Lisbon/ Budapest

Eight days is way too much time for me in/around Lisbon, despite loving it. I am not a big fan of Budapest as well as Vienna despite the overwhelming enthusiasm for these two venues from virtually all other posters. Given your choices and time frame, I'd select Budapest and Vienna as there is much to see and do. Please report back after your trip.

I would choose Lisnbon. We spent ten days there, loved it and then toured the whole country. Small xountry, good food and wines, lovely people, historic and natural sites.
We also have visited Budapest and Vienna. I have no desire to return to Vienna. Stiff, boring, formal.
Liked Budapest for a one time visit. We don’t care for German or Central Wiropean food either. Liked the pastries, however.

Split your time between Lisbon and Porto, with maybe a third overnight at (pick one) Obidos, Evora, Coimbra. Portugal is an easy place to love-great people, relatively inexpensive, good food, nice weather. Visited last summer on a RS tour (look at that one-a bit longer than you have but if you can swing it a great trip) and it's on our growing list of places to revisit.

I haven't been to Portugal yet. Friends of mine went in March a year or two ago and loved being in and around Porto with a car, and thought Lisbon was overrated. Without a car, Vienna/Budapest is a good choice - two very different cities with a lot to offer. Vienna in early June - the gardens were wonderful, especially the roses - till the heat wave did them in.

Don't miss Porto and some of the places between there and Lisbon.

If you can say what has drawn you to those two destinations as your finalists, people can give you better advice.

Have you seen Rick's videos on these places? If not, click here and scroll down to see them on your computer: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show

We had heard pros and cons about Lisbon. We loved it and wished we had more time.