What I’d Do Differently: Portugal Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Portugal by train was one of our best trips. But we learned lessons in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve that would make the next trip even better.

Lisbon’s Hills Are No Joke

We packed light shoes thinking Lisbon was flat like most European cities. It is not. Alfama and Bairro Alto are steep cobblestone climbs. Wear proper shoes with grip and take the historic trams or elevators when your legs give out.

Porto Deserves Three Nights, Not Two

We gave Porto two nights and rushed through. The Douro Valley wine tour takes a full day. Porto itself needs a full day of walking the Ribeira, crossing the Dom Luis bridge, and eating a francesinha. Three nights minimum.

Book the Algarve Train Early

The train from Lisbon to Lagos is scenic and cheap but the good departure times sell out. We ended up on a midday train and lost half a beach day. Book on CP.pt as soon as dates are available.

The Pastel de Nata at Pasteis de Belem Is Worth the Line

We almost skipped it because the line looked long. It moves fast. The pasteis are noticeably better than any other bakery we tried in Lisbon. Go at opening time for the shortest wait.

Sintra Needs a Full Day

We tried to combine Sintra with other sightseeing and barely saw Pena Palace before closing. Sintra has five major attractions spread across a mountain. Start early, buy combined tickets online, and give it the whole day.

What We Got Right

Taking the train instead of renting a car. The Portuguese rail network connects Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve efficiently and the scenery from the window is beautiful.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Portugal — Buy before you land. You need data the moment you arrive for navigation and translation apps.

Book Tours and Activities

• Portugal Tours and Activities on Viator

Gear We Recommend

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack — Carry-on sized, opens like a suitcase.
• Anker Nano Power Bank — Essential for long days of navigating with your phone.
• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — We bring these on every trip now.
• Universal Travel Adapter — One adapter for every country.
• Rain Jacket — Lisbon weather shifts fast, especially in shoulder season.

Book on GetYourGuide:

• Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
• Douro Valley Wine Tour from Porto

Find Flights to Portugal

Plan Your Trip to Portugal

Ready to book? Search flights to Portugal to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Portugal to find the best deals for your dates.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

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• Is Priority Pass Worth It in 2026 — My Honest Review After 15 Airports
• Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
• Best Travel Insurance for 2026: What I Actually Recommend After 15 International Trips
• The Credit Card Points Strategy That Funded $15,000 of Travel

Finding cheap flights:

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• When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
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Staying connected abroad:

• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
• Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad

Travel gear I actually use:

• Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
• My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
• Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
• Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone