Portugal
Portugal in 8 Days
Small distances, low prices and a coastline that keeps giving. The best country on this list for slow travel.
Overview
Portugal is compact. Lisbon to Porto is under three hours by train, and the Algarve is a comfortable half day from either. That makes it unusually easy to build a trip with only two bases, which is why it appears so often in our slow travel routes.
Costs are still noticeably lower than in France or Italy, though Lisbon has caught up fast in the last few years. Outside the two big cities, a good dinner with wine is often 20 to 25 EUR per person.
The weather window is wide. April to October is reliably pleasant, and even winter in the Algarve is mild enough for long coastal walks, if not for swimming.
Suggested duration and general route
Typical length: 7 to 10 days
- 1
Lisbon · 3 nights
Alfama, Belem, plus Sintra as a day trip.
- 2
Porto · 3 nights
River, port cellars, Douro valley day trip.
- 3
Algarve or Coimbra · 2 nights
Coast, or a quiet university town in between.
Same destination, different journey
Travel style options for Portugal
Each scenario below is a complete route with its own pace, budget and day-by-day outline.
Photos from Portugal
Related guides
Reading that pairs with this destination
Destination Guides
Lisbon or Porto: Which One Should Be Your Base?
They are three hours apart and very different in character. If you only have time for one, the choice depends on hills, day trips and how much you like a crowd.
6 min read
Travel Styles
How to Choose Your Travel Style Before You Book Anything
Four questions that tell you more about the right trip than any destination list: your energy, your budget priorities, your pace and your company.
7 min read
Travel Styles
The Two Base Rule: Why Slow Travel Beats Coverage
Choosing two places for a whole trip and using day trips from each one is the simplest way to make almost any itinerary better.
6 min read