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Portugal is one of those countries that just gets you. The moment you step off the plane in Lisbon and smell the salt air mixed with freshly baked pastéis de nata, you know you’re somewhere special. And the best part? It’s still one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe.I’ve been living in Lisbon for a while now, and friends keep asking me the same question: “I have a week how do I make the most of it?” So I sat down and mapped out the perfect 7-day Portugal itinerary. This guide covers where to go, what to eat, how much to budget, and a few insider tips that most tourists miss.

Quick summary: Start in Lisbon for 3 days, take a day trip to Sintra, head south to the Algarve coast for 2 days, and finish in Porto. Budget roughly €80–€120/day (mid-range) or €40–€60/day (budget traveller).

The 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Lisbon — Alfama & Sunset ViewsLand in Lisbon, drop your bags, and go exploring. Don’t even check the map just wander uphill into Alfama, the oldest neighbourhood in the city. The streets are narrow, the tiles are everywhere, and you’ll hear fado music drifting from restaurant windows.

End the day at Miradouro das Portas do Sol with a glass of ginjinha (cherry liqueur, €1.50) and watch the sun melt into the Tagus River. You earned that view.

Day 2. Belém & Baixa — History and Pastries

Grab a pastel de nata fresh from the oven at Pastéis de Belém the original, the one with the recipe kept secret since 1837. Then walk off the sugar along the riverside to the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery (skip the queue book tickets online the night before).

Afternoon: take Tram 15E back to downtown Baixa. Browse the streets, ride the Elevador de Santa Justa, and have dinner in the Chiado neighbourhood. Budget around €15 for a sit-down meal.

Day 3. Sintra — Fairy-Tale Palaces (Day Trip)

Take the 40-minute train from Rossio Station (€2.30 each way) and suddenly you’re in another world. Sintra feels like someone built a fantasy novel set in the hills. Visit the colourful Pena Palace first thing in the morning before crowds arrive, then explore the ruins of the Moorish Castle with sweeping views over the Atlantic.

Tip:  The Sintra–Cascais Card (€18) covers buses between all major palaces worth every cent. Be back in Lisbon by evening for dinner.

Day 4. Travel Day + Lagos, Algarve

Take the morning bus from Lisbon’s Sete Rios terminal to Lagos in the Algarve (around €20, 3.5 hours Rede Expressos is the go-to). By lunchtime, you’re walking into one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Europe.

Spend the afternoon at Praia Dona Ana or stroll the old town’s cobbled streets. Dinner at a local tasca (small tavern) grilled fish, wine, bread, and olives for under €18.

Day 5. Algarve Coastline — Caves, Cliffs & Sea

This is the day you’ll have as your phone wallpaper for years. Take a boat tour from Lagos Marina (€20–€30) through the sea caves and golden limestone arches of Ponta da Piedade. No picture does it justice.

If you have a rental car, drive to Sagres in the afternoon it’s the southwestern tip of Portugal and it feels like the edge of the world. Strong winds, dramatic cliffs, and almost no tourists. Dinner back in Lagos.

Day 6. Travel to Porto — the City of Wine

Head north. The fastest option is a flight from Faro to Porto (book ahead can be €30–€60) or a long bus (around 5–6 hours, €25). Arrive in Porto by evening. Check into your accommodation in the Ribeira district right on the river.

Walk across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge at dusk. On the Vila Nova de Gaia side, every wine lodge is lit up. Stop for a port wine tasting (€5 – €15) at one of the historic cellars Ramos Pinto or Cálem are reliable choices.

Day 7. Porto Highlights — Then Head Home

Your last full day. Start at the jaw-dropping Livraria Lello bookshop (€5 entry, redeemable on a purchase) yes, it partly inspired Harry Potter. Then visit the São Bento train station to admire 20,000 hand-painted azulejo tiles. No ticket needed, just walk in.

Lunch: a francesinha Porto’s answer to a hangover cure. It’s a meaty, saucy, cheesy sandwich drowned in beer sauce. You’ll need a nap after. Spend the afternoon at Foz do Douro where the river meets the sea, then fly home from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport feeling like a changed person.

What Will This Trip Cost?

Portugal is still genuinely affordable compared to most of Western Europe if you’re smart about it. Here’s a rough daily cost breakdown:

Budget/day (€40–60) Mid-range/day (€80–120) Hostel bed (€20–30) Budget hotel (€50–90) Lunch (local: €8–12) Dinner (mid: €15–25)

For a full 7 days including internal transport (bus + flight), accommodation, food, and activities, expect to spend €600–900 as a budget traveller, or €1,200–1,600 mid-range. Flights from within Europe add €60–200 return, depending on your origin.