The Perfect Portugal Itinerary for Spring: My Local’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Trip
If you’re joining me in Portugal for the Spring Reset Retreat (or planning a trip of your own), you’re probably wondering: How do I make the absolute most of my time here? As someone who lives in Lisbon, travels often, and spends my days curating unforgettable experiences for clients, I get this question constantly.
And here’s the truth: Portugal is small, but the experiences here feel expansive. You can pair vibrant city life with soul-deep countryside stillness, world-class wine regions, and restorative wellness—all in one trip.
Below, I’m sharing two itinerary ideas I always recommend for spring travelers. Both pair beautifully with our retreat and give you a rich, memorable taste of Portugal… without rushing or over-stuffing your days.
A quick note:
If you’re dreaming of a beach-all-day holiday, the Algarve is magical—but spring isn’t the time for it. The weather is still cool and breezy. Instead, lean into culture, food, wine, and the countryside—this is where Portugal shines in April.
Let’s build your perfect trip.
Itinerary Idea #1: Lisbon → Retreat → Alentejo Countryside
For design lovers, slow travelers, foodies, and anyone craving grounding, beauty, and space to breathe.
Suggested Dates
Day 1: Fly from the U.S.
Day 2–4: Lisbon (3 nights)
Day 5–7: Spring Retreat (3 nights)
Day 8–10: Alentejo (3 nights)
Day 11: Fly home
Why this itinerary works
It gives you the best of Portugal’s cultural heart, its slow-living countryside, and time to reset your body and mind at the retreat. You’ll experience the contrast I love most about living here: bright tiled streets and sunset miradouros in Lisbon… followed by rolling vineyards, quiet mornings, and unforgettable meals in the Alentejo.
Where to Stay in the Alentejo
This region is an interior dream—sun-washed stone, olive groves stretching for miles, and some of the most thoughtful hospitality in Portugal.
My personal favorites (and where I send clients again and again):
A design-forward, understatedly luxe farm estate and my absolute favorite property in all of Portugal. Think: clean whitewashed walls, natural wood, curated textiles, and a stillness that settles into your bones. The service is truly next-level luxury. The food is incredible, the pools are heavenly, and the sunsets feel endless.
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
Warm, romantic, elevated. If you love excellent wine, impeccable service, and modern architecture blended with rural charm, this is your spot. Every detail feels considered.
Both properties offer that true Alentejo experience—slow, grounded, scenic, and deeply nourishing.
Itinerary Idea #2: Lisbon → Retreat → Douro Valley → Porto
For wine lovers, river-valley romantics, and travelers who want both countryside serenity and a lively, cultural city.
Suggested Dates
Day 1–2: Lisbon (2 nights)
Day 3–5: Spring Retreat (3 nights)
Day 6–7: Douro Valley (2 nights)
Day 8–9: Porto (2 nights)
Day 10: Fly home from Porto
Why this Itinerary Works
The Douro Valley is one of the most breathtaking wine regions in the world—terraced vineyards folding into the river, misty mornings, quiet luxury, and that unmistakable golden glow at sunset. Pairing that with a few nights in Porto gives you a final burst of culture, food, and walkable charm before you fly home.
Where to Stay in Douro
Six Senses Douro Valley
This is the epitome of Portuguese countryside luxury. It’s serene, design-focused, wellness-oriented, and the views are unreal. Come here for deep rest, incredible dining, and that slow, luxurious exhale you can feel in your whole body.
Quinta Nova – Luxury Winery House
For something more traditionally Portuguese, Quinta Nova offers a beautiful, rustic-elegant stay right in the heart of the vineyards. It’s warm, authentic, and deeply connected to the region’s wine heritage. Think: charming rooms, breathtaking valley views, incredible estate wines, and that intimate, family-owned feel that makes the Douro so special.
Why Porto?
Porto is colorful, soulful, and full of character—wine bars, tiled facades, riverfront strolls, and some of Portugal’s most important cultural landmarks. It’s a beautiful, easy finale to your trip.
If you’re looking for a boutique stay, The Largo is my favorite hotel in the city intimate, design-forward, and perfectly situated to explore it all.
Which itinerary should you choose?
Lisbon → Retreat → Alentejo
Warm countryside escapes
World-class design hotels
Exceptional food + wine
Slow mornings and open landscapes
A grounding, restorative pace
The lively, vibrant energy of Lisbon to balance it all
Lisbon → Retreat → Douro → Porto
A luxury wine-region experience
Spa time with river views
A mix of small-town charm + vibrant city life
A non-Lisbon departure airport
A little more movement + variety
Final Thoughts
Portugal truly shines in the spring—flowers blooming, warm sun, cool breezes, and fewer crowds. Pairing your retreat with a thoughtfully curated travel plan is the best way to experience the magic here: culture, nature, wine, rest, and connection… all in one journey.
If you want help tailoring one of these itineraries to your travel style, I’m happy to guide you. This is what I love doing most—curating experiences that help you see Portugal the way I get to see it every day.