As an American, I often have to police myself when traveling in Europe—for many reasons. Among them? The fact that while many European countries are the physical size of US states, they are in another sense (in terms of destinations and experiences) an order of magnitude larger than they seem.
Portugal, one of mainland Europe’s smallest major countries, is a great example of this. A veritable entire world exists within its borders, which encircle an area scarcely larger than Indiana.
To put it another way, when it comes to how many days in Portugal you plan to spend, you’re probably underestimating. Thankfully, I’m here to set you straight.
Portugal is Not a Weekend Trip
No matter how long in Portugal you ultimately decide to spend, you need to keep an important truth in mind. Namely, that unless you’ve been to the country before, or simply want to target a single city, Portugal is not a weekend trip destination. It can be tempting to think otherwise, particularly if you reside in Europe or live in Boston or NYC, which are about as close to Lisbon as they are to LA or San Diego.
While enjoying Portugal’s scenic beauty, you might also want to relax in the evenings with some entertainment like online bingo games, adding a bit of fun to your downtime between exploring cities. I’d generally recommend not going to Portugal for any less than 7 days, at least if you want to explore the country comprehensively. I generally only advise shorter trips if you have 1-2 destinations in mind (Porto and the Douro Valley, for example), or if you’re using the short trip as an “appetizer” and plan to come back again in the future.
Where to Spend Your Time in Portugal
Lisbon
It should go without saying that you need to visit the Portuguese capital of Lisbon when you go to Portugal. What’s less clear is how long you need to spend there. As a general rule, I recommend one day in the old city center of Alfama, another down the Tagus River in Belem and at least one day for each day trip you plan to take, be that in ancient Sintra, or in Cascais on the coast.
Porto
Many articles about how long to spend in Portugal bring up Porto, whether in concert with Lisbon or as a counterweight to it. If you only have a few days, you’ll generally need to choose between the cities. Personally, I think Porto is a bit more lightweight of a destination, with most of its city center (including the port wineries of Vila Nova da Gaia) explorable with a single full day.
The Douro Valley
Some travelers lump the Douro Valley in with Porto—I am not among them. There are a few reasons for this. First, because unless you take a day tour (and I’m not a fan of these), you really need to spend a night (and, ideally, rent a car) in order to go here. Secondly, although Porto does sit at the mouth of the Douro, it really has little else in common with the mountainous and fertile wine region upstream from it.
The Algarve
When I speak to Americans in particular, they never typically include the southern Algarve region in the discussion of how many days in Portugal they might spend. Which is a pity, for a number of reasons. First, because cities like Faro and Lagos are every bit as interesting as Lisbon or Porto. And secondly because the Algarve is home, by a long shot, Portugal’s best beaches.
Portugal off the beaten path
Well, at least the best beaches on the Portuguese mainland—you’ll find more dramatic ones in The Azores, and even more beautiful ones on Madeira island. Don’t have the time or inclination to go offshore? Inland Portugal offers more options for exploration, whether you take a pilgrimage to Fatima, admire azulejos in Aveiro or educate yourself in the university city of Coimbra.
Top Portugal Trip Ideas
To give you a more specific idea of how you might structure your trip, I’d like to present a few concrete examples for you:
- 5 days in Portugal: Two nights each in Lisbon and Porto, plus a night in the Douro Valley (or two, if you spend just one night in Porto).
- One week in Portugal: Three nights in Lisbon, two nights in Porto and two nights either in the Douro Valley or the Algarve.
- 10 days in Portugal: A week in Portugal as described above, plus 2-3 nights in the Algarve (if only two, then one night somewhere between the Douro Valley, such as Aveiro or Coimbra).
- Two weeks in Portugal: 10 days in Portugal as described above, plus three more nights either in the interior, in the Azores or on Madeira island.
Of course, these are only the beginning of what’s possible. You should of course feel free to use my suggestions simply as a starting point!
Other FAQ About How Long to Stay in Portugal
How many days is ideal for Portugal?
I’d say that 10-14 days are ideal for exploring the Portuguese mainland, with another 7-10 days necessary to explore the Azores and/or Madeira. In other words, while Portugal might seem like a small country, you could need as long as 3-4 weeks to go “everywhere.”
Is 7 days enough in Portugal?
If you wish to take a comprehensive trip of Portugal that covers a lot of ground, 7 days is definitely not enough to visit Portugal. 7 days will get you Lisbon, Porto and either the Algarve or the Douro Valley. However, it isn’t enough to go off Portugal’s beaten path, or even really anywhere close to it.
How long to stay in Lisbon and Porto?
I usually recommend two days each in Lisbon’s and Porto’s city center (you might be able to do just one in Porto), plus a day each for day trips to Sintra and Cascais (from Lisbon), and an overnight stay in the Douro Valley. As a result, you’ll need a minimum of six days in Portugal simply to see these cities and their environs.
The Bottom Line
No matter how many days in Portugal you end up spending, I think you’ll find that this tiny country punches above its weight. If you only have a week, I’d suggest limiting yourself to Lisbon and Porto, and destinations within day-trip distance of them. With 10-14 days, on the other hand, you can visit the Algarve, as well as exploring Portugal’s underrated inland. A truly comprehensive Portugal trip, meanwhile, requires at least two weeks, and probably longer if you also wish to visit Madeira or the Azores. Need personalized help putting your Portugal itinerary together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
