🇵🇹 Portugal 22-Day Road Trip Itinerary: Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve
Portugal is a small country nestled next to the Atlantic Ocean and its neighbor, Spain, on the Iberian Peninsula. At just a sixth of the landmass of the peninsula (Spain occupies the remainder) and a total of 35,000 square miles, it boasts the location of the most western part of the continent of Europe, Cabo Da Roca.
22-Day Portugal Road Trip Itinerary Overview
This 22-day itinerary includes the major cities of Lisbon and Porto and highlights on the mainland, including the shimmering beaches of the Algarve in the southern part of the country. We will not include Madeira or the Azores, the Portuguese islands in the Pacific Ocean—we’ll save those Portuguese islands for a future trip!
Lisbon - 3 Days
We will start our travels in Lisbon with a couple of days to get over jetlag and begin sightseeing and dining around the city. This trip is about exploring Portuguese culture through food, in addition to its many historical sites. During these first days, we plan to eat around Lisbon on a food tour and ride the iconic Tram 28. We’ll return for three more days of sightseeing at the end of the road trip before leaving the country.
Sintra, Obidos, and Coimbra - 2 Days
After a few days in Lisbon, we will pick up our rental car at the airport and make our way toward the other major city of Porto. Along the way, we will stop in:
Sintra: A longtime royal sanctuary. Note: Parking in the town center is limited, so plan for an uphill walk or use local transport/taxis to see Pena Palace.
Óbidos: A beautifully well-preserved medieval hilltop town.
Coimbra: Home of the historic University of Coimbra.
Porto - 3 Days
Stretching along the Douro River, this city is known for its culinary scene and its wine. Our time in Porto will include a Douro Valley Wine Tasting Tour and River Cruise. One cannot visit Porto and not taste the port! We also plan to try the famous, hearty Francesinha sandwich and climb the 200 steps to the Clérigos Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês - 2 Days
After Porto, we’ll spend a few days in Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês. Portugal's only National Park is renowned for its ancient Roman roads and dramatic mountain scenery. While Peneda-Gerês is the only national park, there are natural parks, wildlife reservations, and protected landscapes that make up more than 7% of Portugal’s mainland.
Viseu, Monsanto, and Évora - 5 Days (including 2-night restorative farm stay in Spain)
Heading south toward the Algarve via an inland route, we will make stops at:
Viseu: Cultural capital of the Beiras region, known for its stunning Gothic cathedral.
Monsanto: Famous for its houses built directly into massive granite boulders.
Cáceres, Spain: A restorative 2-night farm stay at Habitat Cigüeña Negra in the Sierra de Gata mountains.
Évora: A UNESCO World Heritage city known for its Roman Temple and chilling 16th-century Chapel of Bones.
Note: The drive from Évora to the Algarve is the longest continuous leg of the trip, so we plan to start early.
Algarve - 4 Days
Our next destination will be the Algarve region. We plan to stay in Moncarapacho and Lagos to visit the towns of Tavira, Faro, Albufeira, and Lagos. However, the highlights will be the area’s clifftop views of the Atlantic Ocean, the stunning seaside caves (like the Benagil Cave), and the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos.
Lisbon - 3 Days
After a few days of relaxing and exploring the Algarve, we’ll return to Lisbon on a coastal drive. We’ll spend a few more days shopping and eating till we end our journey with new perspectives and appreciation of Portugal’s culture and history.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
💬 Which stop on this Portugal road trip itinerary are you most interested in, the major cities, the small towns, or the beaches of the Algarve? Share your thoughts in the comments!
