Any advice for itinerary for 10 days in Portugal? We are planning last minute with arrival in about 2 weeks! Is it reasonable to do Lisbon + side trips, Porto + side trips, and the Algarve? Beaches are always lovely, but not our main goal. Seeking to maximize exploration, do a little hiking, and avoid the cheese factor of resort towns.
Thank you!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Sorry, but you don’t have time for Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve unless you want to spend half your time in transit. I suggest that you drop the Algarve if you aren’t focused on beaches and purpose built resorts.
Lisbon merits at least 5 days with day trips to Cascais and Sintra.
It’s half a day to get to Porto, so a day and a half here is sufficient, then a day trip to the Douro.
There are many interesting towns between these cities that are worth exploring such as Alcobaca, Tomar, Obidos and Coimbra.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
I second the opinion that you don’t have time for the Algarve. Stick with Lisbon and Porto. There is more than enough to do between the two cities, especially if you include surrounding areas.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
I would cut Algarve, stick with Porto, Sinatra, Lisbon. You would still be missing a lot in between. My wife and I did fourteen nights in Portugal in 2008, based upon Rick’s assessment and my own research, Algarve did not come close to making the cut (but I live an hour from the ocean and less than that from SF Bay). Plus logistics and doubling back with such short time. A lot of people say see Sinatra as a day trip, but I strongly advise a couple of nights there. 2-3-5 Sinatra-Porto-Lisbon might work.
Posted by
8322 posts
Forget the Algarve (the beaches in the USA and Caribbean are better).
I would do 3 days in Lisbon and more if you do day trips to Evora and Sintra. You can get in some great hiking up and down hills in Lisbon. Don't miss St. Georges Castle.
On your way to Porto, stop at Obidos, Batilaha Cathedral and Navarre.
Spent 2 nights in Porto, then head up the Douro River valley, take river cruise (day cruise) or take the train that runs on the north side of the river.