Full 7-Day Itineraries for Three Top 2026 Destinations

Planning a week-long trip feels overwhelming: dozens of blogs, conflicting neighborhood guides, and last-minute price spikes make a simple decision feel like a full-time job. These full 7-day itineraries turn three of The Points Guy’s top 2026 picks into practical, day-by-day plans for families, couples and solo travelers — with local food picks, transport hacks and smart saving strategies you can use right away.

How to use these itineraries (quick primer)

Start here: each destination below has a compact 7-day schedule, then tailored variations for families, couples and solo travelers, plus neighborhood notes and budget-saving tips. Use the daily plans as a backbone — swap activities based on energy levels, weather and interests.

• Book transport first: flights and overnight trains often sell out early; lock in refundable fares when planning 2026 travel peaks.
• Mix must-sees with downtime: 2026 travel trends favor slower itineraries and local experiences — build in at least one “free day.”
• Use points where they stretch: late-2025 and early-2026 saw expanded routes and award availability; check airline and hotel award calendars before paying cash.

Destination 1 — Lisbon, Portugal: 7 days of pastel facades, riverside sunsets and family-friendly rhythm

Why Lisbon in 2026

Lisbon remains a top 2026 pick thanks to expanded transatlantic flights in late 2025 and a continuing surge in boutique hotels and renovated historic properties. The city is ideal for families (walkable neighborhoods and tram rides), couples (rooftop bars and Fado) and digital nomads who want a low-cost European hub.

Quick logistics & money tips

• Airport transfer: Aerobus or metro to the city center (30–40 minutes). Rideshares are convenient for families with luggage.
• Transport pass: 24/48/72-hour public transit and tram passes save money; buy a reloadable Viva Viagem card.
• Saving tip: Combo museum passes and Lisbon Card save time and often money for families seeing multiple sights.

7-day itinerary (base plan)

1. Day 1 — Arrival & Alfama: Settle in, sunset miradouro (Santa Luzia), early Fado show or tapas in Alfama.
2. Day 2 — Belém & riverfront: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Pastéis de Belém, MAAT museum.
3. Day 3 — Baixa & Chiado: Praça do Comércio, Santa Justa lift, tram 28 loop, rooftop cocktail at sunset.
4. Day 4 — Day trip to Sintra: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, quick stop in Cascais on the return.
5. Day 5 — LX Factory & contemporary Lisbon: LX Factory shops, Time Out Market for food, riverwalk.
6. Day 6 — Parque das Nações & Oceanário: Great for families; couple-friendly riverside dinner and evening cable car.
7. Day 7 — Market morning & slow departure: Mercado da Ribeira, last-minute shopping, airport transfer.

Family modifications

• Swap a full museum day for a beach morning (Carcavelos) — kids love the sand and space.
• Choose family rooms or apartments in Baixa/Chiado to minimize tram climbs.
• Prebook Oceanário tickets and the Sintra train to avoid queues.

Couples’ focus

• Book a sunset cruise on the Tagus one evening and a private Fado table in Alfama.
• Reserve one splurge dinner (Michelin or riverside) — Lisbon has many affordable fine-dining options.

Solo traveler tips

• Stay in Mouraria or Bairro Alto to meet other travelers, and join a small-group food tour to experience safe, local nightlife.
• Use late-2025 expanded low-cost connections to add Lisbon as a two-city combo (Porto or Seville).

Neighborhood cheat-sheet

• Alfama: historic, winding streets, Fado; great for atmosphere.
• Baixa/Chiado: central shopping, cafes, best base for first-time visitors.
• Bairro Alto: nightlife and bars — quieter for daytime strolls.
• Belém: museums and monuments — ideal for half-day sightseeing.

Money-saving recap

• Buy transit passes, combine museum days and use Time Out Market for restaurant variety at set prices.
• Consider mid-week stays to reduce hotel costs; Lisbon’s shoulder seasons (April–May, Sept–Oct) remain cheaper yet pleasant.

Destination 2 — Tokyo, Japan: 7 days balancing neon, temples and neighborhood micro-adventures

Why Tokyo in 2026

Tokyo made many 2026 top lists because of refreshed hospitality offerings entering 2025–26, new museum openings and more flexible visa and entry conveniences for longer stays. The city remains one of the world’s best for mixing high-energy urban experiences with serene cultural sites.

Logistics & travel tips

• Airport: Narita and Haneda — Haneda is closer to the city and gained more direct routes by late 2025.
• Rail: Get a Suica or Pasmo card for effortless subway and bus travel.
• Saving tip: Consider a prepaid SIM or eSIM for on-the-go itinerary changes via local train apps and Google Maps.

7-day itinerary (base plan)

1. Day 1 — Shinjuku arrival: Metropolitan Government Building observatory, dinner in Omoide Yokocho.
2. Day 2 — Shibuya & Harajuku: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing, evening karaoke.
3. Day 3 — Asakusa & Ueno: Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise shopping, Ueno Park and museums.
4. Day 4 — Akihabara & Ginza: electronics and anime culture, then Ginza high-end shops and sushi counter.
5. Day 5 — Day trip: Nikko or Kamakura for temples and coastal scenery.
6. Day 6 — Tsukiji outer market & Odaiba: seafood breakfast, teamLab* or waterfront play.
7. Day 7 — Neighborhood morning & departure: local coffee shop, last-minute ramen, airport transfer.

Family modifications

• Swap late-night activities for kid-friendly museums (teamLab Borderless alternatives), and plan one full day at Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea.
• Reserve family seats for Shinkansen day trips to avoid standing during peak hours.

Couples’ focus

• Include a romantic kaiseki dinner, a private tea ceremony and a stroll through Rikugien garden at dusk.
• Book a boutique ryokan night near Hakone for onsen relaxation if you want one non-city night.

Solo traveler tips

• Book capsule hotels or business hotels in Shinjuku or Ueno for safety and convenience.
• Use local meetup apps to join themed walking tours — excellent for niche interests (anime, sneakers, sake).

Neighborhood cheat-sheet

• Shinjuku: transport hub, nightlife, skyscraper views.
• Shibuya/Harajuku: youth culture, fashion, shrine visits.
• Asakusa/Ueno: traditional Tokyo vibe and museums.
• Ginza: upscale dining and shopping.

Saving & planning tips for Tokyo

• Eat where locals do — standing sushi bars and izakayas offer high value.
• Buy JR Pass alternatives carefully — regional passes for day trips can be a better value than nationwide passes depending on your plan.
• Late-2025 trend: more hotels offer work-friendly rooms — use weekday discounts if you’re blending remote work with travel.

Destination 3 — Cartagena, Colombia: 7 days of color, Caribbean beaches and colonial charm

Why Cartagena in 2026

Cartagena has cemented itself as a 2026 favorite for its restored historic center, boutique hospitality sector and vibrant food scene. Increased regional connectivity in recent seasons makes it a simpler add-on to Latin America itineraries, and Colombia’s ongoing tourism initiatives have increased family-friendly and safety-focused services.

Logistics & safety tips

• Airport: Rafael Núñez International is minutes from the old town by taxi.
• Stay: The walled city (Ciudad Amurallada) is the best base for first-timers; manga and Bocagrande suit families wanting beaches nearby.
• Safety: Stick to well-lit areas at night, use hotel-recommended transport and register with your embassy if you’re traveling long-term.

7-day itinerary (base plan)

1. Day 1 — Arrival & old town stroll: Plaza Santo Domingo, dinner at a courtyard restaurant.
2. Day 2 — Castle & city walls: Castillo San Felipe, sunset walk on the walls.
3. Day 3 — Rosario Islands day trip: snorkeling, beach clubs and seafood lunches.
4. Day 4 — Getsemaní exploration: street art, cafes, live music spots.
5. Day 5 — Food-focused day: local market tour, arepas, ceviche tasting and a cooking class.
6. Day 6 — Bocagrande beach day or family pool time; couples can choose a private yacht sunset cruise.
7. Day 7 — Slow morning & departure: last-minute shopping for local crafts, transfer to airport.

Family modifications

• Book a family-friendly hotel with pool in Bocagrande and plan morning beach time when it’s cooler.
• Choose shorter boat trips for younger kids and prebook snorkeling gear that fits small sizes.

Couples’ focus

• Arrange a private walking tour of Getsemaní’s murals followed by rooftop cocktails in the walled city.
• Consider a boutique hotel with a courtyard and in-house dining for a relaxed romantic vibe.

Solo traveler tips

• Stay in the walled city to meet travelers; join evening salsa lessons in Getsemaní to connect with locals and other guests.
• Use official tour operators for island day trips and ask hotels for recommended guides.

Money-saving recap for Cartagena

• Use local lunch menus (menú del día) for value meals and buy bottled water from supermarkets for day trips.
• Book island trips in advance for lower rates, or negotiate when booking through local vendors if you have flexible dates.

Cross-destination planning strategies for 2026

Across Lisbon, Tokyo and Cartagena, several 2026 travel trends and developments change how you should plan your week:

• Sustainable slow travel: Travelers prefer longer stays in one place. These 7-day plans reflect that by recommending fewer, deeper experiences rather than trying to “see everything.”
• Flexible bookings: Book refundable rates for flights and hotels now — flexibility remains king after pandemic-era volatility.
• Points & local promotions: Late-2025 airline expansions increased award seat availability on many routes. Check loyalty programs early and consider mixed-cabin redemptions if cash fares spike.
• Tech advantage: Use eSIMs, transit apps and local food apps to make last-minute adjustments — in 2026 these tools are more reliable and cheaper than ever.

Packing, insurance & timing tips

• Packing: Pack light and plan one laundry day mid-week if staying seven nights. Bring a small daypack and a portable charger for full-day explorations.
• Insurance: Choose a plan covering trip interruption and medical coverage tailored to your destination (e.g., tropical care for Cartagena beach days, emergency transport in Tokyo).
• Season & timing: Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer best value and milder crowds in Europe and Japan; Cartagena is year-round, but avoid the wettest months for island trips.

Actionable takeaways

• 48–72 hours: Lock flights and a refundable hotel rate. Use award searches in parallel to switch to points if availability appears.
• Week before departure: Buy local transit cards or eSIMs and prebook must-see tickets (Sintra, teamLab-style exhibits, Rosario Islands).
• On arrival: Spend your first afternoon in a neighborhood stroll to orient and adjust; avoid cramming day-one major tours.

“A smart one-week trip is a balance of must-see highlights and local downtime — that’s the 2026 traveler’s secret.”

Final checklist (48 hours before you go)

• Confirm transport and hotel reservations and carry printed copies of critical documents.
• Download offline maps and local transport apps; preload addresses of key places (hotel, embassy, main sights).
• Set a simple spending plan for the week — helps avoid last-minute ATM fees and overspending on impulse nights out.

Closing — Ready to pick your 7-day plan?

Use these itineraries as your foundation: whether you’re traveling as a family searching for child-friendly beaches and interactive museums, a couple craving romantic rooftops and private tours, or a solo traveler hunting for local connections and efficient transit — each plan is designed to reduce planning stress and maximize enjoyment. The 2026 travel landscape rewards flexible, slower-paced travel and smart use of points, and these seven-day templates put both into action.

Call to action: Pick one destination, bookmark its 7-day plan, and book your transport within the next 72 hours to lock in the best rates and award availability — then come back for neighborhood-specific tips, packing lists and local restaurant updates for your chosen week.

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