This was my first trip to Portugal, and I’m incredibly grateful to the many travel bloggers who have shared their experiences.

This article is a summary of my 10-day itinerary, and in the following articles, I will go into more detail about my experiences. My goal is to document my journey through my own eyes, making this a travel diary I can revisit in the future.

I originally planned to follow the route Lagos – Lisbon – Porto, but due to limited flights and connections from Copenhagen, I adjusted it to Lisbon – Lagos – Porto instead.

I have been solo traveling for years, but I’m not much of a risk-taker. So, when time is limited or distances between locations are long, I opt for guided tours.

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My 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lisbon

• 11:00 – 12:30: Arrive in Lisbon via Norwegian Air, then take a train/Bolt to the hotel.
• 12:30 – 14:00: Check-in & lunch at FAZ FRIO.
• 14:30 – 17:00: Explore Lisbon Highlights:
  • Elevator of Santa Justa
  • Livraria Sá Da Costa
  • Chiado: The Cultural Centre & urban poet António Ribeiro
  • Bairro Alto: The Bohemian Centre
  • Church and Convent of Carmo
  • Rossio Square & WWII history
  • Church of São Domingos and the Jewish Massacre
  • Commerce Plaza & its iconic Arch
• Eat: SANTINI Gelato & MANTEIGARIA – Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata, FAZ FRIO.

Day 2: Cabo da Roca & Sintra

• 6:01 – 7:44: Travel from hotel to Cabo da Roca.
• 9:10 – 9:52: Cabo da Roca to Sintra Center.
• 13:00 – 17:00: Explore Pena Palace & Castelo dos Mouros.
• 17:00 – 18:00: Return to hotel.

Day 3: Óbidos, Fátima, and Nazaré Day Trip

• 8:30: Meet at Hard Rock Cafe Lisboa.
• Visit:
  • Fátima
  • Batalha
  • Nazaré (Lunch at Restaurante A Celeste & gelato at Gelatomania)
  • Óbidos (Try Ginja)

Day 4: Alfama & Belém

• Morning: Explore Alfama:
  • Castle of São Jorge
  • Viewpoints over the city
  • Sé (Cathedral)
  • Roman and Moorish Lisbon
  • History of Fado
• Afternoon: Explore Belém:
  • Ler Devagar bookstore & Landeau Chocolate
  • Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO site)
  • Pastéis de Belém (Egg tart)
  • Monument of the Discoveries
• 15:00 – 19:09: Travel to Lagos (Bus 758 + Rede Express).
• 19:00: Check-in.

Day 5: Albufeira & Benagil Cave

• 8:00 – 9:30: Train to Albufeira and explore:
  • Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach)
  • Praia do Peneco
  • Old Town
• 14:00 – 15:00: Travel to Praia dos Pescadores de Armação de Pêra.
• 15:20 – 16:20: Benagil Cave Tour.
• 16:30 – 18:30: Return to hotel.

Day 6: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

• 11:00 – 18:30: Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

Day 7: Lagos to Porto

• Morning: Walk around:
  • Ponta de Piedade (2.6km)
  • Praia da Batata (Potato Beach)
  • Praia Estudantes (Student Beach)
  • Roman Bridge
• 11:55 – 19:30: Travel to Porto via FlixBus.
• 20:00: Check-in & dinner at Café Santiago (Francesinha dish).

Day 8: Porto City

• 10:30 – 13:00: Porto Free Walking Tour.
• 13:00 – 14:00: Ice cream & macaron at Amorino.
• 14:00 – 16:00: Visit The Lello Bookshop.
• 17:00 – 19:30: Porto Sunset Free Tour.
• Dinner: Arroz de pato (forgot the restaurant name).

Day 9: Peneda-Gerês National Park

• 9:30 – 19:00: Explore the park, including hot springs.

Day 10: Immersivus Gallery Porto

• 12:00 – 12:45: Porto Legends, The Underground Experience.
• 13:00 – 13:30: Impressive Monet & Brilliant Klimt.
• 14:30 – 15:45: Living Van Gogh.

Day 11: Porto’s Secret Museum & Departure

• 11:30 – 12:30: Visit Casa Museu Fernando de Castro.
• 13:00: Leave hotel for the airport.
• 16:50: Flight back.

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Things I Would Do Differently

• Rede Express seems better than FlixBus based on my experience.
• Sintra needs a full day; half a day felt rushed.
• Many free walking tours are available (with tips).
• Airbnb experiences were amazing; I booked two, and both exceeded expectations. 😊
• Bolt was affordable, so I’d take it from the airport to the hotel on Day 1.
• CLÉRIGOS – SPIRITUS at Clérigos Church is worth visiting.
• The Elevator of Santa Justa wasn’t worth the 2-hour wait. There’s another way to reach the top without the elevator.
• I’d take Bolt from the airport instead of carrying two huge suitcases through train.

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People in Portugal are super nice, and I would spend more time writing about my experiences during these 10 days in separate articles. Thank you for reading.