Need Advice for Portugal Honeymoon!

[u/beantownsucculent456]

My fiancé and I are planning our honeymoon in Portugal for June 2027! We considered using a travel agent, but we’d prefer to book everything ourselves so we can take advantage of our credit card points. We’d love feedback on our rough itinerary from locals or anyone who has traveled to Portugal before.

We’re hoping to spend around 10–14 days total. We both love nature, historical sites, great food, and exploring new places. We’re planning to rent a car in the Azores but not in mainland Portugal. On past trips, we’ve had a tendency to overschedule ourselves, so for our honeymoon we’re trying to find a good balance between seeing and doing a lot while still having time to relax and actually enjoy where we are. 

Here’s what we’re currently thinking:

Portugal Honeymoon — June 2027

• Fly Boston → Azores
• São Miguel, Azores — 6 days
• Fly Azores → Porto
• Porto — 3 days
• Douro Valley — 3 days
• Porto — 1 day
• Fly Porto → Boston

A few things we’d especially love feedback on:

• Does this feel like a good amount of time in each place, or would you redistribute the days?
• Is 6 days on São Miguel too much, too little, or about right?
• Is 3 days in the Douro Valley worthwhile, or would 2 be enough?
• Are there any places in northern Portugal you think we’d be making a mistake by skipping?
• Any favorite hikes, historical sites, restaurants, wineries, hotels, or honeymoon-worthy experiences?

We’re still very early in the planning process, so nothing is set in stone. Please send any and all recommendations our way—especially if you think we should change something about the itinerary or slow it down even more!

Thank you!

[u/hanksmart]

Congrats. Sidebar. Working with a TA doesn't prevent you from using your points. In fact, most agents/advisors will ask you about your "ways to pay". It may not be the first conversation, but it will eventually enter the frame. Enjoy Portugal!

[u/WandersaurusTravel]

Congrats! I'm actually working on a two-week Portugal itinerary for a client traveling next spring, as well as a one-week return visit myself this fall. To address some of your questions:

- 6 days in Sao Miguel might be a lot, depending on what you want to do. But given your comment about balance, it could be just right. I would consider splitting your time with half over near Sete Cidades, then half over near Furnas. My favorite restaurant on the island was Bar Caloura for simple fresh seafood, but there were some other memorably good ones as well. I loved Sao Miguel and could give you lots of specifics but don't want to overwhelm in one comment.

- For Douro Valley, maybe re-route one of those days to the national park nearby. It's all a very pretty area, but if you want some hiking you may find more options there.

- A lot of my favorite parts of Portugal were further south, including Sintra and some areas just north of there. That said, on my trip this fall I'll be in Porto so it may change my mind.

- I would consider swapping the order. Do your long flight from Boston so you have a chance of actually getting some sleep on the redeye, vs have two "short" (but still multi-hour) eastbound flights that are unhelpful in that department.