3 weeks in Portugal

I found it easy to manage everywhere in English - even small out-of-the-way villages. The trains are great. Look into spending 2-3 nights at a Quinta in the Douro Valley, lots of hiking trails through the vineyards along the river.

The RS Portugal guidebook was very useful and so was the Lonely Planet guidebook. For your interests, LP might be a better fit for you.

I was in Portugal for the first time last October.

I spent four days in Lisbon which was wonderful but you said that you are not into big cities.

Outside of Lisbon is Sintra and Belem. Both are beautiful and interesting. They have lodging.

I spent a few hours in Braga which is also beautiful and interesting.

I envy you being able to spend three weeks in Portugal. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Great information and suggestions! Looks like Braga is a place to go visit. It seems north of Lisbon and even Porto is the way to go. Is there any reason to go south of Lisbon? Thank you.

Don't worry about not speaking other languages. Portugal is English-friendly.
One great thing about this country is that most places outside Lisbon and Porto are not too congested or overloaded with tourists.

Portugal is a long skinny country. IMO, flying open jaw is best to save time and to avoid doubling back.

We only had 2 weeks, flew into Porto for four nights (with day trip to Pinhao), trained down to Lisbon for five nights (with day trips to Sintra and Belem) and rented a car to visit Evora and then 4 nights in Lagos before flying home from Faro. I would have been happy to spend more nights in each of these places.

If we had 3 weeks, I would have added visits and stays in the lovely towns between Porto and Lisbon.