One Week in Portugal: A Culinary Journey Through Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley

Check into a chic hotel in Chiado or Príncipe Real and spend your first afternoon wandering Lisbon’s historic streets. Stop at Time Out Market, a curated food hall featuring the city’s top chefs and artisanal vendors. It’s the perfect introduction to Portugal’s evolving food scene. Continue through Alfama’s winding lanes and pause for panoramic city views from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro is a must, and was recommended by Anthony Bourdain. Locals and chefs alike come to the lively restaurant for the garlic clams, scarlet prawns, and a cold Super Bock.

Start your morning in Belém, home to some of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, admire the modern design of the MAAT Museum, and treat yourself to a warm pastel de nata from Pastéis de Belém, still made from the original 1837 recipe. Return to the city center for lunch at Taberna da Rua das Flores, a cozy spot with creative takes on traditional Portuguese cuisine and a handwritten chalkboard menu that changes daily. In the evening, explore Príncipe Real, known for its boutiques, galleries, and lively restaurant scene. Make a dinner reservation at Prado, where seasonal produce and natural wines capture the essence of contemporary Lisbon dining.

Venture outside Lisbon for a full-day escape to Sintra and Cascais. In Sintra, visit the fairy-tale Quinta da Regaleira and stroll through gardens lined with towers, tunnels, and fountains before stopping for a coffee and travesseiro pastry at Piriquita, a local bakery. You can choose other stops such as the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Sintra National Palace, and more! Continue toward the coast to Cascais, once a royal retreat, for lunch at Mar do Inferno, where fresh fish is grilled to perfection overlooking the Atlantic. Spend some time exploring the seaside promenade and dramatic cliffs of Boca do Inferno before heading back to Lisbon for a relaxed dinner and cocktails at Red Frog, one of Europe’s best speakeasy-style bars.

Depart Lisbon and head north to Porto. You may choose to have a private driver who allows for planned, memorable stops along the way. Your first stop, Óbidos, is a walled medieval village lined with whitewashed houses and flower-draped balconies, where you should try a shot of ginjinha, the region’s signature cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup.

Next, visit Nazaré, a fishing town famous for its giant waves and sea-to-table dining, ideal for a relaxed seaside lunch. In Coimbra, explore the historic university and charming old streets before arriving in Porto by early evening. Settle into a riverside hotel and enjoy dinner at Cantinho do Avillez, where celebrity chef José Avillez reinvents traditional dishes in a welcoming, contemporary setting.

Spend your first full day in Porto discovering why the city has become one of Europe’s most exciting culinary destinations. Begin at Mercado do Bolhão, where vendors sell everything from fresh fruit and seafood to local cheese and cured ham. Visit São Bento Station to admire its stunning azulejo tile murals, then cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia for port tastings at world-famous cellars like Graham’s, Taylor’s, or Churchill’s.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch with views of the Douro River at DeCastro Gaia or The Yeatman Restaurant, followed by a sunset stroll through the Ribeira district. For dinner, book a table at Pedro Lemos, one of northern Portugal’s most refined Michelin-starred restaurants, where each course is a masterclass in flavor and technique.

Today is dedicated to the Douro Valley, one of the most scenic wine regions in Europe. Travel to the Six Senses Douro Valley, a peaceful retreat surrounded by rolling vineyards, and check in for a luxurious stay immersed in nature and wine culture. Spend the day touring nearby quintas such as Quinta do Seixo, Quinta do Bomfim, or Quinta da Pacheca for tastings, cellar visits, and sweeping views of the river.

Lunch at DOC by Rui Paula, perched above the Douro, is a must for its inspired regional cuisine and elegant setting. In the evening, return to the Six Senses for a spa session or wine-blending class, followed by a farm-to-table dinner at Vale de Abraão, one of Portugal’s most atmospheric hotel restaurants.

Savor your final morning with a relaxed breakfast on the terrace, surrounded by the peaceful hum of the Douro vineyards. If your schedule allows, stop in Amarante on your way back toward Lisbon for a riverside stroll and a sweet almond pastry from Confeitaria da Ponte.

Back in Lisbon, enjoy a farewell lunch of seafood rice, octopus, or grilled dourada at O Velho Eurico, paired with a crisp glass of Alvarinho. Reflect on a week well-spent that was full of remarkable meals, rich wines, and the unforgettable warmth of Portuguese hospitality.