Portugal: 10-Day Itinerary includes Lisbon and Porto

I had multiple international trips scheduled in 2021, and I also wanted to travel with my family as well, particularly with my father and younger brothers. Our last trip together was to Japan, almost three years ago. At first, I was thinking about Iceland, but for purely selfish reasons, I have already been there over 5 times, and it’s not a budget-friendly destination, so I opted for Portugal instead. I’ve been to Lisbon once in 2008, and I enjoyed it very much (I don’t recall any scenery except the port and eating at a beautiful outdoor restaurant). And due to its recent popularity, I was curious about the country that seemed underrated for many.

Here is the itinerary, which includes Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Porto, Braga, Guimarae, and Douro Valley:

Day 1

Take taxi or Uber from airport (around 25-30 euros to go to apartment)

8pm Dinner at Sucolento Santos with family

Overnight Lisbon

Day 2

9am – Sintra tour.

8pm Dinner at Fumeiro de Santa Catarina with family

Overnight Lisbon

Day 3

Sample Portuguese cured meats and cheeses.

  • Savour the flavor of handmade petiscos.
  • Stop includes a traditional Portuguese pastry, Pastel de Nata.

8pm Meet at Fado ao Carmo for Family Dinner.

Overnight Lisbon

Day 4

Train from Lisboa to Coimbra โ€” Santa Apolonia station to Coimbra-B .

What to see:

  • Quinta das Lรกgrimas
  • Museu Acadรฉmico
  • Portugal dos Pequenitos
  • Cathedral
  • Rainha Santa Isabel bridge
  • Pedro and Inรชs bridge

8pm Family Dinner at no Tacho.

Overnight in Coimbra

Day 5

Take train from Coimbra to Porto.

Express train from Porto to Coimbra. Intercidades (IC) and the Alfa Pendular (AP).  Buy tickets here. The Alfa Pendular are the more modern trains, with a higher level of comfort and fewer stops, but are slightly more expensive.

Arrive in Porto, check into Airbnb

Go to Casa Guedes for lunch sandwiches.

Go for coffee at Combi Coffee Roaster.

What to visit:

  • Sรฃo Bento station
  • Clรฉrigos tower
  • Cathedral
  • D. Luรญs bridge
  • Avenida dos Aliados
  • Bolhรฃo marketr
  • Livraria Lello
  • Ribeira
  • Foz
  • Port wine cellars
  • Rua de Santa Catarina
  • Fernandina walls

Where to eat:

  • Cafรฉ Santiago (Francesinha)
  • Lado B Cafรฉ (Francesinha)
  • Tascรถ
  • Raiz
  • Dona Maria Pregaria
  • Majestic
  • Rota do Chรก

At night:

  • Galeria de Paris
  • Kasa da Praia
  • Maus Hรกbitos
  • Plano B
  • Rรกdio Bar

7pm Meet at Oficina dos Rissรณis for family dinner

Overnight in Porto

Day 6

8:30am – Braga and Guimaraes Tour

6pm Drop off in Porto

Dinner on own

Overnight in Porto

Day 7

8am-5pm  Tour the Douro Valley (wine and port tasting)

Dinner on your own

Sunset Rooftop Cocktails

8pm – Carly and Betty at Arteso Bistro

Overnight in Porto

Day 8

Meet 3pm (2.5 hour) – Learn How to Make Pastel de Nata!

8:15pm – Fado show at Taberna Real do Fado (taxi or Uber)

Overnight in Porto

Day 9

Take train and return to Lisbon

8pm Dinner at Eneko Lisbon (Michelin star)

Overnight in Lisbon

Day 10

Return home


Do note that Lisbon is very hilly, and it was not the best idea for my 75-year-old father. I hired a tuk tuk driver for half the day ($50 USD an hour), and it worked out fine. Food-wise, I thought Portuguese cuisine is generally salty. I did not like their steaks, nor am I a seafood fan except crustaceans, so it wasn’t for me. I did like several of their pastries, like their egg custards, but did not care for others.

We enjoyed the trip very much and highly recommend Portugal to first-timers to Europe. It’s a wonderful introduction to Old Europe with the intact architecture and buildings (not destroyed by earthquakes), museums, and California-esque landscapes.

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