Portugal Itinerary

If your dream summer vacation includes golden beaches, lively music, and mouth-watering food, Portugal can be one of your top choices. In Lisbon, you can see cobblestone streets, visit medieval buildings, and enjoy a buzzing nightlife. The Douro Valley has rich wine and picturesque vineyards, while Sintra looks like a fairytale town. You must create a detailed itinerary to fit this into a few days. You need to submit this itinerary while applying for a Schengen visa. Read on to know more about the must-see tourist spots and a sample Portugal itinerary to make your trip unforgettable.

Individuals
Sr. Citizens
Students

Plans for an individual of 30 years age travelling to USA for 15 days

Essential Information for Planning Your Itinerary

Portugal's well-connected train network makes your planning easier. Buses like the Vamus Algarve service are available for beach trips, but renting a car is your best option for flexibility. Here is some other crucial information for planning a Portugal trip.

Categories	Information
Visa Requirements for Indians	Yes
Travel Insurance for Poland	Mandatory
Flight Duration from India	11 to 13 Hours
International Airports	Warsaw Chopin Airport
Best Time to Visit	July and August

Places/Experiences You Must Include in a Portugal Itinerary

Portugal offers everything from museums and scenic landscapes to rich cultural experiences. Here are some destinations that must be included in your Portugal tour itinerary.

The Belém Tower: This UNESCO-recognised tower is one of Lisbon's most famous historical monuments.
Douro Valley: Visit the oldest dedicated wine region in the world to sip Port wine and enjoy the lush green views.
Tram 28: This iconic old yellow-coloured tram in Lisbon takes you through the city's picturesque streets and makes you feel like you have travelled back in time.

How Many Days Do You Need in Portugal?

You can plan your Portugal trip for as short as 4-5 days or as long as 10 days. Here is a glimpse of how your Portugal itinerary can look like:

Days	Cities to Visit in Portugal
Day 1-4	Lisbon, Sintra
Day 5-7	Evora, Comporta
Day 8-10	Melides, Porto, Coimbra

5-Day Portugal Itinerary for a Short Visit

This 5-day itinerary for Portugal covers major highlights like Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra. This includes a little of everything, from art to history and natural beauty.

Day 1: A Warm Welcome

Land in Lisbon. Explore the city's top attractions, like the Belém Tower, Commerce Square, Lisbon's National Palace, and the Santa Justa Lift. Enjoy a ride on the historic yellow 'Tram 28'.
Day 2: A Fairytale Journey to Sintra

Plan a day trip to Sintra- a place straight from a fairytale. Visit Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleria, and Sintra's National Palace.
Day 3: The Best of Porto

Head to Porto. See popular tourist spots like Porto Cathedral, the Luis I bridge, and Clérigos Tower. Try Porto's delicious street food and take long walks along the Douro River.
Day 4: Wine and Vineyards

Take a day trip to Douro Valley. Tour one of the many wineries in the area and enjoy wine tasting. Visit Foz Côa to see fascinating prehistoric rock art.
Day 5: Back to Lisbon

Head to Lisbon to board your flight back to India.

10-Day Portugal Itinerary

Take your time exploring this charming country with this 10-day Portugal travel itinerary. See some of the nation's lesser-known sights and immerse yourself in the local life.

Day 1: Arrive in Portugal

You can reach Lisbon by flight. Then, ride the iconic Tram 28 and admire the views from the miradouros (scenic viewpoints). Miradouro da Graça is a famous point you can consider.
Day 2: A Day Out in Lisbon

Explore Lisbon's famous attractions, such as the Belém Tower, the Alfama neighbourhood, São Jorge Castle, and the iconic square- Praça do Comércio. Then, taste authentic Portuguese food in one of Lisbon's local restaurants.
Day 3: A Day Exploring Sintra

Take a day trip to the stunning town of Sintra. Explore its fairytale castles, such as Pena Palace and Moorish Castle. Roam around Quinta da Regaleira's gardens and visit the Initiation Well.
Day 4: Back to Lisbon

Have breakfast at the iconic cafe, Pasteis de Belém. Later, see Jeronimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, the National Pantheon, and Lisbon Cathedral.
Day 5: Witness the Heritage Sites of Evora

Travel to Evora in the morning. See the Bones Chapel, the Roman Temple, and the Cathedral of Evora.
Day 6: Douro Valley Tour

Travel to the Douro Valley to see historic port wineries and taste wine. You can also hike among wineries, learn about wine-making, or taste local delicacies like cod fritters and stews.
Day 7: A Visit to Comporta

Drive to Comporta, a famous beach town. Explore the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve to see dolphins and many fascinating birds.
Day 8: Beach Day

Relax on one of Comporta's famous beaches, such as Comporta Beach, Pego Beach, Carvalhal Beach, and Torre Beach.
Day 9: Exploring Melides

You can visit a small riverside town named Melides today. Visit the beautiful Melides Beach and the Melides Lagoon.
Day 10: Back To India

Head back to Lisbon to board your flight back to India.

Any international trip becomes secure with overseas travel insurance. The right travel insurance plan makes handling unforeseen events during your trip, including medical emergencies, delayed luggage, missed flights, or trip cancellations, easier.

Tips for Planning Your Portugal Itinerary

Getting Around: You can get a Portugal Rail Pass for 3 or 7 days and use the country's public transport as much as you want.
Travel Insurance: To get a Schengen visa, you must have an international travel insurance policy with coverage of at least EUR 30,000. It should cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation to India (including in case of death).

Cash Declaration: If you have cash worth EUR 10,000 or more while entering or leaving the European Union (the EU), you must declare it to Portuguese customs.

Portugal Itinerary - FAQs

Q1. Which part of Portugal is the most beautiful?

Ans: The Algarve region, with its stunning coastline, golden beaches, and dramatic cliffs, is often considered the most beautiful part of Portugal.
Q2. Which city should you visit first in Portugal?

Ans: Plan to visit Lisbon first. Since it is Portugal's capital, international flights from major Indian cities, such as New Delhi and Mumbai, are easier to find.
Q3. What is Portugal famous for?

Ans: Portugal is famous for its golden beaches, rich history, Port wine, and soulful Fado music.
Q4. What is the prettiest city in Portugal?

Ans: Sintra is often considered the prettiest city for its colourful houses, lush gardens, and fairytale-like castles.
Q5. How many days are enough for Portugal?

Ans: A one-week to 10-day trip is best for exploring Portugal's cities, coastal towns, and cultural sites at a relaxed pace. However, you can cover the country's major tourist attractions within 5 days.

Find the Best Itinerary for Your Next Trip

Travel insurance companies

View more insurers

Disclaimer: The list of insurers mentioned are arranged according to the alphabetical order of the names of insurers respectively. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. The list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in