Day 1: Lisbon Arrival, Alfama & the First Fado

Arrive at Lisbon airport, take the metro to your accommodation in Alfama or Baixa. Drop your bags and walk to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia for your first sweeping view over the Tagus. The wisteria-covered terrace is a perfect introduction to Lisbon’s famous light. Head downhill through Alfama’s labyrinthine alleys toward the river.

Visit the Sé de Lisboa (cathedral) and explore the streets around it. Ride Tram 28 from Martim Moniz through Graça and Chiado. Book a fado dinner in Alfama — Tasca do Chico has no cover charge and authentic performances most nights. Order a glass of vinho verde and let the guitarra portuguesa work its magic.

Accommodation: Alfama or Baixa guesthouse (€35-80/night).

Entry: Tram 28 (€3).

Day 2: Belém & Lisbon’s Monuments

Take Tram 15 from Praça da Figueira to Belém (20 min). Visit the Jerónimos Monastery (€10) — a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO site. Next door, grab warm pastéis de nata from Pastéis de Belém (the original recipe since 1837). Walk along the river to the Torre de Belém (€8, or skip the queue and admire it from the waterfront).

Take the scenic route back via the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, €9) or simply walk through the waterfront gardens. In the afternoon, explore the Baixa-Chiado area — Rossio Square, Rua Augusta Arch, and the Elevador de Santa Justa. For sunset, climb to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (the highest viewpoint, and the least crowded).

Entry: Jerónimos Monastery (€10), Torre de Belém (€8), MAAT (€9 — free Sundays).

Day 3: Train to Porto — From One Capital to Another

Take the metro from Baixa-Chiado to Lisbon Oriente station and board the Alfa Pendular (10 AM departure recommended). The 2h45 journey crosses the Tagus on the Vasco da Gama Bridge and heads north through the changing landscapes of central Portugal — cork oak forests, olive groves, and increasingly green hills.

Arrive at Porto Campanhã station and take the metro to the city centre. Drop your bags and walk to the Ribeira district. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge (lower deck) to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit a Port wine lodge — Taylor’s or Graham’s (€15-25 for tastings). The terrace at Graham’s offers the best view back across the river. For dinner, try a Francesinha at Café Santiago (€9-12).

Transport: Alfa Pendular Lisbon-Porto (€28-50). Metro to city centre (€1.80).

Accommodation: Porto Ribeira or Aliados guesthouse (€40-90/night).

Day 4: Porto’s Treasures — Lello, Clérigos & São Bento

Start at Livraria Lello (pre-booked for 9 AM) to see the stunning staircase that inspired Harry Potter. Then climb the Clérigos Tower for 360-degree views over the city. Walk through the tiled streets to São Bento station and spend time admiring the 20,000 azulejo panels in the main hall.

Take the Bishop of Porto cable car (€6) from the riverfront up to the cathedral area, or walk up — the views from the Jardim do Morro are worth the climb. Visit the Serralves Museum (€20, gardens only €12) for world-class contemporary art in stunning grounds. For your last evening, wander the Rua Cor de Rosa (the pink street) in the Galerias district for drinks and people-watching.

Entry: Livraria Lello (€8 redeemable), Clérigos Tower (€8), Serralves (€12-20).

Day 5: Douro Morning & Departure

If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, take the early train (8:30 AM) from São Bento to Pinhão (2 hours) for a quick taste of the Douro Valley. Visit the Pinhão station azulejos, have a coffee overlooking the river, and catch the 11 AM train back to Porto. If you’d rather stay in the city, walk through the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal (free) for peacocks and river views.

Grab last-minute souvenirs at Mercado do Bolhão — Port wine, tinned sardines, cork wallets. The Porto metro from Trindade station reaches the airport in 35 minutes (€2.50). If flying from Lisbon instead, take the 1 PM Alfa Pendular south (arrives Lisbon Oriente 3:45 PM).

Transport: Pinhão train (€10 each way) or metro to airport (€2.50).