7 Days in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley

I spent a week hopping between Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley, and here’s what actually worked. No filler, no “must-see” hype—just the routes, hotels, and meals that made the trip click.

Is 7 Days Enough for Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley?

Yes, but only if you move fast and skip the filler. I split it as 3 nights in Lisbon, 1 night in the Douro Valley, and 3 nights in Porto. That gave me two full days in each city plus a day riding the train through the valley.

Day one was a wash from jet lag—don’t plan anything heavy for arrival day. I landed in Lisbon at 10 a.m., checked into my hotel, and just wandered the Alfama neighborhood until I crashed.

Where Should You Stay in Lisbon?

I booked a room at Hotel da Baixa in the Baixa/Chiado area. It’s central, walkable to everything, and the staff pointed me to a tasca down the street that locals actually eat at. Avoid the Alfama hill if you’re carrying luggage—those cobblestones are brutal with a roller bag.

Baixa/Chiado – Best for first-timers. Flat streets, metro access, lots of bakeries.
Alfama – Authentic but steep. Great views, bad for tired legs.
Príncipe Real – Quieter, trendier, good for couples.

For a quick lunch, grab a bifana at O Trevo in Rossio. It’s a greasy pork sandwich in a no-frills joint—cost me €3.50 and beat any tourist-menu spot.

What’s Worth Doing in Lisbon Beyond the Tram 28?

The Tram 28 is a tourist trap. I rode it once and spent 40 minutes stuck behind a selfie stick. Skip it. Instead, walk the same route through Graça and Alfama—you’ll see the same views without the crowd.

Jerónimos Monastery – Book tickets online. The cloisters are worth it; the line is not.
Pastéis de Belém – The original custard tart shop. Go at 9 a.m. to avoid the queue. Take them to go and eat by the river.
LX Factory – A repurposed industrial complex with shops and food trucks. Good for a rainy afternoon.
Time Out Market – Overpriced and packed. I’d skip it unless you need a backup meal.

I did a guided tour of the Lisbon Cathedral and the Sé district—it was €15 and included a Fado demonstration. Worth it for the context, not the music (Fado is an acquired taste).

How Do You Get from Lisbon to the Douro Valley?

Take the train from Lisbon Santa Apolónia to Porto São Bento, then transfer to a regional line to Pinhão. The whole trip took about 4.5 hours. I booked a first-class seat on the Alfa Pendular for €35—worth it for the legroom and power outlets.

Stay in Pinhão if you want vineyards within walking distance. I booked a room at Vintage House, a converted 19th-century port lodge right on the Douro River. The pool overlooks the terraced hills. It’s not cheap (€180/night), but it’s the best base for wine tastings.

Quinta do Bomfim – A 10-minute walk from Pinhão station. The tawny port tasting is €12.
Quinta do Seixo – A 15-minute drive. They do a tour with a chocolate pairing. Book ahead.
Douro River cruise – A 1-hour boat ride from Pinhão. Costs €20 and shows you the valley from the water.

Should You Rent a Car in the Douro Valley?

No. The roads are narrow, winding, and often one-lane with blind curves. I saw a rental car scrape its side mirror on a stone wall near Pinhão. Stick to the train and taxis.

The Linha do Douro train itself is the attraction—it hugs the river between Porto and Pocinho. Buy a day pass for €10 and hop off at small stations like Ferreira or Cais da Régua for a quick vineyard visit.

What’s the Best Way to Spend 3 Days in Porto?

Porto is smaller than Lisbon, so you can cover the core in two days. Day one: walk the Ribeira district, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia for port tastings. Day two: explore the Livraria Lello bookshop (book tickets online—the line is an hour otherwise) and the Serralves Museum.

Café Majestic – Beautiful interior, overpriced coffee. Take a photo, don’t eat there.
Mercado do Bolhão – A working food market. Grab a pastel de nata from Confeitaria do Bolhão for €1.20.
Casa Guedes – The best sandwich in Porto. Pig ear sandwich with Serra da Estrela cheese. Sounds weird, tastes incredible.
Cais da Ribeira – Tourist central at night. Have one drink for the view, then move uphill to Rua das Flores for quieter bars.

I stayed at Hotel das Artes near the Clérigos Tower. Quiet street, clean rooms, €90/night. The rooftop bar has a view of the Douro that beats any paid viewpoint.

FAQ

Is the Lisbon Card worth it? Only if you plan to hit multiple museums in one day. It includes free entry to the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Lisbon Museum, plus unlimited metro and tram rides. I bought the 24-hour card for €21 and saved about €5. For a 2-day pass, the math gets tighter—better to pay as you go.

Can you do the Douro Valley as a day trip from Porto? Yes, but you’ll spend 3 hours each way on the train. I did it as a day trip on my last visit and regretted it—I had only 90 minutes in Pinhão before the last train back. Spend at least one night if you want to taste port without rushing.

What’s the best time of year for this itinerary? May, June, or September. July and August are hot (35°C in the Douro Valley) and crowded. I went in late May—the vineyards were green, the crowds were manageable, and I didn’t need a jacket. Avoid November through February; many wineries close for the season.

Conclusion

Split your time 3-3-1 (Lisbon, Porto, Douro Valley) and move by train.
Skip Tram 28, Time Out Market, and Café Majestic’s food.
Stay in Pinhão for the Douro Valley, not Porto’s city center.
Book Jerónimos, Livraria Lello, and wine tastings online in advance.
Pack comfortable walking shoes—cobblestones and hills are everywhere.