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Feedback on 2-week Itinerary?

My family of four (2 kids are 12 and 15) are headed to Portugal for two weeks in late June/early July. First-pass itinerary below; I'd love any feedback on whether this feels overly ambitious and if we should consider doing Evora as a day trip from Lisbon and/or Coimbra as a day trip from Porto. It feels like a lot of two-night, one day stops to me. Also wondering if it makes sense for part of the trip to rent a car. We typically like taking trains (or buses) if it's scenic but it seems like it could save a lot of time getting to the Algarve if we drive. Thank you!
--Wendy

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon mid-day; sleep in Lisbon
Day 2: Explore Lisbon; sleep in Lisbon
Day 3: Day trip to Sintra; sleep in Lisbon
Day 4: Explore Lisbon; sleep in Lisbon
Day 5: Travel to Algarve -- Salema; sleep in Salema
Day 6: Explore Salema; sleep in Salema
Day 7: Day trip to Lagos; sleep in Salema
Day 8: Day trip to Sagres; sleep in Salema
Day 9: Travel to Evora; sleep in Evora
Day 10: Explore Evora; sleep in Evora
Day 11: Travel to Coimbra; sleep in Coimbra
Day 12: Explore Coimbra; sleep in Coimbra
Day 13: Travel to Porto; sleep in Porto
Day 14: Explore Porto; sleep in Porto
Day 15: Fly home from Porto

Posted by
1826 posts

I agree with your concern about the one and two day stops! And, you are really shortchanging Porto, IMO.
In just two weeks, I would skip the Algarve this time. Especially in the summer, it will be very crowded with lots of young people partying. And, there are beaches between Lisbon and Porto that would be a bit more sane that time of the year.
Then you could split the time between Lisbon and Porto - with a one or two night stay in both Evora and Coimbra. Both places are worth more than a day trip. I’ve done two night stays both places and wished I had another night.
From Lisbon, Sintra is a great day trip, and the beaches at Carcavelos or Guincho are great for a beach fix.

Without the Algarve, you can easily use trains and local transport so no need for a car. Train tickets are 40% off if you book up to 30 days ahead.
If you must do the Algarve, stay in Lago and day trip to Salema - not the other way around. Salema is very underwhelming, IMO.

Posted by
6113 posts

I couldn't agree more with Kathryn! Salema has been ruined by over-development and has little to offer your children, compared to Lagos in the evening. I would differ on one point, though, I would opt for Tavira as a base, which retains more older buildings than Lagos and has fewer high rise blocks. The beaches, however, are out on the barrier island, reachable by a regular boat service. It's less windy at that end of the Algarve too.

You are travelling peak season, when all the European schools are on holiday, so much of the better accommodation will have let by now. Portugal bookings are up, as more people avoid Turkey, Tunisia etc. All the more reason to stay north, which is less busy and enjoy this fantastic country.

Point to point between the major cities is easy by train, but I like the freedom that a car offers.

Posted by
8322 posts

I have been to Portugal twice and been to all the places you plan to visit, except for the Algarve. Based on the research that I did about the Algarve, the main reason to go there is to go to the beach.

We feel that we can go to the beach very easily in the US, so when we visit Europe, we want to see historical and cultural sites.

Posted by
52 posts

Thank you for all the feedback. My daughter is really wanting to have some beach time, so we were trying to make the Algarve work into the schedule. However, if there are other nice beaches closer to Lisbon and Porto, we will consider. Thanks again.

Posted by
6113 posts

One thing to bear in mind if you want beachtime is that Portuguese waters means the Atlantic and not the (much warmer) Mediterranean. I find the Algarve waters much too cold, even for paddling, at the height of summer.

Posted by
315 posts

Beach Grande and Macos are east of Sintra. There is a summer tram to Grande from Sintra. Bus or Car other seasons. Surfers in Spring. Burgau is between Salema and Beach Luv in Algarve. A hike can be taken east or west of Burgau above the sea. Take a look at Travel in Portugal web site and search beaches!

Posted by
80 posts

Hello WJT,

It's true that the Portuguese beaches have cold water... if you're used to the Atlantic they're OK but if not, that will be a problem... the best beaches in Portugal (warmer water) are in the Algarve though... but don't forget that going to the beach is more than going for a swim... you can enjoy the seascape and landscape surrounding the beaches and some of the best in Europe are Portuguese :D

Enjoy Portugal ;)