Hello! I am cheating here! I usually have lots of time to research and I just don't this time! So hoping you out there can help me with a slow travel itinerary in Portugal?
We will arrive in Porto on Jan 7 and have one month to see portugal.
We typically base in an area and do day (1 hr out) trips or overnighters to locals towns/cities of interest.
We like not hauling our stuff every couple of days so looking for a base in the north for 2 weeks? With 4-6 days trips suggestions. And then base for 2 weeks further south? With same deal, suggestions for 4-6 day trips.
We like amenities of the larger cities, and their public transportation options, but prefer more mid size for quieter and slower pace.
We like, history, architecture, Markets of all kinds, nature, harbors, rivers with trips, etc.
Pitching out to those who have been, where would you go on a trip like this?
Thanks for helping!
kh
Posted by
USA
704 posts
I'm far from an expert, having only been to Portugal twice (so far), but off the top of my head, this seems pretty clear cut. I'd base in Porto the first half of the trip and Lisbon the second. Porto is somewhat smaller and just lovely. There are lots of options for day trips. Braga, Guimares, Aveiro and Coimbra come quickly to mind. I loved Matosinhos, which was a beach town just north of Porto.
Lisbon is bigger, but you could easily stay outside the main tourist areas. From there you could visit Sintra, Cascais, Evora, Obidos, even Setubal easily. Both cities have excellent public transportation and all the basic amenities.
Honestly, your trip sounds like the perfect idea to me. Since my first visit, which was also in January, I've been dreaming about moving to Portugal.