Travel Journal in Portugal
Eight days in Portugal, combining cities, beaches, history and gastronomy in a balanced and easy-to-follow itinerary.
Eight days of walking a lot, eating well and enjoying every place. Portugal is a very easy country to travel through. Distances are reasonable, cities are well connected and you never feel like you’re wasting time on the road.
You can easily combine big cities, beach time, historical sites and less touristy areas. We chose a balanced route, with a bit of everything, and it worked really well.
Day 1, Lisbon – first impressions
We landed in Lisbon on the first day and in the evening we took a short walk around the city. Nothing planned, just getting out, seeing the atmosphere, the buildings and the terraces.It was the perfect way to get a first feel of the city and ease into the trip.
Day 2, Setúbal & Praia da Figueirinha – a quiet beach day
On the second day we drove from Lisbon to Setúbal, a quieter and more open area. It was a very good choice and worked perfectly as a break between cities.Praia da Figueirinha is a beautiful beach with fine sand, clean water and plenty of space. It’s not crowded and not chaotic. You lie down, go into the water, come back, eat something, stay a bit more. Simple.
It was an easy day, nothing spectacular, but very nice. Exactly the kind of day that fits well in a longer itinerary.
Day 3, Coimbra, the city that surprises you
Coimbra wasn’t necessarily high on our expectations list, but it quickly became one of our favorites. It’s a university city, with a lot of life and a lot of history at the same time.The University of Coimbra is impressive, Joanina Library is definitely worth visiting, and the Botanical Garden is very pleasant for a walk.
The city has a warm, relaxed energy and is perfect to explore on foot.
Day 4, Porto, the city on the Douro
Porto has a more serious, more sober feel, but in a very pleasant way. The buildings, the river and the bridges fit together beautifully.Walking along the Douro is a must. Terraces, boats, people, a lot of life. Livraria Lello is very beautiful, the Cathedral, the old streets and the bridges complete the day perfectly.
It’s a city that feels authentic, strong and elegant at the same time.
Day 5, Batalha, Alcobaça & Mafra, a day of history
Batalha Monastery is large, imposing, and absolutely impressive. You stop in the middle of the courtyard and feel the weight of centuries, each stone carrying a story.
Then we arrived at Alcobaça, smaller, more intimate, but full of emotion. Here lies the tragic and beautiful legend of the monk Pedro and his beloved Inês de Castro. Pedro, the prince of Portugal, fell in love with Inês in secret, and their love was so strong that it aroused the king’s jealousy. Inês was killed, but legend says that Pedro loved her so much that after becoming king, he ordered her to be raised in a statue before the royal court as a posthumous queen, to be kissed on the mouth and honored as his true love.
Walking through the monastery, you could feel history alive – the crosses, columns, and Gothic architecture seemed to whisper their story. The atmosphere is solemn, yet full of both romance and tragedy.
Later, Mafra Palace was another lesson in grandeur. Impressive in size, its library seems to hold all the wisdom of the world, and the chapel leaves you speechless. It’s one of those places that makes you realize how much passion and resources people invested in building it.
This day was cultural and emotional, a mix of history, architecture, and stories that still live within the walls of these buildings.
Day 7, Lisbon, Alfama, Castelo & hidden corners
We started the day in Alfama, the oldest district in the city. Narrow streets, stairs, balconies, real life. It’s a neighborhood where you walk a lot and discover things without looking for them.From there we went up to Castelo de São Jorge. The view from the top is really worth it. You see the city, the river and the bridge.
We then walked down to Praça do Comércio and continued towards Rossio. The whole center is very easy to explore on foot.
It was a day of walking, discovering and simply enjoying the city.
Day 8, Sintra, Cascais, Boca do Inferno & Cabo da Roca
Sintra is green, beautiful and different. Pena Palace is big, colorful and spectacular, and the park around it is very nice for walking.Cascais is elegant, clean and perfect for a stop, coffee, walk and photos.
Boca do Inferno is dramatic, with cliffs and strong waves. Worth seeing.
Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of continental Europe. At sunset. Definitely at sunset. It’s the kind of place where you just stand and look. That’s it.