21 days in Portugal, Paris & Madrid Itinerary

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

Attractions like Vila Natal and Walking tours make great kid-friendly stops. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lisbon: Sao Tiago Church (in Obidos) and Sintra (Quinta da Regaleira, Park and National Palace of Pena, &more). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Castelo de S. Jorge, take a stroll through Alfama, pause for some photo ops at Padrao dos Descobrimentos, and engage your brain at Pavilhao do Conhecimento.

To find more things to do, photos, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Lisbon journey planner.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Lisbon is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You'll lose 3 hours traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro in December, expect Lisbon to be cooler, temps between 18°C and 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can 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.

Kids will enjoy Ponte de Dom Luis I and Exploratorio - Centro Ciencia Viva de Coimbra. When in Porto, make a side trip to see Portugal dos Pequenitos in Coimbra, approximately Coimbra away. The adventure continues: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, steep yourself in history at Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral), look for gifts at Livraria Lello, and meet the residents at SEA LIFE Porto.

To see other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Porto day trip site.

You can fly from Lisbon to Porto in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Porto can reach 18°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time to travel to Paris.

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Kids will enjoy Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower. Change things up with these side-trips from Paris: Disneyland Paris (in Marne-la-Vallee) and Palace of Versailles (in Versailles). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay, stroll around Luxembourg Gardens, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, and contemplate the long history of The Paris Catacombs.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Paris trip planner.

Fly from Porto to Paris in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone difference moving from Western European Standard Time (WET) to Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour. Traveling from Porto in December, things will get a bit cooler in Paris: highs are around 9°C and lows about 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can travel to Madrid.

Madrid is known for its cultural and artistic heritage, lively nightlife, and a dynamic culinary scene.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Prado National Museum and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Go for a jaunt from Madrid to Toledo to see Catedral Primada about 1h 20 min away. The adventure continues: stroll around Parque del Retiro, make a trip to Puerta del Sol, contemplate the long history of Royal Palace of Madrid, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

For traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Madrid day trip website.

Traveling by flight from Paris to Madrid takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. When traveling from Paris in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Madrid, with highs around 14°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to travel to Lisbon.

On the 2nd (Thu), make a trip to Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco), make a trip to Belém Tower, thencontemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and finally admire nature's wide array of creatures at Lisbon Oceanarium.

To see maps, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Lisbon day trip website.

Traveling by flight from Madrid to Lisbon takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Madrid to Lisbon. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Madrid in January: high temperatures in Lisbon hover around 17°C and lows are around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.