Best One Week Portugal Interrail Itinerary: Faro, Lisbon & Porto 2026

Sat on the most westerly edge of mainland Europe, Portugal is a seriously special spot. With uniquely incredible weather almost all year long, delicious food influenced by access to the Atlantic Ocean and a history that’s created the perfect melting pot of cultures and art – you’re in for a treat.

What’s even better, Portugal is best explored by the country’s fantastic train network making use of an Interrail Pass. So you can sit back, relax and take in the views without worrying about finding car parking spaces or what side of the road to drive on! If that sounds pretty good to you too, read on to discover my full tried and tested interrail itinerary for the best week in this stunning country.

Use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in or read from the top for all the details.

1. The route
2. Interrail Portugal passes, prices & tips
3. When to go
4. Stop 1: Faro
5. Stop 2: Lisbon
6. Stop 3: Porto
7. How much you can expect to spend

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Best of Portugal at a glance:

• Best Faro Nature Reserve boat trip
• Most incredible Atlantic dolphin watching tour
• Brilliant Benagil Cave tour
• Best Fado concert with port
• Beautiful Douro River cruise

The route

First things first, let’s look at the route you’ll take. While Portugal is a slightly smaller country by land mass, there’s still a lot to see across three main regions. To get the best flavour for the country, I’d recommend focusing on the key city in each region taking in the south, middle and north of the country: Faro, Lisbon and Porto. Here’s why…

Faro: The capital of the Algarve, the south is much more relaxed, beachy and has the best weather. Stopping in here is a great way to ease into your trip or get some well-earned chill time at the end.

Travel time Faro – Lisbon: 3.5 hours

Lisbon: The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is simply a must-visit. Packed with incredible castles, plazas, cobblestone streets and painted tile-lined tramways, you’ll really get to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the country.

Travel time Lisbon – Porto: 2.5 hours

Porto: Nestled in the Douro valley in the north of the country, the weather becomes a little more dramatic and with it the influences become more European. Think port tasting, river cruises and the most beautiful book shops you’ve ever seen.

Of course, there’s heaps more to the country, but with one week to travel these are the unmissable spots. Also, I did this itinerary south to north, starting in Faro and ending in Porto but you could equally travel the opposite way from Porto to Faro. For us, the cheaper flights from the UK were to Faro so we opted for that and then flew back from Porto. So consider when you’d like your more relaxed beach time and how you’re getting to and from Portugal.

Interrail Portugal passes, prices & tips

Now you know where you’re headed, you just need the right Interrail Pass to get there. For the best value, I’d recommend choosing a 3 days within one month Portugal travel pass which costs €91 for a youth pass (age 12-27), €105 for adult (age 28-59) or €94 for senior (age 60+). With this pass, all your travel on the itinerary will be covered and you’ll have a day of travel spare if you do want to make any additional stops.

Just note that to buy an Interrail Pass, you have to be a European resident (the UK is still included). If you live outside of Europe, you need to buy an Eurail Pass. You can buy the same type of pass with Eurail here – it costs $86 for a youth pass, $99 for adult and $88 for senior. The rest of the access with your pass is exactly the same as Interrail!

Top tip: Interrail and Eurail often have seasonal sales, particularly around spring, summer and Black Friday so look out for discounts of up to 15% which can save a chunk on your travel costs. You can find more of my interrail money saving tips here.

When to go

One of the best things about this itinerary is that it’s a great option in spring, summer and autumn. Besides December and January which often see more rainfall and stronger winds from the Atlantic, it’s one of the few places in Europe that’s almost guaranteed good weather year-round. Plus, on average Portugal gets more sunshine than California so whether you’re a sun worshiper or just want to top up your vitamin D, you’re in for a treat.

The summer months are the busiest (and most expensive), especially during school holidays in the south of the country so I would avoid travelling in July and August if you can. Also the temperatures start to peak around 30°C which can be a bit too hot for exploring and carrying your luggage.

To dodge the crowds and experience the most comfortable warm days, I’d recommend this trip in spring or autumn – specifically April, May, September or October. I did this trip in October and the weather was still great, hot enough and much quieter. For a full look at the average conditions you can expect throughout the year, check out the table below.

Month	Average High	Average Daily Sun (hours)	Average Rainfall
January	14.3°C	6	96
February	15.8°C	6	67
March	18.7°C	7	55
April	20°C	9	57
May	22.5°C	10	57
June	26.4°C	12	12
July	28.3°C	12	4
August	28.9°C	12	6
September	26.6°C	9	37
October	22.6°C	8	107
November	17.5°C	6	120
December	14.6°C	6	110

Stop 1: Faro

Now onto the fun bit – looking at exactly what you have to look forward to in each stop! First up (or last if you choose to do this itinerary from north to south) is sunny friendly Faro. Here you can expect the best of the weather, beachy vibes and a dose of nature.

How long to stay: 1 or 2 nights

How to get there: I’d recommend flying into the main airport (Faro International FAO) and then hopping in a taxi or arranging pick up with your accommodation for the short 4km drive from the airport to the city centre.

Once you’re there, here’s how you’re going to spend your time…

Best things to do & see

Take a boat trip to Rio Formosa Nature Reserve

Faro is the gateway to the beautiful Rio Formosa Nature Reserve and so if you only do one thing here, it should be to explore this wild land a little. The best way to do that is on a boat trip as its predominantly wetlands linked by canals, marshes and islands where you can spot local birds. In terms of which trip to do, you have a few options.

If you want to see more of the different islands and stop off to sunbathe and swim (highly recommend), then an island-hopping catamaran tour is the one for you. You can find a really well reviewed tour with GetYourGuide here.

If you’re feeling a little more romantic or want to head out when it’s a little cooler, then a sunset sailing trip is perfect. This is the tour I took with my partner and it lived up to the hype. You’ll still be able to see some of the wildlife with an expert guide while relaxing in the last of the sun’s rays. You can find the great sunset sailing tour we took here.

There’s also the option to rent kayaks and head out on your own or as part of a tour but to be honest I think you’d see more on one of the above tours.

Spot dolphins & wildlife on an Atlantic Ocean boat trip

For a little more adrenaline, you can also take a boat trip further out into the Atlantic Ocean to spot dolphins, whales, porpoises and more. Whale season is between February and May, while dolphins are resident all year round. You could also see birds like gannets and shearwaters flying overhead. When it comes to fish, spot species like ocean sunfish, blue sharks, and hammerhead sharks, as well as a few marine turtles.

You can find a great dolphin & wildlife watching tour from GetYourGuide here that leaves directly from Faro harbour.

Climb Faro Cathedral bell tower (Largo da Sé)

Aside from beautiful nature, there’s a lot of history in Faro too. An unmissable spot is the cathedral – originally built as a Roman temple, it was converted to a mosque during the Islamic period in the 700s before being turned into a cathedral in the 1200s.

Today, it’s a national monument and you can explore the inside of the church and it’s various chapels as well as climb to the top of the bell tower for great views across the harbour. It costs €3.50 per person to enter and is open every day apart from Sunday.

Uncover the Chapel of Bones (Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo)

An even more interesting site is Carmo church just 10 minutes walk outside of the main town. The church itself is a beautiful example of baroque architecture from the 1700s and you can admire the intricately carved interior of the main chapel before heading into the bone chapel.

As the name suggests, the bone chapel is constructed almost entirely from the bones of 1,000 monks in 1816 which makes for a striking sight. It’s considered a demonstration of the highest respect for monks and certainly a unique spot that’s worth exploring! The church and bone chapel are open every day apart from Sunday and entry is €2 per person.

Explore Old Town (Cidade Velha)

Faro’s picturesque old town is made up of cobbled streets and squares nestled inside the original town walls. There are three main arched gateways to enter that you’re likely to come across as you explore the city. The most famous is Arco de Vila, built after the 1755 earthquake that claimed much of the city’s (and country’s) buildings.

You can spend a lovely hour or so wandering the streets to admire the tiled passageways and stop to grab a coffee on the way!

Head to the beach

Now, if it’s pure relaxation you’re after – there are a few beach options you can head to from the city centre.

Praia de Faro: This is the closest beach to Faro with 5km of golden sands. There’s a bus that will take you the short journey from the centre of the city to the beach – take bus number 16 from Faro bus station, the ticket will cost €2.60 each way. Just be warned the immediate stretch of beach closest to the bus stop gets busy and being closer to the road isn’t the most relaxing spot. Head further down to find quieter sections!

Culatra Island: One of the islands in Formosa Nature Reserve is Culatra and it has two beautiful beaches: Culatra beach and Farol beach. These are much quieter spots in natural surroundings so I’d definitely recommend these over Faro beach if you’re only visiting one. To get there, you have to go by boat or ferry. Lots of the boat tours I mentioned above will stop by the beaches so it’s worth checking the tour you book – if not, you can hop on a dedicated ferry to the island.

From Faro, the ferry takes about 30 minutes to Farol and 40 minutes to Culatra and tickets cost about €5 for a round trip. You can buy tickets from the stand in Faro harbour (location here).

Deserta Island: Another stunning island in the nature reserve is Deserta. Again, on lots of the Formosa boat trips you’ll stop here to experience the golden sand beaches. But if you want longer to explore the island on your own, you can jump on the dedicated ferry (learn more and book your ferry tickets here). Just don’t forget your swimming stuff as the water is beautiful and you have the chance to spot rare seahorses!

Stroll Faro marina

Another nice spot is the marina. Here you’ll find great cafés and restaurants where you can sit back and relax, taking in the laid back atmosphere.

Adventure on a Benagil Cave tour

Last but by no means least, if you’re looking to see more of the Algarve I’d recommend joining a day tour of some of the natural wonders. Joining a trip from Faro, you’ll get to visit the incredible Benagil Cave that you can see in the image above, walk sections of the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail for stunning views, more caves and beaches and finally cliff jumping.

You can find a great tour provider for this trip through GetYourGuide here.

Best places to eat & drink

One of the best reasons to visit Portugal is also for the food and that starts from day one. There are some great restaurants and cafés in Faro and they only get better as you travel north. Here are some of my favourite spots and best reviewed gems…

P’tit Bistró Republique $$

For tasty local dishes at good value prices, this is a great choice. Tucked away behind the harbour, the restaurant may not have a sea view but it makes up for it with a fresh trendy space with a nod to the country’s tile making heritage.

O Terceiro Lugar $

For the best comfort food, head to this super popular pizza spot. With freshly made pizzas, unique topping combinations and great service, what’s not to love!?

Pigs & Cows $$

For a more fine dining experience, book at a table at this intimate restaurant. Pigs & Cows only do one service per night and you’ll enjoy their set menu of treats with influences from Portugal, France and Asia. The price is generally around €50 per person which is reasonable for the quantity and quality of food you get.

Faaron Steakhouse $$

If you’re craving steak, head to Farron. They’ve been serving up the best cuts in the area since 2015 and their high reviews speak for themselves.

Yellow Bourbon Speciality Coffee $$

When you need your caffeine fix, start walking towards Yellow Bourbon. This cute café serves up the best barista coffee in Faro!

Chelsea Coffee & Brunch $$

For pastries and breakfast, this is a good choice with lots of options. Just be warned this place does get busy so head over earlier if you can.

Croissant’ria $

In need of an afternoon pick up? Stop by this handy little espresso and croissant bar right next to the park.

Best places to stay

Budget: Tilia Hostel (2 nights from €52)

Super close to the train station you’ll find this bright and stylish hostel with really reasonable prices for 12-bed dorm rooms as well as private rooms, single sex dorm rooms and more. Plus, with a roof terrace, common room and full kitchen, there’s plenty of space to chill out and meet people too.

Mid-range: Lemon Tree Stay (2 nights for €275)

Set around a sun-dappled courtyard with a lemon tree growing in the middle, this hotel is sleek and luxurious without the larger price tag. It also has a roof terrace so you can enjoy sunset with a drink, or save some cash by cooking your own meals in the shared kitchen.

Luxury: 3HB Faro (2 nights for €640)

For ultimate luxury, book 3HB Faro. Each room has it’s own private balcony, there’s a full health suite with gym, indoor pool and sauna as well as a stunning infinity pool on the terrace and a fantastic restaurant.

Stop 2: Lisbon

After a relaxing couple of days in Faro, you’ll be ready for a pace change. It’s time to head to the heart of Portugal, the capital. You’ll be hit by how much energy this city has, the diverse architecture and the smell of delicious baked goods and traditional dishes.

How long to stay: 3 nights

How to get there: Use your Interrail or Eurail Pass to make the 3.5 hour train journey from Faro Central Station to Lisbon’s Oriente Station. You’ll be able to view all departures on this high speed line and choose the right one in your Interrail/Eurail app but you can also see the full timetable and route on the rail company website here.

As there’s a lot to see, be ready to step your sightseeing up a level as you don’t want to miss these…

Best things to do & see

There really is a lot to do in Lisbon but the good news is, lots of the main sights are close to each other and even better – lots of them are free to enjoy! Here are my top picks…

Ride Tram 28

The quintessential sight in Lisbon, no visit would be complete without setting foot on the yellow icons. For a mini sightseeing tour by tram, I recommend riding the number 28 tram.

Created in 1914, each car has space for 20 sitting and 38 standing and the route takes you an hour through some of the most popular neighbourhoods including Alfama, Baixa, Estrela and Graça. You can hop off and on as you want to, just be warned this route does get busy.

The best time to ride this route is early morning. The first tram sets off at the start of the route (Praça Martim Moniz) at 6am but don’t worry you don’t necessarily have to be up that early! Just so long as you hop on before the main rush of the day kicking in from about 8am. You can buy your ticket with cash directly from the driver for €3 one way. Or head to a metro station to buy a 24-hour public transport ticket you can use across the city for €6.45.

You can find all the stops and the full route map here.

Stroll Praça do Comercio

Another must-see is one of the largest plazas in Portugal (and Europe). Built on the banks of the river Tagus it’s historically housed the most important government departments and was a key trading point managing goods into the port – hence the name ‘Commercial Plaza’.

Today, it’s still a stunning spot steeped in history that you can explore, and even visit the oldest cafe in Lisbon (Martinho da Arcada) that’s been in business since 1782!

Admire the Santa Justa Lift

Straight down from the Praça do Comercio back towards the centre of the city you’ll find this incredible piece of architecture that was designed to solve one of the capital’s main challenges – connecting the lower and higher streets. Architect and student of Gustave Eiffel, Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard completed the lift in 1902 and it’s been in almost constant use since then.

On your visit you can ride the elevator up 45m from the street to Largo de Carmo for €5.30 with a dedicated ticket bought at the lift or you can use your 24-hour public transport pass that you may have already used on the tram as discussed above (€6.45 from metro stations).

However, whenever you visit there’s likely to be a long queue as it’s so popular and for such a short ride, I don’t think it’s worth it. So for the best experience I’d recommend skipping riding the lift and taking a short walk up the hill to where the lift exits to enjoy the views from the top for free. You’ll get all the same epic views across the city and chance to explore the walkway then you can spend the money you saved on a coffee at the café at the top instead!

How to walk there: From Rua do Carmo, turn right onto Rua Garrett and then an immediate right onto Calçada do Sacramento where you’ll see a sign for Largo do Carmo. At the top of the hill, take the path to the right of the Carmo Convent ruins and follow it around until you see the bridge to the lift. The walk should only take you about 5 minutes.

Explore the Carmo Convent ruins

From the top of the Santa Justa lift you’ll be right next to the Carmo Convent ruins which are worth exploring. The convent was founded in 1389 and by the 1500s housed as many as 70 clergy until the 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the building. It sustained so much damage it couldn’t be used as a permanent convent anymore and was rented out to different military groups and even sawmills to use.

Today, you can tour the ruins of this beautiful building every day apart from Sundays for €7 per person.

Visit Lisbon Cathedral

Also in this area is the beautiful Lisbon Cathedral with it’s painted fresco ceilings and striking stained glass windows. It’s worth stopping by to experience this 800 year old building that’s still in use for worship. You can buy tickets on site for €5 which will give you access to the balcony between the two bell towers, the cathedral treasury museum, the church’s naves and main floor of the church.

Catch sunset & sip port at Castelo de S. Jorge

Back in the heart of Lisbon you’ll find one of the oldest buildings in the city – the castle. There have been fortifications on this hill since the 2nd century and it’s been in constant use since, either by military forces, royals or as a national monument. You can explore the outside of the castle from the surrounding areas around the ticket office for free which is what I did. Here we could enjoy views over the city at sunset and bought a couple of glasses of port from a little stand in the grounds which was perfect.

To learn more about the history of the site, uncover the archeological finds and explore the full limits of the castle, you’ll need to buy a €15 ticket. This will grant you access to the extensive museum, the dark chamber periscope to see 360 degree views of the city and the castle walls. You can buy your ticket in advance here.

Wander around Alfama district

Behind the castle are the pretty cobbled streets of the Alfama District. This is one of the oldest areas in Lisbon and the steep streets are lined with craft shops, cafés and bakeries to pick up sweet treats. It’s worth taking some time to explore, either first thing in the morning or at sunset when the views are the best and the crowds have thinned.

Take in the view at one of many miradouros

‘Miradouros’ are view points in Portuguese and they really do live up to the name. As the city is so hilly, you’ll find lots of gorgeous exposed platforms to watch sunset over the rest of the city. You can find a map of the major viewpoints here.

Just be sure to arrive a little before sunset to get a good viewing spot!

Stroll (or scoot) down the Lisbon Waterfront Promenade

After a day of exploring the city centre, it’s time to see some of the other neighbourhoods like Belém. To get there you can walk or rent scooters to scoot down the pretty waterfront. Here you’ll get to admire the famous 25 de Abril bridge close up and take in the river views.

You can generally find electric scooters to rent all over the city, just download the app for the scooter (Lime, Voi or Bird) and unlock and pay for it with your phone. This was a super fun way to see more with tired legs from all the hills!

Hang out at LX Factory

About an hour’s walk or 20 minute scoot along the waterfront and you’ll reach LX Factory. This was one of my favourite spots in Lisbon and feels like a world of its own with old warehouses converted into colourful restaurants, cafés and shops selling local crafts, books and more.

It’s worth the journey over if only to admire all the street art – the pieces are so unique and vibrant it’s a great photo opportunity. There’s also an incredible old printing press that’s been turned into a bookshop called Livraria Ler Devagar. The shelves are built around the old book-printing equipment and a bicycle is suspended in the air as though cycling across the shop. I’d recommend at least an hour here exploring the space and enjoying a cold glass of sangria in the sun.

Admire the Monument to the Discoveries

Further on the waterfront promenade you’ll reach Belém and the first of two monuments. This sculpture was built in 1940 to mark the spot where ships departed to explore the world and celebrates the Portuguese ‘Age of Discovery’ in the 15th and 16th centuries.

It’s an impressive piece of architecture at a scale that’s definitely worth seeing and considering the interesting history. For a full breakdown of who each of the figures represents, click here.

Explore Torre de Belém

Just slightly further down is Belém’s beautiful tower perched on the waterfront. It was built in 1520 when at that time the river was much higher and it was fully surrounded by water, acting as a defensive position to protect the city and trading. Over time it was transformed into dungeons, state rooms and a chapel which are still standing inside.

In 2007 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and today you can admire the outside of the tower or buy a ticket to explore the inside. Tickets cost €8 per person and you can buy them in advance here.

Marvel at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

Now just behind both of these monuments is the crown jewel of Belém – the monastery. This sprawling complex is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded in 1502 for the Order of Saint Jerome. A mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture gives the monastery it’s striking look that’s incredibly ornate.

There are three parts to the complex that you can visit: the Igreja de Santa Maria, the cloisters and the west wing which houses the museums. The Santa Maria church is free to visit, you’ll just have to queue to enter. For access to the other parts, you’ll need to buy a timed ticket (but there’s likely to still be a line waiting to get in as it’s so popular) which you can buy here for €12. Just note that like most of the tourist sites in Lisbon, it’s closed on Mondays.

Be prepared to queue for a little while to get in, but in my opinion it’s worth it to see this historic and beautiful spot. Just bring water, sun cream and a cap/hat as there’s no shade!

Admire ceramics at Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Back towards the centre of Lisbon, for a more in-depth look at the history behind the beautiful tiles created in the city (and Portugal) you can also visit the dedicated national museum of painted tiles. I loved this spot to escape the midday heat and soak up more of the art. Plus, there’s a gorgeous courtyard cafe inside where you can get a refreshing drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

Tickets are €8 and you can buy them when you get there.

Listen to traditional Fado

An extra fun thing to do in the evenings to soak up more of the Portuguese culture is listen to some traditional Fado. It’s a music genre that emerged in the 1820s in Lisbon and has a melancholy style with songs about the sea, feelings of loss and societal commentary on poverty. Now you’re probably thinking, that doesn’t exactly sound fun… But trust me, the acoustic tunes paired with dramatic singing style and often outfit changes makes for a great evening.

Sit back and enjoy with a good meal or glass of port. There are plenty of bars and restaurants with Fado performances all over Lisbon (find the top 5 here).

Or you can join a dedicated Fado tour for extra insight into the performances like this option with a glass of port through GetMyGuide.

Day trip to Sintra

Last but by no means least, if you’re wanting to explore more of the region beyond Lisbon then a day trip to the whimsical Sintra is for you. You can catch the 45 minute train there from Rossio Station in Baxia, Lisbon directly to Sintra station which would be included as one of the travel days with your Interrail/Eurail Pass.

Sintra has more Moorish history from the Islamic period and later became the go-to holiday destination for royalty and aristocrats in Lisbon escaping the rush of the city. The key sights here are Pena Palace which you can see in the photo above, Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) which is perched on the edge of the hill with incredible architecture, and Quinta da Regaleira – the country estate with mystical grotto gardens.

Just note – Sintra is incredibly popular so get the earliest train there you can and be sure to buy your tickets for each site in advance (you’ll also often get 15% off for buying in advance).

Best places to eat & drink

TimeOut Market $$

For at least one meal in Lisbon, you have to head to the TimeOut Market. This undercover market has a whole host of stands serving some of the best food from around the world, from local flavours to Asian, American and European – there literally is something for everyone. I’d recommend getting a few small dishes from different stalls to try and pitching up on some of the tables in the centre of the market.

Pastéis de Belém $

For the most authentic pastel de nata (egg custard tart) experience, you have to head to the original shop in Belém that’s been making them since 1837. You can queue up for takeaway or head inside to the extensive seating at the back of the café to sit and enjoy your tart and a glass of port in the traditional setting. This is what I did and I’d 100% recommend – no queueing and a much more relaxing experience.

Pastel de Bacalhau $

Another great local snack is the codfish cake – a crispy cod and potato shell with a melted sheep cheese centre. The perfect little bite to keep your exploring energy up. This brand of codfish cake restaurant does have a few shops across the city so find the closest one to you.

Augusto Lisboa $$

This cute and cosy spot serves delicious brunch options inspired by traditional Portuguese flavours and cooked with the finest local ingredients. You can find their full brunch menu here.

Lisbon Tu e Eu $$

If you’re keen to try the local delicacy – sardines, then this is the place to go. Tucked away in a quieter part of town, this small restaurant serves classic fish dishes that are incredibly well reviewed.

The Coffee $

Some of the best coffee in the city takes inspiration from Japan. Head to The Coffee takeaway shop for the best range of hot and iced coffee in town alongside some sweet baked treats.

A Ginjinha Espinheira $

Lastly, stop by this place to try the local liqueur made of cherries called Ginjinha – it’s a super sweet and delicious drink that you can taste at this spot that’s been serving it for generations.

Best places to stay

Budget: We Hate F Tourists Hostel (from €129 for 3 nights)

For high quality dorm beds on a budget, this unusually named hostel is the perfect spot. They pride themselves on offering a more authentic Portuguese experience and their stylish and minimalist spaces will have you feeling relaxed ready to explore.

Mid-range: Hostel Petit Lusa (€423 for 3 nights)

While this might be called a hostel, it exclusively offers private rooms with bright murals and art showing off the personality of the building. It’s bright, fun and perfectly located for seeing the major sights. Just note, the rooms may be private but the bathrooms are shared.

Luxury: PortoBay Liberdade (€733 for 3 nights)

For a real taste of luxury, look to this hotel complete with swimming pool, sauna, sun deck, rooftop bar and a full restaurant. You could definitely rest and recover here after a long day of sightseeing!

Stop 3: Porto

Your last (or first) stop is the magical Porto – a slower pace than Lisbon but with all the rich history, culture and food. Expect stronger European influences, more port wine to drink and watching sunset behind the 7 bridges of the Douro valley.

How long to stay: 2 nights

How to get there: From Lisbon, the high speed train with your Interrail/Eurail pass will take 2.5 hours.

Here’s how you should spend your time here for the best experience…

Best things to do & see

Enjoy a port cellar and tasting tour

You simply can’t come to Porto and not try the namesake drink created there – it should be illegal! 😂 Whether you’re already a port lover or want to give it another try, visiting a port house should be high on your list of must-do activities in Porto.

Not only are port houses like Taylor’s set on beautiful grounds with pretty gardens but you’ll really get to understand this important export and how the region developed through trade. Take a tour of the port cellars, learn more about how it’s made and then sit back in the sun for a port (and cheese for an even better experience) tasting!

When it comes to which port house to go to, there are quite a few options – here are some of the top spots:

• Taylor’s (this is the tour we chose as you can enjoy a cheese and wine tasting afterwards in their pretty garden)
• Sandeman
• Kopke
• Cockburn’s
• Graham’s
• Cálem
• Burmster

Take a cruise on the Douro river

As you’re right on the pretty Douro river, it’s also the perfect place to take a boat trip to see the six different bridges that cross the valley. For this you have a few options – you could take a trip in a traditional boat used to transport port like this trip here or take a sunset sailboat cruise and sip port while you watch the world go by.

If you want that sunset feel without the price tag – just book one of the traditional boat trips closer to sunset. This is what I did and it was perfect.

Cross Dom Luís I bridge

This incredible double-deck bridge that crosses the Douro river means you can explore the pedestrian and tram level without worrying about cars. Take your time soaking up the views and admiring the architecture of the bridge completed in 1886 by one of Gustave Eiffel’s students.

Admire the famous tiled walls of Capela das Almas

One of the most famous sights in Porto after the river is the incredible tiled walls of Capela das Almas. The chapel was built in the late 18th century, but it was only in 1929 that the beautiful tiles were added – before it was just plastered and painted white. Today you can admire the nearly 16,000 tiles that were crafted in Lisbon to represent the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine.

It really is a stunning place on the main road so worth walking past to take it in.

Discover the most beautiful book shop: Livraria Lello

Hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful book shops, this is an incredibly popular spot in Porto. Not only has it inspired authors like JK Rowling but the impressive structure and atmosphere draws readers from around the globe. Founded in 1869, it’s also one of the oldest book shops in Portugal so simply put, there’s a lot to love about it!

However, its popularity means it’s often very busy. To protect people who are there to buy books and not just take photos, they introduced ticketed visits so you will have to pay to enter but if you buy a book this will be refunded. Tickets are €8 per person and you can buy them in advance on their website.

Explore Mercado do Bolhão

This newly remodelled market is a great spot to wander and explore. With over 70 traders selling everything from fresh fruit and fish to restaurant quality food stands and handicrafts, you’ll get a good feel for the heart of Porto. Just be aware, the market is closed on Sundays so visit any other day of the week!

You can find the full list of stands and learn more here.

Stroll the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

If you’re longing for some nature, head to the gardens that surround what was the Crystal Palace and was replaced by the city’s sports pavilion in the 1950s. The tiered formal gardens overlook the river and feature lots of different flowers, trees and plants from all over the world as well as small towers, chapels and seating areas you can explore.

Plus, it’s free to enter!

Admire Sao Bento railway station

Another special place to admire the incredible tiled art of Portugal is the Sao Bento station. Opened in 1916, it features around 20,000 azulejo tiles dating from 1905–1916. It took the artist 11 years to complete the painting of the scenes which depict famous battles, former kings and the development of transport in the country over the years.

The walls tell a lot of stories! So it’s worth stopping by to take a minute to appreciate this amazing art.

Visit Igreja de São Francisco & the catacombs

As you can probably tell from the photo above, the designers of this 1245 church didn’t hold back on the use of gold. It’s believed 300 kilos of gold dust were used to decorate the interior – so much so they actually closed it to the public for a number of years as it was considered to extravagant considering poverty in the area.

Today you can tour the golden chapel and explore the catacombs where the Franciscan monks and members of Porto’s wealthiest families are buried as well as an ossuary with thousands of human bones.

Tickets to enter are €7.50 and well worth it in my opinion!

Spot Porto City Hall

Lastly, swing by Porto City Hall to admire this beautiful 1900s building and spot the Porto sign – the perfect final stop on your journey through this fantastic city.

Best places to eat & drink

O Diplomata $$

Start the day right at the best pancake and brunch spot in the city. Set in a beautiful café you’ll find so many delicious options to choose from along with creative coffee flavours and good service. This was one of our favourite places to eat!

Floresta Cafe by Hairy Biker $$

If you fancy trying a different brunch spot on your second morning in Porto – you can’t miss with Floresta Cafe. The welcoming space serves delicious sweet and savoury options with salads, waffles, french toast and more.

Leitaria Quinta da Paço $

For a sweet treat, pick up the most famous chocolate eclairs in Portugal. This bakery used to be the biggest milk and dairy product producer in northern Portugal, founded back in 1920 and have since evolved their business to use their best products in baked goods. That means the most delicious chantilly cream is now in their incredible chocolate eclairs.

The Door $$

With an incredible ever changing menu and open plan kitchen where the chefs serve you – this is a super unique spot that gets rave reviews every time.

BOA-BAO $$

Now, this isn’t exactly traditional Portuguese flavours but if you’re ready to switch up your palette a little, the Thai food at BOA-BOA is incredible. The dishes have so much depth of flavour, the Asian cocktails are so delicious and the actual restaurant has such a nice friendly atmosphere – we’ll definitely be returning!

7 Cafe $

Loved by locals, this small eatery serves simple tasty food and Portuguese classics. Head here for great portion sizes, excellent value and a more authentic local experience.

Restaurante Cana Verde $

Another fantastic local spot that’s brilliant value is Cana Verde. Their daily set menu features fresh fish, soups and sides served with tasty wines.

Best places to stay

Budget: The House of Sandeman Hostel (from €37 for 2 nights)

For the ultimate Porto experience, why not stay in the hostel owned by one of the famous port houses. This super affordable hostel really commits to the theme – the dorm beds are inspired by port barrels and you’ll see references the Sandeman brand all over. So for full Porto immersion in the heart of the city at a great price, stay at the House of Sandeman!

Mid-range: Oporto Trendy Formosa (€250 for 2 nights)

These high quality rooms feature beautiful views and their own kitchenette – perfect for making your own breakfast or packed lunches for the day. Comfortable, clean and stylish, choose this spot to be close to all the major sights.

Luxury: Pinheiro Terrace Downtown Apartment (€370 for 2 nights)

For more of your own space, a private garden and a terrace to dine on at sunset, this AirBnB is a perfect choice. This is actually where I stayed while visiting Porto as a treat to myself at the end. The apartment is super stylish and spacious with everything you could need for a comfy stay. We loved relaxing on the loungers in the garden and sipping drinks on the patio after a long day of exploring.

How much one week of interrailing in Portugal costs

Now you can see just how much of this beautiful country you’ll be able to experience in one week, you’re probably wondering how much you need to budget for your trip. I’ve mentioned some of the key costs above but if you’re sticking to a pretty tight budget and cooking some of your own meals you could expect to spend €500 – €600 including your €105 Interrail Pass. But if you want to stay in more private rooms than dorms and eat out more then expect to spend closer to €800.

That completes my ultimate one week itinerary for the perfect interrail trip around Portugal. This was one of my favourite short train trips and I wish I could experience the magic of it for the first time again, I can’t wait to hear how you find it!

Please drop me a comment and let me know which was your favourite part or if you have any tips to add. Happy travelling!

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