After travelling to Portugal I decided to create a blog post about my 10-day travel itinerary in the hopes that it will help you plan your next trip to Portugal!
Purchasing flights
I booked my flight to Lisbon, Portugal from Vancouver, British Columbia so there was no direct flight to take. Our flight departed from Vancouver and had a short connecting flight in Zurich, Switzerland. It takes approximately 3 hours to fly into Lisbon from Zurich.
Booking Tip: I used Google flights to figure out the best available options and itineraries but other good options are Skyscanner and Kayak. We also chose to go in early July because the weather is best but flights tend to be more expensive at this time. I flew with Swiss Air and Lufthansa.
Packing Tip: Purchase an Apple Air Tag or Tile Mate to put into your suitcase so you can track your suitcase arriving at the airport. I had a short connecting flight and my luggage was lost but the tile mate really helped me with getting my suitcase back in a reasonable time frame. Travelling Europe at this time was especially chaotic with all the lost luggage in the major airports. The more you can do to prepare yourself will save you headaches for your future self and will ensure your trip is more enjoyable.
Planning Your Stay
Although travelling around countries in Europe is relatively quick and easy, spending more time in one place will lead to a more enjoyable and relaxing stay especially if you are travelling from further away. Portugal isn’t a huge country but there are so many beautiful and worthwhile things to see. You’ll need to organize yourself based on what’s a priority for you as a traveller. For example, during the summertime, Portugal is very hot and the thought of spending too much time walking around a very hot city didn’t appeal to me. I also did a lot of research on the regions I wanted to explore in the time frame I had. Portugal has some stunning islands such as Madeira, Sao Miguel, and Flores Islands to name a few but flying to these would require another flight from Lisbon and several days to explore. With only 10 days I distributed 3 days between Sintra and Lisbon and the rest of the 7 days in Lagos, a city in Portugal’s Algarve region. Below I have provided an overview of our itinerary and will break it down further in the sections below.
Overview of the Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal and take the train from the airport to the town of Sintra
Day 2 – Explore Sintra, its national parks, and the many castles it has to offer. Visit Caba de Roca and do a port tasting and have dinner at an authentic tapas boutique
Day 3 – Pick up your car rental and drive 3 hours to the Algarve region and grab pizza in town
Day 4 – Spend the day relaxing on the beach at Porto De Mos in Lagos
Day 5 – Visit Praia De Dona Ana and Praia Do Camilo for Portugal’s stunning rock formations
Day 6 – Explore Lagos Old town before the mid-day heat sets in and visit Ponta da Piedade for sunset
Day 7 – Another beach and pool day followed by tapas for dinner in Praia De Luz
Day 8 – Visit the Benagil Caves in the morning before 9:00am followed by exploring the old town of Albufeira and see some of the longest stretches of beach in the Algarve
Day 9 – Final beach and pool day with a boujee seafood lunch at Camilo Restaurant
Day 10 – Drive back early from the Algarve to Lisbon, spend the rest of the day exploring the city of Lisbon and try authentic Piri Piri chicken for lunch. Fly home or to the next destination the next morning.
Day 1 – Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal and take the train from the airport to the town of Sintra
We arrived in Lisbon after a long travel day from Canada. The convenient part about getting to Sintra is that you can take the train there from the airport. Alternative options also include Uber which is also very reliable. Sintra is home to Portugal’s monarchs, a magnificent town of marvellous historic mansions, all set against the backdrop of lush hills. Sintra’s many castles include the Palácio Nacional de Sintra (home of Portuguese royalty until the early 20th century), Palácio da Pena, Quinta de Regaleira (incorporating several architectural styles and with gorgeous surrounding gardens), the Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle), and the Palácio de Monserrate.
Where to stay in Sintra
I booked an amazing Airbnb literally just minutes from the train station and near the bus station to take you to the castles nearby.
Accomodation Recommendation: I've linked the accommodation below to where I stayed. It was super affordable, clean and has an amazing location and views. The cost was approximately $150 per night plus service fees and cleaning costs.
Pinho – Private House with Beautiful Views
Day 2 – Explore Sintra, its national parks, and the many castles it has to offer. Visit Caba de Roca and do a port tasting. End the day with dinner at an authentic tapas boutique
How to see the Castles
Taking a hop on hop off bus option is your best bet because there are no cars allowed to drive up to the castles. Tuk-tuk or uber is also an option but this would definitely be more expensive. The bus tickets are 11 euros per person and last for 24 hours. Tickets can be purchased just outside your accommodation and the bus station is also across the street from the accommodation.
Castle and Park tickets can be purchased online here. You will have to purchase tickets in advance to go inside the castles. For Pena Palace you should only buy a park ticket to explore the grounds of the castle which costs approx 7 euros - it is not worth paying 15 euros to go inside the castle.
Do a Port Tasting at Bar Do Binho | The House of Port
Using the hop-on hop-off off bus ticket, we stopped at the National Palace of Sintra which has stunning 360 views as well as an aesthetic walk through the gardens. You can also see the tip of the Moorish Castle from here. However, you have to purchase tickets to go inside (we did not think it was worth going inside.) After exploring the castle we walked the nearby town for shops and stumbled on a gem of a place offering Port tastings called Bar Do Binho. We had a great experience here and tried various aged Ports, and ended up purchasing a nice bottle of port and continued on with our day.
Exact location for Bar Do Binho is Praça da República 2, 2710-616 Sintra, Portugal
Cabo De Roca
I would also suggest making a stop at Cabo De Roca – the most Western point in Europe. The rugged coastline and beautiful views make for some amazing photos. If you can squeeze this stop in during your day using the hop-on hop-off bus ticket it is worth it! It is about a 40-minute bus ride from Sintra.
End the day with an authentic Portuguese Dinner at Tasca – Boutique Das Tapas
This is an unexpected and unassuming Tapas restaurant off the beaten path in Sintra and seriously a hidden gem with the best dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant for both the food, friendly atmosphere and wonderful service. Highly recommend ordering the owner’s specialty honey and sausage.
Restaurant Details | Tasca - Boutique das Tapas Address: Rua João De Deus N50, Sintra 2710-581 Portugal Tel: +351 924 264 055 Email: tascaboutiquedastapas@hotmail.com
Day 3 – Pick up your car rental and drive 3 hours to the Algarve region
After our last day in Sintra picked up our car from the Lisbon airport. We took an Uber from Sintra costing about 21 euros. For the car rental, I made the booking online through Discover Cars which offers the cheapest car rentals. You won’t need an international driver’s license to drive in Portugal for the 10 days you’re there.
Know before you book with Discover Cars: If you book with Discover Cars you need to be almost exact with your timing for pick-up and drop-off. These are not flexible and you will be charged for basically any changes. In addition, ensure to read the fine print regarding which insurance you're purchasing in advance.
The Drive to the Algarve from Lisbon
The Algarve region in southern Portugal is one of the most popular destinations in the country. The 4,997 km squared region encompasses the whole Southern coast of Portugal, and part of the Western coast too.
The drive to the Algarve region (south of Portugal) takes approximately 3 hours and is a relatively easy drive. The hardest part is leaving the airport with a large roundabout and constant traffic. Buy a toll pass for your car if you plan to cover a lot of ground. It is worth getting, you can arrange that with your car rental company when you pick up the car.
Where to Stay in the Algarve
Choosing which area to stay in the Algarve was probably the most difficult part about planning this trip. Each area and town in the Algarve has its own distinctive vibe, and is best suited for different types of travellers. See the quick breakdown below:
Lagos – best for first-time visitors because It’s conveniently positioned close to all the main attractions in the Algarve
Albufeira – party vibes
Faros – the capital of the Algarve and biggest city, it’s within easy driving distance to many attractions, plus offers a lively city vibe. If you’re flying to the Algarve you would fly to Faros airport
Portimao – has nice beaches and a good shopping district
Tavira – a small medieval town with an old town centre and gorgeous beaches
Carvoeiro – family holiday family with beautiful beaches nearby and close to many attractions.
Sagres – best for surfing
After much consideration and research I selected Lagos and had the best time there.
Accommodation in Lagos
I booked accommodation in Lagos at an apartment called Orange Beach Ocean View – Porto de Mos.
This was close to Praia do Canavial (700 m), Martin Barranco Beach (1.4 km), as well as Santa Maria Church (1.8 km). The air-conditioned accommodation is closest to Porto de Mos Beach (450 m), and had private parking available on site. Another feature of the property is that there is a pool with a wonderful view overlooking the beach. We really enjoyed the location of this space but a car is a must to get to the nearest grocery store. The apartment doesn’t include any cooking supplies such as spices or oils either so everything you might need for a longer stay and if you plan to cook, you would have to purchase. The best value and nearby grocery store was Aldi where we did all our shopping during our stay.
Day 4 – Spend the day relaxing on the beach at Porto De Mos in Lagos
With the closest beach within a 5-minute walking distance, we took advantage and spent most of the day relaxing at Praia Porto Mos. The beach has stunning views and is a family-oriented area. There are a couple of restaurants you could sit and have drinks and food at. I would suggest purchasing a beach umbrella as it can get really hot and there is no shelter from shade. The waves are a little intimidating at first but are very manageable to swim once you’re in the water. This beach is all sand and no rocks.
Beach tip: The UV index in Portugal was 10 nearly every day. You're burning through your sunscreen so be sure to apply and reapply all day.
Snack tip: To save money on food we brought cheese and crackers and fruit to get us through the long day in the sun. Bring plenty of water. You may also see some people selling donuts on the beach - these are filled with amazing creams and worth the treat - so bring some spare change to purchase one! They call them "ola bolinghas."
Day 5 – Visit Praia De Dona Ana and Praia Do Camilo for Portugal’s stunning rock formations
Praia de Dona Ana is one of the most picturesque beaches of the Algarve, and is a great location for your day on the beach. This beach was definitely a lot busier and has limited parking. We did purchase a beach umbrella for about 15 euros this day at one of the shop stands nearby.
Know before you go: the waves are much stronger here making it harder to swim. The waves are also not quite big enough for surfing either. I would definitely go to Praia de Dona Ana for the incredible rock formation views but for a relaxing beach vibe it didn't quite meet my expectations.
Praia Do Camilo is another beautiful beach which is within walking distance from Praia De Dona Ana. Again, the views are 10/10 but on a hot day, the last thing you want to do is climb down and then back up 200 wooden steps down to a beach with little space to set up camp. By the mid-afternoon, the tide was also coming in so it wasn’t an ideal time to explore or set yourself up for tanning. The waves were very strong making it difficult to swim. It was also an extremely busy spot. I think it would be really beautiful at sunset or in slightly off-season to ditch the crowds.
Day 6 – Explore Old Town Lagos before the mid-day heat sets in and visit Ponta da Piedade for sunset
Old Town Lagos
After getting a little too much sun the days prior we opted for exploring the old town of Lagos in the morning before the mid-day heat set in. Exploring the old town was amazing. We parked our car at the pay parkade in the shade and went on foot to the shops and other restaurants. With amazing views and art on every corner, we grabbed a coffee and snacks and walked around until we were ready to leave. The whole town is explorable by foot. Expect to stay anywhere between 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and bring a hat!
Ponta Da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade is a headland with a group of rock formations along the coastline of the town of Lagos. Consisting of yellow-golden cliff-like rocks up to 20 meters high, this is one of the most famous touristic attractions of Portugal.
We drove to this spot which was a short drive from the apartment, parked and then explored the area on foot. I definitely recommend stopping here at golden hour for some amazing photos.
Day 7 – Another beach and pool day followed by wine + tapas for dinner in Praia De Luz
We spent the day at the property’s pool and then got ready for dinner at Tapas Restaurant called Latutide Luz serving wine and tapas in Praia De Luz. We arrived just before the sunset but recommend coming at least 1 hour before to have enough time to explore and take photos. This beach was more rugged but had a beautiful sunset and great food spots.
Location of Latitude Luz is: Travessa do Bill 10, Praia da Luz, Lagos 8600-182 Portugal
Day 8 – Visit the Benagil Caves in the morning followed by exploring the old town of Albufeira
Benagil Caves
The Benagil Caves are a remarkable seaside cave, reachable by boat trip, and known for a distinctive hole in its roof.
From Lagos, the Benagil caves were approximately 45 minutes away by car. We wanted to do the caves before all the large tours and people crowded the popular spot. We did not book with a tour company as these are overpriced and it’s even possible to swim to the caves, that’s how close they are to the beach.
We showed up in the morning and decided to rent Kayaks and a paddle board for 15 euros per person at one of the rental places in the nearby town. They provide you with a dry bag to fit your phone and other belongings. The whole experience is a bit chaotic because entering the cave with a kayak or a paddle board is very dangerous with the waves crashing on your way into the cave but once you’re in the cave it’s very scenic and magical experience. The earlier you arrive, the fewer people will be there. Once the crowds and tours begin to arrive it’s less enjoyable.
Exporing the caves: Reaching the caves is tricky. If you're an adventurous traveller I would reccommend taking a kayak or paddle board. If you're travelling with small kids or a family a boat tour would be preferable but they do not let you get off the boat to explore the cave.
Exploring the Old Town of Albufeira
After the caves, we brought a change of clothes to explore the old town of Albufeira. It really reminded me of Greece with the white buildings and architecture. Since it was getting really hot we walked through some of the main streets and made our way to a viewing deck overlooking the entire beach.
With around 30 kilometres of coastline, Albufeira has a great variety of beaches. We did not get to explore some of the more natural beaches but there are so many surrounding beach spots to visit. The town itself is known for it's lively nightlife.
Day 9 – Final beach and pool day with a boujee seafood lunch at O Camilo Restaurante
If you’re in Portugal tasting the seafood is a must. O Camilo restaurant in Lagos was incredible and offers so many fresh options. Getting seated here can be challenging and it is booked well in advance during peak season. I recommend calling and booking in advance.
The restaurant is located on Camilo Beach, on the road to Ponta da Piedade in Lagos. Surrounded by brightly coloured hillsides, with calm and crystalline waters, Camilo Beach is a small beach west of Lagos.
Camilo Restaurante They are open Tuesday to Saturday between 11:00 and 24:00 (kitchen only between 12:00 and 21:30) and Sunday between 11:00 and 16:00. They only accept reservations by phone or directly at the restaurant. Ponta da Piedade Road, Praia do Camilo 8600-544 Lagos, Portugal | (+351) 968 691 143
Day 10 – Drive back early from the Algarve to Lisbon, Spend the day exploring Lisbon. Try authentic Piri Piri chicken. Fly home or to the next destination the next morning.
On the last day, we checked out of the property in Lagos and drove back to Lisbon. For the rest of the day we explored the city and had some Piri Piri chicken at a well-known spot called Bonjardim.
Bonjardim | TV. de Santo Antão 12, Lisbon 1150-312 Portugal
Can we get a little commotion for the Pastel de Natas
If you know, you know that Portugal is known for their pastel de natas, a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, optionally dusted with cinnamon. They have these everywhere! Were you even in Portugal if you didn’t have a pastel de nata every day?
Thanks for reading this far and I hope you enjoyed this 10-day guide to Portugal! If you have any questions please get in touch with me! If you liked this post, please subscribe by entering your email below! If you enjoyed this post I’d appreciate if you shared this post!
Sara Habibovic 