Hi. My first post after a lot of lurking.
I am heading to Portugal for a mere week mid-September. I have six nights, in and out of Lisbon. I love smaller towns and villages and have a hard time wrapping my head around a great big city in such a short time frame, so was going to skip Lisbon entirely and drive to Porto for 2 nights (I realize that is a big city, too)
Then Douro River Valley for 2 nights/
Then have two nights to make my way back to Lisbon. Any ideas? I was thinking a night in Seia and a night in Tomar? Maybe fold Viseu in the Dao in? I had Evora on the short list for awhile, but that is just looking like two much driving. Also could potentially use Coimbra as final base station for last two nights.
My priorities are nice hotel/inn, wine and food. I am a big wine geek and very much looking to fold a decent amount of wine tasting in. :)
Posted by
Calgary, AB, Canada
481 posts
Personally I think you should see Lisbon, it does not really have a big city feel and is a great place to walk around, stop for a snack with a great view etc.
However if you do want to stick to your plan, can I at least suggest that you just train to Porto. You don't need or want a car there. Then pick up your car to go to Douro. I like Evora very much, but agree it is too much driving. I would consider Coimbra. One final suggestion would be to do your last night in Obidos. Arrive mid to late afternoon as the crowds leave and then enjoy the town in the evening to yourself. It is then a fairly easy trip to the airport and drop your car. We did that on our first trip, and had a lovely last night with some great food.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
In May 2018 I had about a week and a half flew into Lisbon, out of Porto. I took the train north. I day tripped to to Sintra and Cascais. I stopped in Tomar and Coimbra on the way up to Porto. (And a quick day trip o Nazare from Coimbra.)
Lisbon was the highlight of my trip by far, It's a truly unique city. Parts of Sintra were nice but it wasn't really a highlight. Cascais was a glitzy seaside town I could have skipped. Nazare was obviously a tourist town but for some reason I loved it. Coimbra was quiet compared to Porto and Lisbon (both very touristy). Little Tomar was quiet and charming. Porto was charming and picturesque but more touristy than expected and obviously much smaller than Lisbon.
I also can't imagine skipping Lisbon personally, but it's not my trip. I am not a wine drinker, so I can see how the Douro River might be a priority for you if not for me. (I would have gone for a day trip from Porto but by then the rain was ongoing and it seemed pointless for the scenery.)
Posted by
WA USA
1103 posts
Did you already buy your airline tickets? If not, I'd recommend flying in/out of Porto and perhaps spending time in the Minho region of Portugal. If you have a car, north of Porto is a great place to explore for smaller towns. I enjoy Lisbon and the Silver Coast, but my favorite area so far is northern Portugal (Braga, Guimarães, Ponte de Lima)
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks, folks. As always, not enough time. Appreciate all of this advice and will factor it into my research.
Last night, I was thinking Porto x2>Douro x2>Santar (small wine village south of Viseu>Tomar, but am considering skipping Santar and making it 3x nights in Porto to allow for a day trip to that Minho area. The good news is I don't think there's any wrong answers.
I hear you all on Lisbon, and I'm sure you're right. If I only have a couple of days I like to wrap my brain and arms around a place, and find it harder in big cities. My wife and I did Madrid to Barcelona over a week last summer, had an incredible time, and spent zero time in either city. (Insane, I know.)
Flying into Lisbon because we got great direct airfare from DC, whereas Porto is more $ and involves a stop.