Portugal Holiday Itinerary – Porto & Lisbon (Dec 28 – Jan 2)

Day 1: Dec 28 – Arrival & Exploration in Porto

Morning: Arrive at Porto‑Sá Carneiro Airport, take a taxi to your hotel in the historic centre and settle in with a quick coffee at Café Majestic.

Afternoon: Stroll through the Ribeira district, admire the colourful façades and enjoy a riverside lunch of fresh seafood.

Evening: Climb the Clérigos Tower for sunset views, then savour a traditional Francesinha at a local tavern.

Day 2: Dec 29 – Full Day in Porto

Morning: Visit the iconic Livraria Lello (arrive early to beat the crowd) and then explore the nearby São Bento Railway Station with its stunning azulejo tiles.

Afternoon: Take a short tram ride to the Douro River and join a 2‑hour river cruise, sipping a glass of port wine as you glide past vineyards.

Evening: Dine in the vibrant Foz do Douro neighbourhood, enjoying ocean views and a glass of Vinho Verde.

Day 3: Dec 30 – Travel to Lisbon & First Impressions

Morning: Check out of the hotel and board the high‑speed Alfa‑Pendular train to Lisbon (≈2½ h).

Afternoon: After checking in, wander the historic Baixa district, visiting the Praça do Comércio and the elegant Elevador de Santa Justa.

Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner in the lively Alfama neighbourhood, listening to Fado music.

Day 4: Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve in Lisbon

Morning: Explore the UNESCO‑listed Jerónimos Monastery and the nearby Belém Tower, stopping for a pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém.

Afternoon: Visit the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology and take a leisurely walk along the Tagus waterfront.

Evening: Join the massive New Year’s celebration at Terreiro do Paço (Commerce Square), where fireworks light up the river and crowds cheer at midnight.

Day 5: Jan 1 – New Year’s Day Relaxation

Morning: Recover with a relaxed brunch in the trendy Principe Real district, then wander the leafy Jardim da Estrela.

Afternoon: Take the historic tram 28 to the hilltop São Jorge Castle for panoramic city views.

Evening: Dine at a rooftop restaurant in Chiado, enjoying modern Portuguese cuisine and a quiet night after the festivities.

Day 6: Jan 2 – Departure

Morning: Pack up, enjoy a final coffee at a local café, and head to Lisbon Airport for your departure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Café Majestic – 1 hour – €5 (coffee & pastry)
• Ribeira district walk – 2 hours – Free
• Clérigos Tower – 1 hour – €6
• Francesinha dinner – 1 hour – €12
• Livraria Lello – 1 hour – €5
• São Bento Station – 30 minutes – Free
• Douro River cruise – 2 hours – €25
• Vinho Verde tasting – 1 hour – €15
• Alfa‑Pendular train (Porto‑Lisbon) – 2.5 hours – €35
• Praça do Comércio & Santa Justa Lift – 2 hours – €8
• Alfama dinner & Fado – 2 hours – €30
• Jerónimos Monastery – 1.5 hours – €10
• Belém Tower – 1 hour – €6
• Pastéis de Belém – 30 minutes – €4
• MAAT Museum – 2 hours – €9
• New Year’s Eve fireworks (Terreiro do Paço) – 3 hours – Free
• Brunch in Principe Real – 1.5 hours – €20
• Jardim da Estrela – 1 hour – Free
• São Jorge Castle – 2 hours – €10
• Rooftop dinner in Chiado – 2 hours – €35
• Final coffee & airport transfer – 1 hour – €12
• Total Estimated Cost – €282

Tips

If you have extra days, consider adding a day‑trip to the Douro Valley wine region from Porto or a visit to Sintra’s palaces from Lisbon. To shorten the trip, you could skip the day‑trip to MAAT and replace the New Year’s Eve fireworks with a dinner cruise on the Tagus, which condenses the celebration into a single, memorable evening.