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15 full days in Portugal-November

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Traveling for the first time to Portugal the first half of November. Most of our itinerary has been penciled out, but the last 4 days are still up in the air. Would love to hear opinions and thoughts regarding the remainder of our trip.

Our favorite way to travel is to relax and people watch, sipping a coffee or a glass of wine. Beach time wouldn’t hurt also. Plan on visiting castles, churches and universities but trying to do and see everything is not our highest priority. We are renting a car when needed—won’t be driving in either Porto or Lisbon. Full days on the ground are as tentatively planned:

Three nights: Lisbon
Two nights: Evora
Two nights: Coimbra
Four nights: Porto

Here’s where we are stuck with four full nights left before an airport overnight in Lisbon…options

1) Two nights in Douro and then two nights in Nazare (accommodation recommendations?)
2) Four nights in Nazare or Ericeira (Nazare or Ericeira preferences?)

Definitely want to decompress the last couple of days before traveling back to the West Coast.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions…

Posted by
12011 posts

We couldn’t wait to leave Nazare! Skip it.
Four nights in the Douro would be a wonderful way to spend your extra time!

Posted by
177 posts

If you have a car, somewhere on the Silver Coast would be nice. Lots to see in that area. I don't have a specific recommendation on a town to stay in, but pick one that would be a nice location to end the day, with the ability to do evening walks and have a nice dinner. Personally, I like to walk along a beach in the evenings. Nazare is touristy, but is in a good location to explore the Silver Coast. And being touristy is not always bad. São Martinho do Porto is another beach. Caldas da Rainha is another town on the Silver Coast, but more inland. Julie Dawn Fox Blog lists different things to do for the Silver Coast, so you can read thru some of her articles and see if the area appeals to you.
https://juliedawnfox.com/tag/silver-coast/

Posted by
7743 posts

Nazaré is good for a couple nights at most. Depending on when you get into town, one night might suffice. The upper town takes a couple hours to see while strolling along the beach and walking along the main street can take a couple more hours. No idea how many shops will be open in November.

It is a typical beach town like you’d find in many places, so if you don’t like those, then skip Nazaré.

In Nazaré we stayed at hotel Magic. It has its own free parking garage a few minutes walk from the hotel.

To me, a better place to spend four nights, especially if you want to take day trips, is Tomar.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for the suggestions. Looks like Nazare would be a one night maximum if we go. Since we are in Porto, thinking we "have" to go up the valley for two nights. Maybe Ericeira for the final nights...still surfing the net!

Posted by
644 posts

I would personally add an extra night to Lisbon and consider an extra night to Evora. I really enjoyed Evora and you could daytrip out to some nice towns nearby such as Vila Vicosa, Estremoz etc.

You mention an airport overnight in Lisbon. One other option I also suggest ( don't know if anyone has ever taken it) is to stay your last night in Obidos. We did that, then drove to the Lisbon airport for a noon flight. Obidos can be busy with daytrippers, but it was quiet and lovely for our last night.

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