10 days in Portugal – the perfect itinerary by train

Last Updated on October 15, 2023

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Portugal is one of my favorite European countries, one that I find myself returning to over and over again. There are many reasons for that. Portugal is a great combination of history, culture and stunning landscapes. Despite its rather small size, it’s very diverse and easy to explore with or without a car. On top of that, it’s a great value, especially compared with other European destinations. In this 10 days in Portugal itinerary, I’ll show you how to see some of the best places in the country.

A road trip is a very popular way to explore Portugal and you can certainly do it that way. However, if you are not comfortable driving in a foreign country and would rather avoid renting a car, you can absolutely get around by train instead. The train system in Portugal is good, really cheap and very easy to use.

Bica Funicular in Lisbon, Portugal
Ascensor da Bica in Lisbon

10 days in Portugal – from Lisbon and Porto

For this 10 day Portugal itinerary, I chose two home bases: Lisbon and Porto. Both cities have plenty to do and you need at least 2 – 3 days in each to see all the highlights without rushing. In addition, from both Lisbon and Porto, you have lots of opportunities for day trips to show you a whole different side of Portugal. All of them are no more than two hours away, which makes it possible to visit in a day and return to your home base.

One region that is missing from my Portugal itinerary is Algarve, the popular beach destination on the southern coast. While technically you could try to add a day there, from the practical point of view, that would be too much for 10 days. Not to mention, just a tease of this beautiful region, that definitely deserves a separate visit.

a building with laundry hanging out in Porto, Portugal
Porto

10 days in Portugal itinerary

The entire itinerary is centered around two biggest cities: Lisbon and Porto. 10 days in Portugal starts in Lisbon, then moves on to Porto, but the order can easily be reversed. Generally you can find cheaper flights to Lisbon, that’s why I chose it as the starting point, but feel free to fly to Porto, if you find better airfares.

Both Lisbon and Porto have plenty to do and see, and with 3 days in each city, you get to cover most of it. I’m not a fan of rushing through a destination, just to check off the attractions, so my Portugal itinerary lets you see all the highlights with ample time for down time.

Day 1 – Arrive in Lisbon

Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and one of the sunniest cities in Europe. It’s also insanely hilly, so be prepared for lots of climbing.

The easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport to Lisbon’s center is by taking the Aerobus. The buses leave from in front of the Arrivals Terminal every 20 minutes and a one way ticket costs โ‚ฌ5. The Aerobus does the loop with many convenient stops in the center ( 2023 Update: it looks like this service is currently suspended and it’s unclear whether it will resume ).

Praรงa do Comรฉrcio

Praรงa do Comรฉrcio, a large square in the waterfront, is the perfect introduction to Lisbon. It’s large, open and even though very popular, it never really feels too crowded. The waterfront is also a great place to hang out and see the sunset while listening to street performers.

Some people still refer to Praรงa do Comรฉrcio as the Royal Square ( Terreiro do Paรงo ), as it was the location of the Royal Palace, until it got destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. To celebrate Lisbon’s reconstruction, Rua Augusta Arch was built, which now serves as an entrance. You can also climb to the top of it for some great panoramic views of the square, Tagus River and Baxia neighborhood.

Walk Rua de Augusta

When you walk through the Arch, you’ll find yourself on Rua de Augusta, the most touristy street in Lisbon. This pedestrian street is lined with shops and restaurants, and even though you might be tempted to stop at one of them, I highly advise you against it. Most of these places are way overpriced and mediocre at best, and you can find a much better meal elsewhere.

Commerce Square in Lisbon, Portugal
Praรงa do Comรฉrcio

Where to stay in Lisbon

Some of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon are Baxia ( Downtown ), Chiado and Alfama. They are all a bit different, but have one thing in common and that is a central location to many of Lisbon’s attractions. Here are a few good hotel choices:

  • Hotel do Chiado – this beautiful hotel is right in the middle of Chiado/ Baxia district. The rooms with balconies or terraces have spectacular views of the city and Sรฃo Jorge castle.
  • Figueira by the Beautique Hotels – a beautiful, boutique hotel in very central location in Baxia.
  • Lisboa Carmo – a charming, cozy hotel in Chiado, just a short walk away from many Lisbon attractions.
  • Memmo Alfama Hotel – this boutique hotel is located in the heart of Alfama, just steps away from the Sรฃo Jorge Castle. From the roof top terrace, you can enjoy some of the best views of the city and Tagus River.

Day 2 – Lisbon / Alfama

The second day in Lisbon is centered around exploring my favorite neighborhood in the city, Alfama. It’s the oldest, most authentic and picturesque area in the city. It’s also the only district of Lisbon, that got spared during the earthquake of 1755.

Sรฃo Jorge Castle

One of the top attractions in Alfama is the Moorish Castle Sรฃo Jorge, perched up on a hill overlooking the entire city. Besides the walls, there isn’t much left of it. However, the castle’s location guarantees spectacular views of Lisbon and Tagus River, which to be honest, was the highlight of the visit for me.

As one of the biggest tourist attraction in Lisbon, Sรฃo Jorge Castle does get crowded, especially in high season. You can always prebook your tickets online, which will let you skip the line, or just show up first thing in the morning, which is what I did.

Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal
Sรฃo Jorge Castle

Get lost in the streets of Alfama

Some places are made for exploring without a map and Alfama is the classic example of that. The oldest district of Lisbon is made up by narrow, cobble stone streets and colorful buildings.

As picturesque as it is, Alfama is far from picture perfect. On many buildings, the paint is peeling and tiles are chipped, but that is actually its main appeal. Even though Alfama is very popular with tourists, it did manage to retain its authenticity and old neighborhood charm.

a street in Alfama, Lisbon is a must during 10 days in Portugal
a street in Alfama

Visit Fado Museum

Fado is a traditional Portuguese music, that’s very melancholic and emotional. You can find Fado clubs in many places in Portugal, but it’s Lisbon’s Alfama where it originated from. If you’re not familiar with this style of music and you plan on seeing a Fado show in Lisbon, you might enjoy visiting Fado museum firrst.

The museum in rather small and one hour is probably all you need. It does a great job of showing the history and evolution of Fado, with a help of various exhibits. It’s well worth the โ‚ฌ5 admission, and a great way to familiarize yourself with the style.

Miradouros

One thing you are guaranteed in a hilly place like Lisbon are amazing views from many points of the city. There are many miradouros scattered all over Lisbon, a couple of them conveniently located near Alfama.

  • Miradouro das Portas do Sol – it’s one of the most popular miradouros and one with some of the best views. If you want to enjoy them for a bit longer, grab a drink at the Kiosk.
  • Miradouro de Santa Luzia – another great view point, right next to Portas do Sol.
a view from the Portas do Sol view point in Lisbon, Portugal
Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Day 3 – Sintra and Cabo da Roca

There are a few interesting places near Lisbon, that are perfect for a day trip, but Sintra is definitely the most popular one. Almost everyone you ask will recommend going there for the day and I understand why. Sintra is a picturesque, mountainous town, with castles, fairy tale like Palaces and a small town charm.

You can either take an organized tour or visit Sintra independently, which is extremely easy to do. Direct trains run daily from Lisbon’s Rossio train station and once in Sintra, the tourist bus 434 makes it easy for visitors to get between the major attractions. The ticket costs โ‚ฌ11.50, it’s valid for 24 hours and you can hop-on and off as much as you’d like during that time.

  • Pena Palace – the colorful Palace, that could easily be taken out of a fairy tale, is Sintra’s most popular attraction. It’s the 2nd stop on the 434 bus, but I recommend heading there first. This way, you will arrive right when it opens and beat the biggest crowds.
  • The Castle of the Moors – after visiting Pena Palace, you can either hop on the 434 bus or walk to the Moorish castle. Even though there are mostly walls left, it’s worth visiting for the amazing views of Sintra from the very top. The climb is not for the faint of heart, but totally worth it.
  • Town of Sintra – it’s time to get back on the 434 bus to head down to the town of Sintra. Even though it’s not very big, it sure is very charming and picturesque. There are a few cafes and restaurants, so it’s a great place to stop for lunch before heading to the next attraction.
  • National Palace of Sintra – the exterior of the Palace might not be as eye catching as Pena Palace, but the beautiful interior sure compensates for it.
  • Quinta de Regaleira – this UNESCO recognized private estate is just a short walk from Sintra town. It’s described by many as the most enchanting place in Sintra. Besides the impressive 5 floor house, you have beautiful gardens, tunnels and the Initiation well.

Since Sintra is so popular with day trippers, it gets very busy, especially during high season. My number one recommendation would be to get there as early as possible, ideally before the first tourist bus leaves ( which is shortly after 9 am ). You won’t be the only one, but you’ll beat the biggest crowds.

For more tips and a detailed guide on how to visit Sintra on your own, read One day in Sintra, Portugal โ€“ a perfect day trip from Lisbon

Pena Palace in Sintra visited during 10 days in Portugal
Pena Palace
view of Sintra from the top of the Moorish castle
view from the Castle of the Moors

While in Sintra, you are not far from Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in mainland Europe. It’s a beautiful spot with amazing views of the cliffs and the ocean. There is a direct bus 1253 ( which recently replaced the 403 bus ), that runs from Sintra with a stop directly in front of Cabo da Roca, which makes it very easy to get to on your own.

Even though you can easily add Cabo da Roca to your day trip, you will most likely have to sacrifice one of the attractions in Sintra. Even with an early start, there’s simply not enough time to cover everything, head to Cabo da Roca and make it back to Lisbon before the day is over.

For more details on that and how to get back to Lisbon, read Sintra to Cabo da Roca – how to visit on your own.

Cabo da Roca in Portugal
Cabo da Roca

Day 4 – Lisbon / Belรฉm

Another neighborhood in Lisbon, that you can’t omit from your 10 days in Portugal itinerary, is Belรฉm. Located about 9 km west of the city, Belรฉm is home to a few major attractions. It has a much different vibe than the rest of Lisbon and feels much more open and spacious than neighborhoods like Alfama.

To get from Central Lisbon to Belรฉm, take the 15E Tram from Praรงa do Comรฉrcio (towards Jardim de Algรฉs). Get off at Mosteiro dos Jerรณnimos stop, which is right in front of the Monastery. All the major sights of Belรฉm are in that area and within walking distance. If you’d like a more guided tour of the neighborhood, you can book a small walking tour like this one.

Mosteiro dos Jerรณnimos

I recommend starting your day in Belรฉm with a visit to Mosteiro dos Jerรณnimos. This massive Monastery dates back to the 16th century and it’s the biggest landmark. It used to serve as a house of prayer for the men going out to sea. Also, many Portuguese Royals are buried there, as well as the famous explorer Vasco da Gama. His tomb can be seen in the Chapel, that is free to visit. You can see the rest of the Monastery, which I highly recommend, for โ‚ฌ10.

Torre de Belรฉm

Right on the Tagus river sits Belรฉm Tower, one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lisbon, as well as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Back in the day, its main role was to protect the city from the attacks coming from the water.

Belรฉm Tower is quite an incredible building, one you definitely need to see while in Lisbon. You can also step inside of the tower, but to be honest, it’s not worth the โ‚ฌ6. Even the views from the roof top terrace are nothing special, especially compared to those from Lisbon’s Miradouros.

Padrรฃo dos Descobrimentos

Just a short walk away from Torre de Belรฉm stands another one of Belรฉm’s landmarks: Monument to the Discoveries. It commemorates all the important historical figures and Portuguese explorers, of which there were many.

Padrรฃo dos Descobrimentos
Torre de Belรฉm

Pasteis de Belรฉm

I assume, that by now you already had your share of Pastel de Natas, Portugal’s most famous pastry. Even though the sweet custard tart can be found all over Lisbon, it’s in this cafe in Belรฉm, that it originated in 1837. The same secret recipe is still used today and trying one of the Pasteis de Belรฉm is one of the top things to do in Lisbon. This, of course, means, there’s usually a long line to get in, but it moves fast.

Take a Sunset cruise

If you’d like to extend your Belem visit into the evening, you might enjoy a 2 hour sunset sailing cruise. It’s a great way to end the day and see Lisbon’s landmarks from the water perspective.

You can book the 2 hour Sunset sailing cruise here.

a marina in Belem in Portugal

For a more detailed guide to Lisbon, read 3 days in Lisbon โ€“ best things to do on your first visit

Day 5 – Train to Porto

After exploring Portugal’s capital, it’s time to move on to Porto, the second biggest city in the country. While Porto shares many similarities with Lisbon, it definitely has a more of an old city feel.

Lisbon and Porto are 310 km (192 miles) apart and traveling between both cities couldn’t be easier. The journey time is between 2.5 – 3.5 hours, depending on whether you choose the Express ( Alfa Pendular ) or Intercity train ( Intercidades ). In Lisbon most trains leave from Santa Apolonia station and arrive in Porto’s Campanhรฃ station. Some trains also stop at Sรฃo Bento, which is right in the city’s center, but the Express trains do not! However, you can then take a short, 10 minute train ride from Campanhรฃ to Sรฃo Bento, which is included in your ticket price. Here’s the detailed train schedule and fares.

If you are traveling in high season, I recommend pre-booking your train ticket. This will also save you money, as tickets get more expensive closer to your departure date.

Sรฃo Bento train station

The first of Porto attractions awaits you the moment you step off the train. The beautiful Sรฃo Bento station, covered in over 20,000 azulejos, is considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. Even though it might seem strange to include a train station on the list of top things to do in Porto, it’s a place you can’t miss.

Sao Bento station in Porto, Portugal

Cais de Riberia

The UNESCO recognized Riberia is the oldest neighborhood in the city and a must visit during your time in Porto. Once you get settled in your hotel, head down to Cais de Riberia, which is the waterfront promenade. This is the most beautiful part of Porto, and also where all the action is, both day and night. The waterfront is lined with colorful buildings, lots of restaurants and outdoor cafes. Since it’s the most touristy part of Porto, prices are higher than elsewhere, but it’s definitely worth stopping for a drink.

Riberia seen from across the river

Take a 6 bridges boat tour

6 bridges tour is the most popular boat tour in Porto and Cais de Riberia is where most of the tours leave from. The 1 tour takes you on a leisurely boat ride down Douro River to get a closer look at the 6 bridges of Porto. It’s a great way to relax and see the city from the water perspective. The tours run every hour and you can book it here.

Where to stay in Porto

Porto is a compact city, and although hilly, it’s very walkable. If you stay in one of the central areas, you’ll be able to get to most places on foot. Here are a few good hotel choices:

Day 6 – Porto

Llevaria Lello

Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or simply enjoy visiting beautiful book stores, Llevaria Lello is most likely on your Porto itinerary. Supposedly, J.K Rowling, used to frequent the book store while living in Porto, and was inspired by it. Once that became common knowledge, Llevaria Lello turned into a major tourist attraction. To the point, that the store started charging โ‚ฌ8 entrance fee. If you buy a book, that money goes towards your purchase.

As it’s always the case with the most popular attractions, I recommend visiting first thing in the morning. The book store opens at 9 am and there’s almost always a long line even before the doors open. You can book your ticket-voucher online or at the door, or splurge on the skip the line tickets for โ‚ฌ15.90.

Climb Clรฉrgios Tower

Clรฉrgios church is just a short walk away from Llevaria Lello, so it makes perfect sense to walk over there after your bookstore visit. If you enjoy great panoramic views, you must include climbing the Clรฉrgios Tower on your itinerary. At 249 ft tall (76 m), it’s the tallest monument in the city, which guarantees pretty decent views. I promise, the views are worth the 240 steps it takes to get to the top.

While the church is free to visit, it costs โ‚ฌ5 to climb Clรฉrgios Tower.

view from Clรฉrgios Tower

Eat Francesinha at Cafรฉ Santiago

Out of all the traditional dishes to try in Porto, Francesinha is definitely the most iconic. The monster sandwich, often called “a heart attack on the plate”, consists of bread, ham, beef, sausage, covered with cheese and beer sauce.

You can try Francesinha at many restaurants, but the one everyone recommends is Cafรฉ Santiago. The small and casual cafe is always packed, not only with tourists but also many locals, which is a testament to how good it is.

Francesinha at Cafรฉ Santiago

Visit some of Porto’s churches

  • Sรฉ Cathedral – built between 12-13th century, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Porto. The Cathedral is FREE to visit, but there’s a โ‚ฌ3 fee to get access to the Cloisters.
  • Capela das Almas – with its exterior entirely covered in blue and white azulejos, Capela das Almas is one of the most beautiful churches of Porto. It’s located right on the busy Rua de Santa Catarina street and impossible to miss. The church is FREE to visit, so make sure to step inside as well.
  • Igreja de Santo Ildefonso  – another church with its exterior beautifully decorated with azulejos. It’s located in Praรงa da Batalha, not far from Sรฃo Bento train station. Fun fact: the same artist worked on both the church and the train station.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

Sรฉ Cathedral

Igreja dos Carmelitas

Day 7- Day trip to Douro Valley

There are many great day trips you can take from Porto, but Douro Valley is an absolute must. The spectacular wine region, one of the world’s oldest, is famous for Port wine production. The sweet, fortified wine is exclusively produced in Douro Valley, which means only wine produced in that region can be called Port. What’s amazing is, that a lot of it is still done the same way it did years ago. If you happen to visit in September, which is the harvest season, you’ll get a chance to witness all the activity first hand.

Another reason why Douro Valley should be on your Portugal itinerary is that the region is truly breathtaking. Green, sweeping hills are covered in terraced vineyards creating some of the most spectacular landscape. You could easily spend a few days exploring it, but a day trip from Porto is doable as well. While you can get to Douro Valley by train, I don’t really recommend it. The train ride back and forth will take up half the day, leaving little time to explore.

If one day is all you have, the best way to visit Douro Valley from Porto, in my opinion, is on an all day tour. The tours include transportation, visits and Port tasting at a couple of estates, lunch and a 1 hour cruise on Douro Valley. It’s a long day, but totally worth it. I went with Cool Oporto and can’t recommend them enough. They keep the number of people to 8 max, so make sure to book in advance, especially if you visit in high season. You can book the Douro Valley tour here. I guarantee I will be one of the highlights of your 10 days in Portugal.

To learn more about the trip I took, read Exploring the spectacular Douro Valley in Portugal

Douro Valley is one of best day trips from Porto
view from Quinta do Jalloto
a glass of Port wine at Quinta do Jalloto in Douro Valley in Portugal
grapevine seen in Douro Valley, Portugal
Pinhรฃo train station

Day 8 – Porto

Visit Palacio da Bolsa

Palacio da Bolsa is a former Stock Exchange and the finest example of Neoclassical style. While you probably won’t be too impressed with the exterior, wait till you step inside. All of the rooms are beautiful with stunning details, but it’s the Arab room, that is the highlight. It’s said to be inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, which is quite apparent when you look at the Moorish style in which it’s decorated.

The reason I chose Palacio da Bolsa as the first activity of the day, is that it can only be visited on a 30 minute guided tour (โ‚ฌ 10 ). The tour cannot be pre booked online and you sign up for the next available one in your chosen language once you get there. It does get crowded later in the day and spots fill up quickly, so you might have to wait a while for your spot.

Church of Sรฃo Francisco

Right next to Palacio da Bolsa is church of Sรฃo Francisco, one of the many churches in Porto. This one is worth checking out for the Baroque inside decoration. The entrance costs โ‚ฌ7,50.

Take the tram 1 to Foz de Douro

The historic Tram 1 is sort of Porto’s version of Tram 28 in Lisbon, although not as crowded. It’s one of the 3 historic trams, that’s still in use and the most popular one. Mostly due to the scenic route along Douro river, as it makes its way from the Sรฃo Francisco church to Foz de Douro.

Even though the crowds are nowhere near the ones lining up for Tram 28, there is usually a good number of tourists. The Tram 1 is also much smaller and fills up fast. As always, it’s best to catch it at the first stop, which happens to be conveniently located right at the bottom of Sรฃo Francisco church.

You can’t use your Andante card for this ride, so have โ‚ฌ 3.50 ready to pay directly to the driver ( credit cards also accepted ).

Explore Foz de Douro

The 20 minute ride on Tram 1 will bring you to Foz de Douro, considered to be the most exclusive part of Porto. You’ll notice how it’s definitely different and much quieter than the busy historic district. Foz de Douro is perfect if you want a little break from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.

Foz de Douro is also where Douro River meets Atlantic ocean, which often creates quite a dramatic background. You can take a walk down the esplanade, check out the Felgueiras lighthouse and stop at one of the beach bars for a snack or a drink.

Take a ferry to Afurada

If you are up for exploring a lesser know part of Porto, that has not been discovered by tourists yet, head over to Afurada. It’s a sleepy fishing village, that seems like it’s world’s away from the rest of the city.

To get to Afurada, you need to take a ferry Flor de Gas ( โ‚ฌ2 ) across the river. To get to the ferry, you can either start walking back along the river towards historic Porto ( about 20 min walk ) or hop on Tram 1 going towards Infante and get off at Gรกs.

2023 UPDATE: Sadly, Flor de Gas ferry stopped running in 2020 and never resumed its service. You can still get to Afurada by taking an Uber/Taxi or walk/bike along the river on the Gaia side.

Flor de Gas ferry to Afurada

Day 9 – Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia

Walk across Louis I Bridge

Porto has 6 bridges, but Louis I bridge is the most iconic and recognizable. If you see a resemblance to Eiffel Tower, this is not accidental, as the bridge was built by one of Eiffel’s students. The bridge connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, and a walk across it is one of the must things to do in Porto. Both levels are accessible to pedestrians, but only the lower deck has road traffic.

Some of the best views of Porto are from the upper deck of Louis I bridge, so make sure to make that trip at least once.

view of Vila Nova de Gaia from the Luis I Bridge

Explore Vila Nova de Gaia

Once you cross Luรญs I Bridge, you are in Vila Nova de Gaia, that is actually its own separate city. Vila Nova de Gaia is mostly known for the Port wine cellars, but it’s worth spending some time exploring it before indulging in some Port tastings.

It’s from Vila Nova de Gaia, that you can actually enjoy some of the best views of Ribeira and the rest of Porto.

Visit one of the wine caves

Port wine, that is produced in Douro Valley, eventually makes its way to Vila Nova de Gaia. That’s where the port lodges are, where the wine ages and gets stored. A lot of them offer tours and tastings, and you can choose from independent to more guided ones, depending on your preference.

  • Taylor’s – if you prefer a more independent tour, you’ll enjoy visiting Taylor’s. They offer self guided tour, that ends with a tasting of 2 Port wines in a beautiful garden like setting.
  • Graham’s – offers guided tours, that need to be reserved in advance.
  • Cรกlem – right on the waterfront promenade, this wine lodge offers guided tours.

Check out Best Things To Do In Porto, Portugal In 3 Days and Porto tips โ€“ know before you go

Day 10 – Option 1- Day trip to Aveiro & Costa Nova

Another great and easy day trip from Porto is Aveiro, a small fishing town, about an hour away. It’s a quick and easy train ride from Sรฃo Bento station, with urban trains running throughout the day. Once you are in Aveiro, you are just a 10 minute walk away from the city center.

Aveiro is often referred to as the Venice of Portugal, and even though I think the comparison is a bit exaggerated, the canals running through the city are Aveiro’s biggest characteristic. One of the most popular things to do in Aveiro is to take a canal boat tour in one of the colorful Moliceiros boats.

Back in the day those boats were used to harvest seaweed, which was one of the main industries. These days they’re used for taking tourists up and down the canals for a relaxing boat ride. For โ‚ฌ 10, it’s a great way to spend an hour.

moliceiros boats on the canal in Aveiro in Portugal

Another one of Aveiro’s characteristics is the Art Noveau architecture. Most of the houses are located along the main canal. If you are up for trying something local, stop at one of the cafes for some coffee and Ovo Mole. The tiny sweet snacks, made with just two ingredients ( egg yolk and sugar ) are Aveiro’s specialty.

Aveiro is rather small and you don’t really need a full day to see the whole city. You can easily combine it with a visit to Costa Nova, a coastal neighborhood known best for the colorful striped houses. It’s easy to get there by bus, from either Aveiro’s bus station ( which is right by the train station ) or the center. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get there and you can’t miss your stop, as it’s right along the row of striped houses.

For more information on how to spend a day in Aveiro and Costa Nova, read Aveiro โ€“ the โ€œVeniceโ€ of Portugal in one day.

striped houses in Costa Nova

Day 10 – Option 2 – Day trip to Braga

For another great trip from Porto and a different taste of Northern Portugal, I highly recommend visiting Braga. Just like Aveiro, Braga is easy to get to by taking an urban train from Sรฃo Bento station. The journey takes a little over an hour and costs โ‚ฌ2-6 ( depending on the time and day of the week ). Once you reach Braga, the city center is just a short 5 minute walk from the train station.

Braga is the 3rd largest city in Portugal, which came to me as a surprise, because it has a very small town feel. Braga is regarded as the religious center of the country and this is very apparent, as you start walking around the city. Seems like there’s a church every way you turn and there are in fact more than 30 of them. While it’s virtually impossible to visit them all on a day trip from Porto, the ancient Sรฉ Catedral is definitely worth a stop.

Jardim de Santa Bรกrbara
Archbishops’s Palace

While there are many charming spots in the city, the biggest highlight and the main reason many visit Braga is Bom Jesus do Monte. The UNESCO recognized sanctuary is one of the most photographed churches in the world and an important pilgrimage sight. The highlight of Bom Jesus do Monte is the stunning Baroque staircase.

Bom Jesus do Monte is located in Tenรตes, just outside of Braga and is easily reachable by a local bus # 2. The ride takes about 20 minutes and one way ticket costs โ‚ฌ1.65 (bought directly from the driver ). If you want to go straight to Bom Jesus after arriving in Braga, there’s a bus stop right outside of the train station. If you are already in town center, you can catch the bus on Avenida da Liberdade.

For a more detailed guide, read Best things to do in Braga in one day and How to visit Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, Portugal.

Bom jesus Braga

If you wanted to add a visit to another city of historical importance, Guimarรฃes is just 25 km from Braga. Many organized day trips from Porto combine both cities, since they are so close together. This is probably the best way to see both in one day. Even though the distance is short, there are no direct trains from Braga to Guimarรฃes, making the trip between 1.5 – 2 hrs long. An organized trip like Braga and Guimarรฃes Full Day Tour with Lunch from Porto makes more sense and ensures you’ll get to see highlights of both in one day.


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18 thoughts on “10 days in Portugal – the perfect itinerary by train

  1. Vanessa Shields says:

    What an excellent 10 day trip in Portugal! It looks like an amazing time and such a gorgeous country. I was planning to go last fall and now regret that I didnโ€™t. I would really like to do a road trip seeing Lisbon, Porto and the wine country. ๐Ÿ˜

  2. Katja | placesandnotes says:

    Awesome! We did a 10 day Portugal road trip with a rented car, but itยดs great to read about how to travel with trains. Thanks for sharing this informative post, I have lots of friends who want to bisit, but they donยดt want to rent cars – definitely recommending your post to them ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Aga says:

      Awesome, thanks! Portugal is so easy to get around by train. And so cheap. I paid 2 Euro for a round trip ticket to Braga from Porto!!

  3. Polly says:

    I love travelling by train. This is such a fantastic and so detailed post about Portugal. I wanted to go to Lisbon last year but was not able to make it. Hopefully, I will get the chance soon. Bookmarking this itinerary and will certainly come back to this once I start planning. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Bob spitzbarth says:

    Hi and thank you for a very informative and interesting itinerary. I am looking to visit in 2023 and found your recommendations so helpful.

  5. Lee says:

    Great itinerary! We are trying to plan a 9-day trip so your info is very helpful. One thing — you have listed Day 4 twice (so your itinerary is actually 11 days).

  6. Lucia Leung says:

    Hello, Aga, Thanks for such a good itinerary to travel in Portugal. I am planning to go there in May. I also will definitely visit Fatima for 3 to 4 days. Also, I am greedy to think that if I can go to Camino de Santiago from Porto. Do you have any idea? You have done a great job.

    • Aga says:

      Thank you, you will love it for sure. As for Fatima or Camino de Santiago, I haven’t done either, so can’t really advise you on that. I’m sorry!! Have an amazing time in Portugal!

  7. Sarra says:

    Looks fabulous with all the details needed to cover as much as possible. Finally, do we go back to lisbon to take the flight back?

    • Aga says:

      You can fly back from Porto, as there is an airport there. That’s what I did. But depending on where you are flying to, Lisbon might have better flights/connections. In that case, you can take a train from Porto back to Lisbon. They go from Campanha station in Porto to Oriente in Lisbon, which is the station closest to Lisbon’s airport.

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