17 days in Portugal Itinerary

Referred to as the Portuguese Rome for its number churches, Braga represents an old town that today is the country's third-largest city. Situated in northwest Portugal, Braga boasts many narrow pedestrian streets, plazas, and spiritual pilgrimage destinations.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Mon): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Igreja de Santa Cruz, pause for some serene contemplation at Igreja de Sao Marcos, steep yourself in history at Casa Rolao, then pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica dos Congregados, then ponder the design of Fonte do Campo das Hortas, and finally get outside with Estadio Municipal de Braga. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take some stellar pictures from Miradouro do Monte do Picoto, relax and rejuvenate at Deeplyzen Day Spa, pause for some serene contemplation at Igreja da Misericordia de Braga, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Igreja dos Terceiros, and finally admire the natural beauty at Garden da Avenida Central.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Braga online travel route planner.

London, UK to Braga is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from London in September, things will get somewhat warmer in Braga: highs are around 27°C and lows about 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Tue) to allow time to travel to Ponta Delgada.

As the busy capital of São Miguel, Ponta Delgada represents the most visited place on the island. Known for its historical buildings, the city offers 17th- and 18th-century convents and churches, as well as cobbled pedestrian streets and hidden squares.

Take a break from the city and head to Lagoa das Furnas and Praia de Santa Barbara. You'll get in some beach time at Mosteiros Beach and Piscinas Naturais. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ponta Delgada: Pico do Ferro Viewpoint (in Furnas) and Vista do Rei Miradouro (in Sete Cidades). There's much more to do: get outside with Lagoa do Canario, pause for some photo ops at Estatua Goncalo Velho Cabral, explore by horseback at Quinta da Terca, and take some stellar pictures from Boca do Inferno Viewpoint.

To see photos, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Ponta Delgada road trip planner.

You can fly from Braga to Ponta Delgada in 5.5 hours. The time zone changes from Western European Standard Time to Azores Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Braga in September, plan for a bit warmer nights in Ponta Delgada, with lows around 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can travel to Funchal.

The capital of the island of Madeira for more than 500 years, Funchal represents a laid-back city made popular by its historical sites and climate.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like 25 Fontes Falls and Scuba & Snorkeling. Visiting Praia de Machico and Safari Madeira Island will get you outdoors. Next up on the itinerary: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, don't miss a visit to Zona Velha, take some stellar pictures from Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, and get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Funchal journey planner.

You can fly from Ponta Delgada to Funchal in 4.5 hours. Traveling from Ponta Delgada to Funchal, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Ponta Delgada in September, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 24°C in Funchal. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can travel to Sintra.

Surrounded by rolling hills and old mansions and castles, Sintra has become known as the first center of the European Romantic style.

We've included these beaches for you: Praia Grande and Lugar das Piscinas das Azenhas do Mar. Step out of the city life by going to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena. Venture out of the city with trips to Ericeira (Praia Foz do Lizandro & Praia do Sul) and Jardim do Cerco (in Mafra). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Praia das Azenhas do Mar, see majestic marine mammals with Dolphin Explorers, admire the landmark architecture of Sintra Railway Station, and don't miss a visit to Ancient Duck Houses at Park of Pena.

For other places to visit, photos, maps, and more tourist information, use the Sintra trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by flight from Funchal to Sintra takes 4.5 hours. Expect slightly colder evenings in Sintra when traveling from Funchal in September, with lows around 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Evora.

The city of Evora functions as a museum of Roman origins and medieval times.

On the 2nd (Fri), learn about winemaking at Casa Relvas, do a tasting at Herdade do Freixo, then learn about winemaking at Tiago Cabaco Wines, and finally do a tasting at Joao Portugal Ramos Wines. Keep things going the next day: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, examine the collection at Aldeia da Terra, and then awaken your taste buds at Inalentejo Guided Tours.

To find more things to do, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Evora trip website.

Getting from Sintra to Evora by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 29°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to go by car to Lagos.

The allure of the beaches and the town's historical center draw visitors to Lagos, a coastal destination in the Barlavento region of the Algarve.

Relax by the water at Praia de Alvor and Praia de Santa Eulalia. Get outdoors at Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos and Praia do Canavial. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lagos: Vale de Centeanes Beach (in Carvoeiro), Subnauta Dive The Algarve (in Praia da Rocha) and Lagoa dos Salgados (in Gale). And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Vau Beach, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of Misericordia of Alvor, indulge in some personalized pampering at Aguadream Banhos Mediterranicos, and stroll through Burgau Beach.

To see maps, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Lagos sightseeing planner.

Drive from Evora to Lagos in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Evora in October, Lagos is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) to allow time to travel back home.