Twelve days is ample time to hit the major cities in Portugal, plus enjoy off-the-beaten-path excursions. Plan an ultimate adventure in historic Porto and the Douro Valley wine country from behind the wheel of a classic car.
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Welcome to Portugal, home to many gorgeous locations full of beautiful nature, stunning architecture, rich history, and delicious food. You could easily explore this diverse country for months. However, two weeks is the perfect amount of time to get a good impression.
In nine to 12 days, you can expect to see a generous chunk of all that Portugal has to offer, from its most sensational cities to sublime vineyards and beaches, on a north-to-south trip.
In 10 days you can see a lot of the highlights, including Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Douro Valley, and more. If you want to see even more (including the Algarve or any of Portugal's islands), you'll need at least 2 weeks.
While it is a small country, if you only have 7 days in Portugal, you are better off just visiting two (or max three) major cities or regions and saving the rest for a return trip. To help make planning a trip to Portugal a little easier, I've put together four different Portugal itinerary options to choose from.
When is the best time to visit Portugal? Where is this? The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.
The cost of living in Portugal is generally considered about 46 percent cheaper than in the United States. This, coupled with the country's excellent quality of life, beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, reliable public transport, and rich history and culture, make it very easy to fall in love with Portugal.
How much money will you need for your trip to Portugal? You should plan to spend around €136 ($144) per day on your vacation in Portugal, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €40 ($43) on meals for one day and €27 ($28) on local transportation.
Big sister Lisbon is twice the size, more cosmopolitan, faster paced and 200 miles further south, so in summer it can be sweltering. Compact, walkable Porto has a more traditional feel and is cooled by Atlantic breezes through summer, though fog and rain can roll in via the same route during the winter.
… a much more diverse travel experience.As a result, Spain offers far more diversity than Portugal as a travel destination, from topography to culture to the sheer number of cities and towns to visit.
How many days in Portugal is enough? Depending on your travel style and the type of trip you're planning, 7, 10 or 14 days is enough time to visit Portugal. If you want to drive around the country, plan to set aside at least 2 to 3 weeks.
Low season months of November to March are a cheaper time to visit. If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy rock-bottom prices on accommodations, plan your trip for the low season. Many museums and other attractions keep shorter hours, though you'll still find a full lineup of performances in cities and bigger towns ...
What are Portugal's prices for food and drink? Portugal's prices for food and drink are cheap. To eat out, you can pay as little as €15 for dinner, with a bottle of wine at a restaurant costing €10. You can choose to eat in cheaper places for just €10.
Eating and Living WellThe cost of food is lower in Portugal because the average wage is lower than in places like the US. The typical worker in Portugal makes about €925 per month (based on 2019 figures). That works out to a little over $12,000/year.
Like many places in Europe, July and August are the peak tourist season in Portugal. August, in particular, is very busy due to the fact that it's Portugal's holiday month, so Portuguese travelers join the throngs of international tourists.
Portugal's rainy season begins in November and December, meaning fewer sunny days, but the country still experiences more sun than rain and warmer temperatures than much of Europe. The Algarve usually remains especially pleasant and sunny and can attract European visitors looking for a winter getaway.
Portugal has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Portugal is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C.
It can still be quite touristy in this region but if you go in mid or low season these places are absolutely perfect for a beach holiday, hiking and exploring. With many cute restaurants, a beautiful coastline and beautiful traditional Portuguese beach towns, the central Algarve can be the perfect area for you to stay.
Winter: If you don't like the heat, the North is your number one choice. The climate is Atlantic, which means the sea moderates the presence of the heat so it'll never be too hot. And so, you can enjoy and visit monumental cities as Viseu, Aveiro and Porto without a drop of sweat. Summer: So, you're a Summer lover…