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 — Santa Apolonia station to Coimbra-B .
What to see:
- Quinta das Lágrimas
- Museu Académico
- Portugal dos Pequenitos
- Cathedral
- Rainha Santa Isabel bridge
- Pedro and Inês 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:
- São Bento station
- Clérigos tower
- Cathedral
- D. Luís bridge
- Avenida dos Aliados
- Bolhão marketr
- Livraria Lello
- Ribeira
- Foz
- Port wine cellars
- Rua de Santa Catarina
- Fernandina walls
Where to eat:
- Café Santiago (Francesinha)
- Lado B Café (Francesinha)
- Tascö
- Raiz
- Dona Maria Pregaria
- Majestic
- Rota do Chá
At night:
- Galeria de Paris
- Kasa da Praia
- Maus Hábitos
- Plano B
- Rádio Bar
7pm Meet at Oficina dos Rissóis 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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