40 days in Portugal Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Portugal trip builder
Start: Ottawa
Fly to Faro Airport, Drive to Tavira
1
Tavira
— 6 nights
Drive
2
Lagos
— 7 nights
Drive
3
Nazare
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Lisbon
— 9 nights
Fly
5
Funchal, Madeira
— 5 nights
Fly
6
Porto
— 9 nights
+2
Fly to Montreal, Bus to Dorval, Train to Ottawa
End: Ottawa
Mon, Jan 1 - Fri, Feb 9
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Tavira — 6 nights
©
Tavira has succeeded at escaping the flood of tourism that has affected other coastal Portuguese towns over the years.Visit Praia de Cacela Velha and Cabanas de Tavira Beach for some beach relaxation. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Canastra and Sweet Estoi. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tavira: Faro (Hop On Hop Off Islands, About Wine, &more). There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Praia do Barril, stop by Blossom, stroll through Praia de Monte Gordo, and get outside with Xiri Beach Bar.
For other places to visit, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, use the Tavira trip planner.
Ottawa, Canada to Tavira is an approximately 15-hour combination of flight and car. You'll lose 5 hours traveling from Ottawa to Tavira due to the time zone difference. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Ottawa in January; daily highs in Tavira reach 62°F and lows reach 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Mon) so you can drive to Lagos.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 1 — 8:
Highlights from your trip
Lagos — 7 nights
©
Jewel of the Algarve
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.Get a sense of the local culture at Centro Historico de Albufeira and Castelo de Silves. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Praia da Marinha and Praia da Oura. Change things up with these side-trips from Lagos: Albufeira (Algarve Shopping & By Nature), Praia da Rocha (Praia Da Rocha & Casa do "Vo" Serafim) and Porches (Casa Grade & Porches Pottery). And it doesn't end there: take in the dramatic natural features at Ponta da Piedade, enjoy the sand and surf at Meia Praia, stop by Mar d'Estorias, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Praia do Camilo.
To see maps, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read Lagos journey maker site.
You can drive from Tavira to Lagos in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. January in Lagos sees daily highs of 62°F and lows of 47°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Nazare.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 8 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
Nazare — 2 nights
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Nazaré is a town and a municipality in subregion Oeste and Leiria District, in Portugal.It is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Silver Coast/Costa de Prata, Portugal. On the 15th (Mon), stop by Nazaret - Artesanato e design de Autor, then kick back and relax at Praia da Nazare, and then make a trip to O Sitio. On your second day here, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Batalha Monastery, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Monastery of Alcobaca.
For other places to visit, maps, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Nazare trip planner.
You can drive from Lagos to Nazare in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. January in Nazare sees daily highs of 58°F and lows of 43°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Lisbon.
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For other places to visit, maps, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Nazare trip planner.
You can drive from Lagos to Nazare in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. January in Nazare sees daily highs of 58°F and lows of 43°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Lisbon.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 15 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
Lisbon — 9 nights
©
City of Seven Hills
Built on seven hills, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, making it the cultural star of Portugal.Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Rossio Square and A Outra Face da Lua. Get in touch with nature at Parque de Monserrate and Guincho Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lisbon: Sintra (Praia Grande & Praia da ursa), Praia da Adraga (in Almocageme) and Praia de Carcavelos (in Carcavelos). Pedal the day away on the 19th (Fri) with Portugal Bike Tours. There's much more to do: admire the striking features of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, wander the streets of Alfama, get to know the fascinating history of Avenida da Liberdade, and explore the historical opulence of Castelo de S. Jorge.
To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Lisbon online driving holiday planner.
Getting from Nazare to Lisbon by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In January, daytime highs in Lisbon are 59°F, while nighttime lows are 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Funchal.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 17 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
Funchal, Madeira — 5 nights
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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.Blandy's Wine Lodge and Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Get in touch with nature at Laurissilva Forest and Pico do Arieiro. Venture out of the city with trips to Calheta Beach (in Calheta) and Ponta de Sao Lourenco (in Canical). There's still lots to do: explore the striking landscape at Cabo Girao, admire the natural beauty at Botanická zahrada Madeira, hunt for treasures at Mercado dos Lavradores, and tee off at Palheiro Golf.
To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Funchal online visit planner.
Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Funchal takes 3.5 hours. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Lisbon in January, with highs in Funchal at 66°F and lows at 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can fly to Porto.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 26 — 31:
Highlights from your trip
Porto — 9 nights
©
Unvanquished City
Called "Oporto" by many, the city of Porto along the Duoro River lent the country and Port wine their names.Do your shopping at Palacio da Bolsa and Garrafeira do Carmo. Take a break from the city and head to Mindelo Beach and Praia do Carneiro. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Porto: Praia da Costa Nova (in Gafanha da Encarnacao) and Torreira Beach (in Torreira). Dedicate the 8th (Thu) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. Next up on the itinerary: stop by Livraria Lello, take a stroll through Ribeira do Porto, make a trip to Rua Santa Catarina, and snap pictures at Ponte de Dom Luis I.
To see reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Porto day trip planning site.
You can fly from Funchal to Porto in 3.5 hours. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Funchal in January; daily highs in Porto reach 57°F and lows reach 44°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 31 — Feb 9:
Highlights from your trip
Portugal travel guide
Small in size but rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Portugal features contrasting landscapes that include long beaches, lush vineyards, verdant valleys, and rolling hills dotted with tiny settlements where old traditions still prevail. The country's serene interior, often overlooked by foreigners, remains largely unspoiled by mass tourism and offers visitors a chance to discover this less-trodden part of Europe at their own pace. Ripe for leisurely adventures on foot or by bicycle, Portugal's fertile countryside boasts well-preserved medieval castles and outstanding wineries, producing some of the world's finest ports. The country's cities offer a lively culinary scene known for its many award-winning restaurants, topping the itineraries of foodies from around the globe.
