Favorite places to explore on a meandering transit day between Lisbon and Porto

Not having been to any of your options besides Coimbra, where you could find a little bit of everything for everyone... if you get there early in the day, before things close for New Year's Eve.

I mapped out a little circuit that everyone could do together, or each choose your favorite activity and meet back in the center of town. I did find some 24 hour parking garages and included one on the map. The options I included:

Museum - National Museum Machado de Castro - with its subterranean Roman forum and "a noteworthy collection of art spanning 2000 years," it also ticks the boxes for art and history. Normally open until 6pm on a Saturday, but may close earlier on Dec 31st. I can't find details.

Sé Velha - visit the old cathedral, then grab a Sangria or ice cream in the cafes near and below it, beginning your search for small gifts in the shops among the alleys. Then make your way to ....

Coimbra University - you could pre-book timed entry tickets for the Joanina Library (last entry on Dec 31st is 12:40) and visit the Chapel of São Miguel beforehand, as it will close at 1pm and you may not have time after the library.

Nature/Scenery - although not much will be in bloom at the University Botanical Gardens, it's still a lovely walk among sculptures, ancient walls and meandering paths through a Bamboo Forest that can bring you out near the river, along which you can enjoy the scenery on the way back to the old town center for lunch and your continued hunt for small gifts, such as the made-local ceramic Christmas ornaments that I found in two little shops on the main pedestrian walk through town.

You'd want to check/confirm the New Year's Eve hours of sights that are of particular interest, including local shops and restaurants.

Wow thank you - these are some great suggestions (you had me at sangria…) and indeed something for everyone !
will check out the closing times as you suggest … I figured early closings but I was not thinking as early as 1p so I’d better double check - thanks !

Unfortunately, I’m going to add a couple more places! The two places I think I would choose between Lisbon and Porto would be Alcobaça and Tomar. While Coimbra is great, a quick stop isn’t enough IMO. Alcobaça is better than Batahla because of the love story of Inez and Pedro. You can Google it. Tomar has the great Knights of Templar convent/monastery.

My arguments against the other places - Nazaré is overrated and the strip along the beach is a bit tacky with tourists shops. I already mentioned Batalha. Obidos - cute but overrun by tourists. Fátima - only interesting if you are Catholic. Coimbra - not enough time. Aveiro - overrated IMO.

Tomar has some nice typical Portuguese restaurants, as does Alcobaça. Mealhada is a town not too far off the A1 that is known for it’s suckling pig. You are spoiled for choice.

Lastly, I don’t think places close early on New Year’s Eve like they do Christmas Eve. They don’t here in the Lisbon region. But, I would check, if you can find up to date information.

Drop Nazare, a beach town that is quite touristy. Not worth the time to stop. Alcobaça was a favorite of ours. I vote for Alcobaça and Coimbra. Second place Obidos but very touristy and crowded. We made the mistake of staying there several nights as a base.

We did the same trip with a driver. We stopped at Obidos for an hour, and beat the worst of the crowds. I found it charming and worth the stop. Then we had lunch in nazare, at a seafood restaurant on the beachfront,, and then Coimbra where we walked the maze of streets and visited the university. All good stops. The one to skip IMO is aviero. It didn’t live up to its hype; the “canals” weren’t what I expected.

Thx for the addtl insights - we are watching the weather and checking the opening /closing times - but I think Obidos is a go - going to have to make a game day decision on Nazare …
Will keep you posted !!
HNY all.