7 days at the end of March

Trying to see three towns in one day while driving between Lisbon and Coimbra is too ambitious. To do any of them justice, I would pick one.

However, it would be significantly easier and make a much more relaxing trip, to take the train. You could stop in Coimbra for a night to give yourself a taste of a smaller town. Since it’s right on the train line, that would be easy. Then you would have the time to see Coimbra. A walking tour with the university library is very much worth your time.

Or, you could add a night to Lisbon and day trip to Evora, another lovely small town.

Seven nights is a very short trip to begin with. Trying to add too much will take away from the enjoyment of this beautiful country.

Brown Hound, it looks like you’ve put some thought into this short trip to Portugal and say it may be your only one, but don’t rule out another visit if it’s possible because I’m sure you will fall in love with Portugal. Saying that, with only 7 nights, this plan of renting a car and visiting some of the smaller towns is just too ambitious. I really enjoyed my time in Coimbra and highly recommend joining one of the student lead walking tours of the University with library. I booked through GoWalks Tours. And if you enjoy fado music, listen to the nice concert at Fado ao Centro in the evening.

If you end up renting the car, do just choose one small town to visit on your way to Porto and turn in the car in Porto. Each of the towns have unique characteristics so, whatever interests you, match it to the particular town (Nazare=beach, Obidos=cute w/Roman wall, Fatima=religious pilgrimage site). Assume you have done some research in guidebooks and the internet for these areas. Like Kathryn, I would choose one town.

Also something to take into account is the timing. Lisbon during Easter - please double check what sites will be open. Enjoy your planning and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Thank you to both.... Sounds like you are both in agreement that it may be too much to navigate the car rental and the "pain in the neck" factor of picking up the car and dropping it off in Porto.

What is your opinion of this instead: I found a private transfer company that will pick you up in Lisbon and lets you pick 2 stops along the way and drops off in Coimbra. We could stay the night in Coimbra and do the university tour in the morning, and then take the train to Porto (from Coimbra).

I am not familar with this type of private tour, but seems like a good in-between way to still see places like Nazare, Obidos or Fatima with slightly less trouble associated with the rental car.

link: https://www.getyourguide.com/lisbon-l42/lisboa-coimbra-private-transfer-with-2-visits-on-the-way-t449916/ im sure other companies do this, so if there are recommendations i would appreciate them.

Thanks again, just trying to consider any/all options. : )

GetYourGuide is a good company. I used them for a guide on a full day trip to Sintra and was very happy with his knowledge and insight. We visited the Peña Palace the gardens and then walked to the lovely Quinta da Regaleira. The highlights for me were the caves and the well at the Quinta da Regaleira

Edited to add: my day trip was not a private tour but our group of about 15 traveled in a comfortable small tour bus.