Portugal in 8 Days: 4 Recommended 8-day Itineraries to Portugal
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Portugal 8-day itinerary options
Considering spending 8 days in Portugal? Get inspired further by our 8-day Portugal itinerary ideas below.
Itinerary #1: Cycle through Portugal in 8 days
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon and spend the rest of the day preparing for the bicycle trip | |
| Day 2 | Ride south from Lisbon to Cape Espichel, until reaching the beach town of Sesimbra | Cycling |
| Day 3 | Cycle through the rolling hills of Serra da Arrabida and reach the port town of Setubal | Cycling |
| Day 4 | Enter the region of Alentejo via a ferry ride, then take in the beautiful Vicentine Coast Natural Park before reaching the town of Vila Nova | City exploration |
| Day 5 | Take a day off to relax and explore Vila Nova | Leisure |
| Day 6 | Continue south towards Aljezur, riding past wild coastlines and white-washed fishing villages | Cycling |
| Day 7 | Journey past some of the wildest beaches of the west coast before arriving in Cabo San Vicente | Cycling |
| Day 8 | Drive to Faro for your return flight |
Bike touring in Portugal has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years, and for a good reason. Costa Vicentina is Europe's largest coastal natural park, with paths that connect Lisbon all the way down to the Portuguese southern coast. In eight days, you can start cycling from Lisbon and reach Cabo San Vicente by day 7, allowing an extra day to get to Faro's airport. Along the way, you’ll stop in beautiful fishermen's villages rich with history and art, such as Setubal and Vila Nova. You’ll move between the inland forests and the rugged coast for most of the way down to Cabo San Vicente. Swim in the most unspoiled beaches of the region and relax in the stunning Praia das Furnas and Praia do Amado, also the perfect spots to rent a board and spend the afternoon surfing. More 8-day holidays in Portugal.
Itinerary #2: Self-drive through the Inlands
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive at Faro Airport in the Algarve region | |
| Day 2 | Head to Cape São Vicente, enjoy a stopover in Sagres and arrive in Lagos | Exploration |
| Day 3 | Hike up to Foia Peak, the highest point in the Algarve, and continue driving to Grandola | Hiking |
| Day 4 | Check the castle ruins in Grandola and explore the beaches | Beach day |
| Day 5 | Drive along the largest artificial lake in Europe, Alqueva Reservoir, and reach the town of Évora | Road trip |
| Day 6 | Head north to Spain towards the hilly town of Badajoz and return to Évora | Road trip |
| Day 7 | Take an easy day exploring Évora | City exploration |
| Day 8 | Drive to Faro for a flight back home |
In eight days, you can take an extensive trip through the south, visiting the best sites in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, and even venture into Spain. The area has a rich natural diversity, with some of the best beaches in the country, like Praia do Camilo and Praia do Beliche, as well as beautiful hill trails like Foia Peak. The capital of the region, Faro, hosts an international airport connected with all the major European cities. From there, you can easily drive to Monchique, a scenic base for outdoor activities with some excellent options for walking, biking and canoeing. Visit the iconic coastal villages of the region, getting lost in their narrow streets after a day at the beach. Don’t miss the picturesque villages of Grandola and Évora, the perfect places to try the region’s gastronomy and soak in the romantic atmosphere of southern Portugal. Check out self-drive tours in Portugal.
Itinerary #3: Lisbon and the Azores
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon and familiarize yourself with the city | City exploration |
| Day 2 | Spend a full day in Lisbon discovering its seven hills | City exploration |
| Day 3 | Fly to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel and spend the rest of the day discovering the city | Leisure |
| Day 4 | Drive through the southern coast of the island to arrive in Nordeste and make your way back to Ponta Delgada through the northern coast route | Road trip |
| Day 5 | Visit Gorreana Tea Factory, drive to Furnas and finally to Terra Nostra Botanical Garden | Nature exploration |
| Day 6 | Discover the western part of São Miguel today including the viewpoint Pico do Carvão, Vista do Rei viewpoint, and visit the village of Sete Cidades | Natural landmark sightseeing |
| Day 7 | Fly back to Lisbon and spend the rest of the day indulging in Portuguese food | City exploration |
| Day 8 | Say goodbye to Portugal |
If you are planning to visit the Azores you can take advantage of your connecting flight through Lisbon and spend a couple of days discovering the Portuguese capital. With eight days at your disposal, you can spend the first two days sightseeing in Lisbon and its historical neighborhoods of Alfama and Barrio Alto. Make sure to check São Jorge Castle and the typical fado houses in Alfama. On Day 3, after making your way to São Miguel, you can start to discover the wilderness of the Azores. Allow yourself at least a full day to discover Sete Cidade, either by hopping between viewpoints or cycling around the lakes. Visit the natural hot springs of Terra Nostra and Caldeira Velha and the volcanic village of Furnas. Don’t miss out on the eastern part of the island, largely protected under a natural park, which hosts the highest peak of São Miguel, Pico da Vara.
Check out our guide on how many days to spend in the Azores for more ideas.
Itinerary #4: Discovering Madeira
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive at Funchal airport and get to know the town | |
| Day 2 | Explore the north and northwest of the island, including some hiking, before heading back to Funchal | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 3 | Uncover the south coast by boat, sailing through the crystal clear waters of Madeira | Beach day |
| Day 4 | Discover the eastern part of Madeira, including a drive up Pico do Arieiro, walk along the levada, among others | Exploration |
| Day 5 | Spend the day discovering Nun’s Valley and head to the viewpoints of Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado for a hike | Hiking |
| Day 6 | Head to the island of Porto Santo by ferry | Island exploration |
| Day 7 | Drive along the southern coast to Madalena do Mar and back to Funchal | Exploration |
| Day 8 | Fly back home |
From stunning mountain peaks to white-sand beaches and vibrant island culture, Madeira can be explored in a few days. In eight days, you will be able to see all the main natural landmarks, such as Pico do Arieiro summit and Nun's Valley, join a food tour in Funchal, and taste some of the best Madeira wine at the Madeira Wine Company. Take your time to soak in the ocean and work on your tan, or get active and discover all the ancient trails that run through the inner part of the island. Some of the must-do treks on the island include Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, and Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. See all Madeira tours.
Planning an 8-day itinerary to Portugal?
With 8 days in Portugal, you can truly get to know your favorite part of the country, or explore multiple regions at your own pace. Whether you're into cycling, sightseeing cultural cities, or sunbathing on sub-tropical islands, Portugal offers a bit of everything—you just need to decide where to go. To make the most out of a 8-day Portugal itinerary plan, we recommend renting a car so you can freely move around your chosen destination and fully explore the surroundings. Get inspired by our pre-packaged 8-day trips to Portugal or connect with travel experts for a customized Portugal tour.
More information:
How long to spend in Portugal
One week in Portugal
Two weeks in Portugal
9 days in Portugal
10 days in Portugal
