12-Day Portugal Road Trip: Lisbon, Douro, Aveiro and Porto

Day 1: Brussels – Lisbon

After arriving in Lisbon, a transfer takes you to your hotel, where you’ll stay for two nights. Drop off your bags and head out for a first stroll through the city. Find a terrace or restaurant and order something Portuguese to officially start your holiday. You won’t need your rental car just yet. For now, a good pair of shoes will do.

Day 2: Lisbon

Today, head out and explore the city. Wander through Alfama and Chiado, visit Praça do Comércio or go to Belém for its monuments and a pastel de nata. Luckily, that last one takes very little planning. Curious about the tiles that keep catching your eye? The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is a lovely place to learn more. In the evening, enjoy dinner with live fado: a chance to discover the sound of Lisbon too.

Day 3: Sintra – Óbidos

Pick up your rental car and drive to Sintra. The people who once lived here clearly weren’t shy about adding an extra tower or two. Choose one palace and its gardens to explore properly, then continue to Óbidos. Inside the town walls, you’ll find white houses, flowers and narrow streets. You’ll spend two nights nearby, so take your time with a first stroll before dinner.

Day 4: Monasteries or the coast?

Start with Alcobaça Monastery, then choose between Batalha and Tomar. You could visit all three in one day, but lunch might not get the attention it deserves. Prefer the sea? Combine Alcobaça with Nazaré for a walk and a meal by the coast. Caldas da Rainha is another lovely option if you’re interested in ceramics. Today, let your curiosity choose the stops.

Day 5: Coimbra – Serra da Estrela

On your way to Serra da Estrela, stop in Coimbra. Explore this historic university city, visit the university if you fancy it and find somewhere good for lunch. Then continue towards Manteigas, where you’ll stay for two nights. Leave enough time for the drive to your hotel. Once you arrive, all that’s left is deciding what to eat. Another essential part of planning a trip.

Day 6: Serra da Estrela

Today, head into the mountains. Choose a walk that suits you or take a scenic drive with stops at viewpoints. In Manteigas, visit the Burel Factory to discover the local wool-making tradition and see how the fabric is made. Fresh mountain air, local crafts and plenty of time for lunch in between. A lovely day to keep your phone in your pocket now and then, unless the view has other ideas.

Day 7: To the Douro Valley

Travel to the Douro Valley for a two-night stay. If you’d like to discover the prehistoric rock art of Vale do Côa, you can plan a visit along the way. Allow for a longer travel day and leave enough time for the drives. You could also head straight to your hotel and spend the afternoon among the vineyards. Both options have their charm, though the second usually comes with a more comfortable chair.

Day 8: Douro Valley

Today is all about the Douro. Visit a winery, stroll through Pinhão or admire the terraced vineyards from the water on a boat trip. Pick a few activities and leave time for a long lunch. A tasting fits nicely into the day too. Agree beforehand who’s driving, so the only difficult choice left is between white, red and port.

Day 9: Douro Valley – Ílhavo

Drive to Ílhavo, where you’ll spend one night nearby. Depending on when you arrive, visit the Vista Alegre Museum. Here, you’ll discover how much work goes into this famous Portuguese porcelain. You might look a little more closely at your plate over dinner tonight.

Day 10: Aveiro – Ovar – Válega – Porto

Start the day by Aveiro’s canals, where the colourful moliceiro boats are sure to catch your eye. Then drive to Porto via Ovar and the tile-covered church in Válega. Today, you don’t even need to step inside a museum to admire beautiful azulejos. Prefer a little more time by the coast? Costa Nova can replace one of these stops. You’ll stay in Porto for two nights: your bags can settle in for the final time.

Day 11: Porto

Start at São Bento station, where even waiting for a train becomes a cultural experience. Then walk down to Ribeira and cross the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit to a port wine cellar. Spend the rest of the day exploring little streets, browsing shops, visiting a museum or enjoying a long lunch. For your last evening, pick a good restaurant.

Day 12: Homeward bound

After one last breakfast, head to Porto Airport. Return your rental car if you still have it, then catch your flight back to Brussels. You’ll head home with photos of palaces, tiles and vineyards. And perhaps something fragile in your suitcase that was just too beautiful to leave in the shop.

Frequently asked questions about this Portugal road trip

Is this trip still a good choice if you’re less interested in museums?

Absolutely. You can walk in Serra da Estrela, take a boat trip on the Douro or explore the streets of Óbidos and Porto. The museum visits are suggestions: you choose which ones appeal to you.

What makes this trip special?

You’ll discover both famous cities and Portuguese crafts. Think azulejo tiles in Lisbon and Válega, wool in Manteigas and porcelain at Vista Alegre. The Douro Valley and Serra da Estrela also bring plenty of nature to the trip.

Can you add extra nights?

Absolutely. An extra night near Aveiro gives you more time for Vista Alegre and Costa Nova. Lisbon and Porto are also lovely places to stay a little longer. We’ll happily adapt the route to suit you.