March 21, 2023

5 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Alentejo, and Algarve

Portugal is a small country with a big personality, offering visitors a wealth of experiences in just 5 days. From the charming streets of Lisbon to the sandy beaches of the Algarve, to the rolling hills and vineyards of the Douro Valley, there’s something for everyone.

5 days in Portugal can be the perfect amount of time to experience the country’s rich culture and history, as well as its stunning natural beauty. Being said, we have put together five itinerary options, for 5 days in Portugal, each highlighting a different region of the country. Whether you prefer to focus on the north, south, or central areas of Portugal, we have an itinerary that will suit your needs. Each option includes a mix of historic landmarks, colorful neighborhoods, and breathtaking natural landscapes. So whether you prefer to take a boat cruise, go for a hike, or just relax on the beach, you’ll find something you love.

Itinerary Option 1: Exploring Lisbon

Uploaded to: 5 Days in Portugal: Experience the Best of Lisbon, Porto, Alentejo, and Algarve

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon

Upon arrival in Lisbon, check into your accommodation in the city center (such as Bairro Alto or Príncipe Real).
In the afternoon, visit the historic center of Lisbon, including the neighborhoods of Alfama, Baixa, and Chiado. Walk through the narrow streets and discover the city’s rich history and culture.
In the evening, try some local cuisine, such as pastel de nata (egg tarts) and caldo verde (kale soup). You can also enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar with views of the city.

Day 2: Stroll along the riverfront and visit the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery

Start the day with a stroll along the riverfront, taking in the views of the city and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Visit the Belem Tower, a 16th-century fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After that, head to the Jeronimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant and listen to some fado music.

Day 3: Day trip to Sintra

Request one of our transfers to Sintra, a charming town located in the hills of the Sintra Mountains.
Visit the Pena Palace, a stunning 19th-century palace with colorful architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding region.
After that, visit Quinta da Regaleira, an astonishing palace, and gardens with hidden tunnels and underground caves.
In the afternoon, visit the Moors Castle, a castle dating back to the 8th century with panoramic views of the Sintra region.
Return to Lisbon in the evening.

Day 4: Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium and do some shopping in the Chiado district

Spend the morning at the Lisbon Oceanarium, one of the largest aquariums in Europe with a wide variety of marine life.
In the afternoon, do some shopping in the Chiado or Avenida da Liberdade, fashionable areas with a mix of traditional and modern stores.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a seafood restaurant and try some local wine.

Day 5: Farewell dinner and a fado music show performance

Spend the morning doing some last-minute sightseeing or shopping.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant and finish the trip with a fado music performance.

Itinerary Option 2: Discovering the Algarve

Day 1: Arrival in Faro

Upon arrival in Faro, check into your accommodation in the city center.
In the afternoon, visit Faro Old Town and the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected area with a variety of wildlife and beautiful beaches.
In the evening, try some local cuisine, such as cataplana (a seafood stew) and grilled sardines.

Day 2: Visit the Lagos region and the Ponta da Piedade cliffs

Request one of our transfers to the Lagos region, located on the western coast of the Algarve.
Visit the Ponta da Piedade cliffs, a series of rock formations with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
After that, visit Dona Ana Beach, a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear waters.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a seafood restaurant and try some of our fresh beers.

Day 3: Day trip to Sagres and the Martinhal Beach

Choose one of our transfers to Sagres, a charming town located on the westernmost point of the Algarve.
Visit the Sagres Fortress, a 15th-century fort with panoramic views of the region.
After that, visit Martinhal Beach, a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear waters.
Return to Lagos in the evening.

Day 4: Visit the Albufeira Old Town and the Zoomarine theme park

Our transfers will take you to the Albufeira region, located on the central coast of the Algarve.
Visit the Albufeira Old Town, a charming area with narrow streets and traditional houses.
In the afternoon, visit the Zoomarine theme park, a marine theme park with a variety of animals and attractions.
In the evening, enjoy a fresh catch from the ocean restaurant, and choose a Portuguese white wine to go with it.

Day 5: Farewell dinner and a sunset walk along the Albufeira marina

Spend the morning doing some last-minute sightseeing or shopping.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner and finish the trip with a sunset walk along the Albufeira marina.

Itinerary Option 3: Exploring Porto and the Douro Valley

Day 1: Arrival in Porto

Upon arrival in Porto, check into your accommodation in the city center.
In the afternoon, visit Porto Cathedral and the Ribeira district, a historic area with charming streets and colorful houses.
In the evening, try some local cuisine such as francesinha and wine from the Douro region

Day 2: Take a boat cruise along the Douro River

Take a boat cruise along the Douro River, visiting a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Learn about the history of port wine production, and sample some of the famous Porto wines

Day 3: Day trip to the Douro Valley

Request one of our transfers to the Douro Valley region, an area famous for its wine production and picturesque landscapes.
Visit a traditional Quinta (farmhouse) and learn about the process of making port wine.
Enjoy a traditional lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard.

Day 4: Explore Porto

Take a guided tour of the Serralves Foundation, a contemporary art museum with beautiful gardens.
Visit the Casa da Música, a modern concert hall with an impressive architecture.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Porto’s historical center, visiting landmarks such as the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and the Lello bookstore.

Day 5: Farewell dinner and a flamenco performance

Spend the morning doing some last-minute sightseeing or shopping.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant and finish the trip with a flamenco performance.

If you want to explore several locations during your 5 days in Portugal, you can always opt for a more intense itinerary. For example, you can go from the vibrant capital city of Lisbon to the charming town of Sintra, to the historic city of Porto, or From Lisbon to the south, passing by Alentejo to Algarve. Regardless, you can always count on our fleet of transfers to accompany you on your five-day itinerary through Portugal. Here’s a suggested itinerary for how to spend 5 days in Portugal and make the most of your trip:

Itinerary Option 4: Lisbon – Sintra – Porto

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon

Upon arrival in Lisbon, check into your accommodation in the city center.
In the afternoon, visit the historic center of Lisbon, including the neighborhoods of Alfama, Baixa, and Chiado. Walk through the narrow streets and discover the city’s rich history and culture.
In the evening, try some local cuisine, such as pastel de nata (egg tarts) and caldo verde (kale soup). Go for a drink at a rooftop bar with views of the city, there are priceless landscapes in city center viewpoints.

Day 2: Day trip to Sintra

Request one of our transfers to Sintra, a charming town located in the hills of the Sintra Mountains.
Visit the Pena Palace, a stunning 19th-century palace with colorful architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding region.
After that, visit the Quinta da Regaleira, a palace and gardens with hidden tunnels and underground caves.
In the afternoon, visit the Moors Castle, a castle dating back to the 8th century with panoramic views of the Sintra region.
Return to Lisbon in the evening.

Day 3: Stroll along the riverfront and visit the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery

Start the day with a stroll along the riverfront, taking in the views of the city and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Visit the Belem Tower, a 16th-century fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After that, head to the Jeronimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant and listen to some fado music.

Day 4: Transfer to Porto

Request one of our transfers from Lisbon to Porto, a beautiful city located on the Atlantic coast.
Upon arrival, check into your accommodation in the city center.
In the afternoon, visit the Porto Cathedral and the Ribeira district, a historic area with charming streets and colorful houses.

Day 5: Visit a port wine cellar and explore the city

Take a boat cruise along the Douro River, visiting a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia.
In the afternoon, visit the Serralves Foundation, a contemporary art museum with a beautiful garden.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant and try some local wine.

Itinerary Option 5: Lisbon – Alentejo – Algarve

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon

Upon arrival in Lisbon, check into your accommodation in the city center (such as Bairro Alto or Príncipe Real).
In the afternoon, visit the historic center of Lisbon, including the neighborhoods of Alfama, Baixa, and Chiado. Walk through the narrow streets and discover the city’s rich history and culture.
In the evening, try some local cuisine, such as pastel de nata (egg tarts) and caldo verde (kale soup). You can also enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar with views of the city.

Day 2: Exploring Alentejo

Request one of our transfers to the Alentejo region, known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and charming villages.
Visit the historic city of Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a well-preserved Roman Temple and a Gothic cathedral
After that, visit the Mãe d’Água Roman Dam, a beautiful aqueduct and an important part of the city’s history.
In the evening,enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant and try some local wine.

Day 3: Visit to the Algarve

Request one of our transfers to the Algarve region and check into your accommodation.
In the afternoon, visit the Faro Old Town and the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected area with a variety of wildlife and beautiful beaches.
Take a stroll along the marina and admire the colorful boats and yachts.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a seafood restaurant and try some local specialities such as grilled sardines or cataplana.

Day 4: Discover the Algarve coastline

Take a boat trip to discover the Algarve coastline and visit the famous caves of Benagil and the famous grottos of Ponta da Piedade.
Take a dip in the crystal clear watersand enjoy the beautiful scenery.
In the afternoon, visit Lagos, a charming town located on the western coast of the Algarve known for its beaches, cliffs and lively nightlife.
Return to your accommodation and enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant

Day 5: Farewell and shopping

- Spend the morning doing some last-minute sightseeing or shopping.
- In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a seafood restaurant, and finish the trip with a sunset walk along the marina.

Return home with some memorable souvenirs of your 5 days trip to Portugal

All of these itineraries provide a taste of the main tourist regions in the country, but you can always adjust the activities, places to visit, and amount of time spent in each place as you wish. Portugal offers endless possibilities for an enjoyable trip and if you need to consider transportation, you can always request our services. You can always count on our fleet of transfers to accompany you on your five-day itinerary through Portugal, from north to south.

As you can see, no matter what you choose to do during your 5 days in Portugal, you’re sure to have a memorable trip. With its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming locals, this fascinating country has something for everyone.