Planning a trip to Portugal? You are in exactly the right place. I’m Candy and I’m a local independent travel advisor & travel expert living in Portugal since 2016. I’ve planned hundreds of trips around this small but endlessly fascinating country and helped people all over the world discover the real Portugal. Let’s get started !
Portugal Travel Planning Services
I have several services to help you plan a trip to Portugal. Choose my 1 hour travel consultation to put your mind at ease or work with me to curate a personalised one-of-a-kind itinerary.
Travel & Photography by Candy : What you see is real. No images in any of my travel guides are AI. All photos in this travel guide are taken by me. I spend a huge amount of time photographing, editing and uploading all the photos on this website. Please do not reuse them without credit and a backlink to this page. Thank you.
Portugal Trip Planner
Think of me as your personal Portugal trip planner. On this page I’ll walk you through the basics of planning a trip to Portugal and offer you helpful tools along the way. Whether you are looking for trustworthy information and resources to plan your own trip or you want a local travel expert to plan it for you, you’ll find everything you need to plan the Portugal trip of your dreams right here.
- Portugal Travel Tips
- When to Visit Portugal
- Getting Around Portugal
- Best Places to Visit Portugal
- Classic 10 day Itinerary
- Personalised 10 day Itinerary
- Sustainable Tourism in Portugal
Recent Portugal Travel Guides
- Fisherman’s Trail : How to do a One Day Hike from Lisbon
- Best things to do in Cascais : more than a beach town
- How to spend 2 days in Aveiro
- Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, getting lost in Portugal’s most remote region
- 36 hours in Bragança, the heart of Trás-os-Montes
Working with an Independent Travel Planner
Unlike travel agents or broker-platform advisors, my business is completely independent. Agencies and umbrella platforms have a business model that rely on commission which means recommendations are limited and usually money-driven. Sadly this means the traveler misses out on small, local businesses (which are the backbone of authentic travel) and these same businesses get skipped in favor for a company that pays a higher commission. Everyone loses (except the agency).
This is why I built the independent model you see here. When I started Travel by Candy (formally Soi 55 Travel) in Portugal there wasn’t any one else offering this type of independent, on-the-ground service. I’m based in Portugal and I travel to new places in the country every single month. I’ve been documenting my travels on this website since day one. The business is built, brick-by-brick from more than 10 years of lived travel experiences, local connections and a genuine passion for this corner of southern Europe.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, working with a travel planner who lives in Portugal should be your top priority. No-one knows the country like a local and their insider knowledge that will ensure you have a truly memorable trip. My services are 100% personalised for your travel style and preferences, and there is no limit on what I can recommend.
We (family of 9) had an amazing time in Portugal thanks to Candy. She is amazing! She listened to our wish list and tailored a trip that suits all of our needs. Her recommendations hit all the marks! Highlights included private trip to Douro Valley Vineyard with lunch, Fado music concert, Transportation from Porto to Lisbon with stop in Nazare and amazing seafood lunch, private chef to our airbnb to celebrate bdays, and a detailed Google mapped walking tour in Lisbon. We will definitely work with her again in the future. 5 stars! – Kit
I’ve helped people from all over the globe travel to Portugal and it’s an honour to be chosen by so many to plan their dream travel to my adoptive country.
Regions of Portugal
Search “regions of Portugal” online and you will be met with endless versions of what this looks like. The regions have changed significantly and constantly over the years. Depending on whether you split the country historically or administratively you will be met with different outcomes and you may find the “official” regions are referenced differently by the various generations.
Portugal can be split in many ways thanks to its complex administrative structure but the most recent NUTSII format divides Portugal into a total of nine statistical regions. Across the continent there are 18 districts and subregions. . Seven of the regions are on the mainland :
- Norte
- Centro
- Oeste e Vale do Tejo
- Lisboa
- Setúbal
- Alentejo
- Algarve
The remaining two regions are the autonomous archipelagos of :
- Azores
- Madeira
Tips for planning a trip to Portugal
As a trip planner for Portugal and with more than a decade of European travel behind me I’ve built up a few useful tips over the years.
- Don’t try to do too much. The biggest mistake people make when planning a trip to Portugal is trying to do too much. It is always better to spend longer in fewer destinations than quickly moving through without really feeling anything. Portugal has an ever-changing landscape and although the country isn’t big it is rich and diverse in experiences. Diving deeper into two or three places is better than rushing through 8.
- Don’t be afraid to stray away from the well-trodden path. Lisbon, Porto and Algarve are great but have you heard of Apúlia, Marvão, Porto Covo or Vidigueira? I challenge you to add one location that is not on most itineraries you find online. Check out my travel guide collection and Portugal Travel Map for ideas.
- Plan ahead. You don’t need to plan every hour of your trip but when it comes to certain aspects like route and transport logistics you should plan ahead to avoid wasting time during your trip.
- Plan for spontaneity too. A contradiction I love. Basically allow time to not follow a plan. It’s often these times that leave you with the best memories
- Learn some language. Yes most people in the cities can speak English but language is a huge part of culture we all have to do our part to keep it. Even a few words and phrases will be appreciated. Start with a friendly ‘bom dia!’.
- Be patient with the locals. Tourism in Europe is booming and some of the more popular destinations like Lisbon are still catching up with the demand. Be kind and patient with EVERYONE.
- Work with a trip planner who lives in Portugal. No one knows the country like someone who lives there. Avoid international travel agents who have only visited the country once or not at all.
How long to spend in Portugal
This depends on a number of factors including which and how many destinations you want to visit, but the right answer is – whatever time you have. There is enough to fill a few months of time, especially if you include the archipelagos too. Most of us don’t have that time but the good news is that with good planning you can get a taste of Portugal with much less.
Most people spend 10 days to 2 weeks which is a good length for 2 to 3 locations (or more if you don’t mind being on the move a lot). If I could suggest a perfect time to see a wide variety of landscapes without it feeling too rushed, it would be 3 weeks.
How Long to Spend in Mainland Portugal (the standard trip)
If you’re only planning to visit Lisbon or Porto I recommend at least 3 days for each. You can include a day for Sintra and Cascais during your Lisbon stay and 1 day for Douro Valley during your Porto trip. If you want to include Algarve in the same trip then add at least 3 days (but 4 would be ideal) and remember, the distance between Algarve and Porto is a whole day worth of travel (about 7 hours by train or car).
Which brings you to 10 days. 3 days Lisbon, 3 days Porto, 3 or 4 days Algarve – this is the most popular and usual route for 10 days.
However, it is important to realise that this definitely isn’t a relaxed itinerary. If you would prefer a trip with more down time/ wandering without a set plan then choose two of the 3 instead and split your time between them. You can still do day trips.
If you have two weeks to play with you can bolt on a few overnights in must-see spots such as Évora in Alentejo or a spot on the silver coast such as Nazaré.
If you have the luxury of 3 weeks you can really experience all the best parts of Portugal, including some hidden gems in Alentejo and remote central Portugal.
How Long to Spend in Madeira and Azores?
Planning a trip to the Portuguese islands? Don’t be tempted to add only a few days here. At the very least you need 4 days for each Madeira and São Miguel (1 of the 9 islands in Azores); bearing in mind you have to fly and navigate airports. If you want to really get to know Madeira or if you plan on island hopping in the Azores then a week in Madeira and 10 days in Azores allows you to experience the islands more fully rather than touching down and taking off again.
When to visit Portugal
Again, whenever you can. Portugal is a year-round destination and you won’t be bored during any season. The optimum time to visit is during the shoulder seasons (May- June & Sept-Oct) when the weather is pleasant all over (and still usually very warm Lisbon and south) and without the crowds of summer. Lisbon and Porto are busy year round but the first few months of the year are less hectic. South coast Algarve is very busy (and very hot) in summer. The north of the country is considerably wetter and cooler during winter, as is interior Alentejo.
Getting around Portugal
Unless you are staying in only one location you need to know which transport to use to make the most of your trip. For the main cities (Lisbon & Porto) you don’t need a car but in other regions a car can offer a richer experience. I’ve written an in-depth planning guide for transport between the three major destinations below.
HOW TO GET BETWEEN LISBON, PORTO & ALGARVE
Planning a Road Trip in Portugal
Being on the road is all about freedom and we love that about it, but being able to fully embrace that freedom involves doing some pre-planning first. The more prepared you are before you go, the more time you have to enjoy the experience of being on the road trip.
One of the biggest joys of a road trip is going off-route and making new discoveries, but sometimes it helps to have some places or points of interest already in mind that can help shape your route. When you already have a list or map of options to choose, you’re not left scrambling last minute. This is exactly why I created the Portugal Travel Map.
Portugal Travel Planning Map
The best way to plan your Portugal itinerary is by having all of the options in one place. I’ve created a trip planning map for Portugal with hundreds of pins to help you plan your trip. Need trip inspiration or itinerary ideas? You’ll find everything you need on the map.
Train
Use the official website to book trains cp.pt. When you book 2 weeks or more in advance you can access a special price. You can only book trains between Lisbon & Cascais in the station.
Bus
The main companies are Rede Expressos & Flixbus. They are reasonably priced and generally on time.
Car
I recommend a car for Alentejo and Algarve and anywhere interior or north east of Porto. Both Madeira and Azores should be navigated by car also. Without one you will miss out on so much. If you don’t want to drive, consider working with a tour guide/ transfer company.
Best Car Rental in Portugal
I have been using Zest for many years and working with them for almost as long. After too many negative rental experiences with other brokers and companies they showed up and solved all the frustrations and I’ve been using them ever since. I’ve personally claimed on the insurance twice and both times it was quick and easy to solve. The customer service is amazing. I only recommend companies I personally use and Zest are one of the few companies I choose to partner with.
BEST ROAD TRIPS IN PORTUGAL BY REGION
Private Driver
I recommend using a private driver / tour guide in Sintra and Douro Valley specifically but it is also a really great way to get between the main cities while seeing more of what Portugal has to offer on route.
Best places to visit in Portugal
I could write a 5 page list for this but to save your sanity I’ve broken it down into sections to help you build your trip more meaningfully. Use these ideas to plan your perfect trip to Portugal.
26 PLACES TO VISIT IN PORTUGAL IN 2026
Most popular places to visit in Portugal
- Lisbon
- Sintra
- Porto
- Pinhão (Douro Valley)
- Lagos (Algarve)
- Albufeira (Algarve) I personally do not recommend this town, but it is one of the most popular
- Évora (Alentejo)
Best interior villages to visit in Portugal
- Mértola
- Monsaraz
- Marvão
- Vila Frades
- Estremoz
- Piodão
BEST PLACES TO VISIT BAIXO ALENTEJO
Best places for a Culture rich / Historical Trip in Portugal
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Braga
- Guimares
- Coimbra
- Tomar
Best coastal towns and beaches in Portugal
- Cascais & Sintra Coast
- Sesimbra
- Troía Peninsular
- Lagos
- Porto Covo (Fisherman’s Trail)
- Peniche (surfing)
- Nazaré
Best road trip destinations in Portugal
- Madeira
- Alentejo
- Western Algarve
- Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Trás-os-Montes
Best for hiking trips & outdoor adventure spots in Portugal
- Madeira (all over)
- Pico, Azores (Portugal’s highest peak)
- São Miguel,Azores
- Flores, Azores
- Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Serra de Estrela
- Fisherman’s Trail (Alentejo & Algarve)
- Severn Hanging Valley
Best wine trip locations in Portugal
- Douro Valley, specifically Pinhão, Valença do Douro, Provesende
- Vidigueira and Cuba (Baixo Alentejo)
- Monção and Melgaço (Minho)
- Morgado do Quintão (Central Algarve)
- Azores Wine Company (Pico)
Best / Classic 10 day Itinerary Portugal
The classic Portugal trip itinerary includes Lisbon, Porto & Algarve, usually split evenly and usually with a few day trips. Most itineraries you find online will look like this:
- DAY 1 >> Arrive Lisbon, afternoon Lisbon
- DAY 2 Lisbon
- DAY 3 Sintra & Cascais day trip
- DAY 4 >> Porto with potential stop at Nazaré or Coimbra
- DAY 5 Porto
- DAY 6 Douro Valley Day Trip
- DAY 7 >> Algarve (Long travel day) with potential stop
- DAY 8 Algarve (usually Lagos or Albufeira, sometimes Tavira)
- DAY 9 Algarve
- DAY 10 >> Lisbon depart
“What is the best Portugal itineray” – This question is one of the most common I receive as a travel planner for Portugal. Of course, there is no one size fits all answer to this. It depends on so many factors but I’ve put together several of the “best” Portugal itineraries on my travel guide and a few more unique routes to follow too.
BEST 10 DAY ITINERARY PORTUGAL
Personalised 10 day Itinerary Portugal
In recent years Portugal has become one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe yet everyone visits the same places over and over as if there is only one route to take. Like anything this comes with positives and negatives. See sustainable travel in Portugal below.
I’m not against visiting popular places in Portugal – there is usually a good reason why they are popular. Lisbon, Porto and the coastal Algarve are incredible assets and you shouldn’t feel bad if you want to visit them, but don’t build your itinerary thinking those are the only options.
Well-trodden Vs Off-the-beaten-path in Portugal
Portugal is so much more than an AI-driven list (you will be surprised how many people populate their website with these now). It’s breathtaking views, remote beaches, hilltop towns, skilled artisans, black pottery, fishing nets, crater lakes, medieval castles, national parks, hidden taverns and historical vineyards. A huge reason for why I started this business was to share the lesser-known places with the world, support local businesses and learn more about the culture of my adopted country. No doubt about it – Portugal has some real gems.
Human Travel Planning. No AI here.
What you see & read here is REAL. I don’t use ChatGP or other AI to write my travel guides or design itineraries. Travel is a human experience that requires all of the senses. It is impossible for AI to replicate that. Working with a human travel planner means working with someone who understands that travel is a highly unique and personal experience, not a ‘copy and paste’ job. All travel guides have been written by me from my own personal experiences. All the photos on this website are taken myself during my own travel. Nothing has been created using AI so you can trust what you are seeing actually exists.
My job as your trip planner and Portugal travel expert is to fill your trip with all this good stuff. It’s about getting to know you and your travel style, finding out what would make YOUR dream trip and then building an itinerary from scratch to make that happen. The possibilities are endless. In addition to ticking off some main sites I will always tailor an itinerary to your specific interests, offering you something considered and completely out of the box. At the end of the process you’ll have something completely unique, one-of-a-kind, made just for you.
Sustainable Tourism in Portugal
Visitors to Portugal exceeded 33M in 2025. Tourism is now a major cornerstone in the national economy, providing more than 21% of the country’s GDP (not only from direct impact, but how the value is “spread along the chain”). This translates to 1.4M jobs in the sector. This is a huge number, and a positive outcome we shouldn’t take for granted. More info: WTTC: Portugal’s tourism sector enters a golden era
Unfortunately with increased growth comes increased pressure. One problem that is becoming apparent (all over the world, not just in Portugal) is that visitors get stuck on the same “must-see” loop that is amplified by AI and social media platforms. It means the busy places get busier and everywhere else may as well not exist. There is no doubt that the tourism boom is creating more revenue and jobs – a huge positive, but when tourists continue to visit the same places in increasing numbers it can become unsustainable, and often damaging.
I truly believe that sustainable cultural tourism is a possibility in Portugal (and Europe). I believe as travellers we have to take responsibility for our choices and actions. We should choose carefully, are we visiting because we are genuinely interested or because chatGPT told us to? We have the power to make small changes that can help make travel more sustainable, like not overcrowding heritage sites and areas of natural beauty, looking past the usual tourist traps, protecting sites of cultural importance, and splitting our time and money between different areas of a country. There should be a focus on protecting culture and on supporting local businesses.
Practicing and promoting sustainable tourism is one of my pillars.
Planning a Trip to Portugal and Spain
A frequent question I get asked as a trip planner is if I can plan a trip to Portugal and Spain together. Yes! It is a common trip. Mixing Portugal and Spain in one trip is a wonderful way to get a taste of two very different cultures and landscapes, but again, this should not be rushed. Make sure you have enough time to actually see both, not just adding one day on at the end of your trip. Seville is a great addition from Algarve as it is only 3 hours drive from Lagos. You can also fly to international airports Madrid or Barcelona from Lisbon, Porto or Faro.
Looking for more itinerary ideas? My travel guide collection will inspire you. Happy trip planning!