If you’re still trying to plan some international travel in 2021, Portugal is one European destination that is still open to U.S. tourists. Portugal makes for a perfect getaway because not only is it such a versatile country with the lively city of Lisbon, the romantic wine country that is Porto, the magical castles in Sintra, and the stunning beaches of the Algarve, but it also has amazing food, rich architecture and history, and is very affordable! You can read more about Portugal in my Ultimate Portugal Travel Guide for 2021. And if you decide on Portugal, here is my perfect 6-day Portugal itinerary from my trip in July 2021.

• Day 1 -

  • Drive from Lisbon to Porto

  • Explore Porto

• Day 2 - Wine tour & boat ride in Douro Valley

• Day 3 -

  • Drive from Porto to Lisbon

  • Explore Lisbon

• Day 4 - Explore Lisbon

• Day 5 - Palace hopping in Sintra

• Day 6 - Beach day in Cascais

I only had a week in Portugal, but if you wanted to extend your trip another 2 or 3 days, I would highly recommend doing so to visit the beaches of Algarve, which are definitely bucket list worthy. Just look up Benagil Caves if you don’t believe me!

Day 1 - Explore Porto

While planning your trip, be sure to check the latest local curfews and COVID restrictions. We chose to visit Porto first since Lisbon had a much stricter weekend curfew of 3pm as opposed to Porto’s 11pm curfew.

On Day 1, after landing at the Lisbon International Airport, you can either rent a car or arrange a taxi to Porto, which is a 3-hour drive north.

Porto is a charming, riverside city that has so many beautiful sites to see, which is why exploring it is perfect for your first day in Portugal. You can walk across the notable Ponte D. Luis bridge and dine on the lovely, cobblestone streets of the Ribeira District. You can admire the architecture and signature blue and white tiles at the many churches like the Chapel of Souls, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Porto Cathedral (or Se Cathedral), and Igreja do Carmo. Other sites you can visit are a library that served as inspiration in Harry Potter - Livraria Lello, the artistic Sao Bento train station, and the historical Bolsa Palace located in the city center designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 2 - Wine tour & Boat ride in Douro Valley

Porto is famous for its port wine, which is why you should do a wine tour and boat ride in Douro Valley for Day 2. We booked a tour in advance through Airbnb Experiences and had several options to choose from. The one we selected included the 1-2 hour drive from Porto to the Douro, a boat ride on the Douro River with beautiful views, drinks and snacks, wine tasting at two vineyards, lunch at the second vineyard, and the drive back to Porto. We learned so much about port wine and Portugal vineyards while getting the best buzz! I highly recommend doing a wine tour like this.

Day 3 & 4 - Explore Lisbon

Day 3 would start off as a travel day from Porto back to Lisbon. You have the option of stopping by some of the other smaller cities in Portugal on the drive down (see Additional Places to Visit below) or heading straight to Lisbon. Lisbon is such a diverse city with so much to offer so Day 3 and 4 of your trip can be dedicated to exploring Lisbon, including:

• The most scenic viewpoints in Lisbon, Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, where you can see the city’s clay rooftops for miles ahead;

• The Belem area where you can visit the intricately designed Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, and taste the signature Portuguese pastry - pastel de nata - at the original bakery, Pasteis de Belem;

• Pink Street, which you can’t miss because it is literally a bright pink street! Pink Street is a beautifully decorated street, lined with bars and restaurants that is known for its buzzing nightlife. We loved it here so much that we spent 3 nights in a row on Pink Street!

• Arco da Rua Augusta is the entrance to the city center. Here you’ll get to explore shops, restaurants, street performers and more in the main square, Praca do Comercio;

• Elevador de Bica, Lisbon’s famous yellow cable car that serves as both transportation and a beautiful photo spot for tourists;

• The Santa Justa Lift, which is a functioning elevator known for its French-inspired architecture and observation deck with aerial views of downtown Lisbon;

• Once an industrial area, LX Factory, was converted into a hip and trendy destination with cafes, restaurants, shops, and plenty of street and graffiti artwork on display!

• Rossio Square, another one of Lisbon’s main city squares with cafes, restaurants, shops, fountains, history, and pretty architecture;

• Castelo de S. Jorge, a prominent castle situated on the highest hill in Lisbon, filled with culture and stunning views of the city;

• A street art tour throughout the streets of Lisbon, since the city has so much beautiful street art to offer!

Day 5 - Palace Visits in Sintra

A trip to Portugal would not be complete without planning a day trip to Sintra, a resort town known primarily for its grand, majestic palaces and exquisite gardens. You can take an easy 45-minute train from Lisbon to Sintra and take one of the many taxis waiting outside of the station to go see Sintra’s best sights. The top 5 sights in Sintra include:

1. Park and National Palace of Pena

2. Quinta da Regaleira

3. Monserrate Palace

4. Castelo dos Mouros

5. Sintra National Palace

I recommend going early in the morning and spending at least 2 hours at most palaces to make the most of your day. You can buy tickets in advance online or at the entrance on the day of your visit. As all of the palaces close around 5-6pm, be sure to plan a lunch break and your train back to Lisbon accordingly!

Day 6 - Beach day in Cascais

If you’re only in Portugal for a short time, Cascais is a perfect place to experience Portugal’s beaches without having to venture too far from Lisbon. Cascais is a resort town that is only 30-40 minutes from Lisbon by car or train. Here, you can visit one of many gorgeous golden beaches, the trendy art and museum district, chic shops and boutiques in the quaint town, the bustling Casino Estoril (which as the name suggests is a casino), Mercado da Vila with fresh fruits, cheeses, and bread, and the natural rock formation Boca do Inferno.

Additional places to visit in Portugal: 

• The Algarve - Lagos, Benagil Caves, Praia da Marinha, Faro Old Town, Praia do Camilo, Silves

• Obidos - Charming medieval town

• Aveiro - Maritime town known as the “Venice of Portugal”

• Braga - Spiritual city with churches and religious places

• Evora - Ancient city with preserved heritage and architecture