Meeting up with college girlfriends in Portugal to celebrate our 40th birthdays in late September. There will be 4 of us. We will have 1 week. Probably 8 full days once we hammer out flights. With this length of time I like to pick 2 stops (maybe 3…) and do day trips. I’m torn between doing Lisbon and Porto with day trips from each or sticking south and doing Lisbon with a full beach day on the Algarve coast. We haven’t bought tickets yet so could fly into one and out of the other.
- So if you were to pick a spot on the south coast to stay 1 or 2 mights and have one full beach day which town would it be? We aren’t partiers/clubbers but would like something to do in the evenings (good food/live music/cocktail bar). Walkability a must.
- If we do the coast is a car best?
- Definitely doing Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon. Other day trip recommendations? We are varying levels of fitness. Moderate and shorter hikes a possibility. Otherwise interested in architecture, art, history, food.
- If you would skip the coast and choose Porto why? Day trip options?
- Lodging recommendations? I’m thinking AirBnB makes the most sense for 4 people. Other vacation rental companies available?