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9 Days in Lisbon and points North

Posted by on

Hi,

My partner and I will be arriving in Lisbon on 10/26 with four nights in the city. We pick up a car the morning of 10/30 and have 5 nights to explore North. We'd like to stay in Pinhao (Douro Valley) and explore Porto as well as see Nazare (and maybe one or more of the Alcobaca, Batalha, Fatima). Right now I am thinking drive four hours to Pinhao from Lisbon, spend two nights. Then two nights in Porto. Then one night in Tomar or Nazare on the way back. We have a mid-morning flight the next day.

Any thoughts? Is it better one night in Pinhao and three in Porto? Or something else? Open to suggestions. You all are super helpful!

Thanks,
Jon

Posted by
6888 posts

Hi!
Is your car booking flexible at all?
I would take the train to Porto, spend 2 nights there, and rent the car as you leave Porto to spend 2 nights in Douro valley and 1 in Tomar. I wouldn't recommend Nazaré in general, the view is great from the top but that's about it, and it should be a bit too quiet in late October unless the waves are good.
Also, what is "mid-morning"? I wouldn't want to be too far from Lisbon airport for a 10AM flight...

Posted by
4 posts

Great, thanks. So, 2 nights in each sounds like the way to go. Will have to check my rental about switching the times.

Ah, I just went back and had to check. It is actually a ~12pm flight and looks like Tomar is about an hour and 15 minutes away from the airport. So unless you think city traffic would be a factor, I think that would allow enough time to drop off the car and check-in for the flight.

Posted by
6113 posts

You would need to be at the airport at 9am latest and battle Lisbon’s rush hour. Google Maps which always underestimate timings are currently suggesting that it’s a 1 hour 40 trip plus you need to allow time to return the car. I would allow 2.5 hours but wouldn’t want the stress, so would want to be in Lisbon the night before.

Posted by
6888 posts

On second thought: Tomar (or Nazaré for that matter) is indeed a bit far from the airport.
Since you were initially drawn to Nazaré, may I suggest Ericeira as an alternative for your last night?
It is close to the airport, has an attractive location above the ocean, excellent restaurants, and it is right next to Mafra Palace which is well worth a visit.

Posted by
233 posts

Hi!

The traffic to enter Lisboa is hard, but sometimes i worst than that. I live in Porto, 300 kms away, and if I have a meeting in Lisbon in the morning, I sleep there. But... I'm an anxious person!

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