6 day trip to Portugal

I visited Salema in early November and it was dead. It’s a cute town but not at that time of year. Personally I would not visit the Algarve in November. Give Lisbon another day and then see Porto. Much more interesting at that time of year. Other places to consider are Evora, Sintra, Coimbra and Obidos.

Skip the Algarve in such a short trip at that time of the year. Salema is vastly overrated. You can barely do both Porto and Lisbon justice in six days.

I spent a week in Porto almost exactly this week, last year. And I didn't run out of things to do there in that time. I can't imagine seeing all of Lisbon in just a couple days.

Public transit in the Algarve is not the best, a car is a definite plus if you're planning on exploring the region.
I would rent the car in Lisbon, the drive to the Algarve is about 3hours ( same as the train).
Faro eastwards to Manta Rota the town's have barrier islands ( including Tavira), some of the beaches are only accessible by boat.
Faro westwards no barrier islands.
If you're planning on exploring the entire Algarve coastline I suggest you use different overnight locations so that you don't waste time backtracking to a single central location.

The Algarve is mostly prefered for beach and golf holidays if that's what you want the Algarve is the right location, if you want history and monuments Lisbon and north of Lisbon is where you'll find the more impressive monuments.

Thanks so much for most helpful info. I was thinking Nov most likely not time year to go Algarve . Was not sure about Porto . If should skip or not.