My husband and I will be flying into Lisbon and flying home out of Porto. We will be spending 10 nights in Portugal and not sure how many days to spend in each city. Right now I have 4 nights in Lisbon, 2 nights in Coimbra, and 4 nights in Porto. I am not sure if 4 nights in Porto is too many. If there is another city you think we should see instead of four nights in Porto, please any ideas would help. TIA
Posted by
New York, NY
1582 posts
Hi Bonnie,
Instead of dreading to spend 4 nights in Porto, you can spend 2 nights in Guimarães, Portugal. It's 1 hour from Porto. It's a beautiful city with medieval architecture. Another option can be the Douro Valley wine region near Porto. Lamego or Régua are the best places to stay there.
Don't forget to do a day trip from Lisbon during your 4 nights stay to either Sintra or Cascais.
http://www.sintra-portugal.com/guides/Sintra-day-trip-from-Lisbon.html
Posted by
Wheaton
60 posts
Bonnie,
I see that you're local...I'm from Wheaton and also planning a trip to Portugal next March. When are you going?
We are doing 8 nights total (5 in Lisbon and 3 in Porto). I'm happy for you that you have 10 nights!
Coimbra is on my list but think it will make our trip too tight.
Advice about Porto from other post sounds great.
Also how are you getting from Lisbon to Porto?
We are using mydaytrip.com. check them out!
Have fun!
Grace
Posted by
OP
Geneva, IL
103 posts
Grace, we will be taking the train from Lisbon to Porto. This is a last minute trip for us, so I am behind in my planning. I am trying to get my hotels booked now and that why I want to get my itinerary planned out. Most of Rick Steves hotels are already booked, do I am doing my research on TripAdvisor. I am looking forward to Portugal!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1666 posts
4 nights in Porto isn’t too many, IMO. Especially if you want to visit the Douro valley - which I recommend. There are a number of tour companies that do van tours of the Douro that are quite nice. Visiting the port cellars in Gaia (far side of the river) and/or a trip out to Matosinhos for grilled fish are also fun.
I agree with the other poster about Guimarães being lovely, but remember two nights in a location means one full day there. With only four nights, I would stick in the Porto area.
Posted by
7661 posts
You need two full days to see Porto. You would need more if you do day trips from Porto.
We did a wonderful 7 night river cruise on the Douro, which you don't have time to do, but you should plan on visiting the magnificent Douro River Valley.
There are day cruises to go up river a little, but don't see the really best areas.
There is a train that runs down the river valley on the north side of the river, consider doing that. You many find a tour that would interest you.
You should consider visiting Sintra and Obidos on you way to Porto.
Posted by
Wheaton
60 posts
Bonnie- try VRBO or Airbnb. I always book through them and it's been such a good experience! Good luck and if you get a chance let us know how your trip went!
In Porto, I was considering In Patio guest house. Amazing reviews! Not sure if they are already booked.
Grace