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9 days in Northern Portugal

Posted by on

Hi there,
I am second guessing myself so any tips would be helpful.
We will have our first night in Porto, but as we arrive late we will stay close to the airport and then pick up rental car the next morning. Then we will drive up to Pinhao and stay in that area for two days. I was then thinking of driving to Santiago for two nights and stopping up on the way up at Brago and other places and spending a full day in Santiago before heading back to Porto for 4 days.
I am now thinking that maybe I should not go to Santiago and spend two nights in he Brago area and explore that area?

Any thoughts?
Nicky

Posted by
1669 posts

It will take most of the day to drive from Pinhao to Santiago, and, of course, most of a day back. I’ve found the stated driving times in Portugal are much more than stated. I would spend the time seeing Braga and Guimarães, rather than driving all that way. Guimarães is lovely and worth your time.

Posted by
197 posts

That is great information and why I was second guessing myself!
Which town would you prefer to stay as we would like to be there two nights and see both places before driving back to Porto.

Thanks so much ;)

Posted by
1669 posts

I have only been to Guimarães, so can’t really give a comparison. If I were planning, I would likely see which place has accomodations I like better. You likely can’t go wrong with either.

Posted by
7662 posts

Porto is wonderful, also the Douro Valley. Pinhao is a great choice, you can take the train from Lisbon.

We did a day trip from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela, it was great.

Posted by
197 posts

Wow, wasn't that day trip long Lisbon to Spain?

We have a car and are only interested in visiting Northern Portugal as we have visited Lisbon in the past. I just don't want to be hurried and enjoy what the area has, so I think staying in Brago area might be more relaxing than driving north?

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