Please sign in to post.

First Time to Portugal - Itinerary Feedback

Assuming this bothersome Covid - 19 hysteria does not wreck everything, we are set to explore Portugal in May!

We fly in/out of Barcelona (because the airfares are much cheaper for us that way). but we arrive in Porto May 4 in the afternoon.
We are in an AirBnB place about midway on a line between the Se cathedral and the Palacio da Bolsa and have a walking tour set up for the afternoon of 5 May. Suggestions on where to eat and what to see are welcome.
On the morning of 7 May, we pick up a rental car (with the electronic toll option) and drive up the Douro to outside Vila Nova de Foz Coa.
Morning of May 8, we hope to visit the Coa Archaeological Park (although I am having difficulty getting a response from the park re scheduling a visit to the sites - which can only be accessed with a park guide) before driving on to Gondramaz (a "schist village" outside Coimbra) which will be our base for a few nights. Hope to visit Coimbra, Tomar, Conimbriga, etc.
May 11, we will arrive in Evora (our AirBnB has parking) for three nights. Suggestions on where to eat are much appreciated. Hope to explore the various sites around Evora (Alemendres Cromlech, Chapel of Bones, Roman ruins) as well as day trips to places like Evoramonte, Estremoz and Elvas - possibly as far as Marvao.
14 May, we head to Tavira for two nights, using it as a base to see some of the Algarve.
16 May, we drive to Lisbon (dropping the car off at the airport before heading to our AirBnB which is a couple blocks north of the Time Out Market. We will be in Lisbon for 4 nights before catching a flight back to Spain and on to the USA.
What do you think? Thoughts and recommendations on how to use our time and/or what to see and do?
Thank you all in advance! (And I hope Covid-19 doesn't spoil everything!)

Posted by
7995 posts

On our Portugal trip years ago, we didn’t stay at any Pousada, but we did have dinner at the one in Evora. Treat yourselves to a grand experience and great food - dinner at the Pousada! Might want to make a reservation to ensure a table at the time you want.

Posted by
1715 posts

I understand your concern about your trip. I am just about to cancel our trip to France to visit our daughter. I had to cancel a trip last year for medical reasons, so I know how disappointing canceling a trip can be. But this is not hysteria. This is a very real and deadly pandemic that we should all take seriously.

Regarding your trip, 4 nights is good for Lisbon. I also recommend visiting Sintra as a day trip. The Time Out Market is a good place to eat. If you like fresh fish and seafood, I can recommend Cervejaria Ramirez, recommended by the late Anthony Bourdain. If you like museums, I strongly recommend the Gulbenkian. We loved it! One of our favorite sites in Lisbon. We went to the top of the Discoveries Monument. Took the elevator. No lines. Spectacular views. Belem Tower always has long lines.