10 Days · Comprehensive · 3 Base Cities

10 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & Douro Valley, Sintra & Cascais & Madeira Island (Funchal)

Our most popular 10-day route combining Lisbon, Porto & Douro Valley, and Sintra & Cascais, optimized for Comboios de Portugal (CP) Alfa Pendular & Intercidades schedules and open-jaw flights.

Route Overview: Lisbon (3N) → Porto & Douro Valley (3N) → Sintra & Cascais (3N)
Budget Estimate: €1528–€2639 ($1,650–$2,850 USD per person)

Day 1 (Lisbon) — Touchdown in Lisbon:

Arrive via Lisbon Airport (LIS) & Oriente / Santa Apolónia CP Stations, transfer to Lisbon Historic Center & Old Quarter, and settle in with an evening walk.

Day 2 (Lisbon) — Lisbon Iconic Monuments:

Tour Jerónimos Monastery & Belém Tower — 16th-century UNESCO Manueline masterpieces celebrating Vasco da Gama's voyage (€18 monastery; walk 3 minutes to Pastéis de Belém for warm custard tarts). and Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge & Miradouro de Santa Luzia — Winding Moorish lanes, soulful Fado taverns, and sweeping azulejo-framed views over terracotta roofs (€15 castle). with pre-booked morning slots.

Day 3 (Lisbon) — Excursion to Madeira Island (Funchal):

Day trip to Madeira Island (Funchal) (PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Sunrise Hike — Walk above a sea of clouds between Madeira's highest volcanic peaks (1,818m to 1,862m; €3 regional trail fee via SIMplifica).) via Lisbon Central Station.

Day 4 (Porto & Douro Valley) — Transit to Porto & Douro Valley:

Morning Comboios de Portugal connection to Porto & Douro Valley; afternoon walk through Porto & Douro Valley Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 5 (Porto & Douro Valley) — Heart of Porto & Douro Valley:

Visit Dom Luís I Bridge & Jardim do Morro Sunset — Walk the upper deck of Gustave Eiffel disciple Théophile Seyrig's 1886 arch bridge for Porto's most famous golden-hour panorama., São Bento Railway Station & Clérigos Tower — Admire Jorge Colaço's 20,000 blue-and-white historical tiles in the station concourse (free), then climb 225 steps up the Baroque Clérigos belfry (€8)., and sample Bacalhau à Brás.

Day 6 (Porto & Douro Valley) — Porto & Douro Valley Regional Day Trip:

Explore Douro Valley Scenic Train (Porto São Bento → Pocinhão / Pinhão) (45–75 mins by regional transit) and enjoy dinner in Porto & Douro Valley Waterfront & Cultural District.

Day 7 (Sintra & Cascais) — Journey to Sintra & Cascais:

Transfer to Sintra & Cascais (Sintra & Cascais Central Station / Lisbon Airport (LIS) & Oriente / Santa Apolónia CP Stations) and check into Sintra & Cascais Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 8 (Sintra & Cascais) — Park and National Palace of Pena (Palácio da Pena) — Vivid red-and-yellow Romanticist castle crowning a 528m peak in the Serra de Sintra (€20 timed-entry ticket; book the 09:30 slot online!). & Quinta da Regaleira & The Initiation Well (Poço Iniciático) — Descend the 27-meter spiral stone staircase into subterranean grottoes and Templar gardens (€12).:

Full day discovering Park and National Palace of Pena (Palácio da Pena) — Vivid red-and-yellow Romanticist castle crowning a 528m peak in the Serra de Sintra (€20 timed-entry ticket; book the 09:30 slot online!). and Quinta da Regaleira & The Initiation Well (Poço Iniciático) — Descend the 27-meter spiral stone staircase into subterranean grottoes and Templar gardens (€12)., with Bifanas for lunch.

Day 9 (Sintra & Cascais) — Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) — 8th-century granite ramparts snaking along high forest ridges overlooking the Atlantic (€12). & Sunset Panorama:

Relaxed morning at Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) — 8th-century granite ramparts snaking along high forest ridges overlooking the Atlantic (€12). followed by a farewell dinner in Sintra & Cascais Waterfront & Cultural District.

Day 10 (Sintra & Cascais) — Departure from Sintra & Cascais:

Connect to Lisbon Airport (LIS) & Oriente / Santa Apolónia CP Stations or express transit for your onward flight.