Explore Portugal's whimsical landscape of colorful castles, gothic churches and lively cities. This guide includes an in depth itinerary with historical facts, a map and budget for activities.  

2 Weeks in Portugal - mainland edition

Cascais is a quiet, little sea-town just outside of Lisbon. The ambiance is relaxing and peaceful: its the perfect place for a beach day. I highly recommend taking some time to explore the town and find all its hidden treasures.

1. Tamariz Beach - beautiful golden sands and clear waters, perfect for basking in the sun and then taking a refreshing dip

Downtown Lisbon is a treasury for history and architecture. Its easy to wander through the streets and find little treasures of cafes and buildings in any direction you choose to go. 

Located about an hour train ride away from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that will let your imagination run wild. From colorful castles to whimsical estates and gardens full of fairy paths, Sintra is the perfect place to spark childlike wonders.

A city teeming with culture, history and culinary splendor. 

As the oldest city in western Europe, Lisbon was founded about 3000 years ago in 1200 BC. To experience Lisbon thoroughly, I recommend spending 4 to 5 days exploring this city's different areas.

1. Praca de Comercio - the largest plaza in Portugal, built on the same site the old palace was located before the earthquake of 1755

2. Church of Saint Roch - the first Jesuit Church built in Portugal with one of the most beautiful interiors of gold 

3. Carmo Convent - an apocalyptic scene of the gothic Catholic church's ruins  

4. Augusta Street - located in the heart of Lisbon, this street is filled with quaint shops, colorful buildings and cute cafes

5. Se de Lisboa - the Cathedral of Lisbon was built on top of a Muslim mosque when Portugal's first king reconquered the city from the Moors

6. Alfama Neighborhood - the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon

7. Castelo de Sao Jorge - an archaeological site that is believed to be the first settlement where the history of Lisbon begins. This is the perfect place to end your day and to catch the sunset.

Belem is a small district of Lisbon with a fascinating history. It is home to many of Portugal's most famous monuments. 

1. Belem Tower - this iconic tower was built as fortress to protect Lisbon from incoming enemy ships. I recommend packing food and having a picnic in front of the tower and enjoying the sound of the waves crashing against the fortress.

2. Jeronimos Monastery - was built as a monument to Portugal's discoveries and expansion in the New World in the 15th and 16th century

3. Pateis de Belem - the birthplace of the famous Portuguese dessert, pastel de nata 

1. National Palace of Pena - the colorful royal palace that served as summer home 

2. Castelo dos Mouros - located on the hilltop, this castle was built in the eighth century by the Moors

3. Quinta de Regaleira - a noble estate full of otherworldly architecture and peculiar symbolism

2. Boca do Inferno - a unique arch and chasm combination, created through the vigorous striking of the ocean against the rocks for eons

The easiest way to get to Belem from downtown Lisbon is by hopping on the tram #760 from the Cais Sodre Station and then getting off at the Campo Mártires Pátria stop.

From downtown Lisbon, hop on the Az line headed in the Rebeleira direction. Then get off at the Jardim Zoologico stop and walk over to the Sete-Rios station. At the Sete-Rios station follow the signs to the 18322 Sintra line and pay for your ticket before boarding the train. Get off at the last stop called Sintra. Additionally, in order to get from the town of Sintra to the National Palace of Pena and Castelo dos Mouros, I recommend taking Bolt (European version of Uber). There are a lot tuk-tuks in this area, but they are all extremely overpriced. After seeing the Palace of Pena I suggest walking back to Sintra through the gardens. 

The spirit of Portugal, with an authentic air through its narrow cobblestone streets and colorful homes.

Despite its small size, Porto is packed with beautiful and historically-rich spots. I suggest staying three full days in Porto to capture its essence. If you'd like to go at a slower pace then maybe spend an extra day. 

Everything to do and see in Porto can be found in the downtown area. It's an excellent city for tourism since everything is within a walking distance of 30 minutes. You can spread the recommended activities out over your days in Porto since there are a lot of things to see. 

To get to Cascais, hop on the Cascais line from the Santos station and then get off at the Cascais station.

Some great locations to check out include:

If you started in Lisbon, then the best way to get to Porto is to take Flix bus. It can cost as little as 7 euros and only takes an hour longer than the train. Overall, Flix bus is the best way to get around Portugal and travel in between cities. 

8. Sao Bento - as one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, this attraction both gorgeous and free. 

9. Chapel of Souls - decorated with the iconic blue Portuguese tile that showcase Portugal's history 

10. Rua das Flores - translates to the Road of Flowers. The street definitely does the name justice with all the cozy little stores, cafes and restaurants that line it

11. Walk/take a cruise along the Douro River - depending on your budget, I suggest experiencing Porto's coast side along the Douro River. It offers a new perspective and appreciation for its long-standing as an Atlantic port

13. Museu do Vinho do Porto - this is a fun place to visit if you are a wine-lover (or secret alcoholic) to learn about the secret recipe and process that go into making the port wine

12. Museu da Cidade - as the city's museums, this is the perfect place to learn about the source of Porto's rich history and culture

1. Se do Porto: found in the heart of Porto, this Romanesque cathedral was built in the 13th century and promises one of the best views of the city

2. Diocese do Porto - just across the square from the cathedral, this building doesn't seem like much from the outside, but the inside is filled with artistic gems

3. Bolsa Palace - as the stock exchange capital of Portugal, the Bolsa Palace is a place full of history

4. Livraria Lello - is known as the world's most beautiful library.

5. Igreja e Torre dos Clerigos - a baroque church with the symbolic 75 meter tower 

7. Porto Wine - if in Porto, trying the port wine is a must. This famous wine is so deliciously sweet, its dangerous. I recommend spending an afternoon/evening bar hopping to try all the varieties. 

A walled city lost in the Portuguese countryside.

Evora captures the essence of medieval city despite the passage of time. Inhabited since 200 BC, Evora was once a trade hub in the Iberian Peninsula on the road to Rome. With its towering walls that enclose the entire city and narrow streets, this little wonder requires 2 to 3 days maximum to explore.

From either Porto or Lisboa, there are Flix Bus options to Evora. The bus station is slightly outside of the city and is about a five minute walk away from the walls.

1. Chapel of Bones - was built in the 17th century with the intention to show how temporary and frail life is 

2. Royal Palace of Evora - the residence of former Portuguese kings

3. Cathedral of Evora - was dedicated to Virgin Mary after the reconquest of Portugal from the Moors

4. Museum Frei Manuel do Cenáculo - has an incredible collection of artifacts and art of over 20,000 pieces

5. Templo Romano Évora - is dedicated to the goddess Diana and is one of the most important monuments in all of Portugal

The perfect place to work on your tan and enjoy nature.

If you have time, you can see both cities. However, they are both close to the same attractions. Portimão is better for those looking to relax in a quieter environment and be in a more central location. Meanwhile, Lagos is better for travelers looking for a fun night life.

Anywhere between 4 to 5 days is enough to soak up the sun and explore Portugal's golden coast at a leisurely pace.

1. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail - a scenic coastal trail that's about 8 miles long from end to end. Full of beautiful caves, coves and crystal clear waters

2. Boat tour to the Benagil Caves - one of the must-see natural wonders in the Algarve, this cave has a remarkable hole in its ceiling that lights up all the different geological layers

3. Praia dos Três Irmãos - I highly recommend visiting this beach in Portimão over the main beach. At sunset, the water reflects all the different colors

4. Take a surf lesson - Portugal is one of the capitals of surfing. The waves here are known for their ferocity and size on certain days. The protected bays are the perfect place to get your bearings

5. Kayak at Ponta de Piedade - a group of rock formations including arches, tall structures and striking cliffs

2 Weeks in Portugal - mainland edition

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