Here’s a 2-week plan that covers both the unmissable, plus a lot of off-the-beaten track places in Portugal, a country that looks so small, but has soooo many different things to see.

Portugal: Two week guide that goes beyond Lisbon

Land in Lisbon and enjoy the free time to explore dowtown, have a coktail overlooking the Tagus River, walk around Chiado, explore the small streets of Bairro Alto, see the views from São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint and shop in the hip neighbourhood of Príncipe Real.

Finally, check out the Pink Street, in Cais do Sodré and have dinner in one of the many restaurants on what was considered one of the coolest streets in the world: Saint Paul's Street.

Belém is a neighborhood a bit far from the city center, but easily accessible by tram or bus and it's the historic center of Lisbon. 

There’s a reason why Sintra is always on the list, if you’re coming to Lisbon. This town embedded in the misty mountains is filled with fairytale palaces and mysterious houses. The most famous spots are, indeed, unskippable: the Disney-like Pena Palace and the secretive Quinta da Regaleira. But I have a hidden gem for you: Biester Palace, a noble house where they shot Polanski’s movie “The Nineth Gate”. In the afternoon, don't forget to stop by Periquita and try Sintra's delicacy: Travesseiros.

Highways in Portugal cover most of the territory and, even though you could still do this day trip by bs, I highly reccomend you rent a car, so that you can easily reach the lunch suggestions I have in store for today.

Start your day in Óbidos, an immaculate medieval town, with so much life inside its castle walls.

Then, for lunch, head to either Solar dos Amigos (a kitch restaurant with incredible traditional food in the middle of nowwhere) or straight to Nazaré, to eat some fresh fish in the city of surf, in the restaurant Celeste. In Nazaré, make sure you visit the lighthouse, a viewpoint for the gigantic waves surfers love, and dip your toes in the ice cold water of the beach just in front of the restaurant.

Spend the day in Monsanto, another one of Portugal's twelve historic villages. This one is quite peculiar, since its houses are built between gigantic round stones. That tetris of stones and Monsanto's castle walls were the setting for the hit TV show House of the Dragon.

Then, head straight to Évora, since it's still a bit of a ride, and finish the day with a hearty portuguese meal at Dom Joaquim. 

In the morning, walk around Évora's walled city centre, check out its Roman temple, the chapel covered in human bones and have lunch in on of my favourite restaurants: Tua Madre, where Italianand Portuguese cuisine meet.

Time to catch your flight back home. Hope you had fun :)

Visit Jerónimos Monastery and Padrão dos Descobrimentos and breath in centuries of history. Enjoy a warm Pastel de Nata (traditional custard tarts) in Pastéis de Belém or Manteigaria (the jury is still out on what the best ones are). Take a stroll by the river, have fun with modern art at the MAAT museum or explore old carriages in the National Coach Museum.

In the end of the end, head towards your final destination: Porto, Portugal's second largest city.

Porto is Portugal’s second biggest city and its downtown has so much to see. Start around Carmo’s church, check Lello’s bookstore (not really an inspiration for Harry Potter, as they like to advertise, but beautiful nevertheless), walk to Clérigos Tower, shop at some cute stores in Flores street, pass by Aliados Avenue, head to San Bento Station (the tile work is spectacular) and then down to Ribeira (old neighbourhood by the river). 

Finally, head to Ajuda Palace, to see where our royal family used to live. 

Spend the day in what was Portugal's first capital city, Guimarães, back when Portugal was just a sketch. Walk around its historic centre, a UNESCO world heritage site, visit the castle where our first king plotted the expansion of its kingdom and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança.

Finally, cross the bridge to Gaia and enjoy an Oporto winery tour.

For lunch, take a half-an-hour detour to Arco de Baúlhe, a small village where you'll find a gastronomic hidden gem: O Caneiro. Try its octupus rice in the oven, it's to die for (book ahead).

Then, head to Braga, visit its city center, Saint Barbara's Garden, the cathedral and, the highlight of the afternoon, Bom Jesus, an imponent church that sits on top of a mountain.

Now, head towards Lamego, in the Douro Valley, where you'll spend the night.

Here’s a 1-week plan that covers both the unmissable, plus some off-the-beaten track places in Portugal, a country that looks so small, but has soooo many different things to see.

Portugal: Two week guide that goes beyond Lisbon

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