One Week in Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon
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After falling in love on my first trip to Lisbon, I knew I had to go back to Portugal to see more of the country. This time, my cousin and I planned a 1-week Portugal itinerary that started in Porto and ended in Lisbon. The trip combined two cities that each showcase the some of the best of Portuguese culture, food, and tourist appeal.
Whether you’re sipping Port wine along the Douro River, walking across historic bridges, or getting lost in Lisbon’s cobblestone streets, there’s no shortage of things to do in Portugal. If you’ve been wondering how to spend one week in Portugal, this post shares exactly how we did it, plus a few extra tips to make the most of your one-week trip in Portugal.
Traveling to Portugal From NYC
For our week in Portugal, we flew with Air France, using 70000 miles and paying $85.27 after taxes and fees. This included a direct flight from New York City to Porto and Lisbon back to New York, with a short layover in Paris both ways. During our layover in Paris, we stopped in Louis Vuitton and Ladurée to buy leather goods and pastries before heading home.
Pro tip: TAP Air Portugal’s stopover program allows you to spend up to five days in either Porto or Lisbon at no additional flight cost, making it perfect for those who want to combine both cities without rushing.
Getting Around Portugal
Before diving into the itinerary, let’s talk logistics. Getting around Portugal is very easy and very affordable. The train system is reliable and connects most major cities, including Porto and Lisbon.
If you’re planning a one week trip to Portugal like ours, I recommend mixing trains with walking, taxis, and taking Uber occasionally. Both Porto and Lisbon offer the Porto Card and the Lisboa Card, which provide access to public transportation and discounts at popular attractions.
Pro Tip: Use Comboios de Portugal (CP) to book train tickets in advance, as this is often cheaper than purchasing them on the day of travel.
Days 1–4: Exploring Porto
Where to Stay in Porto: Crowne Plaza Porto
For the first few days of our week in Portugal, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza Porto, a modern hotel in the Boavista district. The area is quiet and upscale, with easy access to the city center, Ribeira Square. After a long travel day, we checked in, unpacked, and got ready for dinner and a little bit of culture.
Day 1: Arrival, Dinner & Fado Show
After settling in, we kicked off the trip with dinner followed by a Fado show at Casa da Mariquinhas, Portugal’s most iconic musical tradition. It was the perfect way to start the trip and get a taste of the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Day 2: Porto City Tour & Gaia Sunset
We love hop-on-hop-off buses when exploring new cities, and Porto’s was no exception. We spent the morning taking in city views on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, which included a 6 Bridges Tour on the Douro River and wine tasting in Gaia.
The cruise sails under six of Porto’s iconic bridges, including the Dom Luís I Bridge, designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel. Each bridge tells a piece of the city’s history. We also stopped by the Wailing Women monument, which is a tribute to 152 fishermen who lost their lives in a storm at sea. Following the incident, there were over 200 orphans and 70 widows, leading to an increase in economic and social issues in the region.
In the afternoon, we crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge on foot to Vila Nova de Gaia, home to Porto’s famous wine cellars. Gaia has some of the best sunset views in the city, and you’ll find plenty of waterfront bars and restaurants to relax at.
Our first stop was Burmester Caves for a tour of their aging cellars before heading to Calém for a wine tasting. We ended the evening watching the sun set over the Douro River, with a glass of wine in hand. It was pure magic.
Day 3: Brunch, Harry Potter Sites & Dinner at SOMOS
After a morning photoshoot, I met up with my cousin to have brunch at Zenith Brunch & Cocktails. I loved this restaurant on my trip to Lisbon, and was happy to find one in Porto. We had each had a Brazilian Açaí bowl and shared a French toast platter. It was a great way to fuel up for a full day of exploring more of Porto.
Porto is also known for inspiring parts of the Harry Potter series. My cousin is a huge fan and couldn’t miss the chance to visit some of the related sites, so we did our own mini Harry Potter walking tour. We started at Fonte dos Leões, a fountain said to have influenced the Gryffindor house crest, and made our way to Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, said to be the inspiration for the Grand Staircase at Hogwarts. The Clérigos Tower offers panoramic views of Porto and is said to have inspired the design of Hogwarts’ Astronomy Tower.
Just around the corner, you’ll find the Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, two churches separated by one of the world’s narrowest buildings. The Igreja do Carmo is one of Porto’s most photographed landmarks, and tells biblical stories in its blue and white tilework.
We finished the evening with dinner at SOMOS Restaurant, conveniently inside our hotel and known for its contemporary Portuguese cuisine.
Day 4: Wine Tasting in the Douro Valley
On day four, we caught a morning train from Porto’s São Bento Station, famous for its blue-and-white azulejo tiles, to Régua, the heart of the Douro Valley wine region.
The ride itself is scenic, with views of vineyards and the winding Douro River. You can also opt for a river cruise or a guided bus tour through the valley, but the train gave us a chance to relax and soak in the views at our own pace.
Once in Régua, we visited Quinta da Pacheca, one of the oldest wine estates in the region. They offer tastings, tours, and the chance to stay overnight in wine barrel-shaped rooms. If you have more time, check out Quinta do Vallado or Quinta das Carvalhas for equally beautiful experiences.
After a day of wine tasting and exploring, we returned to Porto for one last night before heading south.
Days 5–6: Discovering Lisbon
Getting to Lisbon & Where to Stay
On day five, we took the train from Porto to Lisbon, which took about three hours. Once in Lisbon, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express Lisboa – Av. Liberdade for one night and stayed in the DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon Fontana Park for the remainder of our stay.
To kick things off, we went straight to the Time Out Market, a must-visit food hall featuring some of Lisbon’s best chefs and local specialties. It’s the perfect place to sample everything from seafood to pastel de nata in one spot.
We also took a walk around Praça do Comércio, one of Lisbon’s grandest squares, and walked by the Santa Justa Elevator, which connects the lower streets of Baixa to the higher Carmo Square and offers beautiful views over the city.
Day 5 Continued: Exploring Lisbon by Night
Since we had already visited Lisbon before, this part of our trip was all about discovering new spots.
After dinner, we explored Pink Street, known for its colorful pavement and nightlife. The area is filled with bars and a late-night energy that captures the city’s youthful vibe. Another great nightlife district is Bairro Alto, where people socialize outdoors and live music plays from the restaurants and cafes.
Day 6: Day Trip to Sintra
You can’t visit Lisbon without taking a day trip to Sintra. After checking into our second hotel, we dropped off our bags and went to Rossio Station to take a 40-minute train ride to Sintra. Once we arrived, it felt like we had walked right into a fairy tale, with its colorful palaces and misty hills.
Since I had already visited Sintra extensively on a 4-day trip to Lisbon, we took the Sintra 434 straight to the Pena Palace, one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks. The palace sits high above the town, offering beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Its bold colors, mix of architectural styles, and details make it one of the most photographed spots in the country.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to take the 15-20 minute walk uphill, take the €3 shuttle for a ride from the Pena Park entrance to the palace.
After returning to Lisbon, we treated ourselves to a relaxing massage at EcoMassage Lisbon, the perfect way to end a busy travel day. For dinner, we headed to Rua Augusta, a lively street for pedestrians filled with restaurants, shops, and street performers.
Day 7: Farewell to Portugal
After a week of exploring, eating, and learning, I felt that we had experienced some of the best that Portugal has to offer. If you have extra time in Lisbon, you can include Cascais and Belem, two coastal towns that are easily accessible from Lisbon via train. Known for their historic sites and seaside restaurants, visiting these cities brings a balance to the city life of Lisbon and the architecture of Sintra, and provides a laid-back vibe.
Tips for Planning a One Week Portugal Itinerary
If you’re planning what to do in Portugal for a week, here are a few quick tips to help make your trip smoother:
- Best Time to Visit Portugal: Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
- Book Trains Early: Tickets between Porto and Lisbon are cheaper when booked in advance on the CP website.
- Pack Layers: Portugal’s coastal weather can change quickly, so bring a light jacket, especially if you’re visiting in winter.
- Try Local Dishes: Don’t leave without tasting bacalhau (salted cod), francesinha (Porto’s signature sandwich), and pastel de nata (custard tart).
- Bring Comfortable Shoes: Both Porto and Lisbon are hilly with cobblestone streets. Your feet will thank you.
Spending a week in Portugal gave us the perfect mix of city life, culture, food, and relaxation. From wine tasting in the Douro Valley to walking up the hills of Lisbon, each day felt like a new adventure.
Whether you follow this exact 1 week Portugal itinerary or customize it to your own interests, you’ll quickly understand why so many people fall in love with this country. Portugal has quickly become one of my favorite European destinations, and I can’t wait to go back. The people are warm, the food is delicious, and the scenery is worth the trip.
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