Things to do in Portugal in 15 days

Would you like to visit Portugal? Find out some of the things to do in Portugal in 15 days?

Great! In this article you’ll discover the most beautiful monuments, breathtaking landscapes, savour amazing food and much more!

Here is the travel guide of the things to do in Portugal in 15 days

Day 1 – Lisbon

Of the things to do in Portugal you can’t miss a visit to the beautiful Portuguese capital.

Lisbon is the biggest city in Portugal and is in the top of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The seven hills city has won the hearts of visitors from all over the world through a sumptuous fusion of tradition and modernity.

On this first day, visit the downtown quarters and Bairro Alto. You will have the opportunity to see:

• Praça Dom Pedro IV (Dom Pedro IV square, also known as Rossio)
• Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Elevator)
• Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square)

If you have the time, visit Cristo Rei National Sanctuary, a beautiful place to contemplate Lisbon, Tagus river and 25 April Bridge.

Day 2 – Lisbon

Come and explore the historic quarter of Alfama – the soul of Lisbon is here. Lose yourself in the steep streets and discover:

• Miradouro da Graça (Graça Viewpoint)
• Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George Castle)
• Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Santa Luzia Viewpoint)
• Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon’s Cathedral)

Day 3 – Lisbon

To complete your visit to Lisbon and cross it off of your list of things to do in Portugal, go to Belém, where you can find monuments from the Age of Discoveries. Go to:

• Torre de Belém (Tower of Belém)
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries)
• Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronymites Monastery)
• Casa Pastéis de Belém

If you have the time, visit Lisbon Oceanarium located in the Park of the Nations.

Day 4 – Sintra

Take the train in Rossio train station and visit the beautiful town of Sintra – a must in your list of things to do in Portugal!

In Sintra you’ll be amazed with:

• Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle)
• Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace)
• Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Sintra National Palace)
• Quinta da Regaleira

Start with the beautiful palace Palácio de Queluz, visit the historic centre of Sintra with a unique cultural landscape, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Then go up to the old castle Castelo dos Mouros and the idyllic palace Palácio Nacional da Pena. Finally, go to Cape Roca, the westernmost point in Europe and end this activity with a tour in Cascais.

Day 5 – Évora

Day 5 will be focused on discovering Évora, considered as the “museum city”. Take the train IC in Oriente train station that will take you to the centre of the city in 1h40m.

During your visit you can’t miss:

• Praça do Giraldo (Giraldo Square)
• Templo Romano (Roman Temple)
• Igreja de São Francisco (St. Francis Church)
• Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)
• Sé de Évora (Évora Cathedral)

Day 6 – Óbidos – Alcobaça – Nazaré

From day 6 on, I suggest you rent a car to travel more freely and have more time for your visits. Despite being a small country, there are so many places to visit in Portugal that you’ll definitely need a car.

Travel north and stop to discover the medieval town of Óbidos.

You can visit the town in a morning; take the afternoon to visit Alcobaça Monastery and end your day in Nazaré.

Nazaré is known worldwide for surf and its 30-metre-high waves. Visit the part of town located at sea level and then take the elevator to discover the rest of the town, located at 118 metres above sea level.

If you visit Nazaré in the summer, you will have the chance (for those who like it) to watch bullfighting in the bullring.

Day 7 – Batalha – Fátima 

After sleeping in Nazaré, go north and make a stop at Batalha to visit Batalha Monastery though its official name is Santa Maria da Vitória Convent.

In the afternoon I invite you to visit the biggest shrine in Portugal and the fourth biggest catholic shrine in the world, the Our Lady of Fátima Shrine – if you’re a religious person then this visit should be on your list of things to do in Portugal.

It was here that Virgin Mary supposedly showed up to three children in Fátima, a small village in the Centre of Portugal, on six different occasions during the year of 1917. To know the story of this place I urge you to read this article in Wikipedia.

Day 8 – Coimbra

I invite you to discover the beautiful city of Coimbra as your last stop in the Centre of Portugal. During your stay you shouldn’t miss:

• Igreja de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Church)
• Arco e Torre de Almedina (Arch and Tower of Almedina)
• Sé Velha (Old Cathedral)
• University of Coimbra
• Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library), located inside the university

Day 9 – Lamego – Douro Valley

After staying in Coimbra for the night, visit Lamego to discover Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of Remedies Shrine), the medieval castle and the Sé (Cathedral).

Near Peso da Régua you’ll find Douro valley and its Port wine vineyards. If you have the time, go to the magnificent São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint for a spectacular view over Douro.

Day 10 – São Leonardo de Galafura – Amarante

Begin your day with a visit to São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint if you haven’t had the time the day before.

After that, take the national road to Amarante and enjoy the beauty of the Douro. In Amarante visit:

• Convento e Igreja de São Gonçalo (São Gonçalo Convent and Church)
• Ponte de São Gonçalo (São Gonçalo Bridge)

Day 11 – Guimarães – Braga

On the 11th day you will visit the birthplace of Portugal and the Portuguese Rome. Begin with Guimarães and visit:

• Castelo de Guimarães (Guimarães Castle)
• Capela de São Miguel do Castelo (Saint Michael of the Castle Chapel)
• Paço dos Duques de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza)
• Rua de Santa Maria (Saint Mary Street)
• Praça de Santiago (Santiago Square)
• Largo da Oliveira (Oliveira Square)

After having had lunch in the historic centre of Guimarães, go to Braga, one of the oldest catholic cities in the world. You should visit:

• Jardim de Santa Bárbara (Saint Barbara Garden)
• Torre de Menagem (Donjon)
• Arco da Porta Nova (Arch of the New Gate)
• Arcada da Lapa (Arcade of Lapa)
• Sé de Braga (Braga’s Cathedral)
• Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte (Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine)

Day 12 – Peneda-Gerês National Park – Ponte de Lima

On this twelfth day you will discover the only Portuguese national park, Peneda-Gerês National Park – definitely one of the things to do in Portugal! This is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal where authenticity takes over. Here are some of the places you shouldn’t miss:

• Soajo
• Lindoso
• Gerês Village
• Miradouro de Pedra Bela (Pedra Bela Viewpoint)
• Cascata de Tahiti (Tahiti Waterfall)
• Cascata do Arado (Arado Waterfall)

Your day should end in Ponte de Lima, a charming medieval village that will make you forget the 21st century.

Day 13 – Viana do Castelo

30 km from Ponte de Lima you will find Viana do Castelo, a city known for its Santa Luzia Basilica, its view over the river, the sea and the city centre.

Once you have visited the basilica and the historic centre, travel south to Porto. You can make the trip without any stops or stop in one of the many beaches along the way.

Day 14 – Porto

Of the things to do in Portugal you should definitely explore the historic centre of Porto on foot or on public transportation – if you haven’t done it yet, return the rental car (or park your car). These are the places you can’t miss:

• Estação de São Bento (São Bento Train Station)
• Majestic Café
• Mercado do Bolhão (Bolhão Market)
• Avenida dos Aliados (Alies Avenue)
• Livraria Lello (Lello Bookshop)
• Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower)
• Miradouro Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória (Nossa Senhora da Vitória Church Viewpoint)
• Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace)
• Igreja de São Francisco (Saint Francis Church)

Day 15 – Porto

On this last day in Porto I invite you to discover:

• Ribeira
• Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar (Serra do Pilar Monastery)
• A cellar on the other side of Douro river to enjoy a good Port wine
• Muralha Fernandina (Ferdinand Wall)
• Igreja Santa Clara (Santa Clara Church)
• Sé do Porto (Porto’s Cathedral)

There are so many things to do in Portugal and many places to visit so I hope this travel guide has helped you plan your trip to this marvellous country.

Are you going to visit Portugal ? Then don’t hesitate to book your hotel room, your car or the best activities by clicking the links below. This way you are helping me in the development of my blog and I’ll be able to offer you free tips and travel guides so that you can better prepare your visit to Portugal. Thank you!

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