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.
Plan to save
Your weekly savings target
A$460 / week
to save before you go · A$12,395 total · 27 weeks until you leave
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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.
Stop
01
Lisbon
4 nightsFly 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 stayFamily apartment in Alfama, Baixa, or near Belem
Stop
02
Algarve (Lagos / Albufeira)
4 nightsRent 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 stayFamily apartment in Lagos old town or Albufeira resort area
Stop
03
Porto
2 nightsDrive 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 stayFamily apartment in Ribeira or near Clerigos Tower
Real cost estimates · calibrated 2026, not glossy estimates
What it costs
All-in for a family of 4.
Here’s what Portugal costs across the four components SaveToRoam tracks. Flights are shoulder-season ex-Australia; travel insurance and personal extras vary.
| Component | Family of 4 |
|---|---|
Flights Return economy flights ex-AU (mid-shoulder estimate) €960 per person | €3,840 |
Accommodation 3 stops | €1,720 |
Activities & local transport Activities & local transport (estimated) €231 per person | €924 |
Daily food & local transit 10 nights × family of 4 | €1,120 |
Trip total Insurance & personal extras separate | €7,604 ~A$13,079 |
What it covers
The ~A$12,395 estimate is all-in for a family of 4 — accommodation across 3 stops, shoulder-season flights from Australia, activities and local transport, and daily food. Travel insurance and personal extras vary, so we keep them separate.
What you get
When you use this template, SaveToRoam creates your trip with all 3 stops, every cost component pre-loaded, and a personalised savings plan with a weekly target. You choose your dates — we handle the maths.
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