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7 Days in Portugal

Hello all!
I know there have been a lot of discussion on this board about itineraries but I could really use some help.

A group of 10 of us are planning to arrive into Lisbon on Sep. 15 early in the morning. Most of us depart Lisbon on the 22nd. We are struggling to decide on whether we should stick to 1) Lisbon and Porto 2) Lisbon, Lagos (or somewhere South) or 3) try and do Lisbon, Porto and Lagos...

We are planning on renting a villa (Airbnbs) near train stations for the most part but not opposed to renting cars if we needed to. Given the lack of time we want to try and accomplish as much as possible...

Any advice is appreciated!

Posted by
1826 posts

I agree with Lisbon and Porto. You could even spend the entire time in Lisbon and not run out of things to do in a week. Especially with a day trip or two. But, Porto is lovely and well worth your time.
Also, Lisbon is compact enough and the public transport is good. So, there is no real need to stay close to a train station if you find something you love a little further from one.
And, if you stick to the Lisbon and Porto areas, there is no need for a car.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you so much kathrynj! Do you think spending anytime outside of Porto (somewhere else in the Valley) is worth it?

Posted by
1826 posts

I definitely think it’s worth it, but with your limited time, I’m thinking that’s a lot of moving around for a week. My first trip to Porto, we did a day trip with a tour company. It was a small van trip with eight people and was very good. I got enough of a taste of the Douro to feel I had visited but it didn’t mean another move of hotels/Apartments.

Posted by
4 posts

My husband is Portuguese and I have gone may times to both cities. Do Lisbon 4 days (include a day in Sintra!) You can take the train there 45 min) and Porto and I would spend a day and possibly in a night in Obidos! You will not be disappointed! IF you decide you want to go south, I would go to Aljezur. Lagos which is i Algarve is just overrun with tourists. Aljezur has tourists but no where near the amount in Algarve and beaches are just as beautiful! Enjoy!