Portugal is famous for its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisine. My recent journey through Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto was truly unforgettable, brimming with iconic landmarks and mouth-watering dishes. Out of all the European countries I’ve visited, Portugal has become my absolute favorite—I’ve been daydreaming about returning ever since! In this blog post, I’ll share my 7-day itinerary, so you can experience the magic of Portugal for yourself.
Table of Contents
Lodging Breakdown
Day 1-2: Lisbon
After some thorough research, I decided to book a boutique hotel called GS Chiado Boutique Studios & Suites in Lisbon’s Chiado neighborhood.
The hotel is housed in a beautifully preserved old building that has been thoughtfully renovated. The location is fantastic—right in the heart of the city. The building is secure, and the room was spacious and comfortable.
It is just a couple blocks away from the Biaxa-Chiado train station which is convenient for me to get around. I picked the Chiado neighborhood for a couple of reasons:
- Central Location: Chiado is situated in the heart of Lisbon, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. Many of Lisbon’s top attractions, such as Praça do Comércio, Rossio Square, and the historic Alfama district, are within walking distance or a short tram ride away. This allows me to maximize my time in Lisbon.
- Historical Charm: With its winding cobblestone streets, elegant squares, and historic buildings, Chiado exudes old-world charm. It is a beautiful spot to wander aroun and admire the beautiful architecture and be immerse in the neighborhood’s rich history.
- Dining: I’m a big foodie (if having a food blog doesn’t already prove that!) and the Chiado neighborhood has the highest concentration of food spots that looks most interesting to me. Alma, a 2 Michelin star restaurant is located in the neighborhood, so to me, that speaks for itself.
There is a lot of great places to stay in Lisbon, and there are many excellent blog spot that deep dive into the different neighborhoods. I encourage you to do your own research and find the best spot for you!
Day 3-5: Porto
Following the theme of staying central and within proximity of public transportation, in Porto I booked a spot near Mouzinho Silveira bus stop called Villa Mouzinho by Oporto Near. It is a nice cozy spot on the main street that is well equipped. Specifically, I love the high-quality espresso maker available in the kitchen area.
I ended up walking around Porto more than I used public transportation (the city is less well connected and the public transport, less convenient than Lisbon). Majority of the places I wanted to visit is either more north of this station or more south across the Douro river, so being in the center made sense to me. However, if you are looking for more charm and nightlife, another area would serve better for that.
Day 6-7: Lisbon
To end the trip, I stayed just just a little left of the Bairro Alto neighborhood in Flores Guest House. Very central to the main tourist areas and São Bento railway station. Also very quiet.
Bairro Alto is known for its nightlife and it sits on a hill, so it has beautiful views of the city. I chose to stay juuust outside of the areas since I will be wrapping up my trip and I wanted a little normalcy and put a little distance to the touristy areas.
Internet Connectivity in Portugal
Staying connected while traveling in Portugal is straightforward, with several options to ensure you have reliable internet access throughout your trip.
International Data Plan:
- Convenience: For the most seamless experience, consider adding an international data plan to your existing phone service before your trip. This is the option I chose. Although it costs a bit more, this option lets you use your phone just like normal without the fuss of changing SIM cards. It keeps you connected so you can easily text and share your trip with friends and family.
Local SIM Cards:
- Availability: If you prefer a more cost-effective solution, you can purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. SIM cards are widely available at airports, convenience stores, and mobile phone shops in Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra.
- Plans: Local providers like MEO, NOS, and Vodafone offer various prepaid data plans. These plans can be tailored to suit your data needs and offer good coverage across major cities and tourist areas.
Wi-Fi:
- Public Wi-Fi: Many cafes, restaurants, and public spots in Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto offer free Wi-Fi, which is super handy for staying connected while you’re out exploring. Even with a data plan, I found that the local Wi-Fi is often faster, so it’s definitely worth taking advantage of.
Getting Around in Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto
Getting to/from Lisbon Airport:
There are several great ways to get from Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport) to downtown Lisbon. I opted for a taxi for convenience, especially with a suitcase and Lisbon’s cobblestone streets not being ideal for dragging luggage. Since the airport is fairly close to downtown, the ride is reasonably priced—mine was about 15 euros. Taxis are queued outside both the departures and arrivals terminals. Before you start your trip, make sure the meter is reset and turned on. Also, be sure to ask for a receipt at the end; it includes the driver’s details and helps ensure you’re charged the correct fare. On the way back to the airport I used Uber.
The other transportation options to/from the airport are: Uber, Metro, Airport Shuttle and Bus. Visit the Lisbon Airport Website for more details on these options.
Getting around Lisbon:
- Public Transport: Utilize the metro (Blue, Yellow, Green, Red lines), iconic yellow trams (notably Tram 28), and an extensive bus network.
- Walking: The city center and popular neighborhoods like Baixa and Alfama are highly walkable.
Getting around Sintra:
- Trains: A 40-minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio or Oriente stations takes you to Sintra Station. Tickets are available at the station.
- Local Transport: Buses and tourist shuttles connect major attractions such as Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
- Walking: The town center is walkable; for distant sites, use local transport.
Getting around Porto:
- Public Transport: Use the metro (Yellow, Blue, Green, Red lines), historic trams, and a comprehensive bus network.
- Walking: The historic center and riverside areas are easy to explore on foot.
Train Travel between Lisbon and Porto:
Reserve tickets in advance on the Comboios de Portugal website (the website is in Portuguese, use Google Translate to help you navigate and book a ticket). After completing your purchase, an e-ticket with a QR code will be emailed to you. The train ride takes about 3 hours.
Day 1: Lisbon, Arrival and Exploration
Morning
With most of my trips, I try to arrive at my destination around early afternoon if I can. For this trip from SFO, I booked a TAP Air flight (Tap Air is flag carrier airline of Portugal) that lands in Lisbon at 11am. From the airport I took a taxi to my hotel, which is very convenient since most of Lisbon’s streets are cobblestone and ideal for dragging luggage. See the above Getting around Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto for more transportation options from the airport.
I got to my hotel hotel, GS Chiado Boutique Studios & Suites, bit ahead of check-in time, but the staff kindly allowed me to leave my luggage in a storage closet. This gave me the chance to explore the city a bit before settling into my room.
Afternoon
- Getting caffeinated with expressos and sampling pastries (like the first bite of pasteis de nata (the infamous Portuguese egg tart!) at local cafes within proximity to the hotel. The cafe I went to was Fábrica da Nata.
- After grabbing a bite to eat and exploring the neighborhood, it was finally time to check in to my hotel room. This was the perfect chance to take a midday break and freshen up before heading back out in the evening.
Evening
- We had an early dinner at Oficina do Duque, a charming Portuguese restaurant with great date vibes. Prices are reasonable and the food was fresh. I tried green wine for the first time and loved it, and their fish dish was absolutely delicious.
- After dinner, we headed to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara to watch the sunset. This fantastic viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lisbon’s picturesque cityscape. It was the perfect way to walk off our meal before diving back into the food scene for some tapas.
- For tapas, we visisted Tapa Bucho. The dishes were fresh and flavorful, showcasing Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist.
Day 2: Sintra day trip
Morning
- We made our way to Sintra early to beat the crowds. The first stop was Pena Palace, a colorful, fairy-tale-like castle perched on a hilltop. This architectural gem offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, making it an perfect spot to take photos. We took out time to explore the palace’s vibrant colors and intricate details as well as the ornate rooms and lush gardens.
Afternoon
- After touring Pena Palace, we head to Tascantiga for lunch. It is a cute spot with a relaxed atmosphere that serves up great cheese boards and appetizers.
- Tascatiga is actually located pretty close to downtown Sinta, so afterwards we strolled into town and browse the cute boutiques, grabbed some, and grabbed pasteis de nata from Fábrica da Nata (same chain we went to the first day! but it was so good I couldn’t resist getting another).
- We then made our way to Quinta da Regaleira. We went straight to the Initiation Well, since this is the main spot we wanted to check out. We then slowly making our way through the estate, enjoying the beautiful gardens and whimsical architecture.
- At this point, we were pretty tired from our full day. There was a lot of walking. We decided to make our way back to our hotel in Lisbon, but here are some other spots on our list to visit in Sintra that we didn’t end up hitting. So if you have the energy, it may be worth while to check them out!
- Sintra National Palace: we initially planned to visit after Pena Palace
- Castelo dos Mouros: we planned to visit here after lunch, however during lunch, we realized that it is actually pretty out of the way and it would take a lot of time getting here, so we decided to pass on it.
Evening
- After starting early, and a long full day of exploring Sintra, we were looking to getting back to our hotel and relaxing our legs. Once rested, we made our way to explore the Alfama neighborhood, Lisbon’s most historic neighborhood. Along the way, we stumbled across a small pizza shop called Insano Gelato e Pizza. We decided to grab a bite and were surprised by amazing Neapolitan pizza. There, we were introduced to Portuguese hot sauce (hot oil) called piri piri sacuce and were blown away at how it elevated our pizza and what a potent kick it packed. A little goes a long way. We in fact, liked the sauce so much, we later visited a super market and picked up a bottle to bring back with us.
- After dinner, we made our way east to Cais do Sodre, a buzzing nightlife and dining area along the Tagus River. While exploring the area, we stumbled across a fancy looking shop called Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau that specialized in a singular item: bacalhau. Bacalhau is a traditional Portuguese dish made from salted codfish. It’s a staple in Portuguese cuisine and is often referred to as the Portuguese “national dish”. It was on my to-eat list, so naturally we had to stop and give it a try!
- On our way back to the hotel, we unexpectedly discovered a popular pastel de nata spot, Manteigaria, with a line stretching out the door even at 11 PM! Naturally, I couldn’t resist joining the queue to see what all the excitement was about. And oh my! Their pasteis de nata came out warm with a sprinkling of cinnamon and a shattering crisp outer shell. What a way to end the night!
Day 3: Travel day to Porto
Morning
- After the full day the previous day, and knowing that we are packing up and making our way to Porto, we decide to sleep in and spend the morning getting ready for the travel. Since we stayed in the Chiado neighborhood, we had to take the metro to get to Santa Apolonia, one of the main stations you can catch a train to Porto from.
- We picked up pastries from A Padaria Portuguesa to have something to snack on for the train ride. We also stopped by a deli/cafe by the Baixa-Chiado station (it doesn’t show up on Google Maps, but the cafe is between R. Nova de Trindade and R. da Misericórdia on Largo do Chiado) and had the most amazing pork sandwich, called bifana. The sandwich looked so unassuming, but its simplicity and flavorful meat wowed us and easily made it one of the best things we had in Portugal!
Afternoon
- About 3 hour train ride. Board a train from Lisbon to Porto, which takes about 3 hours. The journey is comfortable and offers scenic views of Portugal’s countryside, setting the stage for your Porto adventure. Once you arrive at the station in Porto, you will actually have to take a bus to downtown.
- We checked in to our hotel, Villa Mouzinho by Oporto Near, located near the Mouzinho Silveira bus stop.
- We then made out way down Mouzinho street towards the water/Jardim do Infante Dom Henrique. It gets especially touristy near the water, and the prices of the restaurant and shops reflects that. Most of the restaurants nearby that were on my list were packed, so we settled along R. Da Alfandega and got one of the most amazing seafood stew dish. One of the best things we have eaten in Portugal so far!
- From there, we made our way towards Luís I Bridge. Our goal is to see the sunset from Igreja dos Clérigos Tower, so we made our way in that direction.
- Along the way is Café Santiago, a restaurant known for a dish called Francesinha. Francesinha is sandwich featuring layers of steak, ham, and sausage, smothered in a rich, spicy tomato-beer sauce and topped with melted cheese. It is a *very* heavy dish and honestly is more glutinous than sparking joy. But it a quintessential Portuguese dish, and we just had to give it a try!
Evening
- Sunset at Igreja dos Clérigos Tower is absolutely stunning and is absolutely a great idea to do. Climbing to the top, you get a stunning panoramic views of Porto.
- Having not yet fully digested our francesinha, but being foodies and having places to eat on our list, we decided to hit up another restaurant on the list called Abadia do Porto. It is a traditional Portuguese restaurtant and is the perfect place to try another quitenssential Portuguese dish called Tripas à Moda do Porto. It is a tripe stew. And I have to say, as a person who have tried tripe and enjoy it, this dish absolutely did not disappoint. It is a rich dish, and maybe not the best to get when you are not hungry, but even on a somewhat full stomach, it was delicious.
- Our eyes are definitely bigger than our stomach. Because after dinner, and having walked off the food a little, we were looking for some place to rest our tired legs. Majestic Café is grand café, with its opulent décor, served as a perfect setting to relax and enjoy a final treat. We tried three of their desserts and we absolutely LOVED their french toast dessert. It looked so simple, but it was the hands down best dessert (part from Pastille de nata) that we had in Portugal. I highly recommend stopping by just to try it!
Day 4: Porto
Morning
- Take the tram to Praia de Matosinhos (beach). Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the sandy shore. If you’re up for it, consider grabbing a coffee or breakfast at one of the beachfront café
- Head to Parque de Serralves. This tranquil park, known for its expansive green spaces, offers a serene escape. Walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens, and if time permits, explore the contemporary art museum within the park, which showcases an impressive collection.
Afternoon
- Walk across the iconic Luís I Bridge. Enjoy a scenic walk across this architectural marvel, which offers breathtaking views of Porto and the Douro River. It is a great spot to capture some photos and take in the city’s unique skyline. Consider exploring the surrounding Ribeira district, where you can find charming streets and perhaps a café for a light snack or refreshment.
Evening
- For dinner, head to Tempêro D’Maria and savor their exceptional seafood stew, along with other fantastic dishes. The seafood stew is, without a doubt, the best dish I’ve had in Portugal, so I highly recommend it. The restaurant overlooks the Douro River, giving it a scenic, relaxed and romantic atmosphere.
Day 5: Travel day back to Lisbon
Morning & afternoon
- In the morning, we finished packing, and cafe hopped before catching our bus to the train station to get back to Lisbon.
- Returning to Lisbon and settling into our new hotel, Flores Guest House, located in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, took up the remainder of the afternoon.
Evening
- For dinner, we decided to check out Time Out Market Lisbon, a vibrant food hall offering a wide range of foods. There, we had the chance to sample an array of dishes from various vendors, including a massive grilled shrimp, crispy fried calamari, fresh oysters, unique sushi, and delicious pastries.
- Afterwards we strolled along the water Tagus river and enjoyed views of the light up bridges in the distance.
Day 6: Lisbon
Morning
- The most popular spot to get pastéis de nata in Lisbon is from Pastéis de Belém. Naturally, it was a must visit for me in Lisbon before returning home! So decided to head there first thing in the morning to beat the lines, so we decided to head there first thing in morning. Their pasteis de nata was delicious, but I actually think Manteigaria is just as good and I might prefer it better because of their crisper shell!
- After enjoying our coffee and pastries, we strolled to Jerónimos Monastery to admire its stunning architecture. We then continued on to Belém Tower, where we took in the beach-front location and its historic charm.
- The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of Discoveries) is a short walk away along the beach. It is a tribute to Portugal’s Age of Exploration. From the monument, you also have beautiful views of the 25 April Bridge.
Afternoon
- As foodies, being able to dine at a renowned restaurant during our travels is always a special treat! We made reservations at Alma for lunch, which at that time had 2 Michelin stars. Alma offered a unique and upscale dining experience; while some dishes delighted us, others didn’t quite resonate, but we’re glad we had the opportunity to try it.
- As we approach the end of our Portugal trip and our last full day, we decided to spend some time shopping for souvenirs. Canned fish tops our list, so we roamed around downtown Lisbon to explore the many specialty shops offering a variety of these local delicacies.
Evening
- After shopping, we head back to our hotel to relax before going back out for dinner. Having spent quite a bit of money at Alma, and tired from a full day of walking, we decided to pop in to a local restaurant near our hotel in the Bairro Alto neighborhood. I don’t quite remember the name, but I do remember we had some shrimp pasta and seared tuna that was flavorful and wholesome.
Day 7: travel day
Goodbye, Portugal!
After finishing our packing and double-checking to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything, we’ll head out for one final cup of espresso and relish in the moment.
As with any international trip, I prefer to arrive at the airport a few hours early for peace of mind. This way, we can relax and ensure a smooth departure.
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