Lisbon, Porto & Douro
Duration : 8 days
Route : Lisbon (3 nights) → Sintra & Cascais (1 night) → Coimbra (1 night) → Porto (3 nights, Douro cruise)
Custom travel to Portugal
Portugal is one of Europe's most captivating destinations, where Lisbon and its yellow trams meet Porto and its port wine cellars, where the wild Alentejo coast dialogues with the golden Algarve beaches, and where every region reveals a strong character. From romantic Sintra to Douro vineyards, from subtropical Madeira to volcanic Azores, the country offers a diversity of landscapes, flavors, and heritage that makes it one of Europe's most complete destinations, at still-accessible prices.
Highlights
- Lisbon: trams, viewpoints, fado, pastéis
- Porto: port wine cellars, UNESCO Douro Valley
- Sintra: romantic palaces (Pena, Quinta da Regaleira)
- Algarve: golden beaches, cliffs, and caves
- Alentejo: vineyards, olive groves, and white villages
Sample itineraries
Full Portugal
Duration : 14 days
Route : Lisbon (3 nights) → Sintra (1 night) → Évora & Alentejo (2 nights) → Algarve (3 nights) → Coimbra (1 night) → Porto (3 nights) → Douro (1 night)
Portugal & Azores
Duration : 16 days
Route : Lisbon (2 nights) → Sintra (1 night) → Porto (3 nights) → Douro (2 nights) → flight Azores São Miguel (4 nights) → Pico (2 nights) → Faial (1 night) → return flight
Essential Madeira
Duration : 8 days
Route : Funchal (3 nights) → Caldeirão Verde and Risco Levadas (2 nights, north) → Peaks and Pico Ruivo (2 nights, center) → west coast and Porto Moniz (1 night)
Full Madeira & Porto
Duration : 12 days
Route : Porto (3 nights, Douro cruise) → flight Funchal (3 nights) → levadas and peaks (3 nights, Santana) → Porto Santo by ferry (2 nights, golden sand beach) → return flight
Madeira & Azores: double Atlantic archipelago
Duration : 14 days
Route : Lisbon (1 night) → flight Funchal Madeira (5 nights, levadas, Pico Ruivo, Porto Moniz) → direct Azores São Miguel flight (4 nights, Sete Cidades, Furnas) → Pico (3 nights, volcano ascent) → return flight
When to go
Portugal is ideally visited April-June and September-October: pleasant temperatures (20-28 °C), little rain, few crowds. Summer (July-August) is hot (32-38 °C inland, pleasant on the coast) and saturated in the Algarve. Winter is mild (10-15 °C) and ideal for Lisbon and Porto without crowds, but the Algarve loses its charm and the Azores are rainy.
- Spring (April – June), Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Alentejo
- Summer (July – August), Algarve, beaches, festivals (Lisbon, Porto)
- Autumn (September – October), Douro harvests, calmer Algarve
- Winter (December – March), Lisbon, Porto without crowds, springlike Madeira
Practical information
Portugal is one of the world's safest countries. A few cultural codes: meals are eaten a bit late (lunch 1-2pm, dinner 8-9pm); tipping (5-10%) is appreciated; greeting with 2 kisses; don't ask for lemon on bacalhau (sacrilege). Portuguese are proud of their identity distinct from Spain, don't say it's 'like Spain but smaller'. Tap water is drinkable. A few Portuguese words (obrigado/obrigada depending on speaker gender, bom dia, saúde) always appreciated.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
April-June and September-October offer the ideal balance: pleasant temperatures (20-28 °C), little rain, few crowds, gardens in bloom in spring and golden harvest light in the Douro in autumn. Summer (July-August) is hot, up to 38 °C inland but milder on the coast, and the Algarve becomes saturated with doubled prices. Winter (December-March, 10-15 °C) stays mild and ideal for visiting Lisbon and Porto without crowds at lower prices, but the Algarve loses its beach appeal. For Madeira, the permanent springlike climate (18-25 °C) allows year-round travel; for the Azores, favor June to September, when the weather is more stable and sperm whale watching is best.
How long for a Portugal trip?
Allow 8 days for the Lisbon, Porto & Douro itinerary: Lisbon and Alfama, Sintra's palaces, Coimbra, and Porto with a UNESCO-listed Douro cruise. The complete 14-day Portugal itinerary adds Évora and the Alentejo, Algarve beaches and cliffs, and Coimbra University. To combine with the Atlantic archipelagos, plan 16 days for Portugal and the Azores (São Miguel, Pico, Faial), 8 days for a dedicated Madeira stay, or up to 14 days to combine Madeira and Azores, two contrasting volcanic worlds 1,000 km apart.
What budget for a custom Portugal trip?
As a guideline, expect from €1,400 per person for 8-10 days in the Comfort tier (3-4★ hotels in Lisbon and Porto, Douro agritourism, Alfa Pendular train and compact car), excluding international flights. The Premium tier, from €2,400 for 12-14 days, offers historic pousadas (former convents and palaces) and a private French-speaking guide over several days. The Exclusive tier, from €4,500 for 14 to 21 fully bespoke days, allows addresses like the Belmond Reid's Palace in Madeira, The Yeatman in Porto, or Vila Joya in the Algarve. Expect €100 to €300 for a Paris-Lisbon round-trip flight in Economy.
Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal?
Portugal is part of the EU and the Schengen Area. No visa is required for French, Belgian, Swiss, and EU citizens, an ID card suffices for an unlimited stay. For the UK, US, and Canada, no visa is required either for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period (Schengen rule), and the passport must remain valid throughout the stay. No vaccination is mandatory to travel to mainland Portugal, Madeira, or the Azores.
Should I rent a car in Portugal?
A car is essential to explore the Douro at your own pace, the Alentejo and its white villages (Monsaraz, Marvão), the Algarve beyond the main resorts, and the hinterland (Serra da Estrela, Monchique). It's not needed in Lisbon or Porto, however, where public transport (tram, metro) and walking are more than enough, and the Alfa Pendular train links the two cities in 2 h 45 without logistical hassle. Portugal's motorway network is excellent, but tolls add up quickly: the Via Verde toll system is strongly recommended for rental cars.
How to get around in Portugal?
The Alfa Pendular train links Lisbon to Porto in 2 h 45, comfortable and punctual, it's the option I recommend for this route rather than driving or flying. A car becomes useful for the Douro, Alentejo, and Algarve, where distances between villages and wine estates are best covered freely. In Lisbon and Porto, the tram (including Lisbon's iconic Tram 28) and metro cover most urban trips. To reach the Atlantic archipelagos, direct domestic flights exist from Lisbon: about 1 h 30 to Madeira and 2 h to the Azores.
How to pay in Portugal: card or cash?
Cards are accepted everywhere. Cash remains useful for markets and small taverns. Portugal is part of the eurozone.
Is Portugal a safe country?
Yes, Portugal regularly ranks among the world's 5 safest countries according to the Global Peace Index. Crime is very low, including in Lisbon and Porto at night. A few common-sense precautions suffice: watch your belongings in very touristy areas (Tram 28, Alfama) where pickpockets are occasionally present. Tap water is drinkable everywhere in the country, a notable exception in Southern Europe.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to travel in Portugal?
No, English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. The Portuguese always appreciate a few words in their language (obrigado or obrigada depending on your gender, bom dia, saúde), and remember they are proud of their identity distinct from Spain. In the rural Alentejo or remote villages, a French-speaking guide eases exchanges, which I systematically include on the key stops of your trip.
Is Portugal suitable for a family trip?
Absolutely. One of Europe's most family-friendly countries: safety, warm welcome for children, family beaches, kid-friendly experiences (tram, romantic palaces, cruises). Favor Algarve + Lisbon for a first trip.
Can you do a honeymoon in Portugal?
Portugal is a romantic honeymoon destination. Between historic pousadas, Madeira's Belmond Reid's Palace, Azores caldera-view villas, Douro cruises, intimate fado shows, experiences for two abound.
Can you combine continental Portugal with Madeira or Azores?
Yes, direct flight from Lisbon (1h30 to Madeira, 2h to Azores). Plan 14-18 days for a balanced combination. Madeira is ideal year-round, Azores more stable June-September.
What's the best one-week Portugal itinerary?
The classic 7-day itinerary: 3 days in Lisbon (with Sintra), train to Porto, 2 days in Porto, 1 day in the Douro Valley, then back. For a first beach-focused trip, swap the Douro for 3 days in the Algarve (Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, Benagil).