With only a week-long vacation in Portugal, you can see the highlights of Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto at its best. Portugal, in no time, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. With a beautiful coastline filled with beaches, pilgrimage sites, good food, and wine has made it hard for any traveler to resist.
Portugal is also home to a variety of landscapes and settled in them are some of the world’s most beautiful places. While the modern cities in the country grow as a popular hotspot, its coastline continues to be the colorful, cozy abode. Tourists usually travel to Portugal to escape the crowd and immerse themselves in the beauty of their cities. So, what are you waiting for?
Start your road trip with the coolest beach resorts nestled on the Algarve Coast, before heading to the vibrant city of Lisbon. Then, winding through the north to see hilly Porto and try its namesake drink. So, without further to do, check out the following Portugal itinerary for planning your road trip, and get ready to fall in love with this country. Read on to get inspired by these easy to do road trip plans in Portugal just like the locals do.
Faro
- Recommended days: 1-2
- Famous for: History, Beaches, Museum
Faro is often skipped by travelers, who think of it only as a gateway to the beach resorts that line the Algarve coast, but this city has a lot more to it than just the airport. So before following the mob mentality, spare a day or two to explore what this cute little town has to offer. Time seems to stand still here, which brings an overall sense of calm to the whole place. Take your time to enjoy the surroundings and soak in the easy-going culture of Faro.
Wander back downhill towards the small town center to discover many cafes, or maybe treat yourself with delicious homemade ice cream at Chelsea. Spend an hour strolling through the center of Faro, which is surrounded by majestic architectural sights. The city is filled with low cliffs that overlook the sandy beaches and cute fishing villages that are worth visiting. Wander through the Faro old town, which is encircled by an ancient city wall, within it are many shops and restaurants. If you have more time to spend, you can check out the Algarve and Lagos region as well.
Top 5 Attractions in Faro
Faro Cathedral
Structure combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel)
Capela dos Ossos is a shrine inside Faro Cathedral. Dating back to the 18th century, this chapel built out of human bones and skulls.
Ria Formosa
Barrier islands with an option for hiking & cycling
Ilha do Farol
Tranquil beach town with a lighthouse
Faro to Lisbon via Road
The distance from Faro to Lisbon is just under 300 kilometers via A2, which can be easily covered in around 3 hours. So, you can make a few stops along the way to explore some lovely places.
- Around 75 min drive from Faro on route A22 will bring you to Lagos. There are many beach resorts in the area with a vibrant nightlife, and plenty of activities to do.
- An hour drive on route A22 is a small region named Sagres. It is mainly a surfing destination, with pristine beaches.
- Take the A2/IP2 highway and reach the Alentejo region that offers lots of tourist attractions. This place has charming little towns with delicious cuisine and wild beaches.
Lisbon
- Recommended days: 1-2
- Famous for: History, Fado music, Ornate architecture
One of the oldest cities in Europe, predating even Paris and Rome by a few centuries, Lisbon does not need any introduction. Lisbon is Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city, which has gained popularity in recent years. Lisbon is considered as one of the best cities to visit in Europe. The city’s cobbled streets, trams, architectural buildings, delicious food, can easily compete with Barcelona or Venice.
Nestled atop the city’s highest hill, the São Jorge Castle has stood guard over Lisboa since the 11th century. Explore the castle for extensive views of the old Alfama district and beyond. Next, head to the waterfront to view Belém Tower, the landmark, and Jerónimos Monastery. If you have to spend the whole day in Lisbon, visit Bairro Alto beautiful sun-sets. Even a single day in Lisbon is more than enough to captivate the imagination of travelers and inspire them for a return trip. Pay a visit to a bohemian wine bar or catch the traditional fado singers at a local club.
Travelers can also check out the Santa Justa Lift, which is a 45-meter high elevator built to connect two neighborhoods. The fun-fact is that the design of Santa Justa Lift was inspired by the world-famous Eiffel Tower. Shopaholics can also wander through Lisbon’s main square to get to the shopping avenue just opposite to the Arco da Rua Augusta.
Top 5 Attractions in Lisbon
Alfama
It is a small maze of cobblestone streets, colorful houses, along with some of the best architecture of the city.
Sintra
This UNESCO cultural landscape offers pastel colors palaces, Moorish-style structures with detailed tile work. The Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Quinta da Regaleira are must-visit landmarks
Torre de Belém
Landmark medieval tower with incredible views
Cascais Beach
soft-sand beaches in Cascais- a small charming old fishing village
Castelo de S. Jorge
Situated on the highest hill of the city is a Moorish castle and ruins from 11th century
Lisbon to Porto via Road
Lisbon to Porto is just a 3-hour drive via route A1 without making any stops, but what is the fun in that. Make your way to Porto, but spare enough time for a few interesting stops on the way.
- An hour and half hour drive from Lisbon via route A1/N1 lies Batalha Monastery, which was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians.
- Driving through A1 highway brings you to a beautiful location named Coimbra. This historic riverside city, located in central Portugal, is home to the country’s oldest university.
- On the same route(A1) is Portugal’s Art Nouveau capital, Aveiro. This romantic city is nicknamed as The Venice of Portugal. Aveiro’s other main attractions include its network of canals, Costa Nova beach, and Praia da Barra.
Porto
- Recommended days: 1-2
- Famous for: Port, River cruises, Port Wine
Last up on your Portugal road trip itinerary is Porto. Just like Lisbon, Porto is making a name for itself as a hip and happening city. A prosperous center for fashion, art, and vibrant nightlife, is also home to famous port wine. The colorful Ribiera, beautiful tiled-buildings, and of-course the port cellars. Porto has a ton of other charms that makes it impossible not to fall in love with its beauty. So, there is no better place to spend your few days in Porto, as your final Portugal road trip destination.
Art lovers must visit the Serralves art center, home to a major collection of works by Joan Miró. There is also cool street art that can be seen everywhere, as well as blue ceramic tiles or the stunning azulejos. When it comes to fine dining, you must check out the Michelin-starred restaurants and other local petiscarias.
Top 5 Attractions in Porto
Luís I Bridge
Iconic metal bridge crossing the river Douro
Livraria Lello
also known as Irmão and Livraria Chadron is an ornate bookshop with iconic red stairway