Portugal 2026

Portugal

A week at Nazaré, an overnight up in Porto on the 16th–17th, then a week near Óbidos, with a small map of the day trips in each base.

Dates
12–26 Jul2026 · two weeks
Bases
4Nazaré, Porto, Amoreira, Lisbon
Stays
All bookedResort, apt, Airbnb, hotels
Lisbon
Olissippo2 doubles · by Oceanário
The routeEverything on one page · the map follows what you open
The tripTickets, bases, stays, food and day trips, all in one place
1NazaréWeek 1 · 12–19 JulBooked · Ohai Nazaré Outdoor Resort
Stay · Week 1 · bookedOhai Nazaré Outdoor Resort
12–19 Jul7 nights
Where
Nazaré, surf coastEstrada Nacional 242, km 31.5
Config
2-bedroom bungalow, separate room for the teens
Status
Confirmed · balance due 8 Jul
Nazaré

Week 1 · 12–19 Jul

NazaréClifftop surf town

A week on the surf coast: the funicular up to the Sítio clifftop, the big-wave lighthouse fort and a long town beach, with the calm-water bay of São Martinho fifteen minutes south.

Sítio funicularBig-wave fortSão Martinho

Season · a warm, breezy Atlantic coast in July, no extreme heat. The resort room is sealed and air-conditioned.

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Sítio Clifftop & Funicular
In town

Sítio Clifftop & Funicular

Viewpoint
In town · ~0.9 km ~€4

The little funicular up the cliff to Sítio and the Miradouro do Suberco, hanging right over the 6 km beach and the famous big-wave window.

“The view is breathtaking, in addition to fast, comfortable and cheap.”TripAdvisor

Map
Sítio Clifftop & FunicularIn town
Lighthouse Fort & Surf Museum
In town

Lighthouse Fort & Surf Museum

Big waves
In town · ~1.6 km ~€1

The lighthouse on the headland that funnels Nazaré's record waves, with a small surf museum inside. Entry is about one euro and the cliff views are superb.

“Photos, videos and surf boards from some of the great surfers doing the Big Waves.”TripAdvisor

Map
Lighthouse Fort & Surf MuseumIn town
São Martinho do Porto
~15 min

São Martinho do Porto

Calm bay
~15 min · ~12 km Free

A near-enclosed horseshoe bay with a narrow mouth, so warm, calm, current-free water: the safest family swimming on this stretch of coast.

“A magnificent bay, so safe for children to bathe in the calm waters.”TripAdvisor

Map
São Martinho do Porto~15 min
Batalha Monastery
~30 min

Batalha Monastery

UNESCO
~30 min · ~22 km ~€6

A vast UNESCO Gothic and Manueline monastery with roofless Unfinished Chapels and lacework stone carving. Pairs neatly with Alcobaça.

“Its Gothic appearance is absolutely stunning, comparable to the cathedrals of France or England.”TripAdvisor

Map
Batalha Monastery~30 min
Alcobaça Monastery
~20 min

Alcobaça Monastery

History
~20 min · ~9.8 km ~€6

A huge Cistercian monastery and UNESCO site with the facing tombs of Pedro and Inês, and a cavernous monastic kitchen with a stream once run through it.

“Probably the best example of a Gothic Portuguese monastery. Built to last forever.”TripAdvisor

Map
Alcobaça Monastery~20 min
Peniche & Berlengas Island
~40 min

Peniche & Berlengas Island

Island boat
~40 min · ~38 km ~€25 boat

A boat from Peniche out to the Berlenga island reserve: clear water, sea caves and a clifftop fort. Book the crossing ahead in summer.

“Crystal-clear waters, impressive cliffs, and a 70-metre natural tunnel.”TripAdvisor

Map
Peniche & Berlengas Island~40 min
2PortoOvernight · 16–17 JulBooked · Aspasios Bonjardim Apartments
Stay · Porto · bookedAspasios Bonjardim Apartments
16–17 Jul1 night
Where
Rua do Bonjardim, central Porto~4 min walk from the Trindade garage
Config
Two-bedroom apartment + living room · AC (sleeps 4)
Arrival
Leave Nazaré ~10–11am (~2h drive) · reception 09:00–18:00, so drop the bags and head out before the mid-afternoon check-in
Parking
No on-site — drive into Parque Trindade (~4 min, €1.20/h, cheapest central) and pay at the gate, ~€20–30 for the night
Status
Booked · free cancellation before 14 Jul
Porto

Overnight · 16–17 Jul

PortoOn the Douro

The trip's northern leg — an overnight up the coast on the 16th, back on the 17th, now booked at Aspasios Bonjardim. The UNESCO Ribeira riverfront, Clérigos and Lello, port cellars across the river in Gaia, and the city's monster francesinha.

RibeiraClérigosGaia cellars

Season · warm, dry. A few food icons and the riverside walks below.

The bifana at Conga and the francesinha at Brasão are essential, Manteigaria for a warm pastel de nata.

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Brasão Aliados
1€€€€

Brasão Aliados

Francesinha
Francesinha ~€13

Porto's monster sandwich done brilliantly, in a handsome former-bank hall.

MenuMap
Brasão Aliados€€ · ~€13
Conga, Casa das Bifanas
2€€€€

Conga, Casa das Bifanas

Bifana
Bifana ~€3.50

A 1976 institution: slow-braised pork in a spicy sauce in a soft roll. Cheap and iconic.

MenuMap
Conga, Casa das Bifanas€ · ~€3.50
Cervejaria Gazela
3€€€€

Cervejaria Gazela

Cachorrinhos
Cachorrinho ~€4.50

Tiny and buzzing since 1962, the spicy griddled mini hot-dogs Bourdain raved about.

MenuMap
Cervejaria Gazela€ · ~€4.50
Boca Taqueria
4€€€€

Boca Taqueria

Tacos
Tacos al pastor ~€4 each

Family-run taqueria pressing its own tortillas, rated among the best tacos in Portugal.

MenuMap
Boca Taqueria€€ · ~€4 each
Loja das Conservas
5€€€€

Loja das Conservas

Tinned fish
Tinned sardines ~€4 a tin

Beautifully tinned sardines and mackerel opened at the table with bread and wine.

MenuMap
Loja das Conservas€€ · ~€4 a tin
Tapabento
6€€€€

Tapabento

Petiscos · book
Seafood petiscos ~€25 / head

Inventive Portuguese small plates and fresh seafood, small so reserve well ahead.

MenuMap
Tapabento€€€ · ~€25 / head
Manteigaria
7€€€€

Manteigaria

Pastéis de nata
Pastel de nata ~€1.40

Custard tarts out of the oven, eaten warm with cinnamon. The perfect quick sweet hit.

MenuMap
Manteigaria€ · ~€1.40

Clérigos and Lello up top, Ribeira and the Six Bridges cruise on the river, then Foz by tram if there is time.

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Ribeira & the Douro
1In town

Ribeira & the Douro

Riverfront
In town · ~0.9 km Free

The UNESCO riverfront: tiled houses stacked above the quay, rabelo boats, the bridge framing it all.

Map
Ribeira & the DouroIn town
Clérigos Tower
2In town

Clérigos Tower

Climb
In town · ~1h · ~0.5 km ~€8

225 steps to the whole-city view at the top of Porto's baroque landmark.

“The view is breathtaking, and it is fast, comfortable and cheap.”TripAdvisor

Map
Clérigos TowerIn town
Livraria Lello
3In town

Livraria Lello

Bookshop
In town · ~0.5 km ~€8

The neo-Gothic staircase that helped inspire Harry Potter. Book a timed slot to skip the queue.

Map
Livraria LelloIn town
Six Bridges cruise
4Ribeira quay

Six Bridges cruise

On the river
Ribeira quay · ~50 min · ~0.9 km ~€18

Fifty minutes on the Douro, under all six bridges, the easy way to see both banks.

Map
Six Bridges cruiseRibeira quay
Port cellars & WOW
5Across the bridge

Port cellars & WOW

Gaia
Across the bridge · ~2h · ~1.3 km ~€22

A cellar tour in Gaia, or WOW's non-wine museums made for teens (chocolate, cork, bridges).

Map
Port cellars & WOWAcross the bridge
Gaia cable car
6Jardim do Morro

Gaia cable car

Over the river
Jardim do Morro · ~5 min · ~1.2 km ~€7

A short ride over the river with Ribeira laid out below, pairs with the bridge walk.

Map
Gaia cable carJardim do Morro
São Bento azulejos
7In town

São Bento azulejos

Free
In town · ~0.3 km Free

A railway station whose hall is wrapped in twenty thousand blue tiles. Walk through, free.

Map
São Bento azulejosIn town
Tram 1 to Foz
8Tram 1

Tram 1 to Foz

Sea breeze
Tram 1 · ~30 min · ~4.9 km ~€3.50

A vintage tram along the river to the Atlantic for a sea-breeze finish.

Map
Tram 1 to FozTram 1
3AmoreiraWeek 2 · 19–26 JulBooked · Home in Amoreira
Stay · Week 2 · bookedAirbnb · Home in Amoreira
19–26 Jul7 nights
Where
Amoreira, ÓbidosSilver Coast · ~40 min south of Nazaré
Config
Whole house, two or more bedrooms
Return
~1h drive to Lisbon airport on the 26th
Amoreira, Óbidos

Week 2 · 19–26 Jul

Amoreira, ÓbidosSilver Coast countryside

A countryside week by the walled town of Óbidos: medieval ramparts and ginjinha, the calm Óbidos lagoon for paddleboarding, Buddha Eden's sculpture gardens and Baleal's surf beaches.

Óbidos wallsÓbidos lagoonBuddha Eden

Season · warm, dry inland July. The Airbnb is air-conditioned; rural, so the usual DEET at dusk.

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Óbidos Walled Town
~15 min

Óbidos Walled Town

Medieval
~15 min · ~2.6 km Free

A preserved medieval village ringed by intact ramparts you can walk, with a castle at its heart and ginjinha cherry liqueur served in an edible chocolate cup.

“Once you are inside you start getting a feeling of travelling back in time.”TripAdvisor

Map
Óbidos Walled Town~15 min
Lagoa de Óbidos & Foz do Arelho
~15 min

Lagoa de Óbidos & Foz do Arelho

Calm water
~15 min · ~10 km Free

A large, shallow coastal lagoon, warm and calm for paddleboarding, meeting the open ocean beach at Foz do Arelho: a sheltered side and a surf side next to each other.

Map
Lagoa de Óbidos & Foz do Arelho~15 min
Caldas da Rainha
~15 min

Caldas da Rainha

Market
~15 min · ~7.8 km Free

A spa town built around the Praça da Fruta, the country's only daily open-air fruit and vegetable market, and a centre for Portuguese ceramics.

“The only daily open-air fruit and vegetable market in the country, held since the 15th century.”Center of Portugal

Map
Caldas da Rainha~15 min
Buddha Eden Garden
~20 min

Buddha Eden Garden

Garden
~20 min · ~8.5 km ~€4

Europe's largest oriental garden: golden Buddhas, pagodas and a small army of terracotta soldiers across 35 hectares, with a road train if anyone tires.

“So beautiful, an amazing place for all ages.”TripAdvisor

Map
Buddha Eden Garden~20 min
Peniche & Baleal Surf
~30 min

Peniche & Baleal Surf

Surf
~30 min · ~13 km Free

Baleal is a sandbar island with a beach on each side and the most consistent surf around, the spot for a teen surf lesson with beachfront cafes.

“Great little restaurants to eat overlooking the beach, or sign yourself up for surf school.”TripAdvisor

Map
Peniche & Baleal Surf~30 min
Mafra National Palace
~45 min

Mafra National Palace

Palace
~45 min · ~47 km ~€6

A colossal baroque palace, basilica and convent, the largest in Portugal and often far quieter than Sintra. The showstopper is a Rococo library kept pest-free by bats.

“This huge palace doesn't get the attention it deserves. Go for the library.”TripAdvisor

Map
Mafra National Palace~45 min
4LisbonFinal night · 25–26 JulBooked · Olissippo Oriente · two double rooms
Stay · Lisbon · bookedOlissippo Oriente · two double rooms
25–26 Jul1 night
Where
Parque das Nações, by the Oceanário~6 min to the airport for the 09:30 car drop
Config
Two Double/Twin rooms — adults in one, the two kids in the other · AC
Parking
On-site garage + valet
Breakfast
Buffet from 06:30 — time for the early flight
Status
Two doubles · free cancellation to 23 Jul
Lisbon

Final night · 25–26 Jul

LisbonFinal night · by the Oceanário

One last night before the morning flight, booked at Olissippo Oriente in Parque das Nações — the Oceanário on the doorstep, a quick hop to Time Out and the squares, and a ~6 min run to the airport for the early start.

OceanárioTime Out MarketAirport-quick

Season · a warm July evening. Sealed and air-conditioned; two separate rooms for the adults and the kids.