Itinerary Summary
Two Lisbon days cover Belem Tower, the Discoveries monument and Jeronimos Monastery, day three is a Sintra day with Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and Cabo da Roca, day four the Alfama district and…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Lisbon Arrival: Baixa Arcades and a Riverside First Evening
10:00
2h
Lisbon Airport metro to Baixa
Take the red metro line from Lisbon Airport to Baixa-Chiado, roughly 25 minutes, then check in and unpack. Load a Viva Viagem card at the station machine; the same card works on trams and buses all week.
📍 Lisbon
18:30
2h
Praça do Comércio evening walk
Stroll the riverfront square as the arcades light up, then eat grilled fish in the side streets behind it. Reserve a table after 19:00 or expect a 20-minute wait in summer; the square itself is free to walk.
📍 Baixa, Lisbon
💡 Pro Tip: Lisbon Airport (LIS) sits on the metro red line, about 25 minutes from the centre. Portugal uses UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 from late March to late October, so check your own time difference before booking calls. Entry and visa rules depend on your passport; check the Portugal visa section of this site before booking. Buy a Viva Viagem card for trams, buses and metro, and validate it on each trip.
Days 2-10 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$58035%
Lisbon, Porto and Algarve hotels, 9 nights
Food & DiningUS$33020%
Pastel de nata, francesinha and port wine
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Portugal if I am visiting from the US, UK or Australia?+
Portugal uses Schengen rules: US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passports get 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged before travel. Rules depend on your passport, so check the Portugal visa section, and make sure your passport is valid for three months beyond departure.
What is the best month for a Lisbon, Porto and Algarve trip in 10 days?+
March to May and September to October give 18-25 C days with long sun and thinner crowds. July and August push Lisbon and the Algarve to 28-35 C and lift coastal room rates sharply. October still works for Algarve swimming, and the Douro harvest falls in September and October.
How do you travel between Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve on this route?+
Take the Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon to Porto, about three hours city centre to city centre. Porto to Lagos is a long bus or rail day of six to seven hours, so some travellers break it with a night en route. The trip ends at Faro, so book an open-jaw ticket into Lisbon and out of Faro.
How much should I budget for 10 days in Portugal excluding flights?+
Plan roughly $1,350-1,940 (about EUR 1,170-1,690) per person for comfortable hotels, trains, some taxis and daily meals. July and August raise Algarve rooms by 50-80 percent, while November to March cuts city hotel rates by 30-50 percent. Food, wine and cave tours are the variable costs.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 10 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,350–1,940 (≈ €1,170–1,690), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: City Explorers
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