2 weeks to explore Portugal from north to south

We're starting our journey in Porto, with a one-way flight from France: the return journey will be much further south!

In terms of cultural appeal, Porto is almost the equal of Lisbon. This first day will be spent wandering around the historic heart of the city, discovering its fantastic heritage: the Sé cathedral, São Francisco church, São Bento station, the Stock Exchange Palace, Santa Catarina street...

To round off this wonderful introduction to Portugal, meet up at the end of the day on the banks of the Douro, in the charming Ribeira district, the soul of Porto.

Porto is well worth spending two days in before hitting the road. Make the most of the morning to put the finishing touches to your visit to the historic centre, famous for its azulejo-covered houses: very photogenic!

The day then continues on the other bank of the Douro, in the district of Vila Nova de Gaia, famous for its many wine cellars, where you can taste the famous local spirit, port.

On the way back, don't miss the view from the UNESCO-listed Dom-Luís Bridge at sunset: a beautiful farewell to Porto.

We're staying with the theme of Port wine and vineyards for this third day, devoted to exploring the Upper Douro Valley, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety!

In the middle of the wine-growing countryside, the landscapes are grandiose, covered with vineyards on terraced hillsides, a titanic task resulting from centuries of know-how. Take the time to stop off at one of the producers for a tasty wine tasting.

For the night, the pretty little town of Pinhão will do just fine for this short stopover.

Let's take advantage of this day to venture into the north of Portugal. The route is relatively short, passing through some beautiful countryside on the way to Braga, the day's objective.

Along the way, it's more than tempting to make a detour to take a look at Guimarães, a superb medieval city also listed as a World Heritage Site, which sets the tone for a day focused on history and architecture.

In Braga, the afternoon will be devoted to visiting some magnificent religious monuments: the impressive Bom Jesus sanctuary, the cathedral, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Chapel of the Kings... a packed programme!

Another day, another prestigious stopover in sight: Coimbra, the former capital of Portugal, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

If you leave early, there are two stops on the way: the beach at Espinho, for a first dip in the sea just after passing Porto, and why not the astonishing Aveiro, nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal".

But the highlight will be Coimbra, with its magnificent old town: the perfect setting to round off a day full of emotions.

It's time to head for the Atlantic coast, which we've only glimpsed briefly so far on this trip.

The first stop will be Nazaré, famous for its giant waves: take the time to admire this titanic swell before getting back on the road, thrills guaranteed!

A coastal route takes us to the day's main stopover, Peniche. This large fishing port, authentic and still not very touristy, will be the ideal place to eat grilled fish, not without having spent a long time on one of its beautiful beaches, frequented in particular by surfers.

The further south we go, the closer Lisbon gets, and the denser the urban sprawl. The area around the Portuguese capital is well worth a full day's visit.

First we head for Sintra, famous for its profusion of palaces, none more prestigious than the Palacio Nacional de Pena, the town's landmark. Architecturally harmonious, Sintra is a World Heritage Site, yet another one!

However, the day ends a little further south, at Cascais: this resort, which is very popular with Lisboans, is a great place to spend a lively evening, with a view of the sea.

It's easy to spend a week in Lisbon and never get bored, so two days seems a very short time to spend on this itinerary.

On this first day in Lisbon, we're concentrating on the heart of the capital. Stroll through Baixa, the historic centre, with its beautiful squares and gleaming architecture. Then hop aboard an old tram, a true symbol of the city, to head into the charming Alfama district and its steep streets.

It's here that you can find a good little Portuguese restaurant, and enjoy the atmosphere of the capital as it comes alive in the evening.

After breakfast in a traditional Lisbon café, we board a tram to follow the course of the Tagus to Belém. Here, the river becomes one with the Atlantic Ocean - a magnificent backdrop!

The Tower of Belém and the Jeronimos Monastery are two of Lisbon's most beautiful monuments, emblematic of the Manueline style in vogue in Portugal in the 16th century. Don't miss the exceptional Pastéis de Nata at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, a veritable institution!

At the end of the day, you can stroll through the shop windows of Lisbon, before continuing in the evening in the trendy nightlife district of Bairro Alto...

After this interlude in Lisbon, it's time to resume our route through Portugal. Having travelled the length of the country, we're now tackling the breadth, heading into the pretty, hilly Alentejo region.

Still relatively untouched by tourism, the Alentejo will appeal to lovers of serene rural landscapes, small typical villages and medieval castles.

Another charming stop-off awaits us at the end of the road: Evora, the region's main city, boasts a rich historical heritage and a gentle way of life that makes you want to linger longer!

So we're staying an extra day in the Alentejo, without having to go far from Evora: less than an hour's drive away, Monsaraz is emblematic of the whole region.

From the top of its promontory overlooking the Guadiana River, which forms the border with Spain, this delightful medieval walled village is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in Portugal.

Take the time to wander through the narrow streets lined with white houses, and around the castle. When the weather's fine, why not take a dip in the water from one of the beaches on the Guadiana?

This is the longest stage of our trip: from Monsaraz, it will take just over 3 hours to drive to Sagres, facing the ocean alone at the southernmost tip of Portugal.

To compensate, we'll be staying there for two days, so we can really soak up the coastal scenery.

This is the Algarve, a region renowned for its magnificent cliffs and beaches. Around Sagres, you won't be disappointed! Some are ideal for swimming, others for surfing, depending on your tastes...

For our final day in Portugal, we're heading out in the morning for one of Portugal's most beautiful beaches, Praia do Amado. With waves crashing on the sand, this spot, much sought-after by surfers, is a spectacular sight whatever the season.

Then it's time to hit the road again, for a short drive along the coast of the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region. Our route ends in Faro, the region's lively and charming capital.

With its international airport, Faro is well connected to France thanks to seasonal flights: this means you don't have to drive all the way in the other direction, and complete the itinerary in a straight line.