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 Mosteiros Beach. You'll get in some beach time at Praia de Santa Barbara and Piscinas Naturais. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ponta Delgada: Vista do Rei Miradouro (in Sete Cidades) and Pico do Ferro Viewpoint (in Furnas). 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 Praia de Garajau 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 Praia do Sul. Step out of the city life by going to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Jardim do Cerco. Change things up with a short trip to Praia Foz do Lizandro in Ericeira (about 32 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Lugar das Piscinas das Azenhas do Mar, don't miss a visit to Ancient Duck Houses at Park of Pena, explore the activities along Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Praia das Azenhas do Mar.

Planning Sintra trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

You can fly from Funchal to Sintra in 4.5 hours. Traveling from Funchal in September, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Sintra, with lows of 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can go by car 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 Vale de Centeanes Beach. Get outdoors at Praia de Santa Eulalia and Subnauta Dive The Algarve. Step out of Lagos with an excursion to Lagoa dos Salgados in Gale--about 44 minutes away. There's much more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Vau Beach, stroll through Burgau Beach, cross one thing off your bucket list with Skydive Seven, and relax and rejuvenate at Aguadream Banhos Mediterranicos.

To find more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Lagos trip itinerary maker site.

You can drive from Evora to Lagos in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Evora in October, expect a bit warmer with lows of 20°C in Lagos. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can travel back home.