First Time in Portugal: Where to Go and What to Know

Planning your first trip to Portugal? This guide covers where to go, how long you need, how to get around, what to book ahead and the mistakes first-time visitors make. Everything links to our detailed guides.

Quick answer: for a first trip of about a week, combine Lisbon (with a day in Sintra) and Porto (with a day in the Douro Valley), linked by a 3-hour train. With 10 days or more, add the Algarve for beaches. Visit in May, June, September or October, and book Sintra palace tickets and summer hotels early.

Where to go

• Lisbon: the capital, with hills, trams, viewpoints and Belém. See things to do in Lisbon.
• Sintra: fairytale palaces, a day trip from Lisbon. See visiting Sintra.
• Porto: riverside charm and port wine. See things to do in Porto.
• The Douro Valley: terraced vineyards. See the Douro.
• The Algarve: golden cliffs and beaches. See where to stay in the Algarve.

Not sure? See Lisbon or the Algarve and Porto vs Lisbon.

How long?

• 5 days: Lisbon and Sintra, or Lisbon and Porto. See 5 days in Portugal.
• 7 days: Lisbon, Sintra and Porto. See 7 days in Portugal.
• 10 days: add the Algarve or the Douro. See 10 days in Portugal.
• 2 weeks: see the road trip or 2 weeks by train.

Getting around

Trains link Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. You don’t need a car in the cities, but one is useful in the Algarve, the Alentejo and the Douro. See the train guide and driving in Portugal.

What to book ahead

• Sintra palace tickets (timed entry). See Sintra tours.
• Jerónimos Monastery and Livraria Lello.
• Summer hotels, especially in the Algarve. Find places to stay.
• Popular tours like Benagil and the Douro.
• Fado dinners on weekends.

First-timer mistakes

• Bad shoes: the stone pavements are slippery and hilly.
• Too much in too little time: Portugal rewards slowing down.
• Visiting Sintra at midday on a weekend: go early on a weekday.
• Expecting summer in winter: the Atlantic coast is cool and rainy from November to March.
• Eating the couvert without checking: bread and olives brought to the table aren’t free. See Portugal etiquette.

Before you go

See things to know before visiting Portugal, entry requirements, trip costs, the packing list and useful phrases.

More: the Portugal bucket list.

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