Porto and Lisbon in One Week

Porto and Lisbon are different enough to make a combined trip feel varied. Here's the 7-day plan.

Days 1-3: Porto

Day 1: Fly into Porto. Ribeira waterfront district. Cross to Vila Nova de Gaia for port lodges. Sandeman, Taylor's, or Graham's tours (€12-25 including tasting).

Day 2: São Bento station (blue tile interior — free). Lello Bookstore (€8, Harry Potter inspiration, crowded). Clerigos Tower climb (€6). Livraria Lello.

Day 3: Day trip to Douro Valley — wine region (1 hour drive). Cork oak forests, terraced vineyards. Full day with several quinta stops costs €100-150/person with a guide.

Day 4: Porto → Lisbon

Alfa Pendular high-speed train: 2h50m, €31. Book online.

Or drive (3 hours) via Coimbra. Coimbra's university library (€7) is one of the most gorgeous libraries in the world.

Days 5-7: Lisbon

Day 5: Alfama + São Jorge Castle (see separate Lisbon guide). Day 6: Belém. Tram 28. Day 7: Sintra day trip OR Cascais beach day.

Port wine notes

• Tawny (aged in wood, nutty, 10/20/30/40 year designations)
• Ruby (aged less, fruitier)
• White (less known outside Portugal, great aperitif)
• Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is the best value — similar to Vintage at half the price
• Single Vintage Port ($80-500/bottle) only in exceptional years

Fado reality

Fado is Portuguese folk music — soulful, mournful. Tourist fado houses are fine but touristy. Real fado happens spontaneously at places like Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto (Lisbon) or Casa da Mariquinhas in Porto.

Dinner + fado shows in Lisbon cost €50-80/person.

Cost (2 people, 7 days)

• Flights US: $700-1,000
• Train Porto-Lisbon: $65 for 2
• Accommodation: €110/night × 6 = €660
• Food + port tastings: €70/day × 7 = €490
• Day trips (Douro, Sintra): €250 for 2
• Sights: €100

Total: $2,400-2,700 for 2 people with flights.