Itinerary Lisbon, Porto & Algarve

Portugal in May offers superb weather—warm days, little rain, and long sunshine hours. It’s an excellent season for both beach and cultural exploration, with lively food festivals and markets throughout the country.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1000 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1400 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	1300 USD
Total	3800 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇵🇹 Lisbon - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Alfama District ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lisbon’s oldest quarter; maze of cobbled streets, fado houses; best explored on foot—go early for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ Belém Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • 16th-century UNESCO fortress right on the Tagus river. Combine with Pastéis de Belém nearby.

• [ ] 🏛️ Jerónimos Monastery ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Spectacular late-Gothic monastery, World Heritage site. Don’t miss the ornate cloisters.

• [ ] 🏞️ Miradouro da Senhora do Monte ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Panoramic viewpoint, especially beautiful around sunset.

• [ ] 🏙️ Bairro Alto ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Artistic historic quarter; wander tiny streets, street art, and small shops.

• [ ] 🎨 MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology) ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Striking riverside museum; contemporary art and architecture.

• [ ] 🏛️ National Tile Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Dedicated to azulejos—the famous Portuguese tiles.

• [ ] 🛕 Castelo de São Jorge ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic castle with commanding city views; walk the ramparts.

• [ ] 🌳 Eduardo VII Park ⭐ (~1h)

  • Expansive central park, ideal for a stroll.

• [ ] 🏖️ Praia de Carcavelos ⭐⭐ (~2-3h, easily reached by train from Lisbon)

  • Wide sandy beach, good for surfing and sunbathing.

• [ ] 🏙️ LX Factory ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Trendy district in former industrial complex; indie shops, markets, and street food.

• [ ] 🏛️ Carmo Convent Ruins ⭐ (~1h)

  • Dramatic open-roofed Gothic church destroyed in 1755 earthquake.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Pavilhão Chinês ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Unique historic bar filled with curios—perfect for cocktails.

• [ ] 🍷 Solar do Vinho do Porto ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Lisbon’s renowned spot for port wine tasting.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍤 Time Out Market ⭐⭐⭐

  • Gourmet food hall by leading local chefs; budget ~20-35 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🥧 Pastéis de Belém ⭐⭐⭐

  • Legendary bakery for the original pastéis de nata. ~2 USD/pastry.

• [ ] 🥘 Ramiro ⭐⭐

  • Traditional seafood—try the garlic prawns and clams, ~25-50 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🛥️ Day trip to Sintra (~5h)

  • Romantic palaces and gardens; 45mn train from Lisbon.

• [ ] 🚲 Bike ride along the Tagus (~2h)

  • Waterfront cycling path.

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🇵🇹 Porto - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Ribeira District ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Colorful riverside neighborhood; UNESCO World Heritage.

• [ ] 🏛️ Dom Luís I Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Iconic double-deck iron bridge; best views at sunset.

• [ ] 🛕 Livraria Lello ⭐⭐⭐ (~45min)

  • Historic bookstore, said to have inspired Harry Potter.

• [ ] 🏛️ São Bento Railway Station ⭐⭐ (~30min)

  • 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portugal’s history.

• [ ] 🏛️ Clérigos Tower ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Baroque bell tower—climb for a stunning view.

• [ ] 🏞️ Jardins do Palácio de Cristal ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Serene gardens and panoramic river vistas.

• [ ] 🏙️ Bolhão Market ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Oldest market; local specialties and atmosphere.

• [ ] 🌳 Parque da Cidade do Porto ⭐ (~1h)

  • Portugal’s largest urban park—good for a morning walk.

• [ ] 🏛️ Casa da Música ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Striking modern concert hall—tours available.

• [ ] 🏚️ Igreja de São Francisco ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Decorated with dazzling baroque interiors.

• [ ] 🎨 Serralves Foundation & Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Contemporary art museum and sculpture park.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍷 Port Wine Cellars (Gaia) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Sample renowned port wine, many cellars offer tasting tours.

• [ ] 🎶 Café Majestic ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Belle Epoque café—live piano evenings.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🥪 Café Santiago ⭐⭐⭐

  • Try the francesinha, Porto’s signature sandwich. ~15 USD.

• [ ] 🐟 Adega São Nicolau ⭐⭐

  • Classic riverside taverna for grilled sardines. ~25-35 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🚤 Douro River boat tour (~1h)

  • Short river cruises for a unique city angle.

• [ ] 🏖️ Praia de Matosinhos (~3h)

  • Porto’s city beach, easy metro ride.

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🇵🇹 Algarve (Lagos base) - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏖️ Praia Dona Ana ⭐⭐⭐ (~2-3h)

  • Crystal-clear turquoise water, golden cliffs, famous for beauty.

• [ ] 🏖️ Praia do Camilo ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic viewpoint and wooden stairway to postcard-perfect beach.

• [ ] 🛥️ Ponta da Piedade ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Breathtaking grottos, arches, and sea stacks—boat tour recommended.

• [ ] 🏙️ Lagos Old Town ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Winding streets, tiled plazas, and historic market.

• [ ] 🏞️ Sagres & Cape St. Vincent ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Dramatic cliffs and Europe’s southwesternmost point.

• [ ] 🚶 Alvor Boardwalk ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Wooden trail through dunes—great for birdwatching and sunsets.

• [ ] 🌳 Benagil Cave ⭐⭐ (~2h; kayak or boat)

  • Stunning sea cave accessible via guided tours.

• [ ] 🏖️ Meia Praia ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Long sandy beach, less crowded.

• [ ] 🎨 Municipal Museum Dr. José Formosinho ⭐ (~1h)

  • Local archaeology, art, and culture.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bon Vivant Bar, Lagos ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Rooftop cocktails in lively old town setting.

• [ ] 🍹 Three Monkeys Bar ⭐ (~1h)

  • Trendy, relaxed, with live music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🦐 O Camilo ⭐⭐⭐

  • Legendary for fresh seafood and cliffside views. ~35-50 USD/person.

• [ ] 🦑 Restaurante dos Artistas ⭐⭐

  • Creative Portuguese cuisine in Old Town. ~40 USD/person.

• [ ] 🍦 Gelícia ⭐

  • Homemade gelato and sweets.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏄 Surf lesson at Praia do Amado (~2h)
  • Renowned surf beach, with beginner-friendly schools.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇵🇹 Lisbon

• [ ] 🎬 Night Train to Lisbon (2013) — ⭐ 6.8 — A Swiss professor embarks on a journey into Lisbon’s tumultuous past — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Lisbon Story (1994) — ⭐ 7.0 — Road movie capturing Lisbon’s sights and sounds — DVD
• [ ] 📺 Inspector Max (2004-) — ⭐ 7.7 — Family detective series filmed in charming Lisbon — YouTube

🇵🇹 Porto

• [ ] 🎬 Porto (2016) — ⭐ 6.0 — Haunting romantic drama set in Porto’s evocative streets — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 Auga Seca (2019-) — ⭐ 6.9 — Crime and intrigue in Porto’s riverfront setting — HBO

🇵🇹 Algarve

• [ ] 🎬 The Right Juice (2014) — ⭐ 6.3 — Story of expat life on an Algarve orange farm — Vimeo
• [ ] 📺 Travel Man: 48 Hours in Algarve (2017) — ⭐ 8.1 — Short guide highlighting top Algarve experiences — YouTube

🍜 Local specialties

🇵🇹 Lisbon

• [ ] Pastéis de nata (custard tarts)
• [ ] Bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes)
• [ ] Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams in garlic sauce)

🇵🇹 Porto

• [ ] Francesinha (meaty sandwich with spicy sauce)
• [ ] Tripas à Moda do Porto (Porto-style tripe stew)
• [ ] Bolinhos de bacalhau (codfish fritters)

🇵🇹 Algarve

• [ ] Cataplana de marisco (seafood cooked in copper pot)
• [ ] Arroz de lingueirão (razor clam rice)
• [ ] Feijoada de Buzinas (whelk bean stew)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇵🇹 Lisbon

1. 🌤️ Alfama District
2. 🌙 Pavilhão Chinês
3. 🛍️ LX Factory
4. 🏨 Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel
5. 🍽️ Time Out Market

🇵🇹 Porto

1. 🌤️ Ribeira District
2. 🌙 Port Wine Cellars (Gaia)
3. 🛍️ Bolhão Market
4. 🏨 Infante Sagres – Legacy Hotel
5. 🍽️ Café Santiago

🇵🇹 Algarve (Lagos)

1. 🌤️ Praia Dona Ana
2. 🌙 Bon Vivant Bar
3. 🛍️ Mercado de Lagos
4. 🏨 Casa Mãe Lagos
5. 🍽️ O Camilo

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Lisbon
• [ ] 🚅 Lisbon → Porto
• [ ] ✈️ Porto → Faro (Algarve) (or train, ~5h)
• [ ] ✈️ Faro → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Lisbon	3	Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel	600 USD
Porto	2	Infante Sagres – Legacy Hotel	400 USD
Algarve (Lagos)	2	Casa Mãe Lagos	400 USD
Total	7		1400 USD