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Itineraries/Europe/Portugal

10 Days in Portugal

Lisbon's iconic yellow trams and Sintra's fairy-tale castles, the Algarve's sea caves and golden beaches, and Porto's riverside Ribeira and port wine cellars. Ten nights through Europe's most affordable Western destination — ranked the continent's most child-friendly coastal country, with the Oceanario aquarium, pasteis de nata at every corner, and family beach days on some of the Atlantic's most dramatic coastline.

10 nights
Family of 4
~A$13,760
3 stops
Lisbon4n
Algarve (Lagos / Albufeira)4n
Porto2n
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Your stop-by-stop itinerary

3 stops across 10 nights. Each one chosen so you experience a different side of Portugal.

1

Lisbon

4 nights
Fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) via a Middle East or European hub — Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha, or TAP Portugal via a European connection. Metro from the airport to Baixa-Chiado is EUR 1.65 pp (Navegante card), 20 min.

Highlights

  • Tram 28 ride through Alfama — the iconic yellow tram winds through the oldest neighbourhood, kids love it
  • Oceanario de Lisboa — one of Europe's best aquariums, main tank has sharks, rays, sunfish, and a giant kelp forest
  • Belem Tower + Jeronimos Monastery — Manueline-era UNESCO sites on the Tagus River waterfront
  • Pasteis de Belem — the original pastel de nata bakery since 1837, queue is part of the experience
  • Castelo de Sao Jorge — hilltop Moorish castle with peacocks, cannons, and the best panoramic views in Lisbon
  • Day trip to Sintra — Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira (wells and underground tunnels)

Local tips

  • 💡Sintra is a must-do day trip from Lisbon (40 min by train from Rossio station, EUR 4.70 return pp). Go early — Pena Palace queue hits 90 min by 11am in summer. Pre-book online.
  • 💡The Navegante Zapping card is Lisbon's Opal Card equivalent — load credit and tap on metro, bus, tram, and ferries. Under-4s free, 4-12 half price.
  • 💡Lisbon is hilly — really hilly. Push strollers struggle on cobblestones. A baby carrier is better for under-3s. The 28 tram and the Santa Justa elevator save the worst of the climbing.
Suggested stay: Family apartment in Alfama, Baixa, or near Belem
2

Algarve (Lagos / Albufeira)

4 nights
Rent a car in Lisbon and drive to the Algarve — 3h via the A2 motorway (tolls ~EUR 22 one-way). Alternative: Rede Expressos bus Lisbon → Lagos (4h, EUR 20 pp) or Lisbon → Albufeira (3h, EUR 20 pp). A car is strongly recommended for beach-hopping in the Algarve.

Highlights

  • Benagil Cave boat tour — the iconic sea cave with a hole in the ceiling, kayak or small-boat tours from Benagil Beach
  • Ponta da Piedade (Lagos) — dramatic golden sea stacks and grottoes, boat tour or cliff-top walk
  • Praia da Marinha — regularly rated one of Europe's most beautiful beaches, sheltered swimming
  • Zoomarine Algarve — marine theme park with dolphin shows, waterslides, bird of prey displays
  • Lagos old town — cobblestone lanes, family restaurants, Batata Beach for calm swimming
  • Slide & Splash water park — Lagoa, one of Europe's top-rated water parks, kids aged 4-14 will lose their minds

Local tips

  • 💡Benagil Cave tours sell out by 9am in summer — book the first-morning kayak tour (7:30am) for calm water and no crowds. Kids need to be strong enough to paddle a double kayak (usually 8+). Small-boat tours have no age limit.
  • 💡The Algarve has two distinct coasts — the south coast (Albufeira to Lagos) has sheltered beaches and calm water for families; the west coast (Sagres, Aljezur) has big Atlantic surf and is better for teens/adults.
  • 💡Hire a car for the Algarve — the best beaches (Marinha, Benagil, Camilo) are not on public transport routes. Parking is free or EUR 2-5/day at most beaches outside July-August peak.
Suggested stay: Family apartment in Lagos old town or Albufeira resort area
3

Porto

2 nights
Drive from the Algarve to Porto (5h 30m via the A2/A1 motorway — long drive, consider splitting with a lunch stop in Coimbra). Or return the car in Faro and fly Faro → Porto on TAP or Ryanair (1h 15m, EUR 30-60 pp). Fly home from Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport (OPO).

Highlights

  • Ribeira riverside — UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, colourful houses, outdoor restaurants, the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge
  • Dom Luis I Bridge upper deck walk — dramatic views of both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia
  • Livraria Lello — one of the world's most beautiful bookshops, said to have inspired Harry Potter's Hogwarts staircase
  • Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia — cross the bridge for tastings (adults) and chocolate port (kids get juice and chocolate)
  • Sao Bento railway station — 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history, free to walk in
  • Clerigos Tower — climb 240 steps for the best 360-degree view of Porto

Local tips

  • 💡Porto is the affordable finish to the trip — restaurant meals are 20-30% cheaper than Lisbon, and family-run tascas (taverns) serve enormous portions for EUR 8-12 per main.
  • 💡The francesinha (Porto's signature sandwich — meat, cheese, egg, beer sauce) is an experience. Order one to share — they're enormous. Kids usually love it.
  • 💡Livraria Lello charges EUR 5 entry (redeemable against a book purchase). Go at opening (9am) or near closing — midday queues stretch around the block.
Suggested stay: Family apartment in Ribeira or near Clerigos Tower

Good to know

Estimated cost

The ~A$13,760 estimate covers accommodation across all 3 stops. Flights, daily spending, activities, and transport are additional — use SaveToRoam’s savings planner to track it all.

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