Miradouros and port wine

Who it is for

For a first trip to Portugal in one week, with viewpoints, Belém, the Ribeira and the wine cellars in Gaia.

Not for anyone who wants beaches on the itinerary, since this is a city trip.

The strategy

Lisbon comes first, with Sintra as a day trip, followed by Porto, about three hours away by train. Compare departing from Porto with returning to Lisbon for the flight home, including travel time between the city and the airport.

What you will see

• The miradouros, Lisbon. The miradouros are public terraces on the crests of the hills, with a kiosk and people sitting on the wall looking at the river.
• Luís I Bridge, Porto. Opened in 1886, designed by Théophile Seyrig, a former partner of Eiffel: a 172 m arch and two stacked decks.

Day by day

Lisbon

1. 1
   Day 1: Baixa, Alfama and the castle

   1. 3The miradourosUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 2São Jorge CastleOne to two hoursEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Belém and the river line

   1. 9Belém TowerIf there is time
   2. Padrão dos Descobrimentos and MAATUp to half an hourIf there is time
3. 3
   Day 3: Art, Campo de Ourique and the river

   1. 7National Tile MuseumOne to two hoursWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Sintra (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Porto

1. 5
   Day 5: Baixa, the Cathedral, and the Ribeira, top to bottom

   1. 2São Bento StationEssential
   2. 9Lello BookshopUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 1Luís I BridgeEssential
2. 6
   Day 6: Gaia, the wine, and the river

   1. Palácio da BolsaIf there is time
3. 7
   Day 7: Boavista, Serralves, the Foz, and Matosinhos · if you have more time

   1. 7Casa da MúsicaWorth a visit
   2. 8Serralves FoundationHalf a day or moreWorth a visit