NorahPortugal is a country I could revisit time and time again. I only had one week to spend in this magical country, and I truly loved every single second of my time there. Portugal really does have something for every traveler, and this itinerary will include my full recommendations for a trip that has a little bit of outdoor activities, a little bit of luxury, and a whole lot of adventure. This itinerary can easily be modified for more or less days, depending on your specific trip and timeline.
When is the best time of year to visit Portugal?
Portugal has a very temperate climate, with decently hot summers and mild winters. Winter can be a great time to avoid crowds, and summer includes a lot of tourists. I went in April, and it was great. There were some cold mornings and nights, but for the most part the weather was very pleasant for walking around the cities and hiking all the mountains. I imagine May or September would be the perfect temperature with minimal crowds.
Need help packing? Check out my packing list and advice!
Day 1- Arrive in Porto, Portugal.
You will begin your trip to Portugal by staying in Porto. This is a magical city, filled with so many spectacular adventures and activities. My top recommendation while in Porto is to see the Duermo Valley. This famous and spectacular region is renowned around the world for its wine, and there are multiple different day tours to the wineries that leave from Porto. I highly recommend these tours, because the tour guides make it so easy to navigate to different areas and can assist with anything you need.
With your remaining time in Porto, wander the streets. They are all so spectacular, and the area is really stunning. I especially recommend the bridge at sunset, and having a pastel de nata to celebrate your time in Portugal!
Day 2-Fly to Madeira.
From Porto, make your way to Madeira. Madeira is a tiny Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco, and it is frequently skipped on a Portugal tour. However, I highly recommend making time for Madeira on your trip! This area is completely stunning, and for your first day take time to get settled and comfortable. I recommend staying in the Funchal area-it is close to everything and a really good central location.
If you have the energy after your flight, take the cable car up to the botanical gardens. I normally do not make time for a public garden on trips, but the Funchal botanical gardens are some of the most beautiful I have seen.
Day 3-Explore Madeira.
Spend a day exploring the island. There are multiple different tour options, but we liked this one that explored the west side of the island. You basically ride around in a jeep, and stop at all sorts of fun attractions along the way. The roads in Madeira can be a bit difficult to maneuver, so having a guided tour can take the stress out of the experience. Plus, the guides know SO much about the island and can help with any and all questions.
Interested in exploring Madeira? Check out my post detailing five things I wish I knew before visiting!
Day 4-Hike in Madeira.
If you are into hiking, I highly recommend spending the last day in Madeira going on an epic hike. The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is my favorite hike I have ever done, and the overall experience is just epic. You hire a guide to drive you up to Pico Arieiro at sunrise, enjoy sunrise from one of the most spectacular viewpoints ever, and then begin the hike. The hike itself is about five miles, but you are not really gaining or losing any elevation because you are already at the top of the mountain. Every single view along this trail is stunning, and I still dream about the stunning mountain vistas and cloud inversions. At the end of the hike, there is a small store with snacks to buy, and the shuttle will pick you up in town and take you back to Funchal or your lodging. Having a shuttle is nice because you can complete one section of the hike, but I think if I ever went back to do this hike I would complete it as an out and back-five miles was not enough time up here!
Day 4-Fly from Madeira to Lisbon.
On this day, fly back from Madeira to Lisbon, the beautiful and charming capital of Portugal. The flight will be about two hours, so relax and rest those tired feet.
Lisbon is just a beautiful city. I do need to return-however long you plan to be there will not be enough time. The best thing to do is really just roam around, but for your first night here I would recommend going to a nice restaurant and admiring the view for hours. We went to Ponto Final. which is right along the river and a wonderful spot to admire the city.
Day 5-Fly to Lisbon.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope you have at least one glorious day to meander around the spectacular city of Lisbon. I hope you can stroll around and explore to your heart’s content, but if you need some guidance, I recommend these spots:
- The Praça do Comércio: This iconic yellow plaza is at the top of my list of places to return to, especially at sunset. There is also excellent people watching!
- Belem Tower: This beautiful tower is absolutely epic, and looks even more epic in real life.
- LX Factory: This is a bit more modern recommendation, but there are so many fun and unique stores here. I highly recommend the lovely bookstore, as well as some of the quirky souvenir shops.
- Time Out Lisbon: If you are at all a foodie, you simply must explore this food hall. Especially if you are a seafood lover, there will be restaurants galore to explore in this whimsical area.
Day 6-Fly Home!
There are so many fun Portugal adventures that we did not get to, and you could really spend months in this beautiful area. Here are some additional places that are at the very top of my bucket list:
- Sintra: This historic area is an easy day trip from Lisbon, and the pictures of this place seem absolutely stunning.
- The Algarve Coast: This is perhaps one of the biggest bucket list destinations. The Algarve Coast is absolutely stunning, and is also a great spot for van life. I am a van life enthusiast, so seeing and exploring this area by car would be the adventure of a lifetime.
- Nazare: Home to some of the tallest waves in the world! Just look up pictures of this place-it is legitimately epic!
I hope you have an amazing time in Portugal-be sure to check out my videos about my time there!
