The Ultimate 7 Day Portugal Itinerary

Hola! Wanting to plan the dream trip to Portugal but don’t know where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today I’m sharing the ultimate 6-day itinerary. 

Portugal is the ultimate European destination for “beginners”. With friendly locals, a large English speaking community, and a vibrant city center, it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the European lifestyle without being slammed with culture shock. With a countryside, coastline, and large cities you’ll be charmed by all Portugal has to offer. 

The best part?! You can do a little bit of everything in just one week’s time. This 7-day itinerary hits is all! 

Must Do Activities

The full breakdown of everything I did throughout the week! Highly suggest breaking things up into the suggested itinerary at the beginning of this post to spread out the fun!

Walking Tour Of Lisbon

I always suggest setting up a walking tour on your first day in a new country. This is a great way to see the sights + get acclimated to the city. In Lisbon, you are paired with a certified local guide who will take you to all the “must-see” spots while also filling you in on a few hidden gems. Perfect time to ask for other recommendations.

Must-hit stops include Algarve (the neighborhood with all of the colorful tiles), Miraduoro Da Senhora Do Monte (the main lookout), and Praca do Comercio (the main yellow city center). Many walking tours last 3 hours and are under $20!

Ride The 28 Tram

Lisbon’s famous yellow trolley is called the 28 tram and is the oldest operating tram in the world. It began in 1914 and still functions today, connecting tourists and locals to the city’s oldest districts, landmarks, and breathtaking views. A great way to see the city, especially if you need a break from all of the hills.

Sunset Sail On The River

We booked a sunset sail with the company XXX. This 40 foot catamaran took us on a three hour cruise along the Tagus River. We passed some historic sights while sipping on complimentary wine and small bites. One of the highlights of the trip for sure!

Visit The Town Of Evora

Highly suggest making the ride out to the town of Evora! This quaint area is full of locals, a few shops, a beautiful cathedral, and tons of character. It’s nice to get out of the city for a bit and you’re sure to be charmed by the slowness of this area!

Wine Tour In Monsoraz

This countryside is one of the largest in Portugal and one of the leading wine districts in Europe! We spent several hours at Ervideria Winery. This beautiful property overlooked the mountains and served us six different house-made wines + a large spread of meats and cheeses.

The employees were incredible and the wine was so tasty. Highly suggest the rose. This day trip is a little further but 100% worth it.

Explore The Town Of Sintra

This adorable town is just a short ride away from Lisbon and is so worth the ride! A colorful collection of houses packed full of yummy restaurants, fun shops, and beautiful mountainous views. Locals are singing on the corners and a vibrant energy radiates around. One of those European moments where I thought “Wow, how lucky am I to be here?!”

Visit The Palace of Pena

The Palace of Pena is one of the most widely visited tourist attractions in Portugal. This castle dates back to 1854 and was home to royalty. The property is huge with stunning views overlooking Sintra.

This sacred gem perfectly displays the Romanticism architectural era. There’s about a 30-minute climb up to the palace but the views are incredible!

Fort de Sao Miguel In Nazare

Nazare is home to some of the largest waves in the world. It’s home to the World Record of “largest surfed wave” which is over 100 feet tall! The swell happens in the winter, bringing in hundreds of tourists.

You must head up to the Fort de Sao Miguel to see the waves crashing. Even when the waves are small it’s incredible. The town itself is quaint with a few restaurants, bars, tourist shops, and stores. If it’s not peak summer season when you can lay out on the beach, I suggest just a few hours here!

It’s an easy $10 Flix Bus ride from the city of Lisbon.

Beach Day Along The Coast

If you’re visiting in the summer, you’re in luck… Portugal is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. They have huge waves, large cliffsides, and sandy beaches which draw in both tourists and fellow Europeans. Expect to see lots of surfers. Even if you’re visiting in the low/cold season I suggest taking a drive along the coast. It’s incredible!

Restaurants To Try

Lisbon in particular is a city with a large blend of cultures— it’s where many Europeans choose to retire and where many students choose to study. Unlike some European cultures, you can find all different kinds of cuisine here. Of course, they are most popular for their Portuguese dishes… their diet is mostly seafood, pork, egg-based pastries, and small breaded appetizers similar to tapas!

I tried all kinds of new dishes this trip and I hate to admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of Portuguese cuisine. I wanted to share the few stand-out places I did eat in case you’re looking for a good restaurant recommendation.

Rocco

✈ menu || directions 

This swanky, upscale restaurant is a must-visit during your trip to Lisbon. The menu has a mix of traditional Portuguese dishes with an Italian twist. I had the mushroom risotto and it was amazing. From the decor to the cocktail menu to the friendly employees, everything about this place radiated good vibes. 

Zenith Bunch & Cocktails

✈ menu || directions 

It can be hard to find eggs/heartier breakfast options in some European countries, so I was thrilled to find this well-known brunch spot with a huge menu. I had their eggs benedict and a side of berries They had tons of sweet options and lots of fresh juices, acai, and specialty smoothies. Very modern + was packed full of people!

Time Out Market

✈ menu || directions 

Almost every city has a food hall with dozens of different vendors. Whether you’re craving a burger, sushi, or traditional Portuguese, this place has a little bit of everything. I walked up to one of the stands and got an order of fish and chips. portugal is known for all of their Cod and this did not disappoint!

Great place to go if you’re with a large group who all have different preferences.

Landeau Chiado

✈ menu || directions 

Need a sweet treat? The chocolate cake here is world famous… trust me, it will knock your socks off!

Noobai

✈ menu || directions 

The ambiance of this restaurant is perfect if you’re wanting to soak up the sunset along the river. They had a large menu with all kinds of cuisine. Highly suggest starting with their cheesy bread and a glass of sangria— they make it fresh and it’s so flavorful. 

Where To Stay

browse best rates and current availability here 

There are tons of hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs to choose from when planning your stay in Portugal. I stayed at HF Fenix Garden which was a hotel in the heart of Lisbon. The property was just 20 minutes from the Lisbon Airport and across the street from the Subway Station which made navigating the city incredibly convenient. 

Although this is considered a “budget-friendly” hotel, it exceeded my expectations. I was in one of their Comfort Double rooms and it was clean, comfortable, and spacious. Most importantly it was modern, which if you’ve ever traveled to Europe, you know isn’t always the case!

Here’s a peek into the bathroom— I had a full-size shower, a large mirror, and lots of room to get ready. 

Overall, I have nothing but great things to say about my experience at this hotel. Great value for the price of these rooms. 

What To Wear

Not sure what to wear on your trip to Portugal? I’m sharing six outfit ideas in this outfit guide complete with links to shop and directions to each photo location so you can recreate these looks and come up with a killer Instagram photo!

Book a Group Tour

I booked this trip with the group travel agency EF Ultimate Break. They specialize in travel for 18-35-year-olds in over 65+ destinations around the globe. Whether you’re going solo and looking to meet new friends (like me!) or looking for a stress-free trip with your bestie, this is the best affordable + fun way to travel. 

While this itinerary is totally doable on your own, the convenience of having someone handle flights, transportation, lodging, and all the nitty-gritty details is truly life-changing.

Get $100 off this EF Ultimate Break trip with code MCKENZIE100.

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Let this be your sign to add Portugal to your European Summer Bucket List! I’ve visited almost all of Western Europe now and I have to say, Portugal really impressed me. Although I’m not a huge city girl, Portugal was one of those places that felt familiar in just a few day’s time. From the colorful tiles to the friendly locals, this was a destination that left me craving more. 

I know I’ll be back soon! Check out more of my European travel guides here.