Portugal in 6 Days: 4 Recommended 6-day Itineraries to Portugal

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Portugal 6-day itinerary options
Ready to spend 6 days in Portugal? Here are our four handpicked Portugal 6-day itinerary ideas.
Itinerary #1: Port-to-port Cruise

Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Board the ship in Porto and tour of Porto by night | City sightseeing |
Day 2 | Cruise along the Douro River with a stop in Lamego | Cruise |
Day 3 | Stop in Regua and visit the Douro museum | Exploration |
Day 4 | Cruise back to Porto and visit the historical center | Cruise |
Day 5 | Explore Guimarã and join a wine degustation in Vila Nova de Gaïa | Wine tasting |
Day 6 | Disembark in Porto |
If you want to see more of the Douro Valley, you can opt for a cruise along the Douro River. This is a great way to visit often-forgotten locations such as Régua and Lamego, where you will get an authentic experience of the Douro Valley. Don’t miss the view from Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura in Régua, extending for kilometers over the vineyards, and visit Capela de São Pedro de Balsemão in Lamego, one of the oldest churches in Portugal. Go wine tasting in Porto and visit its historical city center. Cruising along the river is a slow and peaceful way to discover Northern Portugal and enjoy magical sunny views over the Douro Valley. See all 6-day tours in Portugal.
Itinerary #2: Hiking in Madeira

Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Arrive at Santana Airport and spend the rest of the day discovering the city | City exploration |
Day 2 | Hike Larano Coastal Trail on Madeira’s North coast | Hiking |
Day 3 | Conquer one of Madeira’s highest picks: Pico do Arieiro | Hiking |
Day 4 | Explore the eastern part of the island by hiking the Dragon's Tail trail | Hiking |
Day 5 | Visit Madeira’s most popular landmark, Cabo Girão viewpoint, and relax on the rocky beach of Praia Formosa for the best sunset on Madeira | Hiking |
Day 6 | Depart from Funchal Airport |
The island of Madeira is famous for its stunning trails and comfortable weather year-round. In six days, you can walk around the entire island, choosing the best trails in each area. Hike the 15 km coastal Larano Trail to see some of the most spectacular spots on the north coast, such as the viewpoints of Boca do Risco and Teleferico. Pico Arieiro and Cabo Girão are must-sees on the island, but prepare for some steep ascents up to the viewpoints. You’ll be rewarded with a clear view of the whole island. Don’t forget to check out the eastern part of Madeira with its volcanic and rugged coastlines. See all Madeira tours.
Check out more hiking trails in Portugal.
Itinerary #3: Porto, Douro Valley & More


Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon and start your trip heading towards Fatima | Road trip |
Day 2 | Drive to Coimbra and then to Porto | Road trip |
Day 3 | From Porto, head north-west in the Vinho Verde Region, and overnight in Porto | Road trip |
Day 4 | Spend the day exploring the city of Porto and its landmarks | City sightseeing |
Day 5 | Continue exploring the Douro Valley and head to the streets market of Amarante | Exploration |
Day 6 | Make your way down to Lisbon |
One of the best ways to explore Northern Portugal is to roadtrip across the Douro Valley. Within six days, you’ll see the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Braga and Tomar, the stunning Gothic churches of Porto and breathtaking sceneries of rolling hills and vineyards. Don’t miss the Torres dos Clerigos and the iconic Lello Library in Porto that inspired Hogwarts library in the Harry Potter saga. Douro Valley is the most renowned wine region of Portugal. You can join a wine tasting tour in Porto and Braga or visit the local wineries around Guimaraes, such as Soalheiro and Quinta de Covela. Don’t forget to check out some of the most important religious sites in Europe, such as the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria in Alcobaca, and the candle-lit procession at Marian Shrine in Fatima.
You can customize this 6-day Portugal holiday with our local travel experts.
Itinerary #4: Best of São Miguel


Overview | Activity | |
Day 1 | Arrive in São Miguel and explore Ponta Delgada | Exploration |
Day 2 | Hit the major highlights including Sete Cidades, Ponta Da Ferraria, Fogo Lake and Caldeira Velha on a 4X4 drive | Sightseeing |
Day 3 | Explore the town of Furnas and its geysers and visit Terra Nostra Park | Natural landmark sightseeing |
Day 4 | Take a beach day and pair it up with whales and dolphin watching tour | Beach activity |
Day 5 | Visit Gorreana Tea Factory and Pineapple plantation | Exploration |
Day 6 | Depart from Ponta Delgada |
Six days in São Miguel will give you just enough time to explore all the main landmarks of the island. Rent a 4x4 in Sete Cidades and spend a day driving around the Blue and Green volcanic lakes and reach the natural hot springs of Ferraria for a quick dip. Check the view over the island from Fogo Lake, and finish the day at the thermal bath of Caldeira Velha. Don’t miss the botanical gardens of Terra Nostra in Furnas, where you can learn about the native plants of the island and relax in the large thermal baths in the middle of the gardens. Spend a day visiting the only tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana; check out the pineapple plantation in Ponta Delgada; or witness the whale migration by joining a whale-watching tour.
Planning a trip to Portugal for 6 days?
Portugal has plenty of stunning destinations, offering something for everyone. Traveling by car remains the best option to move around the country, as public transport doesn’t always reach smaller towns or the hiking starting points. You can travel by train if you are spending most of your time between Porto and Lisbon (there is a high-speed train service between the two cities), or join a cruise along the Douro River. For extra information, you can check one of our pre-packaged 6-day trips to Portugal or connect with our local travel experts for a customized trip to Portugal.
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