Let's define your Road Trip in Portugal Itinerary - Gathered here are information and tips to plan and prepare for your travel: best time to visit, driving tips and suggested Portugal itineraries for 7 days and 10 days or more. Make the most of your Portugal road trip!
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PLANNING your Portugal Road Trip
Let's start with some general information to start planning a Road Trip around Portugal.
Best time to visit Portugal
- There can be quite a difference in temperature between the coast and inland as well as the North vs the South.
- In general July and August are very very busy with European tourists as well as locals on holidays
- Shoulder seasons are quite enjoyable May and October especially - but note that during those periods, the water is not very warm - it is the Atlantic Ocean after all...
October Sunset in the Algarve
How to get to Portugal
- Flying - the main airports in Portugal are Lisbon and Porto - some low cost companies sometimes have really good prices to Porto, so don't dismiss them just because Lisbon is the capital - Compare flight prices on Skyscanner
- Train or buses - if you are coming from Europe, trains and busses can also be good options although you need to have a lot of time and patience
- Driving - of course, Portugal is reachable by car from mainland Europe, but from anywhere except Spain it is quite a long drive!
- Cruises - Ships on the Atlantic can make port in Porto or Lisbon or Portimao (on the Algarve Coast)
- Teletransportation - I wish 🙂
Visa Portugal
Portugal is part of the Schengen treaty - There are no requirements for Europeans and most Western countries for up to 3 months - check with your embassy
DEFINING your Road Trip in Portugal itinerary
Choosing your destinations - Portugal Regions
- LISBON - Capital of Portugal since 1255 – Located at the mouth of the Tagus River, the city built around 7 hills fascinates with its cosmopolitan atmosphere
- SINTRA - CASCAIS - Very close to Lisbon, the region of Sintra-Cascais and its Natural Park are home to magnificent Unesco sites and scenic coastlines
- ALGARVE - South of the country, the Algarve Coastline is nowadays full of resorts. However, thanks to the precipitous cliffs, many beaches are protected and magnificent
- CENTRE - A vast area in the heart of Portugal, with Coimbra as its main city. The region offers a wide variety of scenery with coastal areas, historical fortified villages and the mountains of Estrela
- PORTO and NORTH - The Northern part is considered the cradle of Portugal with the original Capital Guimaraes. It is mostly famous for the Douro River fertile grounds and the city of Porto
- ALENTEJO - Between the Tagus River and the Algarve, this vast and sunny lowland offers agricultural landscapes. It is famous for its fields of Oak Cork
- ISLANDS - The most famous islands are volcanic and famous for their scenery: Madeira, west of North Africa and the Azores, further west into the Atlantic Ocean
Driving times in Portugal
To help you plan your road trip Portugal, below are driving times between main cities to get a feel for what you can do in a day. Note that these times are often via motorways, so tolls apply:
- Lisbon to Sintra - 30min to 45min depending on traffic
- Lisbon to Coimbra - 2h
- Lisbon to Porto - 3h
- Lisbon to Evora - 1h30
- Lisbon to Albufeira (Algarve) - 2h30
- Lisbon to Manteigas (Serra de Estrela) - 3h30
- Porto to Manteigas (Serra de Estrela) - 2h30
Driving in Portugal
- Driving in Portugal is actually quite easy. There are many good quality motorways
- Road signs are clear
- Just be careful with the Tolls in the South where you cannot pay cash
- All major brands of car rental are available at the airports - compare prices on Rentalcars.com
- Learn more (with video and photos) in my Driving in Portugal article
Accommodations in Portugal
There is a large offering of accommodations in Portugal. In Summer, you should book ahead as it fills up quickly especially in the Algarve.
For Sintra, Lisbon and Porto you should book ahead all year round.
Find out more information and suggestions on my Portugal Accommodation article
Accomodation in the Algarve - Uma Casa A Beira Sol
THINGS TO SEE on a road trip around Portugal
There is so much to see on your Road trip in Portugal
- Large cities such as Lisbon and Porto
- Medieval fortified villages such as Marvao, Obidos or Monsaraz
- Stunning beaches on the Atlantic West Coast or in the magnificent Algarve region
- Magnificent palaces and monasteries
- ...
- You can see my top 15 Portugal points of interest here and articles about specific destinations on the Portugal Travel Guide
And Below you will find several suggested Portugal itineraries with a mix of all those.
HOWEVER, I don't know what you like, so if you want to create your own itinerary, have a look at the 2 eBooks I wrote -
- They are full of Practical maps identifying the points of interest for easy planning
- They include many photos and tips to help you decide if you want to visit each location
- And they include GPS coordinates for all locations to facilitate your navigation
And don't forget to purchase Travel insurance! I wish you a very smooth trip, but my policy is: better be prepared.
I personally use World Nomads. Get a quote online here.
LISBON TO PORTO Portugal Itinerary 7 DAYS
Let's start with a classic: Doing a Lisbon to Porto Road Trip won't take you off the beaten track but you will see some of the best architecture the country has to offer.
DAY 1 - LISBON
Take the time to explore Lisbon. Maybe get to the Belem area to visit the Jeronimos monastery and/or the Belem Tower. Climb up to the Lisbon Castle and enjoy magnificent views of the city
Night in Lisbon - Choose from the best rated Lisbon accommodations
DAY 2 - LISBON + SINTRA
Lisbon to Sintra - 45min
Then make your way to Sintra and visit one of the palaces - there are plenty to choose from: the colorful Pena palace, the ruins of the Castle of the Moors, the Sintra National palace, Quinta da Regaleira and its intriguing park...
Night in Sintra - Choose from the best rated Sintra accommodations
DAY 3 - SINTRA
Visit another palace or 2 in Sintra and if you want to escape the city, head to the coast with the cliffs at Cabo da Roca or the Splendid Magoito Beach.
Drive Sintra to Obidos - 1h
Night in Obidos - Choose from the best rated Obidos accommodations
DAY 4 - OBIDOS + BATALHA
If you are up to it, wake up early an enjoy the atmosphere of Obidos at sunrise by walking on the wall. Admire the white houses as the sun starts hitting them.
Drive Obidos to Batalha - 1h
Enjoy one of the most beautiful buildings in Portugal and a Unesco classified heritage site. The Batalha Monastery is quite impressive. Don't miss the unfinished chapels at the end!
Night in Batalha - Choose from the best rated Batalha accommodations
DAY 5 - COIMBRA + BUSSACO
Batalha to Coimbra - 1h
Leave Batalha and head North to the Main town in the Central Portugal: Coimbra which used to be the medieval capital of Portugal for more than a century.
Coimbra to Luso - 45min
Then leave the husstle and head out of the beaten path to find a location appreciated by the locals: the thermal region of Luso and its Bussaco Park. Enjoy the air, the trees, the fountains around the beautiful Bussaco palace.
Night in Luso - Choose from the best rated Luso accommodations
DAY 6 - AVEIRO + PORTO
Luso to Aveiro - 45min
Head North and stop at Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal. Maybe you can take a boat trip in the traditional boat or head to the beach and its colorful houses.
Aveiro to Porto - 1h
Continue North and reach Porto. Explore the famous city of Northern Portugal. You can maybe visit the Cathedral and enjoy the views from the Bridge. Or you could visit one of the Port wine caves and enjoy a tasting 🙂
Night in Porto - Choose from the best rated Porto accommodations
DAY 7 - PORTO
Continue discovering Porto with its many churches and amazing viewpoints. Maybe you feel good enough to climb the Clerigos Tower...
Drive back Porto to Lisbon - 3h
Extra Suggestions to make it a Portugal Itinerary 10 Days
If you want to turn this into a 10-day itinerary:
- Add a day between 3 and 4 to explore the Coast with Cabo da Roca, Magoito Beach, the peninsula of Peniche. Maybe you can take a boat trip to the Berlangas Reserve islands
- Add 2 days in the famous Douro Valley from Porto
1 WEEK IN PORTUGAL - Limited Driving
If you don't like driving too much, this is not a problem. There is much to do not far from Lisbon. With this itinerary, you will get a taste of it all: city, nature, beaches, monasteries, palaces, medieval villages...
DAY 1 & 2 - LISBON
Take the time to explore Lisbon. Maybe go to the Belem area to visit the Jeronimos monastery and/or the Belem Tower. Climb up to the Lisbon Castle and enjoy magnificent views of the city
Don't miss the St Vincent monastery with its Azulejos tiles and the Carmo Convent, remnant of the 18th century earthquake.
You can also just walk around the Alfama district and listen to the typical Fado Music
Nights in Lisbon - Choose from the best rated Lisbon accommodations
DAY 3 & 4 - SINTRA CASCAIS NATURE PARK
Lisbon to Sintra - 45min
Visit the many palaces of Sintra: Pena Palace, National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the ruins of the Castle of the Moors. Admire the architecture and explore the beautiful hilly parks.
You can also drive towards the coast to admire the cliffs at the Westernmost point of Cabo da Roca and drive along the west coast to discover some of the beautiful beaches of the Nature Park.
And Don't forget to bring binoculars to make the most of those views!!!! Check out my guide to find the best travel binoculars for your needs.
Nights in Sintra - Choose from the best rated Sintra accommodations
DAY 5 - PENICHE/ BELENGAS + OBIDOS
Sintra to Peniche - 1h15min
Drive to Peniche and explore the rocky peninsula. Maybe you can do a boat tour to the Berlengas islands, a beautiful nature reserve not far from the coast
Peniche to Obidos - 30min
Head to the medieval village of Obidos and explore its narrow streets, taste the local specialties and walk on the fortification walls all around
Night in Obidos - Choose from the best rated Obidos accommodations
DAY 6 & 7 - MONASTERIES
- Obidos to Alcobaça - 1h
- Alcobaça to Batalha - 30min
- Batalha to Tomar - 45min
Complete the loop of the 3 monasteries: Alcobaça, Batalha and Tomar Convent of Christ. All of them are fascinating in their own way and provide a different experience.
Most websites talk a lot about Batalha but I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the Convent. In Tomar spend some time in the city as well. A lot of history there!
On the way you can also stop at the famous modern religious site of Fatima.
Drive back to Lisbon from Tomar - 1h40
Night in Batalha - Choose from the best rated Batalha accommodations (or in Tomar)
Extra Suggestions to make it a Portugal Itinerary 10 Days
If you want to turn this into a 10-day itinerary:
- Add 1 day from Lisbon driving South to the Arrabida Natural Park to enjoy the beaches and scenic bays
- Drive East for 2 days to explore the city of Evora with its many historical buildings and ruins as well as the beautiful village of Monsaraz. Perched on a hill, the white houses have a premium view of the region
Night in Evora - Choose from the best rated Evora accommodations
7 days in PORTUGAL itinerary - THE SOUTH
Heard that the Algarve region is magical? Yes, it is. So, below is a suggested itinerary to head down to South Portugal and complete a West Algarve Road Trip in 7 days.
DAY 1 & 2 - LISBON
Take the time to explore Lisbon. Maybe go to the Belem area to visit the Jeronimos monastery and/or the Belem Tower. Climb up to the Lisbon Castle and enjoy magnificent views of the city
Don't miss the St Vincent monastery with its Azulejos tiles and the Carmo Convent, remnant of the 18th century earthquake near the Santa Justa Lift.
You can also just walk around the Alfama district and listen to the typical Fado Music
Night in Lisbon - Choose from the best rated Lisbon accommodations
DAY 3 - SOUTH WEST COAST PORTUGAL
Lisbon to Lagos - 3h
Drive South along the coast (do not take the Motorway). The Nature park is amazing with beautiful beaches such as Porto Covo, Odeceixe or Praia da Arrifana. This is simply stunning and different from what you will see in the South coast of the Algarve.
Night in Lagos - Choose from the best rated Lagos accommodations
DAY 4 - LAGOS BEACHES + SAGRES + ST VINCENT CAPE
Lagos to Sagres - 40min
Sagres to Portimao - 1h
Head to the Southwesternmost point of Portugal at Cape St Vincent and admire the cliffs at the nearby Sagres fort.
Some of the best beaches in the Algarve are located near Lagos: Dona Ana and Camilo Beach. It is also the home of Ponta da Piedade, a promontory with caves arches and beautiful rock formations. A great pace to watch sunset!
Night in Lagos again or Portimao - Choose from the best rated Portimao accommodations
DAY 5 - PORTIMAO BEACHES + CAVE BOAT TOUR
Portimao to Albufeira - 35min
Portimao is a bigger city. But right there are some fantastic beaches such as Tres Castelos. Not far is also the double arch beach of Tres Irmaos and the adorable village of Ferrugado.
From Portimao you can take an amazing 2-hour boat trip to discover the coast and the sea caves from the water. Not to be missed! It normally includes the internationally renowned Benagil Sea Cave. Check program and price
Night in Lagos or Portimao again - or Albufeira - Choose from the best rated Albufeira accommodations
DAY 6 - ALBUFERIA BEACHES
Today you can discover what is known as one of the best beaches in the world: Praia da Marinha - vertiginous cliffs, arches and pinnacles. Better to visit at low tide. Other lesser known beaches around are also remarkable.
DAY 7 - INLAND ALGARVE + DRIVE BACK
Albufeira to Lisbon - 3h
Head inland to the Castle of Silves and the mountain town of Monchique or Bartholomeu before driving back to Lisbon
Extra Suggestions to make it a Portugal Itinerary 10 Days
If you want to turn this into a 10-day itinerary:
- Add 2 days to explore East Algarve - the landscape is quite different with long flat white sand beaches - Take a boat trip to Ria Formosa and spend the night in Tavira
- Come back via the off the beaten path village of Mertola in the Guadiana Nature Park and visit the city of Evora
One week in PORTUGAL itinerary - PORTO & NORTH
Some people will prefer to historic feel and the vineyard landscapes of the North. So, here is an one-week itinerary for North Portugal:
DAY 1 & 2 - PORTO
Explore the famous city of Northern Portugal. You can maybe visit the Cathedral and its many churches or admire the city from the incredible viewpoints. Maybe you feel good enough to climb the Clerigos Tower...
Or you could visit one of the Port wine caves and enjoy a tasting.
Night in Porto - Choose from the best rated Porto accommodations
DAY 3 - BRAGA + BOM JESUS + SANTA LUZIA
Visit the iconic Bom Jesus church near the town of Braga. It is famous for its grand staircase with perfect perspectives. Then you can head to the coast where the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia offers splendid views of Viana do Castelo and the sea.
Night in Viana do Castelo - Choose from the best rated Viana do Castelo accommodations
DAY 4 - NORTHERN VILLAGES + PENADA GERES
Drive along the Northern border with Spain to discover the fortified villages protecting the country - stop at Valença, Monçao, Melgaço...
Head South through to the Northern Penada Geres National Park with the Lindoso castle.
Night in Ponte da Barca - Choose from the best rated Ponte da Barca accommodations
DAY 5 - PENADA GERES + GUIMARAES
Explore the South part of the Penada Geres National Park with the river branches at Adpropeixe - Do not miss the Miradouro Pedra Bela
Night in Guimaraes - Choose from the best rated Guimaraes accommodations
DAY 6 & 7 - DOURO VALLEY
Explore the vineyards of the Douro Valley. Amazing views all along especially where the river is bending a lot. Spend the night at one of the vineyards and enjoy the local port wine.
Night in in the Douro Valley - Choose from the best rated Douro Valley accommodations
Extra Suggestions to make it a Portugal Itinerary 10 Days
If you want to turn this into a 10-day itinerary:
- Add 2 days to explore the mountains of Serra De Estrela around the town of Manteigas. The Zezere Valley is particularly beautiful. Maybe you can hike or refresh at the river beach
- Come back via the town of Aveiro - take a boat trip to discover the town and head to the beach to see its colorful typical houses
Portugal Itinerary 7 DAYS - EAST PORTUGAL
Want to go off the beaten path. Everywhere in Portugal is popular, but the East is less visited than the rest but is has some real gems. Below is a suggested itinerary:
DAY 1 - TOMAR
Lisbon Tomar - 1h40
Drive North and stop at Tomar to learn about the knight templars. Visit the town and get uphill to explore the Convent of the Christ. This is quite a big place so take your time!
Night in Tomar - Choose from the best rated Tomar accommodations
DAY 2 & 3 - SERRA DE ESTRELA
Tomar to Manteigas - 2h30
Head North East to Serra de Estrela. This mountainous park has the highest points in mainland Portugal. Manteigas is the main town but there is much to see such as the Linhares Castle, the Zezere Valley and the strange formations at Senhora da Boa Estrela.
This is also a hiking paradise if you are up to it.
Night in Serra de Estrela - Choose from the best rated Serra de Estrela accommodations
DAY 4 - MONSANTO
Manteigas to Monsanto - 1h45
Head South to visit Castelo Branco and its beautiful gardens, before heading to the unique village of Monsanto.
It has been named the most Portuguese of the Portugal villages, and yet it does not look like any other village in the country. No white houses here. The hill is covered with huge boulders and the houses have been built around them, above and even under them. Plan enough time to really explore and admire the architecture as well as climb to what remains of the castle.
Night in Monsanto - Choose from the best rated Monsanto accommodations
DAY 5 - MARVAO + SOUTH MAMEDE
Monsanto to Marvao - 2h
Next stop: the nature park of South Mamede. It is home to beautiful hills and the Famous Marvao Village. Perched on a hill, its fortification walls offer magnificent views over the whole region. Some days you can see very far away!
Night in Marvao - Choose from the best rated Marvao accommodations
DAY 6 - MONSARAZ + AREA
Marvao to Monsaraz - 2h
A little bit more South you can visit the palace at Vica Vicosa.
And then you can head to another inspiring village near the Spanish Border: Monsaraz.
This one is also perched on top of a hill with fortification, a castle and white houses. Yet the atmosphere is completely different from the others. Plus, the views of the Barrage lake are mesmerizing.
Night in Monsaraz or Evora - Choose from the best rated Monsaraz accommodations and Evora accommodations
DAY 7 - EVORA
Monsaraz to Evora - 1h
Come back to Lisbon via the city of Evora - discover its many sites and maybe visit the Chapel of Bones.
If you like ancient history and don't mind driving on a dirt track for a few kilometers, nearby are the Menhir and the Megalithes of Almendres
Evora to Lisbon - 1h45
Portugal Itinerary 2 WEEKS or More
There are so many possibilities it is hard to give you a 2 weeks in Portugal itinerary. You can play with combination of the 7 and 10 days itinerary above.
To really get a good view of all regions (except the islands) you have to plan 3 weeks.
If you have less than that, you should make choices.
My eBook: The Road Trip Guide Portugal, can help you organize a tour that really fits what you like. With the preselected scenic attractions in each region and the maps localizing them, you can choose where to stop and build your own perfect road trip itinerary.
Portugal Itinerary 5 DAYS - NO CAR
If you have only 5 days in Portugal and have never been to Lisbon, then I recommend not renting a car because:
- You can visit a lot in Lisbon and discover some of the best locations around thanks to small group tours
- This will allow you to alternate quiet local days with days on the road
- You will avoid the hustle of packing / unpacking
- You can enjoy the vibrant Nightlife in Lisbon
Here is my recommended Lisbon-based itinerary:
DAY 1 - SINTRA
Organized excursions can take you to Sintra where you can discover one of the palaces before heading to the coast and discover Cabo da Roca, Cascais and some stunning beaches - Check Program and price
Or you can Take the train to Sintra and explore it by yourself with the hop on hop off bus
DAY 2 - OBIDOS + BATALHA
A great day awaits you visiting the medieval village of Obidos (and maybe drinking the iconic cherry liqueur) before heading to the magnificent Unesco-classified Monastery of Batalha. The excursion will also take you to the coast. Quite a full day where you will see many faces of Portugal! - Check photos, program and price
DAY 3 - LISBON
Explore Lisbon at your own rate. Consider buying a Lisbon card with access to many attractions + transportation
DAY 4 - NATURE TRIP
Enjoy some time in nature and select one of the following tours:
- Berlangas Archipelago - a nature reserve you can reach from the Peniche peninsula - Check photos, program and prices
- Arrabida Nature Reserve and Dolphin watching tour - amazing landscapes, beaches and wildlife on this tour - Check photos, program and price
DAY 5 - LISBON
Continue exploring Lisbon. So much to see and experience!
Staying in Lisbon
Nights in Lisbon - Choose from the best rated Lisbon accommodations
OTHER TIPS - money, packing, emergency...
- Language - Portuguese but English is widely spoken in touristic areas
- Money - Euros only
- Tips - not mandatory (often 10% at restaurant and taxi)
- Credit card widely accepted - some off the beaten track small accommodations might request cash
- Electricity - 220V, Types C/F (Plug with 2 round Pins)
- Meals are really big portions!
- Emergency - 112
Packing List
Nothing very specific to Portugal to pack.
Head to my Travel Checklists article to get ready for your trip.
Want to see more of PORTUGAL?
Are you inspired to plan your road trip?
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hi we are interested in a self drive tour, we arrive in Lisbon 28 September and we are 3 couples. we must return back to Lisbon on 6th october for a cruise departure on 7 october. would like to go up to Porto and see as much as we can. Thankyou
Dear Susan,
Sorry but I am not a travel agent.
I wish you wonderful travels!