We recently visited Portugal in May and must say it was a captivating trip through history, culture, and natural beauty. We explored the charming streets of Lisbon, visited the majestic palaces of Sintra, roamed the winding alleys of Coimbra and tasted the famous pastel de nata (at least once a day :P) at Manteigaria.
Savor the taste of Portugal with a delicious pastel de nata, the iconic custard tart that captures the essence of Lisbon’s sweet traditions
The breathtaking landscapes of Douro Valley, Nazare and the romantic ambiance of Porto’s riverside added to the experience. The warmth of the people, the richness of the food, and the timeless beauty of the architecture left an everlasting impression on us, making Portugal a destination we will always cherish
Planning the perfect itinerary can be overwhelming, at times but we had the help of Vipula along the way. Her detailed and insightful Portugal itinerary was very helpful in shaping our trip through this beautiful country. You can read more of her travels here
Breathtaking views of the Douro Valley and Douro River, where rolling vineyards meet serene waters in Portugal’s famed wine region
Here’s an overview of the Portugal itinerary that we followed:
- Day 1: Fly from Luxembourg to Lisbon
- Day 2: Explore Lisbon
- Day 3: Day trip to Sintra from Lisbon
- Day 4: Explore Lisbon
- Day 5: Drive from Lisbon to Coimbra. En route visit Obidos, Alcobaca, Fatime and Nazare
- Day 6: Explore Coimbra. Drive to Douro Valley in the evening
- Day 7: Explore Douro Valley
- Day 8: Drive from Douro Valley to Porto. Explore Porto
- Day 9: Explore Porto
- Day 10: Fly from Porto to Luxembourg
Visa Process
Indian residents visiting Europe require a valid Schengen visa for short, temporary visits. As residents of Luxembourg, we held residence permits and did not need to apply for a Schengen visa.
Getting to Portugal
Portugal has international airports in the cities of Lisbon and Porto. Many travelers opt to fly into one city and out of the other, or they do a round trip from either city. We flew with Ryanair from Luxembourg to Lisbon and with EasyJet from Porto to Luxembourg on our way back.
Day Wise Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving and settling in Lisbon
We arrived in Lisbon late in the evening and hailed a cab to our Airbnb located in the Chiado District. Our Airbnb had the perfect location with excellent connectivity via cabs and was very close to some popular pubs, cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets. Craving some good Indian food, which we hardly get in Luxembourg, we opted to have dinner at Sanskar Nepal Restaurant, near our Airbnb. To prepare for an early start next day, we bought some fruits and nuts for breakfast and went through the itinerary for the next day.
Day 2: Exploring Alfama and Baixa districts in Lisbon
Our day began with a visit to the Alfama neighborhood, renowned for its historical significance dating back to the Visigoth occupation. We explored the area’s tangled street plans, admiring the gorgeous views and the tiled buildings perched along steep cobbled streets stretching from Sao Jorge Castle all the way to the Tagus River.
Enjoying a ride on the historic Lisbon tram
Exploring the charming streets of Alfama
The Alfama stroll, spanning about 1 km, took us through iconic landmarks like Sao Jorge Castle, Miradouro de Sao Jorge, Largo Santa Luzia, and the heart of Alfama
Enjoying the stunning panoramic views from Miradouro de santa luzia in Lisbon
After a delightful lunch in Alfama, we visited Lisbon Cathedral before embarking on the Baixa stroll later in the day. This captivating walk covered Lisbon’s historic downtown, including landmarks like Praca do Comercio, Lisbon’s Riverfront, the Church of St. Nicholas, Rossio Square, and more.
The magnificent Lisbon Cathedral stands as a symbol of the city’s rich history and architectural grandeur
Day 3: Day trip to Sintra
Trip to Lisbon is incomplete without a visit to Sintra. It is a town in the foothills of the Sintra mountains, about an hour northwest of Lisbon. The region is hilly, tropical forested, and dotted with fairytale-like palaces and castles, making it a must-see for most visitors to Portugal. It was a summer escape for Portugal’s kings and aristocrats.
The majestic Pena Palace standing proudly amidst lush greenery in Sintra
We started the day early and were ready for a long day planned for Sintra. We caught the train from the Rossio train station and reached Pena Palace in Sintra for our scheduled entry at 10.00 AM.
Pro Tip:
- Purchase train tickets from the station the day before, if feasible, to avoid long queues on the next day.
- For a smoother experience in Sintra, aim to catch an early train before 9 AM to beat the crowds as Sintra gets busy no matter what time of the year you are visiting.
Step into a fairytale: The majestic entrance of Pena Palace awaits in Sintra
Blending in with the majestic backdrop of Pena Palace in Sintra
Pena Palace
Once we reached, we took bus #434 to reach the Pena Palace. The vibrantly colored Pena Palace stands out as one of Europe’s top attractions, making it the must-visit destination in Portugal. We explored the gorgeous Pena Palace, including its interior, courtyard, and gardens.
Many say that Pena palace has been inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. And we know that Neuschwanstein heavily influenced Disney’s ‘Cinderella Castle’
Our visit to the palace was followed by a walk and a delicious picnic lunch that we had packed and brought from Lisbon, enjoyed in the palace park.
Indulging in a delightful picnic lunch amidst nature at Pena Palace park
After lunch, we visited the Moorish Castle, taking in the panoramic views and the beautiful sight of Pena Palace in the distance
Moorish Castle
Perched atop a hill in Sintra, the Moorish Castle stands as a testament to centuries of history. Built during the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors, it served as a strategic fortress during the Reconquista. Today, its ruins offer visitors panoramic views and a glimpse into Portugal’s past
Marveling at the ancient walls of the Moorish Castle, a testament to Lisbon’s rich history
Quinta da Regaleira
Afterward, we returned to Sintra town and took bus #435 to spend the evening at Quinta da Regaleira. This spot felt like saving the best for last, allowing us to enjoy the gorgeous estate and gardens for the evening. In fact, we loved Quinta da Regaleira as much as we loved Pena Palace
Exploring the enchanting Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra, Portugal, where magic meets architecture
Exploring the mystical depths of Quinta da Regaleira’s initiation well
Day 4: Exploring Lisbon
We spent the first half of the day by exploring the Belem district. We visited the Belem Tower, the Monastery of Jeronimos, and the Monument to the Discoveries. After the sight seeing, we spent the evening visiting LX Factory to enjoy some retail therapy and unique restaurants
The iconic Belém Tower as a stunning backdrop
Savoring a taste of Lisbon with a refreshing glass of Ginjinha
The Jerónimos Monastery is an architectural masterpiece in Lisbon and boasts intricate Manueline style dating back to the 16th century. Commissioned by King Manuel I, it stands as a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Its grandeur and significance make it a must-visit destination, offering insight into Portugal’s rich history
Day 5: Driving from Lisbon to Coimbra. En route cover Obidos, Alcobaca, Fathima and Nazare
For us, any trip is not truly complete without a road trip. So we decided to drive a bit in the Portuguese countryside and cover the beautiful old towns of Portugal along the way. The highways in Portugal are well-maintained with proper signboards. Our car had a toll transponder, so we could pay the tolls electronically. We started the day early and picked the rental car from SixT, Lisbon downtown and hit the road around 8:30 AM.
Fatima
Our first pit stop was Fatima where we visited the Sanctuary of Fatima. The church, known for its connection to the Marian apparitions, was a place of reflection and spiritual significance. We admired the intricate details of the basilica and spent around half an hour here
Alcobaca
Our Next stop was Alcobaca, where we visited the famous Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria. This UNESCO World Heritage Site monastery was founded in the year 1153. We were awed with this beautiful site of architecture and would strongly recommend to add in your itinerary.
Captivated by the grandeur of the Monastery of Santa Maria in Alcobaça
The Circle of Life depicted on Pedro’s tomb: A king reigning on his throne above, and below, his eternal rest
Obidos
Following the visit, we drove to the town of Obidos, known as Portugal’s “wedding city.” After parking outside the main gate, we embarked on a self-guided tour of the town, appreciating its charming streets and landmarks
Obidos skyline showcasing quaint houses and the ancient boundary wall
Basking in the warm sunlight amidst the charming streets of Óbidos
Nazare
Our last stop of the day was Nazare, the beach town famous for biggest waves in the world. Upon arrival, we strolled along the picturesque seafront, taking in the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. We took a funicular to the famous Sitio district, where we enjoyed panoramic vistas from the cliffside. We had dinner at a Vegan Chinese restaurant and absolutely loved it. Will shortly share more details on our blog post on ‘Vegetarian places to eat in Portugal’
Breathtaking Nazare
Post dinner we drove to Coimbra, checked into our hotel and called it a day.
Day 6: Exploring Coimbra
We started our day with a lovely morning walk around the Mondego River. After breakfast, we embarked on the Coimbra Old Town Walk, starting at the Church of Santa Cruz, admiring its grand façade. We passed the City Hall, visited Jardim da Manga, and explored the Mercado Municipal.
A ride on the Elevador do Mercado brought us up the steep hill to the University of Coimbra.
At the university, we toured the old core, including the Palace section, Iron Gate, courtyard, ceremonial halls, science labs and chapel
Discovering the centuries-old corridors of Coimbra University
On our way back, we crossed the Arco de Almedina and Praca de Commercio before returning to the hotel to collect our luggage. Finally, we drove to the Douro Valley, reaching our Airbnb which had the most amazing river and valley views.
Day 7: Exploring Douro Valley
Most tourists visit the Douro Valley as a day trip from Porto, but this charming wine region deserves more than just a quick visit. We highly recommend staying in the Douro Valley to fully enjoy its vineyards, river cruises, and amazing food without the hustle and bustle of big touristy towns. It’s an absolute delight!
A special mention of our Airbnb for enhancing our Douro experience. With luxurious amenities like complimentary breakfast, infinity pools, jacuzzi, and stunning Douro River views, it exceeded all expectations
Unwinding in the infinity pool of a luxurious Airbnb overlooking the scenic Douro Valley
Indulging in the luxurious jacuzzi at our Douro Valley Airbnb
Hiking in Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is all about spending time in the picturesque vineyards, and what better way to do so than on a Port Wine hike trail?
We started the day early, waking up to a beautiful sunrise at our Airbnb. After an early breakfast, we drove to the trail’s starting point and began our hike around 10 AM. The sun was shining, the lemon and cherry trees were loaded with fruits, and we were just super happy to be in nature.
The trail is about 9 km long, with the last 2 kilometers having a 350-meter elevation gain. So, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and carry water, some nuts, fruits, and caps. The entire route winds through scenic vineyards and partly along the Douro River.
Day 8: Driving from Douro Valley and exploring Porto
We kicked off the day with a session of yoga followed by a refreshing dip in the infinity pool. Our Airbnb provided a delightful continental breakfast spread that we savored throughout our stay. Following breakfast, we checked out and headed for Porto.
Upon arriving in Porto, we checked into our Airbnb, returned the car, and embarked on the Upper Porto walk starting from Avenida dos Aliados. We explored several landmarks, including Praca da Liberdade, the Imperial McDonald’s, Rua da Fabrica, Praca Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, Praca de Gomes Teixeira, Praca de Lisboa Park, and the Sao Bento train station, renowned for its hand-painted tiles.
Next, we visited the Clerigos Church and Tower, admiring its architecture and beautiful blue tiles. We then headed to the Lello & Irmao Bookstore, famously associated with Harry Potter. However, we found it not worth the price (8 Euros per person) and wait, hence suggest skipping it. After the bookstore, we returned to our Airbnb to freshen up before heading out for dinner.
Day 9: Exploring Porto
We began the day by visiting the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto), a short walk from our accommodation. Following this, we embarked on the Lower Porto walk along Rua das Flores. This included optional stops at the Misericórdia Church and Museum, a guided tour of the Stock Exchange Palace, and a visit to the São Francisco Church. We also explored Henry the Navigator Square and the nearby House of Henry the Navigator.
In the evening, we explored the Ribeira, Porto’s picturesque waterfront district. We strolled along the riverfront, taking in sights like the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge
Day 10: Flying from Porto to Luxembourg
The trip was coming to an end. With happy hearts, we packed our bags and were ready to head back home. With few morning hours in hand, we walked around Porto Cathedral, enjoying breakfast, and indulging in one last pastel de nata. We hope you enjoyed reading our blog and will have some helpful information to plan your Portugal itinerary
Treasured souvenirs from Portugal, capturing the essence of its culture and heritage
We hope you enjoyed our journey through Portugal. Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more travel tips. Subscribe via email or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates and inspiration.
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