LISBON - PORTO, PORTUGAL

Jun 13, 2024

6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

I had always heard good things about Portugal being a beautiful country and inexpensive to visit. Now I can attest that both were true for my trip! In all honesty, it isn’t a country I would rush back to, but it’s definitely worth seeing at least once in your life.

The scenery throughout our travels was lush and beautiful. The architecture in Sintra, just outside Lisbon, was fascinating and unique, and the river views in Porto were breathtaking.

Personally, I struggled to find accommodations in Lisbon that matched the modern luxury style I love. Dining was also a challenge, as many traditional menus centered on meat and seafood, neither of which I eat. My travel companions enjoyed the octopus, but none of us found the cuisine over-the-top amazing. It’s definitely not Italy or France!

Shopping reminded me of Spain, with plenty of cute, casual clothing at affordable prices. If you’re looking for everyday pieces that won’t break the bank, you’ll find lots of options.

I explored many of the main attractions in central Lisbon and Porto. Below, you’ll find my itinerary and recommendations for where to stay, eat and explore, along with photos and practical tips to help plan your visit.

Getting there and around

Within the city, we mostly walked or took quick, inexpensive Uber rides. You can rent a car, but parking can be difficult, so I wouldn’t prioritize one unless you’re exploring beyond the cities.

Sintra is about 30-45 minutes from Lisbon depending on traffic.

We booked a private car service from Lisbon to Porto, which took approximately three hours. You can also travel by train or fly.

My sightseeing advice

As I ALWAYS recommend, reserve popular tours and attractions in advance to secure your preferred time. If a self-guided audio tour is available, take it! It’s a great way to learn about what you’re seeing while exploring at your own pace.

Whenever possible, book the first entry time of the day so you can enjoy the property before the crowds arrive—and get better photos!

Best time to visit

For exploring Lisbon and Porto, I’d recommend May, June or September, with comfortable weather for walking and sightseeing.

Pack a light jacket for cooler evenings, especially in Porto. Sintra can also feel cooler than Lisbon.

ITINERARY

May 28th - Fly Palma to Lisbon ( 2 hours flight) land 1:30pm

Brown's | Avenue Hotel - 20 mins drive from Airport (This hotel is a small 5 star boutique hotel and it’s the closest I could find to modern luxury in the heart of Lisbon. The hotel was clean, the restaurant had good food, and the location was within walking distance of most places we wanted to visit. My main challenges were the extremely small rooms and décor that wasn’t as modern as I typically prefer. However, the included buffet breakfast had a large variety of options, which was a nice bonus. Next time, I would like to try Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina. It appears more luxurious, although it’s farther from many of the places I like to explore.

Our hotel was one block from Avenida da Liberdade, my favorite street in Lisbon. With its tall, lush trees, clean sidewalks, and beautiful shops, it was such a lovely place to walk. From there, you can continue toward Praça do Comércio, exploring more shops and restaurants along the way.

On my second visit to Lisbon, I stayed at Memmo Príncipe Real, a small boutique hotel with more contemporary décor. The rooms were still very small for my taste, but the delicious restaurant, stunning views, and pool were highlights. The location felt somewhat out of the way, though, and its position on a hill made walking back to the hotel strenuous.

Hotels opening in 2026/2027 -

JNcQUOI House
Six Senses Lisbon
Nobu Hotel Lisbon

Praça do Comércio (15 mins drive or 25 mins walk from hotel)

Parque Eduardo VII (10 mins walk from hotel)

The Alfama neighborhood is an excellent place to just wander and maybe get a little lost. (10 mins drive or 30 mins walk from hotel)

miradouro de santa luzia is a well known terrace in Alfama that has a beautiful view of the ocean and a breathtaking bougainvillea tree.

Café Príncipe Real Restaurante (The food was good and the ambience was very nice)

May 29th -Sintra - 40 mins drive from hotel

Sintra was the best part of visiting Lisbon for me. It’s a magical region with a spiritual vibe, and the palaces are all so unique and mesmerizing to explore. Allow at least half a day for two sites or a full day for three, spending approximately 1½–2 hours at each.

Getting around can be challenging because of the winding mountain roads and one-way streets. Plan your visits carefully—a missed stop can mean driving another 30–40 minutes to reach a palace that appears just minutes away.

I recommend hiring a driver who knows the roads, ideally for the entire day. We arranged with our Uber driver to stay with us for €200 for the day, which made the experience so much easier!

I’ve listed these sites in the order I recommend visiting, keeping the mountain roads and direction of travel in mind. We didn’t visit Pena Palace because it was difficult to reach that day, and it interested me the least of the sites on our list. If you’d like to include it, ask your driver about starting there before continuing to the others.

TOUR 1 – Quinta da Regaleira

With its intricate palace, mysterious symbolism, and lush gardens, this estate feels like something out of a storybook. Built in the early 1900s, it has a magical, slightly eerie atmosphere. Its famous Initiation Well, underground tunnels, and hidden grottoes make it especially mesmerizing to explore.

TOUR 2 – Park and Palace of Monserrate

This beautiful palace features intricate Moorish-inspired architecture surrounded by lush gardens. It feels romantic and peaceful, with stunning details both inside and out.

May 30 – Fronteira Palace

10 a.m. English guided tour | Approximately 10 minutes by car from our hotel

This was my favorite tour of all the sites we visited! The family still lives in the palace, which makes the experience feel especially personal. The guided tour takes you through some of the interior rooms, and you can also explore the beautiful gardens. Book your guided tour in advance so you can see inside—it’s well worth it!

Jerónimos Monastery

You can visit the church, where you’ll find the tomb of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, for free. A separate ticket allows you to explore the monastery’s beautiful cloisters.

Cloister hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m.

Church hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sundays and religious holidays, 2–5 p.m.

Closed Monday

Rocco Restaurant

May 31st - Explore anything you didn’t see and go to Galapinhos Beach (1 hour drive from Lisbon)

JNcQUOI

June 1st - Drive in the morning at 6:00am (3 hours) to Porto (car service)

Maison Albar – Le Monumental Palace

I really enjoyed this hotel. The service was impeccable, and both breakfast and dinner were delicious. The central location made exploring Porto easy, with most places we wanted to visit within walking distance or a quick five-minute Uber ride.

Exploring Porto

Livraria Lello

Approximately a five-minute walk from our hotel

This beautiful, historic bookshop is known for its dramatic red staircase and intricate interiors. Book your ticket online in advance for your preferred date and time. The standard ticket’s value can be applied toward a book from the Livraria Lello Editions collection—a lovely souvenir to bring home!

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

Approximately 10 minutes by car or a 20-minute walk from our hotel

Open daily: April–September, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; October–March, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.

These beautiful gardens are a lovely place for a daytime stroll or to enjoy the sunset before closing, with lush greenery and stunning views over the Douro River.

June 2nd -

Palácio da Bolsa

Approximately 10 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk from our hotel

Visiting hours: 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Explore the palace’s ornate interiors, including the stunning Arabian Room, on a guided tour lasting approximately 30 minutes. A guided tour is required, so confirm the next available English tour when purchasing your tickets.

Explore Ribeira

Approximately 6 minutes by car or a 10-minute walk from our hotel - in the area of Palácio da Bolsa

Open to explore at any time; restaurant and shop hours vary.

Ribeira is Porto’s picturesque waterfront area along the Douro River, with colorful buildings, restaurants, and beautiful river views. It’s a lovely place to stroll, stop for a meal, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Jardim do Morro & Serra do Pilar Viewpoint

Approximately 10 minutes by car or a 20-minute walk from our hotel

Jardim do Morro: Open 24 hours daily.

Serra do Pilar Monastery: Currently closed for renovation.

For beautiful sunset views, head across the river to Jardim do Morro or the viewpoint beside Serra do Pilar Monastery. From this side of the Douro, you can admire Porto’s historic center, the river, and the iconic Dom Luí.

There’s also a glass-fronted restaurant nearby where you can enjoy a drink or small plates while taking in the view!