✈️What to do in Portugal on 7 to 20 day trips across the country

What to do in Portugal from 7 to 20 days includes several tourist attractions and must-see cities. The ideal is to rent a car so you can see everything independently. However, it is also possible to reach almost everywhere by public transport, but it takes longer. We suggest accommodation options at each of the points, so you can book in advance, avoiding last-minute worries.

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See below for the best tips for an unforgettable itinerary!

What to do in Portugal on 7 to 20 day trips across the country — Portugal is among the best countries to visit. Guimarães, the charming city close to Porto.

What to do in Portugal in 7 days

Lisboa

With so much cool stuff on the list of things to do in Portugal, start your trip with 3 days in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital is a mandatory stop on the Portugal itinerary, and one of the cities with the most tourist attractions to visit.

The ideal is to stay in the historic center of Lisbon, in the neighborhoods of Chiado and Baixa or close by. Take a look at our selection of hotels for all budgets, in the best places to stay in Lisbon.

Click here to find more accommodation deals in Lisbon this week

what to do there

share your 3 days in Lisbon between visiting tourist attractions, eating well and strolling peacefully through the cobblestone streets. We count the tips and best points in this post what to do in Lisbon in 3 days.

Start in the historic downtown, walking along the shopping street from the Santa Justa Elevator to the Commerce Square. There, it's really cool to take a tuk-tuk to explore the São Jorge Castle region and the Alfama neighborhood. You can also go on foot, but you need to take comfortable shoes to climb the slopes and stairs, which lead to the top of one of the seven hills in the city.

Visits to Avenida da Liberdade, Chiado and Príncipe Real for shopping. There are also the best restaurants in Lisbon, such as “Bairro do Avillez” or “Sea Me”.

#Tip: If you want to try the best restaurants in town, but for reasons of budget or time it would be too tight, go to Ribeira Market. This former neighborhood market has been transformed by Time Out magazine into one of the best places to have lunch or dinner in the city. There, all the Portuguese chefs gather to give you the chance to taste one or two dishes from their homes. All this accompanied by an imperial (the term used in Lisbon for beer) or a good wine, of course.

Take a day to wander around Belém, starting with one or two Pastéis de Belém, and then visiting the Torre de Belém and the incredible museums that it has there. On the third day, be sure to go to Cascais e Estoril, to discover the beaches that are just 40 minutes from the center of Lisbon.

Read all Cascais tips in our post Cascais Portugal – What to do, essential tips for Brazilians – by a Portuguese woman

Sintra

the beautiful Sintra's Mountain, is close to the city of Lisbon. You can go by train from the center, or by car. The journey takes between 40 minutes to an hour. The region is full of fairytale palaces and castles, such as Palácio da Pena and Castelo dos Mouros. When the typical fog from the mountains lifts, it is possible to see the sea in the background. A few meters away is the Atlantic Ocean and some of the most beautiful beaches in the region, such as Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs and Azenhas do Mar. If you are renting a car, it is really worth going down the mountain and going there, also passing through the Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the country. Learn more about these and other must-see spots in Portugal.

In Sintra, there are several accommodation options that accommodate all budgets, such as Moon Hill Hostel for backpackers or the luxurious Tivoli Palace of Seteais.

See more Sintra tips in our post Sintra Portugal: What to do, Where to eat, hotels and much more!

Óbidos

For the fifth day of your trip, one of the things on our to-do list what to do in portugal is to go to Óbidos village, 80 km from Lisbon.

Stroll through the streets of small houses that are inside the Óbidos Castle, a medieval construction that dates back to the XNUMXth century. It is also possible to walk along the top of the walls, from where you have a different perspective of the town. And for a complete medieval experience, we suggest staying at Pousada Castelo de Óbidos, built in the middle of the castle wall.

On the way from Lisbon to Óbidos, be sure to stop at Mafra to visit the magnificent library that is inside the National Palace of Mafra. Enjoy and try one of the favorite breads of the Portuguese, which is from this region.

Fatima

If you want to know what to do in Portugal on the sixth day, then keep going towards the North of the country. From Óbidos to Fátima it takes an hour by car, but it is worth making a stop to see the giant waves of Nazareth. That's if you're visiting in winter, because in summer it's a super quiet and family-friendly beach.

Attend a mass at the Sanctuary of Fátima and visit the Capelinha das Aparições, to understand the whole story behind one of the most visited places in Portugal. Generally, one morning is enough to visit the city. #Tip: Try visiting on the 13th of May, to participate in the Candles and Farewell procession.

>> Read more Fatima in Portugal – Complete City Guide

Coimbra

After that, the cool thing is to keep going up until Coimbra, which is about 80 km away. Before visiting Paço das Escolas and the University of Coimbra, the oldest in the country, take the opportunity to have lunch at Zé Manel dos Ossos. This small “tasca” (as small and typical restaurants in Portugal are known), serves the best pork delicacies you will taste in Portugal. There are only six tables but it's worth the wait as the service is also fast.

Want more Coimbra tips, see our post Coimbra Portugal: 10 unmissable tips on what to do there

Stay in the beautiful Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel, scenario of the tragic love story between D. Pedro and D. Inês.

Serra da Estrela

To really get to know Portugal, it is not enough to visit the cities. Rich in diversity, the country also has beautiful rural landscapes in the interior. Therefore, after visiting Coimbra, it is worth visiting Serra da Estrela, a two-hour drive from the city.

Here you will get in touch with nature, strolling through forests and springs, greeting shepherds and their flocks. In summer, it is possible to dive in the pools and natural waterfalls of crystal clear waters, as is the case of the Hell's Pit. In winter, it is beautiful to walk through the snow-covered villages, which are spread across the highest mountain range in the country.

Include in your itinerary village of Manteigas, and visit the Burel factory to discover traditional Portuguese wool and take home a very typical souvenir. Oh, and don't forget to taste the wonderful cheese from the mountains, produced in this region.

in the cities of Covilha and Guarda this is where you will find more accommodation options in Serra da Estrela. Take a look at the charming house with history, for example.

What to do in Portugal in 10 days

If you are going to stay more days in Portugal, there are other cities that are worth including in your itinerary and that are located in the north of the country. Charming cities and best views of the Douro River make it clear that you should not miss visiting this region.

Porto

The city of Porto needs to be on your itinerary. Everyone who visits loves it and that's why our advice is to stay at least 2 days here. The ideal would be 3 to visit everything calmly, following our tips on What to do in Porto.

In any case, there are some unmissable spots in the city that you need to know. Charming and lively, in the second most important city in the country, it has a lot of independent shops and cafes, with an artistic vibe. Strolling through the center is a delight, filled with Art Nouveau architectural buildings and tile-lined churches.

the view of River Douro and Cais da Ribeira – UNESCO heritage – is one of Porto's postcards. Cross the D. Luís I Bridge and look back, it is truly breathtaking.

Where to stay in Porto

On the other side of the bridge is the pier of Vila Nova de Gaia, where there are several Port wine cellars where you can taste. It is also where the best winery hotel in the city is located, The Yeatman. Can you imagine waking up and having the best view of the city of Porto, from your bedroom window?

If you are looking for accommodation options, take a look at our selection and which are the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto.

Find here more accommodation options in the city of Porto

Douro Valley, Guimarães and Braga

On the tenth day, take a short roadtrip through the verdant Douro valley and visit a winery to understand how Portuguese wine is produced.

#Tip: Leave Porto on the A3 road to Peso da Régua and then take the 27 km panoramic route to the village of Pinhão.

On the way back, take a small detour a little further north and visit the beautiful towns of Guimarãeif Braga. The first is considered the birthplace of Portugal and is therefore worth including in your itinerary. In order not to miss any tourist spots there, take a look at our tips on the Cities of Portugal that you need to know.

What to do in Portugal in 15 days

For those who have a little more time to get to know Portugal, take the opportunity to add the tips above to these other suggestions for destinations to complete 15 days of itinerary.

After traveling through northern Portugal, it's time to head to the regions of Alentejo and the Algarve, which are in the south.

Évora

Known for having a historic monument around every corner, Évora It is a city that you cannot miss on your trip to Portugal.

Located 140 km from Lisbon, going to Évora is the perfect excuse to contemplate the beautiful and melancholy Alentejo landscape. In addition, this region is known for the unique gastronomy that you cannot miss. #Tip: Try the Alentejo-style pork.

It is in Évora that the famous Capela dos Ossos, a chilling place with walls lined with real human bones. It is also worth taking a walking tour of the city, to visit the Temple of Diana – UNESCO heritage – and climb on the roof of the I know from Évora which are right in the center.

O Convent of the Hawthorn It is a great option to sleep in a monument in the city, before continuing your journey.

Vincentian Coast

Leaving Évora, the idea is to continue descending towards the south of Portugal.

If you are visiting in summer then book at least two days to do this route calmly. The national road 120 has some of the most beautiful and wild beaches in the country.

This coast is called Vincentian Coast and it is where many Portuguese prefer to spend their holidays, rather than heading to the Algarve in high season, in order to avoid the crowds.

Here, the thing is to spread the towel on the beaches of Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe or Monte Clérigo, for example. If you like surfing, take the opportunity to catch some waves at Praia da Arrifana and Bordeira beach. And at the end of the day, eat the freshest fish and seafood at any of the restaurants there, overlooking the cliffs and the sun dipping into the sea.

Book one of the carefully decorated rooms at Amazigh Guest House , in the village of Aljezur. Located 3 km from Arrifana beach, it has breakfast included and two outdoor swimming pools.

Algarve

Continuing along the coastal road, the next point is the village of Sagres, the place where the Portuguese ships departed. And if you're looking for what to do in Portugal, one of the interesting things is to understand the country's history. In this village there are some tourist attractions to visit, such as the Lighthouse and the Fortress of Sagres of the Age of Discoveries. In addition, it is worth going to the Beliche beach, nestled between an imposing cliff, and the wide Cordoama beach to dive into the icy sea.

From there it is easy to get to know the entire Algarve region, taking Via do Infante in Lagos, which is 30 km from Sagres. But first, take the opportunity to discover the caves that lead from there to the Ponta da Piedade beach.

on the way to Faro, capital of the Algarve, has several mandatory stops that will make your itinerary unforgettable. It is the case of Carvoeiro beach, voted one of the best European beaches in 2018 by the European Best Destination. It is located in a cove of white houses, huddled on the cliff that protects the bay. There it is possible to rent a stand up paddle board and venture out into the turquoise waters, discovering the nearest caves.

It is also worth going to Albufeira, popular destination among English and German tourists. It is one of the liveliest places in the Algarve, with a street full of bars that turn into a night out.

Where to stay in the Algarve

For accommodation options, we recommend the resorts PortoBay Falesia, which is on top of Falésia beach, and the Golden Club Cabanas, which includes crossing the Ria Formosa to Tavira beach. For golfers, the ideal is to book one of the apartments in Vale do Lobo Resort, from where it is possible to walk to one of the courses with the best view of the sea in the country.

During your stay, be sure to visit Faro and Tavira. They are unmissable and sunny cities, which combine wonderful landscapes with medieval alleys. Learn more about them in our article Cities in Portugal

What to do in Portugal in 20 days

Madeira Island

There's nothing better than visiting Portugal with time. So you can walk peacefully and get to know all the tourist spots, from north to south of the country, including the Madeira Island.

From Lisbon to Funchal (on the island of Madeira), the flight takes an hour and a half. It can cost from 45 euros, depending on the season. The ideal is to go in the summer, to avoid the rains, which also ends up making the months of June and August high season.

What to do in Madeira Island

Full of trails through forests in mountains, the business here is contact with nature. From the top of Portugal's third highest mountain, the Pico Ruivo, you can see another island in the middle of the ocean. And the island of Porto Santo, where the beaches are sandy instead of stone as in Madeira.

And of course, as could not be missing from the list of things to do in Portugal, experiencing the traditions of the place. Going down a narrow and steep street, aboard a handcrafted wicker cart, is one of the most requested experiences by tourists. But there are other safer and more delicious ones, like tasting the typical Madeiran espetada, accompanied by an excellent Madeira wine.

O ideal is to stay 5 days, to be able to take the walks calmly and relax a little. How about booking your accommodation at Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa?

Azores

to visit the Azores archipelago, it takes at least 10 days. Unless you just want to go to Isle of São Miguel (Azores), the largest of the nine islands of the Azores.

The archipelago is a little far away, two and a half hours by plane from Lisbon. Even more, flights are usually not cheap. From May to September, prices can reach 300 euros round trip.

However, the landscape is unique and you will not regret it. Formed by volcanic activity, this archipelago is a natural paradise. It is dotted with ponds, geysers and green plains with hydrangeas popping up here and there.

It is possible to visit the interior of dormant volcanoes. In addition to seeing the cows that produce the best butter in the country grazing peacefully. Visit tea fields and spot whales and dolphins on boat trips between the islands. What will not be lacking here is what to do outdoors.

Where to stay in the Azores

The island with the most accommodation offer is S. Miguel, where you can stay by the sea in White Exclusive Suites & Villas

Do you already know the best time to go to Portugal?

A lot of people ask us. After all, when is the best time to go to Portugal? The destination of the moment among Brazilians is good to visit throughout the year. However, to get the most out of each tour, take a look below for the best season by region.

Cities, beaches or wineries, all these points are worth visiting at any time of your visit to the country. But if you want to make sure you get the best day at the beach or the harvest season, then check out our tips in the post best time to go to Portugal. May and ends in October, good weather is guaranteed but there is also a lot of movement. And since Portugal is the sunniest country in Europe, in low season (from November and goes until April, apart from Christmas and New Year) also has blue sky days, great for strolling around the city.

Now that you know what to do in Portugal, whether in 10, 15 or 20 days, tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Now that you know everything about Portugal, find here on Booking the promotions for this week's accommodation

Did you know that it is mandatory to take out insurance when traveling to Portugal?

Are you thinking of traveling without travel insurance to Europe? Be aware that this can become a problem at the time of immigration. So it's good to write down a very important tip. Travel Insurance for any destination in Europe is mandatory.

The reason? It is the Schengen Treaty, which establishes free movement and mandatory travel insurance in 26 European countries. Since we plan so much for the holidays, we create expectations, we invest money, it's not worth risking any setback that could ruin it all. You can check out the stories of our columnists who tell why it is worth taking out travel insurance.

To find good travel insurance deals, we recommend the website Promo insurance. It compares the prices and coverage of the main insurance companies in the world, such as SulAmerica, Assist Card, GTA, Affinity, among others. There, you can check the policies that most have to do with your trip. Oh, you hire the one you think is best.

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Receive a SIM card at your home in España and use unlimited Internet in Portugal and throughout Europe

Are you also tired of only being able to use your cell phone at points that you find Wi-Fi free during the trip? And having to pay per day to be able to use a GPS in the rental car on the trip?

We couldn't take it anymore either, especially because we wanted to post our trip on social media. In addition, Google is a great ally to find what we need while on vacation. Information, places… and you can't just use it where you have Wi-Fi.

So we discovered one of the best solutions to end this problem. Now, you will no longer need to spend hours of travel in telephone stores across the country. This is one of the tips we love to give our readers: America Chip.

Write it down: The company sends an international Chip to your home in Spain. When you're on the plane, just change your Brazilian SIM card for this international one. You will arrive in Portugal with unlimited internet, using your cell phone at will, as you use in España.

Arriving in Portugal, you can use it all day, anywhere in Europe. You'll save on GPS rentals, with Skype credits. And you will still be able to use social networks, Google, or search for anything on the internet all day. In addition, you can still call your home to send travel news as many times as you want via WhatsApp or Facetime.

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