Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon, Douro Valley & Porto (Our Favorite Stops + Honest Tips)
Some trips are fun.
Others quietly reset your travel standards.
Portugal did that for us.
This Portugal itinerary took us through Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and Porto, with a few unforgettable detours along the way. Everywhere we went, I kept thinking the same thing… This would be the perfect girls’ trip.
And my favorite words at every hotel?
“You’ve been upgraded.”
In Europe especially, that upgrade can completely transform your stay.
Here’s exactly how it unfolded plus our favorite experiences, honest opinions, and pro tips to help you plan it well.
Lisbon, Portugal: Culture, Food & an Unforgettable Fado Night
We started in Lisbon, a city that blends history, color, and incredible food with a relaxed pace.
Just a few of our favorites included:
EmbaiXada - 19th century palace turned into impressive indoor market with exclusive Portuguese items from gorgeous art to clothes to bags.
Unforgettable cooking class with Cooking Lisbon (Not a huge seafood girl but the food was out of this world!)
Time Out market - impressive Portuguese food hall, with their best michelin chefs earning the coveted and limited back booths
One standout experience was Fado at Adega Machado. This wasn’t just dinner with music. It was emotional, intimate, and deeply rooted in Portuguese culture. Even without understanding every word, you feel it.
Lisbon is perfect for wandering: tiled streets, hilltop views, unforgettable cooking class, long lunches, and a rhythm that encourages slowing down.
Cascais, Portugal: A Coastal Day Trip Worth Adding
Our day trip to Sintra and Cascais were easy highlights.
Majestic castle (unique lit view at night), beautiful beaches, a laid-back coastal feel, and charming streets made this the perfect contrast to cities and vineyards. These were an ideal add-on to a Lisbon itinerary and another reason Portugal works so well for a girls’ trip. Next time, I’m definitely going to spend a few nights in this area.
Douro Valley: Why You Should Stay (Not Day Trip) Here
The Douro Valley was our favorite stop.
We stayed at Six Senses Douro Valley, and this is my biggest planning tip:
Most travelers visit the Douro Valley as a day trip. Don’t. Stay at least two nights.
This region is meant to be experienced slowly. We biked through vineyards, enjoyed wine tastings with river views, and even joined a flatbread-making workshop that perfectly captured the Six Senses philosophy - luxury grounded in place.
I only wish we’d stayed longer.
A Tale of Two Stops: Fátima vs. Santarém
On our drive north, we stopped in Fátima. Honest take? It felt overcrowded and overly commercialized.
What surprised us was the Holy Miracle of Santarém. Quiet, humble, and deeply moving, it offered a sense of peace we hadn’t expected—and ended up being one of the most impactful stops of the trip.
Porto, Portugal: A Hotel Upgrade That Changed Everything
Fun story… As we were checking into our original hotel, a small fire broke out in the basement. Fortunately, everyone was evacuated safely. However, the incident led us to The Largo Hotel. It became the most spectacular stay of the trip.
Breakfast here felt like a private-chef experience. Dan was fully focused on the chef one morning, convinced he was witnessing “the best eggs ever.” He may be right.
Porto itself is charming, moody, and full of character. The riverfront, the historic streets, the layered history. It’s a city meant to be explored slowly, ideally with someone who really knows it.
Which brings me to one of the biggest reasons this trip felt so seamless…
Private Transportation in Portugal: Why It’s Worth It
Private touring with Vincent with Tours and Champagne elevated the entire experience. He literally had me at hello. His exact words were… Let me show you my Portugal, the place I call home. He handled logistics, timing, and routing effortlessly, taking us everywhere from Lisbon to Sintra to Cascais and beyond… all the small corners only a local would know.
He even insisted on stopping in Belém for the best pastel de nata in Portugal.
He was absolutely right. Always trust the local!
Sooooo Why Portugal Is Perfect for a Girls’ Trip
Portugal checks every box for a girlfriend retreat:
• walkable, beautiful cities
• exceptional food and wine
• boutique hotels with soul
• easy day trips
• relaxed but rich culture
• luxury without stiffness
It’s restorative, indulgent, and endlessly interesting without feeling overwhelming.
Portugal doesn’t shout about how good it is.
It simply delivers.
Planning a Portugal Trip?
If you’re dreaming of Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and Porto or imagining how perfect this would be as a girls’ getaway, I’d love to help you plan it seamlessly.
✨ Thoughtful pacing.
✨ The right hotels.
✨ Local experiences that actually matter.
Just reach out. Portugal is waiting.
