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  • Audrey McDonald
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1. South of Portugal: Portugal in 5 days

See rooftops covered with flowers in Lisbon during 5 days in Portugal.
Lisbon has both golden beaches and medieval architecture—perfect for a short trip.
Day 1 Start your tour in Lisbon and drive to the whitewashed town of Evora, known for its monuments
Day 2 Visit the famous red sandstone castle in Silves, a town in the scenic Algarve region
Day 3 Admire the beautiful ocean views from Ponta da Piedade, and visit the fortress at Sagres
Day 4 While returning to Lisbon, enjoy the scenery of the mountainous Arrabida Natural Park
Day 5 Explore the city of Lisbon, take a walk to the port to enjoy the view of Tagus River and indulge in local dishes

Lose yourself in the Moorish alleys of Evora and admire the striking architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes a Roman temple, medieval walls and an atmospheric town square. Then head for a trip to Lagos, famed for its old town with cobbled lanes, churches and 16th-century walls, and lovely golden beaches. A little to the south of Lagos is the Ponta da Piedade, a windswept headland jutting out to the ocean over sandstone cliffs. Another beautiful natural space you can see in Portugal in 4 days is the Arrabida Natural Park, with its chalk cliffs, wooded mountains and quaint remote chapels. You can customize this 5-day trip to Portugal with our local travel experts. 

2. Hiking the Azores: 5 days in Portugal

Aerial drone view of Sao Miguel, Miradouro da Vista do Rei, and Sete Cidade.
Sao Miguel in the Azores is famous its iconic twin lakes.
Day 1 Arrive in Sao Miguel, the gateway to the Azores and the largest island of the archipelago
Day 2 Trek from Ribeira Funda to Maia along the coast of Sao Miguel. Visit hot springs in Furnas town
Day 3 Hike to Lagoa do Fogo, the highest water body in the Azores and trek through a eucalyptus forest
Day 4 Fly from Sao Miguel to Terceira Island and hike 9.5 kilometers in the middle of the island
Day 5 Enjoy views of farms and lava flows in Angra do Heroísmo and walk on the Misterios Negros trail

If you focus just on the Azores during your 5 days in Portugal, the itinerary can include trips to at least two islands — Sao Miguel and Terceira, and plenty of hiking in the archipelago. Some of the best views in the Azores are over the Sete Cidades Lake from the many superb viewpoints on Sao Miguel. Other things possible on a short itinerary on this island are hiking to the enchanting Fogo Lake and taking a dip in the natural hot springs of Caldeira Velha. Terceira Island attracts fewer tourists than Sao Miguel and offers superb views. From Miradouro do Facho, you can see the harbor and the gorgeous countryside. You can also walk inside an extinct volcano, Algar do Carvão, in the middle of Terceira, and explore the beautiful and colorful buildings in Angra do Heroísmo. For more inspiration check out our guide on how many days to spend in the Azores.

3. Lisbon, Porto & Douro: 5 days in Northern Portugal

Yellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, Portugal
The famous yellow, Remodelado trams follows a route through some of Lisbon's major highlights.
The Douro river  passing through the Douro Valley
Cruise along the beautiful Douro landscapes, quaint villages and acres of vineyards.
Day 1 Start in Lisbon and make it to Fátima via Obidos, Alcobaca and Nazare
Day 2 Explore the city of Coimbra, spend the afternoon in Aveiro and continue to Porto
Day 3 Head to Minho, stop over at Guimaraes, and drive to Braga before returning to Porto
Day 4 Spend a day in Porto, indulge in local food and experience live fado music
Day 5 Depart for Douro Valley for a wine-tasting tour and splendid vistas

In 5 days check off the major highlights of Northern Portugal on an unforgettable journey. Begin in Lisbon from where you can access medieval Obidos and Alcobaca's gothic splendor as you make your way towards Fátima. Get a taste of Nazare's coastal allure on the journey. Continue to Coimbra's ancient university and Aveiro's canal-laden charm. Discover Porto's riverside beauty, then venture into the picturesque Douro Valley with its terraced vineyards and world-renowned port wine. Delight in breathtaking views and visit historic wineries, immersing yourself in Portugal's cultural richness and natural beauty in less than a week. See all our 5-day tours in Portugal.

As we said earlier, it is absolutely possible to see the best of Portugal in just 5 days. For more ideas and inspiration check out our suggestions for guides on 7 days in Portugal as well as 10 days in Portugal. If you are still unsure on how many days you should spend in Portugal, you can also speak to our local travel experts. They will help you make a sound decision for the trip and also help you plan a personalized itinerary for Portugal.

Portugal Tours
Published by Tim Green, updated on June 26, 2024

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Plan a custom-made trip to PortugalWe offer different tour types. You can also chat with a local travel specialist if you want a customized tour to Portugal.
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