Tourism Tickets Itineraries Portugal in 7 Days

Portugal in 7 Days: Lisbon, Sintra and Porto

Seven days is enough to see Lisbon's historic neighbourhoods, spend a full day among the palaces of Sintra and finish in Porto, about three hours north by train. This plan groups the sights by area, so you spend less time crossing town and more time at each stop.

The route on a map

7 daysTrain

1Day 1–2, 4LisbonBelém, Alfama, São Jorge Castle
2Day 3SintraPena Palace, Moorish Castle
3Day 5–7PortoLivraria Lello, port cellars

Your 7-day route, city by city

Days 1–2 and 4 · Lisbon

Belém’s riverside monuments, Alfama’s castle hill and a free day for neighbourhoods, markets or one more visit.

Day 1: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower
Day 2: São Jorge Castle, the Sé and Rua Augusta Arch
Day 4: Lisbon Zoo or Queluz National Palace

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Day 3 · Sintra

A 40-minute train ride from Rossio station to the hilltop palaces. Pick two or three and use the local buses between them.

Pena Palace (timed entry, book ahead)
Moorish Castle
Monserrate Palace and gardens

Pena Palace tickets

Days 5–7 · Porto

About three hours north of Lisbon by train: the old town, Livraria Lello and an evening in the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Porto Cathedral and Clérigos Tower
Livraria Lello at opening time
Poças port cellars and Serralves

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The route at a glance

Days 1–2: Lisbon (Belém, Alfama and Baixa)
Day 3: Day trip to Sintra
Day 4: Lisbon at your own pace
Day 5: Train to Porto
Days 6–7: Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia

Day 1: Belém

Start in Belém, west of the centre, where Portugal's Age of Discovery left its biggest monuments. Tram 15E runs there from Praça da Figueira; arrive early, because queues build from mid-morning.

Jerónimos Monastery: the cloister is the highlight, so give it at least an hour.
Belém Tower: a ten-minute walk along the river from the monastery.
National Coach Museum: royal carriages from the 16th to the 19th century, a good stop if the weather turns.

Day 2: Alfama and Baixa

Spend the morning in the hilltop neighbourhood of Alfama and walk down to the riverside square in the afternoon.

São Jorge Castle: the best views over the city and the Tagus.
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé): on the way down from the castle.
Arco da Rua Augusta: climb to the viewpoint on top of the arch, above Praça do Comércio.

Day 3: Sintra

Trains to Sintra leave from Rossio station and take about 40 minutes. The palaces are spread over hills, so pick two or three and use the local buses between them. Entry to Pena Palace is by time slot: book it before you go.

Pena Palace: the colourful palace on the highest hill.
Moorish Castle: walls and towers next to Pena, with views to the coast.
Monserrate Palace: quieter, with gardens that are worth the trip on their own.

Day 4: Lisbon at your own pace

Keep a free day for neighbourhoods, food markets or one more visit.

Lisbon Zoo, an easy choice with children.
Queluz National Palace, a rococo royal palace just outside the city.

Days 5 to 7: Porto

Trains from Lisbon to Porto take about three hours. Stay near the old town or the river, and plan one evening in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Dom Luís I bridge, where the port wine cellars are.

Porto Cathedral and Clérigos Tower: close to each other, a good first afternoon.
Livraria Lello: entry needs a ticket and queues start early, so go at opening time.
Poças port cellars: a tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Serralves: contemporary art museum and park, a half day in the west of the city.

Practical tips

Buy train tickets between Lisbon and Porto in advance in summer.
Lisbon and Porto are hilly: comfortable shoes matter more than anything else you pack.
Book timed entries (Pena, Livraria Lello) as soon as your dates are fixed.