Is 7 days enough for Portugal?
While both Central Portugal and the north have a lot to offer, this 7-day itinerary is perfect for a first-timer who hasn't yet visited the country. For everything you need to know before traveling to Portugal, check out our Portugal Survival Guide.
Any Portugal travel itinerary should be a minimum of seven days long to ensure you can immerse yourself in the local culture, customs, and traditions. Those with more time can enjoy traveling further afield or staying longer in one destination to scratch beneath the surface.
As I hope you've now realized, Portugal's cities, landscapes, culture and prices make it perfect for a one-week trip. Even though there is still much more to see and do after this itinerary, it's a great start to exploring the country's main highlights.
While we always recommend spending as much time as possible in Portugal, 5 days is plenty of time to see the largest two cities – Porto and Lisbon.
The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.
Portugal is not a large country and you can get almost everywhere easily and efficiently by train or bus. Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes.
How much money will you need for your trip to Portugal? You should plan to spend around €109 ($119) per day on your vacation in Portugal, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €32 ($35) on meals for one day and €21 ($23) on local transportation.
Portugal is one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe to visit. It is significantly cheaper than the hotspots like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome for food, accommodations, and activities. Visiting during the off-season from January to February can also help cut costs for big items like flights and hotels.
A couple with a mid-range income can live comfortably in Portugal's cities for around €1,700 per month. A couple in Lisbon can live on around €2,000 per month. For a single person, you can get by on €1,200 per month in Lisbon or Porto and even less in Portugal's smaller towns.
In Portugal, restaurants open for lunch starting at 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. but don't usually fill up until around 1:00 p.m. Dinner is most commonly taken at 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., but restaurants do open as early as 7:00 p.m.
Can I wear shorts in Portugal?
Shorts, t-shirts and camisoles are perfectly acceptable. In the summer wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) and a sunhat. Pack sunglasses whatever time of year you go.
The most common items you'll find in a Portuguese breakfast are: bread, sliced cheese, sliced ham, bread, jam, and a milky coffee. Sometimes it's just toast without the ham and cheese, but the common denominators are almost always bread and a milky coffee like a galão or a meia de leite.
Like so many destinations in Europe, the most convenient way to get around Portugal is by renting a car. Rental cars give you the freedom to travel when and where you want and don't force you to fit your plans into a bus or tour schedule.
Lisbon has more tourist attractions, sights, and museums
While Porto has some worthwhile cathedrals and sights (like the Harry Potteresque bookstore), Porto is more about enjoying the city, strolling the streets, taking in views, and tasting Port wine at the Port lodges. Lisbon wins the Lisbon vs.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Portugal is $1,233 for a solo traveler, $2,017 for a couple, and $1,905 for a family of 4. Portugal hotels range from $45 to $199 per night with an average of $75, while most vacation rentals will cost $140 to $480 per night for the entire home.
Portugal is a country with a longstanding love of seafood, and as such there are a variety of local recipes that make use of the entire fish – even the egg sacs! This popular local salad takes the egg sacs and tosses them with onion, bell peppers, tomatoes and lettuce. It's much tastier than it sounds, we promise.
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 52ºF (11ºC). It's rare for it to get colder than 41ºF (5ºC). In summer, the warmest month is July with average temperatures of 74ºF (24ºC). However, it can get much hotter with temperatures over 86ºF (30ºC) and lows of 62ºF (17ºC).
What is Portugal famous for? Wine, for sure; this is where you'll find some of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. In fact, two of Portugal's wine-growing regions, the Douro Valley and Pico Island in the Azores, are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Reserve a ride with Uber in advance in Lisbon
Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year. Press the down arrow key to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the escape button to close the calendar. Selected date is 2023/02/10.
Bus – Buses are the cheapest way to explore, and they're also not super time-consuming since Portugal isn't a huge country. A cross-country bus from Lisbon to Lagos costs between 15-20 EUR, while an eight-hour journey from Braga to Faro costs around 30 EUR.
Where is the best place to stay in Portugal?
- Porto = best place for cultural experience. ...
- Algarve = best place for beaches. ...
- Lisbon = best place to staying Portugal without a car. ...
- Alentejo = best part of Portugal to relax. ...
- Monsanto = for a very unique stay.
The conversion value for 100 USD to 86.957 POR.
Will you use American money in Portugal? During your trip to Portugal, it will be impossible to pay in American money, since Portugal uses Euros. The best you will be able to make is to find the best exchange possible is withdraw in an ATM machine on the street.
In general, Portugal is not a tipping culture, there are no established rules, and different people follow different rules. There is no obligation to tip in restaurants, hotels, bars, or personal service locations like salons and spas.
Know when you're required to declare it. You are allowed to travel with any amount of money. However, if you are entering or leaving the European Union carrying an amount over 10,000 euros, or its equivalent in a different currency, you are under a legal obligation to declare it at Customs.
While credit and debit cards are generally accepted, Portugal is a cash-centric country — especially when you get outside of cities like Lisbon and Porto.
When moving to Portugal, or simply just visiting the country, people often ask if English is widely spoken, and the general answer is yes, adding more reasons to the list of why Portugal is a great country for expats.
Consumer prices in the United States are 58.21 percent higher than in Portugal (excluding rent) Consumer prices including rent in the United States are 74.55 percent higher than in Portugal. Rent prices in the United States are 110.67 percent higher than in Portugal.
Expense | U.S. $ |
---|---|
Rent (furnished two-bedroom apartment) | $1,300 |
Utilities (electric, water, gas, trash) | $150 |
Internet/phones | $65 |
Groceries/Food | $500 |
On average, housing in Portugal costs around 1,100 EUR (1,200 USD) in rent per month.
What time is lunch break in Portugal?
Office hours of public institutions are usually from 9 AM to 6 PM with a lunch break from 12.30 PM until 2 PM – there is no 'siesta' tradition in Portugal.
Standard hours in Portugal
Monday to Friday, typically 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break, or 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a two-hour lunch break.
Know what sides to expect
Grilled and fried meat usually come with rice and fries, and fish comes with boiled potatoes and vegetables. Salad is usually extra and typically includes lettuce, tomato, and onions. The waiter will ask you quer salada? (do you want salad?).
- All forms of asbestos fibers.
- All products containing the biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF)
- Atlantic red tuna fish (Thunnus Thynnus) originating from Belize, Panama, and Honduras.
- Certain U.S. Beef hormones.
- Cologne and Perfume, Haz and Non-Haz.
- Cosmetics.
Crime rates are low but pickpocketing, handbag snatching and theft from cars and holiday properties are common in major tourist areas and can be accompanied by violence. Be alert, keep sight of your belongings at all times and beware of thieves using distraction techniques.
What food is Portugal known for? The most popular Portuguese food is bacalhau or dried, salted cod, with more than 365 different ways to prepare it.
Bacalhau. Bacalhau (dried, salted cod) is Portugal's national dish, although saying national dish is a bit confusing as there really isn't just one recipe for bacalhau: rumour has it that there are more than 365 different ways to cook bacalhau, and some people say that's even an under-estimation.
Licor Beirão
Simply known as Beirão, this national drink of Portugal is one you don't want to miss! Possibly the most popular Portuguese liqueur on the market, this drink originated in the Beiras region and is an excellent option for those with a sweet tooth.
- Lisbon. Lisbon is a city full of charm, culture and history, located on the banks of the Tagus River. ...
- Porto. Portugal's second-largest city, Porto is a top destination for lovers of wine, good food and beautiful architecture. ...
- Sintra. ...
- Cascais. ...
- Braga. ...
- Faro. ...
- Coimbra. ...
- Obidos.
- Bring walking shoes with a good grip. ...
- Visit during the off-season to skip the crowds. ...
- Opt for cash in most cases. ...
- Round up your bill at restaurants for good service. ...
- Seek out fresh seafood—especially cod. ...
- Indulge in pastéis de nata. ...
- Shop for sardines & ceramic swallows.
Do I need to carry my passport in Portugal?
In Portugal, all citizens of over 16 years of age, whether national or foreign, are required by law to carry a valid document identifying them to the authorities. This document may be an identity card, passport, residence certificate or residence card.
- Carvalhal. This little village sits among the pine forests, rice fields and dunes near Comporta with a wonderful white-sand beach that is the perfect setting for a gallop as the sun sets. ...
- Lindoso. ...
- Marvão. ...
- Cacela Velha. ...
- Belmonte. ...
- Amarante. ...
- Monsanto. ...
- Sortelha.
The Algarve is arguably the best part of Portugal to visit. The region has hundreds of beaches, beautiful hotels, and arguably the most delicious cuisine in the country.
Where is the best area to live in Portugal? According to a Securitas Direct Survey, Bragança and Guarda are among the safest places to live in the country.
Can you live in Portugal for $1000 a month? Yes, if you live frugally, you should be able to live on $1000 a month in Portugal. However, it may not be possible if you live in Lisbon as costs are increasing, and rental costs are now quite high. If you want to live comfortably in the country, we would recommend €1,200.
Can a US citizen move to Portugal? A US citizen can enter Portugal without a visa and stay there for 90 days. You will need to secure a visa and obtain a residence permit for a long-term stay. Different visa options are better suited to different people.
Portugal's prices for food and drink are cheap. To eat out, you can pay as little as €15 for dinner, with a bottle of wine at a restaurant costing €10. You can choose to eat in cheaper places for just €10.
If you want to stay around Lisbon, we recommend a seven-day-itinerary that allows you to take your time to visit the charming Portuguese capital city as well as the most famous cities in its surroundings, like Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril.
We would recommend at least 2 weeks if you want to visit both Spain and Portugal. If you have less time, say 10 days, then concentrate on Madrid and Barcelona in Spain!
While 8 days isn't enough time to explore the country in-depth (2 weeks in Portugal is even better!), it is enough to give you a taste. Because it is so small, you can cover a lot of ground in just a week! But choosing just what to see and how long to spend where can be daunting.
Is a week too long to spend in Lisbon?
A week in Lisbon is not too long but after 3 or 4 days in the city, you might start feeling the urgency to explore the surrounding areas or other parts of the country. If you have a week to spend in Lisbon, we recommend visiting the city for at least 3 days and then organizing day trips to Sintra, Cascais or Évora.
Lisbon has more tourist attractions, sights, and museums
While Porto has some worthwhile cathedrals and sights (like the Harry Potteresque bookstore), Porto is more about enjoying the city, strolling the streets, taking in views, and tasting Port wine at the Port lodges. Lisbon wins the Lisbon vs.
Generally, a mid-range tourist should expect to spend €100 per day while in Lisbon. This value does not include accommodation (around €70-150 per room per night), flights or highly expensive gimmicky tours.
Despite its hilly terrain, Lisbon is still very walkable and most of the attractions can be reached on foot from the central area or are within a short walk from transit stops. Public transportation in the city is practical, efficient, and inexpensive – a great way to get around and/or cover longer distances.
Generally speaking, Portugal is cheaper than Spain, although the flight there will likely be the most expensive part of your Portugal vacation.
Portugal is one of the best places in the world for 7-10 day-long trips. The country is small and easy to travel around, the weather is fantastic, and every town is overflowing with a distinctive vibe. There are three must-see areas in the Iberian country – Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve coast.
Two weeks in Portugal gives you ample time to enjoy the highlights at a relaxed pace. Spend time in both Lisbon and Porto — complete with private guided tours and gorgeous day trips — while also adding time further afield, on the beaches of the Algarve or on an island like São Miguel in the Azores.
The cheapest time to visit Portugal is in January and February. Avoiding the major Portuguese holidays like Christmas and Easter and the major European vacation times of July and August will help you score serious deals.
Lisbon is, among other things, known for its unique historical center, stunning architecture, colorful azulejos (ceramic tiles), and fantastic food. It also has a fascinating history, filled with rulers, invasions, destructions, and re-constructions. History aside, Lisbon is a fantastic place to visit.
Three days will allow you to explore the city at a more leisurely pace, as well as providing time to visit the museums and lesser-known sights. If you are new to Porto, it is suggested to plan two days in which to fully see the city.