From port wine to sunshine, rich culture to beautiful beaches, the Portuguese coast boasts some of the most majestic landscapes and historic cities across Europe. This itinerary will take you up and down the coastline, on the ultimate road trip of Portugal.
Porto & The Douro Valley
- Accommodation Recommendation:
- Airbnb (2 bed/ 2 bath located in historic port wine distillery building with balcony overlooking the Ribeira UNESCO cultural district)
- I’d recommend staying on the Villa de Gaia side of the river as it’s a bit less busy than downtown Porto, with easy access (by boat, gondola or bridge) to the historic Porto center. Villa de Gaia is also where all the port wine distilleries are!
- Recommended Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Porto
- Explore Villa de Gaia
- Day 2: Porto Tour Day
- 10:45- 1:00: Porto Free Walking Tour
- Meeting point: The guide will wait for you at the Lion Fountain (in front of the University of Porto) with an ORANGE UMBRELLA
- 1:15 – 2:45 Lunch
- 3:30- 5:00: Graham’s Port Lodge 1890 Winery Tour & Tasting (must book in advance)
- 5:00 back to Airbnb
- 8:00 Dinner @ Ode Wine Bar
- After Dinner Drinks @ Yeatman Hotel
- 10:45- 1:00: Porto Free Walking Tour
- Day 3: Small Group Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise
- 8:30 AM pick up at Airbnb (or local hotel!)
- Note this is a full day, 9 hour tour, but a MUST to see the gorgeous Douro Valley and taste amazing port wines!
- 8:30 AM pick up at Airbnb (or local hotel!)
- Day 4: Day trip to Aveiro and Costa Nova
- Aveiro is known as the “Venice of Portugal” and you can take a beatiful gondola-like tour down the riverways!
- Costa Nova is the local fishing village just 10 minutes from Aveiro, with iconic striped houses where the fishermen once lived.
- Day 1: Arrive in Porto
- What to See in Porto:
- Cais de Gaia
- WOW – Cultural & Porto Wine District (UNESCO world heritage site)
- Graham’s Port Lodge 1890 Winery
- Sandeman Winery
- Cockburns Point Lodge
- Caves Calem
- Taylor Port Winery
- Gaia Cable car (5mins)
- Rabelo boats
- Don Louis 1 Bridge
- WOW – Cultural & Porto Wine District (UNESCO world heritage site)
- Cais de Gaia
- Where to Eat:
- Ode Wine House $$$
- Porto Iberico $$
- Terra Nova $$$
- Antiquum (Michelin Star) $$$$
- Vinum Wine Bar $$$
- Bartolomeu Bistro & Wine $$
- Ponte de Ferro Restaurante $$$
- Entoneca 17.56 $$$
- Traveler Tip:
- Fly into Porto Airport for an easy transportation option from anywhere in the world. It’s a much smaller (and more easily accessible) airport than Lisbon. Plus it’s only 25 minutes outside of Porto, vs a 3 hour drive from Lisbon.
Sintra & Azenhas do Mar
- Accommodation Recommendation:
- Airbnb (2 bed/ 2 bath charming apartment with private terrace in Sintra center
- Where to Eat:
- What to Do:
- Park and National Palace of Pena Tour (45 minute walk to castle entrance. Expect to spend 3-4 hours here exploring the palace and gardens)
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Initiation Well
- Castle of the Moors
- Centro Histórico de Sintra
- Try lots of shots of porto and ginja (cherry liquor) from cafes are shops around the town center!
- Atelier Casa Museu- ceramics store
- Queijada (traditional Sintra pastry) from Casa Piriquita
- Stop in Azenhas do Mar for lunch at the famous restaurant at the bottom of the cliff on the way to Albufeira
The Algarve – Albufeira
- Accommodation Recommendation:
- 3 bed/ 3 bath Airbnb with a private pool overlooking the ocean
- What to See/ Do:
- Albufeira:
- Praia da Falésia (#1 beach in the world)
- Praia Da Rocha
- Sunset Cocktail Cruise
- Potimao
- Praia da Marina (Bengali Cave) (Famous walk above the cave to check out the hole that looks down into a secret beach)
- Faro
- Lagos
- Albufeira:
- Where to Eat:
- Traveler Tip:
- Fly out of the Faro airport for easy flights back home in a much smaller airport!
