9.5 days in Portugal. Itinerary ideas needed

9.5 daya is optimistic if you want to cover Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve, as these places take time by public transport.

When are you travelling?

In your timescale, I would take the beach time closer to Lisbon to avoid excessive travel. Lisbon itself, say 2 days. Stay here and have day trips to Sintra and Cascais. Porto needs ideally 2 days, but could be done in a day and a half plus half a day travel time from Lisbon. A day trip to the Douro from Porto.

Visit Peniche or Foz do Arelha en route back to Lisbon for beach time.

Sorry forgot to specify time period. Beginning to mid-September.

Thanks for the info.

Is Douro Valley worth visiting if I'm not a wine drinker? Some of the pics look amazing, however. I've been to Sonoma and Napa here in California, so if it's anything like that I may be bored.

Maybe I'll consider a rental car if I can find an inexpensive automatic, but I know those usually cost more in Europe.

You can easily manage Lisbon and surrounding and Porto without a car. In your limited time, I would not try to do the Algarve. You could split the time between Lisbon and Porto - with day trips from Lisbon and easily fill your time.
A day trip to Sintra from Lisbon is easy on your own. The train from Rossio takes you to the area is Sintra where you can catch a bus to the main attractions. There are also many van tours from Lisbon to Sintra if you don't want to go it alone.
If you want beach time, a train is easy from Cais do Sodre to Estoril or Cascais - both of which have small beaches and Carcavelos (on the train line) has a large beach that is very popular. If you want to come to Cascais, I can give you details on a good itinerary for the day.
Porto is a nice city to walk around, take a hop-on hop-off bus, etc. And, if you aren't a wine person, you could always stop in Coimbra (on the way to Porto) and spend the day instead of a Douro tour.
I agree with your thoughts of going ahead and booking accommodations. Lisbon has become very popular so booking ahead is the way to get the apartment you want.

The Douro is often visited by taking a day boat trip up the river, rather than on the roads, so it's more like the Moselle than Napa. Sorry, I haven't been to Sonoma to compare.

Thanks for the tips. Which area of Lisbon should I consider staying in? I usually like to be within easy reach of public transport and the train station.

There are a number of train stations in Lisbon you would potentially use. But, the metro works well and there are stops all over town - with the exception of Alfama and Belem. Chiado and the Rossio areas are popular with easy metro access. Baixa is another area and it's advantage is that it's flat. Chiado would likely be my pick but bear in mind you will be climbing hills pretty much any time you step out the door of your rental - if that is an issue for you.

When you find some apartments you like, you might want to use street view on google maps to 'walk' around and see the area.

We will be in Portugal in Mid October, we have 17 days and are not sure if we should rent a car or do rail transportation. Our old Rick Steves' book is a bit outdated. We have driven in Europe before and want to travel to Fatima specifically on the 13th. We are in our mid 60's with good walking experience.

Appreciate any former travelers help with the following questions.
1. Drive or rail?- pick up car at Lisbon airport
2. Any AirB&B suggestions?
3. Favorite sites/places to visit?
4. Heard busses are not great....too many stops and gobble up time (?)West, Hills, Ca.
5. Any good names for Guides?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Margaret N.,

That is a lot in 9.5 days. We just did 13 days. Three in Lisbon, Two in Sintra, rented car to Lagos for three nights, drove to Spain for two days Cadiz, back to Albufeira for two days, back to Lisbon to fly home. I would have preferred minimum three days in each place, Cascais is a nice beach town, although we did not get to visit. Lagos was beautiful, more historic than Albufeira, but Albufeira easier accessed. You could do train for 3.5 hrs. to Albufeira, then taxi to town centre. Day trips also to Sintra easily accessed by train as is Cascais. Ride all day passes for 6 euro in Lisbon will take you all over the metro and the trams, even to Belem. 24 hrs. Two days were taken to Cadiz... drive time... I loved it, but did it, Likely would have enjoyed more time in the Algarve. May will bring nice weather, so Cascais beaches would be good. Lisbon also has beaches. Sintra is beautiful. Stayed at the Almaa hostel. A cool vibe, bohemian feel. It is close to the Quinta de Regaliera.

If you want to come to Cascais, I can give you details on a good itinerary for the day.

I'll be jet-lagged in Cascais for 2 nights at the end of April. I'd love some itinerary suggestions from a local, if you would be so kind.