A Family Adventure in Portugal: 10 Days from Lisbon to the Algarve
I am lucky enough to have married into a family that loves to travel together — and I’m lucky enough to have been able to assist with planning this year's trip. This year, the destination was Portugal, and they handed me the reins to create our itinerary. We split our time between Lisbon and Vilamoura, giving us the perfect balance of city energy, historic charm, and sun-soaked coastal relaxation.
Here’s exactly how our 10-day adventure unfolded — from scenic viewpoints and fairytale palaces to golden beaches and fresh seafood. (Side note: There are live links in here for the restaurants and any tours that were taken!)
Day 1: Arrival & Alfama District
Highlights:
Wandering the Alfama District — Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, full of winding streets and hidden viewpoints.
Dinner at Catch Me, with stunning views over the Tagus River to welcome us to Portugal.
Day 2: Bairro Alto & Baixa Exploration
Highlights:
Senhora do Monte viewpoint — incredible panoramic views (and a lot of steps to get there, but worth every one!).
Rossio Square and Comércio Square — two of Lisbon’s most famous gathering spots.
São Jorge Castle — we booked an audio tour that let us skip the line (worth it!).
Dinner at Lost In, a cool Portuguese–Asian fusion spot with magical views of the city.
Day 3: Belém & Sunset Cruise
Highlights:
Walking tour of Belém — including Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, plus a stop at the famous Pastéis de Belém for warm, custard-filled perfection.
Strolling along Belém’s waterfront.
Dinner at Quintal das Docas in a lively waterfront area.
Private sunset cruise on the Tagus with Lisbon by Boat — our captain and guide were fantastic, and having the boat all to ourselves was such a treat.
Day 4: Sintra & Cascais Day Trip
Highlights:
A full-day tour including Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais — the perfect way to see a lot in just 8 hours.
Lunch at O Pescador in Cascais, where the fish couldn’t have been fresher.
We loved Cascais so much that we decided to come back at the end of the trip!
Day 5: Travel to Vilamoura
Highlights:
Private car service from Lisbon to Vilamoura.
Poolside relaxation at our hotel.
Dinner at U&Co in Vale do Lobo, right on the beach.
Evening stroll through Vale do Lobo.
Day 6: Albufeira & Cave Exploration
Highlights:
Cave and dolphin-watching tour (including the famous Benagil Cave — fun fact: it’s been a Windows desktop background for years!). The guides were hilarious and even let us take a quick dip in the Atlantic.
Exploring Old Town Albufeira, with dinner and some unforgettable gelato (Check out Donatella).
Day 7: Beach Day & Quarteira
Highlights:
Praia da Falésia — our hotel’s shuttle dropped us right there. We rented kayaks and soaked up the beach vibe.
Dinner at Buono in Quarteira for excellent pizza.
Evening stroll along Quarteira’s boardwalk at sunset.
Day 8: Lagos & Cliffside Views
Highlights:
Praia Dona Ana — a gorgeous beach surrounded by cliffs and caves.
Hiking the cliff paths for jaw-dropping (and slightly nerve-wracking if you’re afraid of heights) views.
Dinner at Luca’s Rooftop, perfectly timed for the sunset over the ocean.
Day 9: Faro & Vilamoura Marina
Highlights:
Morning by the hotel pool.
Afternoon in Old Town Faro, visiting the Bone Chapel and strolling its tiled streets.
Dinner at Haven in the Vilamoura Marina.
Marina shopping, drinks, and of course, more gelato.
Day 10: Back to Lisbon via Cascais
Highlights:
Car service from Vilamoura to Lisbon.
Extra time in Cascais for wandering, shopping, and soaking in the marina views.
Dinner at Marisco Na Praça in the marina.
End-of-trip flea market stop for unique art pieces to bring home.
Final Thoughts
Portugal is truly beautiful. From the tiled streets of Lisbon to the golden cliffs of the Algarve, every day offered something unforgettable. This itinerary gave us a mix of culture, history, adventure, and pure relaxation — and it’s one I’d happily recreate for anyone looking to explore Portugal in style.
If you’re dreaming of your own Portugal adventure — whether it’s a couple’s trip, a family getaway, or a multi-generational journey like ours — I’d love to help you plan every detail.
