Portugal in 12 Days: 3 Recommended 12-day Itineraries to Portugal
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- Julia S.
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Portugal 12-day itinerary options
Check out some of our best 12-day Portugal itinerary ideas below.
Itinerary #1: Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon and dine in Alfama enjoying a live Fado performance | Leisure |
| Day 2 | Visit the breathtaking Pena Palace in Sintra, then continue to the Roca Cape, then to Cascais. Head back to Lisbon | City sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Head to Nazaré, before continuing to Fátima | City sightseeing |
| Day 4 | Hop on a train to Porto and start to explore its lively city center and culinary traditions | City sightseeing |
| Day 5 | Explore Porto, check out the restaurants in Ribeira district and the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia | City exploration |
| Day 6 | Venture into the Douro Valley and go wine tasting at one of the area's quintas or embark on a cruise along the river | Cruise & wine tasting |
| Day 7 | Discover Aveiro and embark on a boat ride aboard a classic Moliceiro, continue to Costa Nova to relax on its white sand beach, and arrive in Porto for overnight | Beach day |
| Day 8 | Take a train south to the Algarve, arriving directly to Faro | Transfer |
| Day 9 | Join a dolphin watching and sea cave exploration tour in Albufeira | Dophin watching |
| Day 10 | Continue exploring Algarve; head to Lagos and reach Cape St. Vincent for a stunning sunset at the end of the world | City exploration |
| Day 11 | Fly from the Algarve to Lisbon or transfer by train | Transfer |
| Day 12 | Get ready for your return flight |
If you have 12 days to spend in Portugal, you can opt for a full tour of the country. You can start in Lisbon, then explore the popular towns of Sintra and Cascais, also perfect surfing destinations. Head to the lush Douro Valley next, where you can embark on a cruise along the river, stopping for Port wine tasting sessions at Vinho Verde in Pinhão or Peso da Régua. Finally, you can reach the Algarve by train for more sightseeing and fun activities like dolphin watching and sea cave exploration at Albufeira. With this 12-day tinerary, you’ll be able to challenge yourself with new activities while exploring all the major areas of the country. See all 12-day Portugal tours.
Itinerary #2: Spain and Portugal self-drive
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto and spend the rest of the day exploring | City exploration |
| Day 2 | Discover Porto’s World Heritage Sites and go wine tasting | Wine tasting |
| Day 3 | Head to Guimaraes and explore its medieval city center | City exploration |
| Day 4 | Drive to Vigo in Spain and then on to Santiago de Compostela | Road trip |
| Day 5 | Explore Santiago de Compostela and try traditional Galician cuisine | Heritage exploration |
| Day 6 | Continue to the thermal city of Ourense and on to Teloes | Road trip |
| Day 7 | Unravel the Port region of the Douro Valley, stop in Lamego before making your way to São Pedro do Sul | Exploration |
| Day 8 | Explore Viseu, the center of the Dão vineyards and head to Luso. End the day in Coimbra | Exploration |
| Day 9 | Visit the ancient Coimbra University then head to Batalha, before arriving in Fatima | City exploration |
| Day 10 | Explore Fátima, continue to Óbidos and relax in Sintra, and head to Lisbon for the night | City exploration |
| Day 11 | Get acquainted with Lisbon and its iconic neighborhoods: Baixa, Alfama, Belem and Bairro Alto | City exploration |
| Day 12 | Bid Lisbon farewell |
This itinerary for 12 days in Portugal will take you around some of the most historically and culturally rich places of Portugal and northern Spain. Starting from Porto, you’ll make your way north to Santiago and experience the unique atmosphere of the arrival point of the Camino de Santiago at the city’s cathedral. You can sample some of the best Port wines of the Douro Valley in Lamego and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Fátima. In 12 days, you’ll be able to fully explore the north and get to know each one of the major destinations touched in the tour. Check out self-drive tours in Portugal.
Itinerary #3. Follow the Foodie’s trail
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon and head to Arrábida Natural Park for Azeitão cheese and visit the local winery | Cheese and wine tasting |
| Day 2 | Visit Reguengos de Monsaraz and head to Évora and discover its historical city center | City sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Continue to Arraiolos. Pass by Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Borba and Alter do Chã and finish the day in the fortified village of Marvão | Village exploration |
| Day 4 | Head to Tomar and explore it. End at Coimbra | City sightseeing |
| Day 5 | Take a trip to the Bairrada region and then to Mealhada, before continuing your journey to Serra da Estrela region to taste local goat cheese | Cheese tasting |
| Day 6 | Join a day cruise along the Douro River, and stop along the way in the Port wine estates for a wine and dessert | Cruise and wine tasting |
| Day 7 | Visit Lamego, see the iconic São Gonçalo Bridge in Amarante, and close the day in the medieval town of Guimarães | Exploration |
| Day 8 | Spend the day in Peneda-Gerês National Park and go for a Trilho da Calcedónia hike | Hiking |
| Day 9 | Drive along the “Vinho Verde” route and stop for a wine tasting session in Arcos de Valdevez or Soajo, before arriving in the city of Melgaço | Wine tasting |
| Day 10 | Visit the medieval city of Monção and Viana do Castelo | City exploration |
| Day 11 | Arrive in Braga and visit the Sé, the oldest Cathedral in Portugal, before making your way to Porto | City sightseeing |
| Day 12 | Prepare for your flight home |
If you are a food enthusiast curious about discovering Portuguese culture and cuisine, follow this tour through Northern and Central Portugal. You will have the chance to try some of the best delicacies of the country, such as the Blue wine of Azeitão, the goat cheese of Mealhada and the Vinho Verde and Port Wine of Douro Valley. With 12 days at your disposal, you’ll also have time to sightsee the most renowned historical cities of the region, passing through the medieval town of Guimarães, the ‘Rome of Portugal’ Braga and Porto. Spend a day hiking in Peneda-Gerês National Park or go cruising on the Douro River, hopping between wine estates. See Portugal gastronomy trips.
Planning a Portugal 12-day itinerary?
The best way to make the most of 12 days in Portugal is to travel around the country by car. Depending on 12-day Portugal itinerary plan, you could also take a train between the main regions to avoid long drives. For more information and trip inspiration, explore our pre-packaged 12-day trips to Portugal or create your own bespoke Portugal tour with our travel experts.
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