9-Day Road Trip in Portugal
Who doesn’t love a good road trip? I know I do! If you are looking to explore as much of Portugal in a matter of a week and a half then look no further, this itinerary is the one for you. This nine-day itinerary is designed for those wanting to see as much of Portugal in one trip.
Where to stay
São Lourenço do Barrocal: This lauded Alentejo estate is a celebration of the region’s bounty, from the exceptional cuisine to the plant-based spa.
Le Monumental Palace: Pampering spa hotel in the heart of Porto where the historic cafe is a locals scene not to be missed.
Torel Palace Porto: This elegant palace, in the heart of Porto, is the perfect 5 star boutique hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon: Mid-century stunner with all the finery and standout service you’d expect from the Four Seasons.
Martinhal Chiado: Family-friendly serviced apartments in the heart of Lisbon.
The Yeatman: Luxe wine hotel built into the hillside above Vila Nova de Gaia, with 82 rooms and gorgeous Douro River views.
AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado: Head-turning boutique hotel on one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares.
Day 1: Arrive in Lagos, Portugal
Check in and hit the beach
From landing in Lisbon, you will need to rent a car and drive to Lagos. When you arrive in Lagos, check in and settle down at your hotel – I would highly recommend Casa-Mae for its beautiful, boho-chic feel not too far from the sea. Once you’ve checked in, spend the rest of your evening exploring Lagos and its beaches.
Afterward, enjoy dinner at Orta Restaurant, located at Casa-Mae, where you’ll choose from a selection of delicious, authentic Portuguese dishes.
Portion sizes in Portugal are very large so it's possible to share one dish!
Day 2: Exploring Lagos, Portugal
Morning at the beach
Start your morning off slowly by sleeping in before getting breakfast at the hotel. Then spend the day at more Lagos beaches. I highly recommend Camilo Beach while you’re in Lagos!
Kayak adventure
Next, take a kayak tour of Ponta da Piedade coastline with Kayak Explorers, bookable in advance online. This tour was absolutely amazing and the beaches we explored were easily accessible – I highly recommend this tour!
Dinner with a view
Finally, finish out your day with some fabulous Portugal food by heading to dinner at Mar D’Estorias, a hip and healthy rooftop with an awe-inspiring ocean view. The food at Mar D’Estorias was delicious; however, I remind you to note the portion sizes. You get a lot of food in one portion, which can easily be shared between two people.
Day 3: Salema
Catching the waves and fresh seafood
After spending two days in Lagos, begin your road trip by heading to Salema for a surf day. Note that Salema is about 30 minutes away from Lagos, located in the west of Portugal. The beach itself is absolutely stunning and the swell was perfect for surfing. You can ask the locals for where to rent a surfboard in town.
Once you’ve caught some waves, get lunch at BÓIA BAR, the best place to taste Portugal seafood, where you can choose your fish fresh and have it grilled on the spot at the restaurant. After lunch, spend some time exploring Salema before dining at Tasca Jota for the evening.
Day 4: Evora
Scenic Drive and Lunch Time
Next, drive to Evora, about 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Salema, and, for a delightful Portugal food experience, get lunch at Botequim da Mouraria. You don’t have to make reservations and the food is phenomenal. It is a small snack bar with 12 stools, and it's a first come-first serve kind of vibe. Definitely grab lunch here if you get the chance!
Evora Sightseeing
After lunch, do some sightseeing in Evora. I would recommend the well-preserved Roman Temples, which have been around since the first century. I would also check out the artisanal shopping street, Rua 5 de Outubro. Once you’ve done sightseeing in Evora, drive the 45 minutes to Monte da Fornalha, and have dinner there after you have settled into your lodgings.
Day 5: Monsaraz
Exploring Monsaraz
Have breakfast at the hotel before driving to Monsaraz, about a 45 to 50 minute drive from the hotel. Spend some time exploring Monsaraz once you’ve arrived. I would recommend visiting Loja da Mizette, a location which has beautiful handloom woolen rugs and blankets, as well as Casa Tial.
Lunch and Wine Tasting
For lunch, head on over to Restaurante Esporao located at Herdade do Esporão Winery, a beautiful vineyard with delicious wine and elegant dishes. Esporão Winery also happens to be the oldest winery in the Alentejo region.
After lunch, drive 25 minutes to Sao Lourenco do Barrocal for an afternoon of wine tasting. If you'd like, you can actually stay overnight at Sao Lourenco do Barrocal – I'm dreaming of staying at this insane property on my next trip!
A Dip in the Pool
Finally, end the day by heading back to the hotel for some poolside relaxation before grabbing dinner at Estremoz at Mercearia Gadanha — a great spot which serves a wide array of tasty foods.
Day 6: Arrive in Porto
Start the day off by having breakfast at the hotel before driving to Marvao, which is about an hour and 45 minutes away from Estremoz. Spend the morning in Marvao, grabbing a light lunch at the Natural Bar Food and Culture.
Afterwards drive to Porto, three hours and 15 minutes from Marvao, and check into your lodgings. We stayed in a house rental while in Porto and I can assist with the best places to stay in the area based on your travel style. Once you’ve settled in, have a drink at a neighborhood bar before getting dinner.
Day 7: Porto food tour & sightseeing
Downtown Porto Food Tour
Begin day seven with the Taste of Porto Downtown Food tour. During the tour, we learned a lot about Porto’s history and cuisine. We started off at a nice, quaint bakery before ending the tour off at “All in Porto” near Torre dos Clerigos. Porto has some of the best food in Portugal.
Sightseeing in Porto
Following the tour, do some shopping and sightseeing in Porto. I would recommend stopping by Espaco Porto Cruz, a nice rooftop bar with lovely views of the Douro River, and Sao Bento Station – the beautiful tiles are worth the crowds. Afterward, head over to one of the many port houses and enjoy a glass of port the city’s namesake.
End the day with dinner at Casa Da Musica esplanade, where you could possibly catch some free live music!
Day 8: Head back to Lisbon
Return you rental car in Lisbon and then wander the streets by foot. Stop by the city centre for lunch at Bairro do Avillez. After lunch, spend the rest of the day doing some shopping and sightseeing in Lisbon – I highly recommend the Vida Portuguese and exploring the neighborhood!
Finally, end the day off with dinner at Tapisco or A Cevicheria, depending on where you can get a table.
Day 9: Day trip to Belem
On your final day in Portugal, start your morning off with coffee and pastries at Sacholina. Afterward, head on over to Belem before the crowds and visit Jeronimos Monastery. Grab a bite at Pasteis de Belem, known for their impeccable pastéis de nata (a traditional Portuguese pastry).
When you head back to Lisbon, grab lunch at Time Out Market and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring the sights and sounds of Lisbon. For your last dinner head to Cantinho do Avillez Chiado run by Jose Avillez, the most famous chef in Portugal, for contemporary Portugese food.