Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Praça do Comércio, ideally around 9:00, when the riverside arcades and broad Terreiro do Paço are still relatively calm. Allow about 45 minutes to walk beneath the yellow arcades, look toward the Tagus, and continue through Rua Augusta into Baixa. From Rossio or Cais do Sodré, it is an easy walk; from elsewhere, use the metro to Baixa-Chiado or Terreiro do Paço. Then head uphill through Alfama to Lisbon Cathedral—about 15–20 minutes on foot. The cathedral generally opens in the morning, but hours and service closures can vary, so check the official schedule; admission is usually around €5. Take your time with the Romanesque interior, cloister, and small treasury rather than rushing straight up the hill.
Continue to Castelo de São Jorge, another 10–15 minutes uphill through Alfama’s steep, cobbled lanes. Reserve roughly two hours for the battlements, gardens, archaeological remains, and panoramic views across the terracotta roofs and river. Tickets are typically about €15, and buying online can save time at the entrance, particularly during busy periods. Wear shoes with good grip and carry water—the final approach is steep, and taxis or the 737 bus can get you closer if you prefer to avoid the climb. For lunch, choose something simple in Alfama rather than a riverfront restaurant; the area is best explored slowly, with occasional pauses in shaded squares.
Walk downhill toward Miradouro de Santa Luzia, around 15 minutes from the castle, stopping whenever a lane opens onto the rooftops. The viewpoint’s blue-and-white tile panels, flowering pergola, and view over Alfama make it a natural place for a 30-minute rest. From there, wander down toward Rua de São Miguel and the quieter residential lanes before making your way to Taberna Sal Grosso for dinner. This tiny, popular tavern serves unfussy Portuguese dishes and petiscos; expect about €20–35 per person, and arrive early or be prepared to wait because seating is limited and reservations may not be practical. Finish with a relaxed walk through Alfama toward Santa Apolónia or use a taxi/Bolt for the return—cobblestones and steep lanes make comfortable footwear especially important.
Start at Lisbon Zoo in Sete Rios, arriving close to opening time so you can see the animals before the warmer, busier part of the day. From central Lisbon, take the Blue Metro Line to Jardim Zoológico; the entrance is directly by the station, making this one of the city’s easiest outings without a car. Allow around three hours for the big-cat, primate, elephant and savanna areas, plus the zoo’s gardens and habitats. Check the official opening time and ticket price before setting out—hours vary seasonally, and admission is generally in the €15–€25 range depending on age and online offers. The cable car inside the zoo may be separately timed or temporarily unavailable, so treat it as a bonus rather than part of the plan.
After lunch near Sete Rios or a short metro ride away, continue to the Gulbenkian Museum in Avenidas Novas. Allow about two hours for its outstanding collection, moving from Egyptian, Greco-Roman and Islamic art through European painting, decorative arts and modern works. The museum’s opening days and hours can change, so verify them before committing—especially if this day falls on its regular weekly closure—and reserve online if a timed-entry system is in place. From Jardim Zoológico, the easiest connection is the Blue Line to São Sebastião, followed by a pleasant walk toward the museum; budget roughly 20–25 minutes door to door.
Take your time in the Gulbenkian Garden after the galleries, where ponds, mature trees and scattered sculpture create a wonderfully quiet pause from Lisbon’s traffic. Forty-five minutes is enough for a relaxed circuit, though it is worth lingering by the water if the light is good. Then head to Cervejaria Trindade in Chiado for dinner. A taxi or ride-hailing car is simplest after the garden, while public transport takes roughly 20–30 minutes depending on the connection. The former monastery’s tiled dining rooms are part of the appeal; seafood, grilled fish and Portuguese beer are reliable choices, with about €25–€40 per person before extras. Go slightly before typical dinner hours or reserve ahead, as this historic spot can develop a queue in the evening.
Take the early CP suburban train from Rossio to Sintra, aiming to arrive around 9:00. From the station, a 10–15-minute walk uphill through the old village leads to Quinta da Regaleira. Allow about two hours for the terraces, grottoes, initiatic wells, and forest paths; the site is much more enjoyable before tour groups arrive. Buy tickets online if possible—entry is roughly €12–€15, and sturdy shoes are useful because the grounds are steep and sometimes slippery.
Walk back toward the village for Sintra National Palace, allowing around 1½ hours for the tiled rooms, painted ceilings, and immense twin chimneys. Go straight in if you have not pre-booked, but expect a queue in peak periods; combined tickets with other Sintra monuments can offer savings, though timed entry at Pena Palace is the important booking dependency today. For lunch, keep it light at Piriquita, where a travesseiro or queijada with coffee makes a very local break—allow €5–€12 per person, though seating can be busy.
After Piriquita, take a taxi or rideshare up to Pena Palace in São Pedro de Penaferrim—the uphill road and restricted access make walking an inefficient choice. Allow roughly 30–45 minutes for the transfer and entrance logistics, then spend about two hours touring the colorful Romanticist palace. Your timed ticket covers the palace entry, but not necessarily every shuttle or transfer option, so check the booking details; the final approach can involve a steep walk or a small shuttle, with queues common during busy hours.
Finish in Parque da Pena, staying on the forested paths around the palace for about an hour rather than trying to cover every trail. If you still have energy, descend toward Sintra by taxi; otherwise, use the park shuttle where operating and return to the station for an early evening train. Keep the return flexible: after a full day on hills and cobbles, allow at least 30 minutes to get from the palace area back to the station, and consider having dinner in Sintra before boarding rather than relying on limited options at the station.
Take a coastal taxi or Bolt from Sintra to Boca do Inferno, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes; leave after breakfast so you arrive around 9:30, before the cliffs become busy. The viewpoint is free, and 45 minutes is enough to follow the paths around the sea arch and watch the Atlantic surge into the rock. Stay behind the barriers—the spray can be powerful, especially on windy days. From here, a pleasant 15-minute walk along the coastal promenade leads to Casa da Guia, a former coastal estate with ocean-facing cafés and small shops. Stop for coffee and something light at Café Galé or one of the terrace cafés for about an hour; expect roughly €4–8 for coffee and a pastry or snack.
Continue by car toward Praia do Guincho, about 20 minutes away. This is a much wilder stretch of coast than central Cascais, with broad dunes, pale sand, and famously strong winds—bring a layer even in warm weather. Spend around 90 minutes walking the edge of the beach and dune paths rather than swimming, as currents and waves can be hazardous. Have a simple lunch at Bar do Guincho, where sandwiches, salads, and seafood are convenient before continuing. Then drive approximately 15 minutes inland and west to Cabo da Roca in Colares. Allow an hour for the cliff-top paths and lighthouse viewpoint; the monument marks mainland Europe’s westernmost point, but the real pleasure is the open, rugged landscape. There is no need to linger in the exposed wind, and the nearby café is useful for a warm drink.
Return to Cascais, allowing 25–35 minutes depending on traffic, and finish at Mar do Inferno, a seafood restaurant set beside the waterfront. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly for an ocean-facing table, and expect approximately €30–50 per person depending on the fish, shellfish, and wine. It is a good place to try grilled fish, percebes when available, or arroz de marisco. After dinner, a short walk along the Cascais shoreline is a relaxed finish; if you are returning to accommodation in Sintra, allow another 30–40 minutes by car and avoid leaving the coast too late if you are relying on a pre-booked taxi.
After the early transfer from Cascais, aim to arrive in Coimbra around 10:00–10:30 and go straight uphill to the University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia. From Coimbra-B station, a taxi or Bolt takes about 10 minutes; from Coimbra station, it is a steep 20–25-minute walk. Allow roughly 2½ hours for the university complex, including the Paço das Escolas, chapel, and, if your timed entry is confirmed, the Joanina Library. The library visit is capacity-controlled, so book the official university ticket in advance; without that slot, you may need to follow the next available visiting time rather than simply walk in. Comfortable shoes are essential on the old cobbled slopes.
Continue a few minutes on foot to Sé Velha de Coimbra, whose austere Romanesque interior feels wonderfully atmospheric after the university’s ornate rooms. Spend about 45 minutes looking at the cloister, battlements, and carved stonework. For lunch, walk down toward Baixa and choose a simple meal around Praça 8 de Maio—A Cozinha da Maria is a good-value option for traditional Portuguese dishes, usually around €15–25 per person, though service can be leisurely.
After lunch, visit Santa Cruz Church, directly by Praça 8 de Maio. Its blue-and-white tilework and the royal tombs of Portugal’s first kings make it one of Coimbra’s most rewarding compact visits; allow 45 minutes and check the current visiting hours around religious services. From here, walk back uphill for 10–15 minutes to the Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra. Set aside about 1½ hours for the formal terraces, shaded woodland, and tropical greenhouse areas—a welcome green pause after the dense historic center. Entry is generally free or low-cost, but greenhouse access and opening times can vary seasonally.
For dinner, make a reservation at Loggia Restaurant inside the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro, where the terrace and windows open across Coimbra’s rooftops. Expect approximately €30–50 per person for a refined Portuguese meal. It is worth arriving before dusk for the view; the restaurant is near the university, so finish with a short downhill walk or a taxi back to your accommodation.
After arriving at Porto-Campanhã, allow roughly 20–30 minutes to reach the center by Metro do Porto, taxi, or Bolt, then begin at São Bento Railway Station. Even if you are not catching a train, go inside the main hall to see Jorge Colaço’s magnificent azulejo panels depicting Portuguese history. About 45 minutes is enough, and the station is generally accessible from early morning; keep luggage to a minimum, as the concourse can be busy.
Walk uphill through Rua 31 de Janeiro and the lanes of Sé to Porto Cathedral. Allow about an hour for the Romanesque interior, cloisters, and terrace views across the rooftops toward the Douro. Entry to the cathedral complex is usually around €3–€5, with hours varying by religious services and season, so check on the day. From here, continue downhill and west for approximately 10–15 minutes toward Clérigos Tower.
Visit Clérigos Tower around midday, ideally with a timed ticket if one is offered; the narrow staircase and limited viewpoint make advance entry useful during busy periods. The climb takes effort, but the panorama over central Porto is excellent. Tickets are typically around €8–€10, and you should allow an hour including the church and queue. For lunch, pause nearby at Mercado do Bom Sucesso or choose a simple prato do dia in Cedofeita rather than eating immediately beside the tower.
After lunch, walk a few minutes to Livraria Lello. Its carved staircase and neo-Gothic interior are striking, but it is one of Porto’s busiest attractions: reserve an entry window in advance, and note that the ticket is normally redeemable against a book. Allow about an hour, including the queue. Afterwards, wander without a strict agenda along Rua das Carmelitas, Rua de Cedofeita, and the small side streets around Miragaia if you still have energy; these are good areas for tiled façades, independent shops, and a quieter feel than the immediate bookstore zone.
Head east toward Batalha—roughly a 15-minute walk, or a short taxi/Bolt ride—and have dinner at Casa Guedes. Order the famous roast-pork sandwich, optionally with Serra da Estrela cheese, and expect approximately €10–€20 per person for a casual meal. It is popular and seating is informal, so arriving before the main dinner rush is sensible. Afterward, take a gentle walk through Praça da Batalha and along Rua de Santa Catarina, or return to your accommodation by Metro, taxi, or Bolt.
Take a taxi or Bolt from central Porto to Zoo Santo Inácio in Avintes, allowing about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic; public transport is possible but usually takes considerably longer. Arrive near opening time and give the zoo roughly three hours. The spacious, naturalistic habitats make this a calmer and more rewarding visit than a quick city attraction, particularly in the morning when many animals are most active. Check the current opening hours and admission price before leaving—hours vary seasonally—and wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking. A taxi is simplest for the return; otherwise, check the local bus connection back toward Porto in advance.
After lunch, continue to Jardim do Passeio Alegre in Foz do Douro, ideally by taxi or Bolt from the zoo, allowing around 25–35 minutes. Spend an hour among the palms, old decorative fountains, and shaded paths beside the estuary, then walk west toward Farol de Felgueiras. Time your arrival for late afternoon: the lighthouse and long breakwater are especially atmospheric when the Atlantic swell is running, though do not venture onto the exposed outer section in rough weather. From there, stroll back through Foz to Mercado da Foz do Douro, where you can browse seasonal produce and pick up a light snack before dinner. Finish at O Gaveto in nearby Matosinhos, a short taxi ride away; reserve ahead if possible, particularly for dinner, and expect approximately €30–50 per person for a substantial seafood meal.
Take the morning Linha do Douro train from Porto toward Peso da Régua, ideally around 8:00. The journey takes roughly 2½–3 hours, with the most scenic section beginning as the train follows the Douro River past steep, vineyard-covered hills. Sit on the river-facing side when possible, but don’t worry too much—the views change constantly. Regional trains do not usually offer reservations, so check the current CP timetable and arrive a little early. On arrival, allow 10–15 minutes to walk from Peso da Régua station toward the waterfront and Museu do Douro.
Spend about 1½ hours at Museu do Douro, housed in the former Casa da Companhia. It is the best place to understand how the river, terraced vineyards, port wine, and seasonal labor shaped the valley; the exhibitions also make the later cruise much more meaningful. Check the opening schedule before travelling, as hours can vary outside the main season. For a quick coffee or pastry afterward, use one of the cafés around Avenida Manuel de Arriaga rather than eating heavily before the boat trip.
Walk down to the Peso da Régua waterfront for your reserved Douro cruise, allowing around 2–3 hours. Confirm the departure pier and boarding time in advance—cruise schedules are seasonal, and some boats operate only on selected days. From the river, the valley’s terraces make far more sense than they do from the road: watch for small quintas, stone retaining walls, and the dramatic bends where the vineyards climb almost directly from the water. Bring sun protection and a light layer; the deck can feel exposed even when the town is warm.
After disembarking, arrange a taxi for the short but winding drive to São Leonardo da Galafura, roughly 20–30 minutes each way depending on traffic and the exact pickup point. The viewpoint is especially beautiful in the late afternoon, when the low light brings out the folds of the hills. There is a small chapel and usually a modest café nearby, but facilities can be limited, so carry water and agree on a return pickup if taxis are scarce.
Return to Peso da Régua for dinner at Tasca da Quinta, where the sensible choice is to focus on regional cooking—meat or cod dishes, seasonal vegetables, and a glass of Douro wine rather than trying to fit in another tasting. Budget approximately €20–35 per person, and reserve ahead if visiting during a busy weekend or harvest period. If you are staying overnight, keep the evening relaxed: the valley is quiet after the excursion boats leave, and an unhurried walk along the riverfront is a better finish than adding another attraction.
Allow roughly 2½–3 hours for the drive from Peso da Régua to Braga, leaving around 7:00–7:30 so you can reach Bom Jesus do Monte before the late-morning tour groups. Follow the A24 and A7, then use the signed parking areas around Tenões; weekends and religious feast days can fill them quickly. Spend about two hours here, walking the monumental Baroque stairway and taking the historic funicular if you would rather save your legs for the rest of the day. The funicular is usually inexpensive, but operating times and ticket arrangements can vary, so check locally on arrival.
Continue by car for about 10–15 minutes to Sameiro Sanctuary, where the hilltop terrace opens onto wide views across the Minho. Allow an hour for the church and viewpoint. This is a quieter stop than Bom Jesus, and the café near the sanctuary is useful for a coffee or light snack before heading into the city. Return the car in or near central Braga if your accommodation has parking; otherwise, use one of the municipal car parks and explore on foot.
After lunch, walk through Braga’s historic center to Braga Cathedral. Set aside about an hour for the cathedral, cloisters, and chapels; modest clothing is appropriate, and access to some areas may depend on religious services. From here, it is only a few minutes on foot to Jardim de Santa Bárbara, a good place to slow down among the formal flowerbeds beside the medieval archbishop’s palace. The garden is free and open-air, so it works well even if cathedral visiting hours change.
Finish with dinner at Cozinha da Sé, where northern Portuguese flavors are presented in a more contemporary style. Expect approximately €25–45 per person before drinks, and reserve ahead if visiting on a Friday, Saturday, or during a festival. Try to keep the evening unhurried: Braga’s center is compact, and the streets around Rua do Souto and the cathedral are especially pleasant after the day-trippers have left.
Leave Braga around 8:00 by rental car, following the N101 toward Terras de Bouro and Vila do Gerês; allow about an hour, including the slower final approach. The park roads are beautiful but winding, so fill the tank before leaving Braga and download offline maps. Begin with a scenic drive through Peneda-Gerês National Park, stopping at the granite viewpoints above the valleys and reservoirs. Give yourself roughly two hours rather than trying to cover the entire park—mist, wild ponies, and sudden mountain views are part of the experience.
Late morning, continue into Mata da Albergaria, one of the park’s finest surviving native woodlands. A 1½-hour walk beneath oak and holly trees is a welcome change from the exposed viewpoints; wear proper shoes, as paths can be muddy even in otherwise dry weather. Access and parking arrangements can vary by season, and some park roads have restrictions, so follow local signs rather than relying solely on the navigation app.
Drive onward toward Portela do Homem waterfall, close to the Spanish border. Allow about an hour for the visit, including the short walk from the permitted parking area. Check the day’s road and parking conditions before setting out: access on the final stretch can be restricted during busy periods or periods of fire risk, in which case you may need to park farther away and walk. Bring water and a picnic-style snack, as facilities are sparse here.
Continue to Vilarinho das Furnas in Campo do Gerês, where the old village lies beneath the reservoir except when low water reveals sections of its stone walls. The surrounding landscape is quieter and more open than the woodland, with excellent views across the water and hills. Spend around 1½ hours exploring the viewpoints, but avoid walking onto unstable exposed ground or entering the reservoir area.
Return to Vila do Gerês for dinner at Lurdes Capela, a good place to finish with substantial northern Portuguese cooking. Expect regional dishes such as grilled meats, stews, potatoes, and local desserts, at roughly €20–35 per person depending on wine and shared starters. It is sensible to call ahead, particularly outside summer weekends, since opening hours in mountain villages can change seasonally. After dinner, allow about an hour to drive back to Braga; avoid rushing the dark, winding sections of the N101.
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