city of Porto to the vibrant city of Lisbon and the tranquil beaches of the Algarve in between, there’s so much to see and do. You’ll explore the cobblestoned streets of the city center, visit charming fishing villages, and relax in the sun-soaked beauty of the Algarve.
You can use travel credit cards to earn points towards flights, accommodations and more. Learn more about our top 6 favorite travel credit cards here!
Traveling to Porto, Portugal
We found Porto to be the best place to start our trip through Portugal. It’s an energetic city in North Portugal and has a ton of culture, entertainment, and historical sites to see. We flew to Porto from Morocco, which was just a short 2-hour flight from only $60 per person. Porto has a really nice airport, and it was very easy to get an Uber or taxi from the airport.
The best way around Portugal, in our opinion, is by foot. But you can catch the metro/street car if you or the kids get tired of climbing all the hills.
Where to stay:
When we visited Porto we stayed at CC Downtown Palace in downtown Baixa. Baixa is a great location, near public transportation and all the things you’ll definitely want to see in Porto. There are many other great neighborhoods and nice places to stay in Porto. Click here to read all of our recommendations of where to stay in Porto!
Best places to eat:
You have to make time to try lots of amazing food in Porto! From breakfast at The Breakfast Club to lunch at Empanada Malvon, and dinner at Nogueras, the choices are all delicious and memorable! We’ve listed a lot of excellent places to eat in our Porto Travel Guide.
Must see:
There is no shortage of sights to see and things to do in Porto. Below we will layout the 10-day Portugal Itinerary, starting with Porto, but you can read about more must-see places and things to do in Porto here.
@mrsblinks the number one thing on their travel bucket list was visiting one of the fanciest McDonald’s in the world✨✨ should we make this a series? #traveltiktok #portoportugal #familytravel ♬ Fake ID X Walking On A Dream Carter Walsh Remix – CarterWalsh
Day 1: Arriving in Porto
Once you arrive in Porto and check into your accommodations, don’t waste any time and head to explore the city and its many attractions! Visit the Tower of Clerigos, the Porto Cathedral, and the São Bento Railway Station.
Day 2: Day Trip to the Douro Valley
Take a day trip to the Douro Valley and enjoy the stunning scenery of this wine-producing region.
Day 3: Boat Tour
Take a boat tour on the Douro River to explore a different perspective of Porto. It was one of our favorite excursions during our time there
Day 4: Explore the History
You’ll find several important landmarks at Porto’s historic city center. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site you won’t want to miss. Start in the São Bento Train Station and admire it’s famous tilework. Next, head toward the Porto Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century.
Also take time to visit the bookstore that inspired the Harry Potter books Livraria Lello. Its named one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.
Traveling to The Algarve
However you choose to travel to Algarve is a fairly easy trip. Your options are plane, train, bus, or rental car. Of these options, we think flying is the easiest, especially if you’re coming from Porto. We share lots of tips for traveling to and around the Algarve in our Algarve Family Travel Guide.
Where to stay:
We stayed at Casa Hans, an apartment just 5 minutes from the sea in Carvoeiro. It has a rooftop terrace with a sea view that is beautiful. Finding a family friendly place to stay in Algarve is not difficult, there are many to choose from. We recommend several homes and villas with plenty of amenities, each with great locations, in our Algarve Travel Guide.
Where to eat:
Like Porto, Algarve has some of the most incredible food! From breakfast at Earth Shop & Cafe to a cold beer or smoothies at the Pink Panther Bar. There is something for everyone! Get our list of must-try restaurants here.
Must see:
You will definitely want to make time to explore the beautiful beaches and towns along the cost. From a small fishermen’s village to the vibrant city of Lagos, there are so many incredible sights to see! Get our must-see list here.
Day 5: Arrive in Algarve
If you decide to drive south to the Algarve region, stop and explore the coastal towns of Albufeira and Carvoeiro along the way. Once you arrive in Algarve, get settled in your accommodations and head out to explore the area around you.
Day 6: Beach day in Algarve
Algarve has some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. Enjoy a day of relaxation at one of the many beaches in the Algarve region. Some of our favorites are Praia do Camilo, Praia do Marinha, and Carvoeiro.
Day 7: Visit Lagos
Lagos is a beautiful town located in the western Algarve. It has a charming old town, stunning beaches, and some great things for families to see and do. Start the day by visiting the Ponta da Piedade, which is a beautiful viewpoint with amazing rock formations. Be sure to take a kayak tour to see the amazing caves! You can book your Kayaking here
Traveling to Lisbon
We saved Lisbon for the last stop on both our 3-week itinerary and this 10 day Portugal itinerary because it’s where the major international airport is located, so you’ll find it much easier to get home from Lisbon. Traveling into Lisbon from the Algarve region is best done by train. It’s the cheapest and most convenient mode of transportation for this trip.
Where to stay:
There are several family-friendly lofts and apartments we found to stay in, including where we ended up staying, Espaco Vitoria. There are also quite a few family-friendly neighborhoods that we recommend in our Lisbon Family Travel Guide.
Places to eat:
All of Portugal has good food, did we mention that a couple of times already? Lisbon is no exception! Don’t miss the opportunity to try all the amazing Portuguese cuisine Lisbon has to offer! From high-end to casual, you’ll want to taste it all! Get our must-try places to eat in our Lisbon travel guide.
Must see:
Lisbon is a beautiful place with no shortage of things to see and do. From castles and other famous landmarks to an elevator that connects two parts of the city, and a literal pink street with trendy bars and restaurants, there’s a lot to take in when you’re visiting Lisbon. Get the full list of things to do and places to see in our travel guide.
Day 8: Arrive in Lisbon
Head to the city of Lisbon and and get checked in to your accommodations for the last couple of days of your trip. Then head out to explore Lisbon’s old town, its many monuments, and its vibrant nightlife. Take a streetcar ride to soak in most of the city and be sure to stop for coffee and a pastel de Nata. Its a must when visiting Lisbon.
Day 9: Explore more of Lisbon
Spend the day discovering the hidden gems of Lisbon, including the castle of Sao Jorge and the Belem Tower. Make sure to end your day with a Fado performance. Its an experience you can’t miss.
Day 10: Departure
Depending on your flight time, you may have to head straight to the airport to depart from Lisbon and return home. But if you have some time in the first half of the day, take advantage of it by enjoying one last amazing breakfast at a quaint cafe or check out Time Out Market to get a taste of all kinds of local cuisine before heading out for your flight home.
We hope you’ve found this 10-day itinerary through Portugal to be a helpful guide to experiencing the best of what Portugal has to offer. If you can stay longer or just want more ideas, check out our 3 Week Portugal Itinerary!
@mrsblinks Should we move here?!? #portoportugal #familytravel #tiktoktravel #levelupbootcamp #tiktokpartner ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic
More Travel Tips:
Just In Case Bag – What It Is & Why You Need One!
How to Book Flights for Free (only pay taxes)!
