Lisbon & The Algarve Coast - Portugal
Overview: A relaxed tour of Lisbon and the Algarve Coast, with two major sightseeing days
Duration: One week
Locations visited: Lisbon (Castelo de São Jorge, Torre de Belém, and Jerónimos Monastery), Algarve (Sagres Fortress, Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Algar Seco), and Alenquer
How to get there: Fly into Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon
How to get around: Taxi, Train, Private Car
When to go: We went in the fall, which had mild weather and was relatively uncrowded.
Pace: Relaxed to Moderate
Future trips: Porto, Sintra, Obidos, Douro Valley, and Portuguese Islands such as Madeira and the Azores
View of Lisbon from Castelo de São Jorge
Day 1: Arrival & Alenquer
After landing mid-morning at Lisbon Airport, we headed to our hotel to check in and grab a quick rest after the overnight flight. This trip to Portugal was for a friend’s wedding, so once we’d rested and gotten ready, we made our way to the church in Lisbon. The reception was held at a winery in Alenquer, about an hour’s drive north of Lisbon.
Is Alenquer a typical stop on a 5-10 day trip to Portugal? Probably not. But the area is wonderfully scenic and a great choice for wine tasting, especially if you don’t have time to make it all the way to Porto.
Day 2: Relax & Food in Lisbon
After the wedding and an overnight flight the day before, we spent most of the second day relaxing and catching up on sleep.
In the late afternoon, we ventured out to explore Lisbon and visited Praça do Comércio and Praça Luís de Camões, two plazas close to our hotel. We grabbed some food at Praça do Comércio, enjoyed a drink at a rooftop bar near Praça Luís de Camões, and finished the evening with dinner nearby.
Day 4: Lisbon, including Castelo de São Jorge, Torre de Belém, and Jerónimos Monastery
This was our main day to explore Lisbon, with a focus on the old town. We began by walking from our hotel near Praça Luís de Camões toward Castelo de São Jorge.
As we walked, we saw the iconic Lisbon cable cars winding through the city—commonly featured on souvenirs. In the old town, many roads are narrow and cobblestone (as is typical in historic areas), and the streets leading up to the castle were even steeper than we’d expected. It was definitely a workout!
On our way, we passed Igreja de Santa Luzia, a charming church in the old town. Behind the church, near the Statue of Saint Vicente, there’s an excellent viewpoint for photos overlooking the city.
We also passed by the Graça Convent before arriving at Castelo de São Jorge, perched on a hill in Lisbon. The first fortifications on the site date back to the 2nd century BC, with human occupation as early as the 8th century BC. Over the centuries, the castle has been occupied by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors until the Portuguese conquered it in 1147. It has served as a royal residence and military barracks before being transformed into a national monument and museum.
After visiting the castle, we stopped for lunch and walked past Lisbon Cathedral, which has been rebuilt numerous times over the centuries due to earthquakes.
Next, we took a cab to Parque Eduardo VII, which we’d spotted on our drive from the airport. The park features sculptures, monuments, and well-manicured lawns, offering a peaceful break from the bustling city.
We then hopped in another cab and headed to the Torre de Belém, one of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks. Built during the Portuguese Renaissance, the tower symbolizes Portugal’s maritime and colonial power. Together with Jerónimos Monastery, the Torre de Belém is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While visitors can go inside the tower, we chose not to. Nearby, we saw the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) and enjoyed views of the Ponte 25 de Abril.
Across the street, we explored the area surrounding the Centro Cultural de Belém, Jardim da Praça do Império, and Jerónimos Monastery, which houses several museums and a Tropical Botanical Garden. Since it was late in the day by the time we arrived, we couldn’t see everything, but this area offers plenty to explore if you have more time.
We wrapped up the day by visiting one of Lisbon’s most famous bakeries—Pastéis de Belém.
Day 5: Travel to Algarve
The next morning, we took a train from Lisbon to a station near Porches, the town where we were staying. The journey took about four hours door-to-door. Once we arrived at the hotel, we had a bite to eat at the resort and spent some time exploring the area.
Day 6: The Algarve Coast, including Sagres Fortress, Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, and Algar Seco
We hired a car to explore the Algarve Coast, starting with the westernmost point, about an hour’s drive from our resort. At the edge of Portugal lies Sagres Fortress, built in the 15th century as a military stronghold. While the fortress itself isn’t particularly impressive, the views from the cliffs it sits atop are spectacular, both inside and outside the fortress. When we visited, the morning fog was still burning off, adding an atmospheric touch to the scenery.
Afterward, we drove east along the coastline. The Algarve Coast is famous for its dramatic cliffs, a mix of limestone, sandstone, igneous rocks, and shale. Most of the southern cliffs are made of limestone and sandstone, giving them their distinctive golden hues.
Our next stop was Burgau, a charming tourist village along the coast. We visited its beach to admire the stunning cliffs from below, where their sheer size and beauty felt even more striking.
Continuing on, we arrived at Ponta da Piedade. This spot offers breathtaking views of cliffs and rock formations, with plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby. It was one of the most photogenic locations we visited, and we captured some of our favorite shots here.
Next, we stopped in Lagos, one of the larger towns on the Algarve Coast, to explore and grab a bite to eat. Lagos is also a popular starting point for boat tours to view the rock formations from the sea—a great option if you have extra time.
Our final stop was Algar Seco, a mesmerizing area with rock formations sculpted by waves and wind over centuries. Here, you’ll find wave pools, caves, and dramatic cliffs that feel like nature’s playground.
After wrapping up our tour, we returned to the resort for a relaxing dinner to end the day.
Day 7 & 8: Return to Lisbon and Departure
We spent our final hours in the Algarve relaxing at the resort before catching an afternoon train back to Lisbon. Four hours later, we arrived at our hotel, where we stayed for one last night. The next morning, we headed to the airport for our return flight, wrapping up an incredible trip to Portugal.
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Our trip to Portugal was the perfect mix of relaxation, exploration, and unforgettable experiences. From touring Lisbon’s historic streets to discovering the stunning cliffs of the Algarve, every day brought something new to love about this beautiful country.
