12 days in Lisbon, Porto & Azores Itinerary

Built on seven hills, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, making it the cultural star of Portugal.

Alfama and Castelo de S. Jorge are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Take a break from the city and head to Pypas Cruises Lisbon Boat Tours and Portugal Bike. There's still lots to do: contemplate the long history of Belém Tower, pause for some photo ops at Padrao dos Descobrimentos, wander the streets of Rossio Square, and take an in-depth tour of Carmo Archaeological Museum.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Lisbon itinerary planning site .

Philadelphia, USA to Lisbon is an approximately 11-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Western European Time (WET) is 5 hours. Traveling from Philadelphia in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Lisbon, with lows of 63°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Porto.

Called "Oporto" by many, the city of Porto along the Duoro River lent the country and Port wine their names. Portugal's second-largest metropolis dates back to the 4th century, representing both a rich cultural past and industrial present through its architecture and style.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) and Museu Serralves. Visiting Praia da Luz and Rio Douro will get you outdoors. And it doesn't end there: take in the views from Ponte de Dom Luis I, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, learn about winemaking at Taylor's Port, and get a taste of the local shopping with Rua Santa Catarina.

For more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Porto day trip website .

Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Porto takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. While traveling from Lisbon, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Porto, ranging from highs of 75°F to lows of 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough 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.

Get outdoors at Caldeira das Sete Cidades and Praia de Santa Barbara. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Ponta Delgada: Furnas (Parque Terra Nostra & Poca Da Dona Beija). There's still lots to do: explore the activities along Lagoa do Fogo, identify plant and animal life at Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Igreja Matriz de Sao Sebastiao.

To see ratings, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Ponta Delgada trip builder .

Getting from Porto to Ponta Delgada by flight takes about 5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Porto to Ponta Delgada. Traveling from Porto in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Ponta Delgada, with lows of 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.