We have a two week trip planned in Portugal starting on June 10th. We will spend the second week in Lisbon and we already have that apartment. We want to spend the first five days in Porta. Should we rent a car or take the train? How hard is it to get to the train station from the airport? I think there are wine tasting and exploring river trips, which one is best? Are there interesting places to stay? If we drive, is there a place worth staying along the way? Thanks for any ideas.
Posted by
8322 posts
We loved Porto, but didn't fly into Porto, so can't help you with the airport.
We spent two days in Porto at the wonderful B&B, the In Patio Guesthouse. It is simply the best ever. Book early it only has five rooms.
Five days is a lot to spend in Porto. We were on a tour that included a 7 day river cruise on the Douro that was magnificent.
We added two days after the tour and cruise ended.
You can see Porto easily in two full days. We did a day trip to Santiago de Compostela in Galacia, Spain that was well worth it.
Also, you should go up the Douro river valley. If you don't take a cruise, take the train it runs along the north bank of the river.
You don't want a car unless you rent one upon departing from Porto. You could stop in route at several places. We like Obidos, Navarre, Sintra and Batalha Cathedral.
Posted by
Connecticut
96 posts
My wife and I are spending 2 weeks in Portugal in April; the first in Lisbon and the second in Porto.
Are you flying in and out of Porto or Lisbon?
We are flying into Lisbon and home from Porto and taking the train inter-city. There is a good (2.5 hr) train between the two cities and I would NOT rent a car if I could avoid it.
We have been to Lisbon before but this will be our first trip to Porto. A week will give us time to get to know the city "like a local" which is our preferred, unhurried method.
Dennis and Elinore
Posted by
OP
Amesbury, ma, US
17 posts
I am sorry, I was not clear. We are flying into Lisbon.
Posted by
7 posts
Dennis and Elinore, please post comments about your trip to Lisbon and Porta...my husband and I will be doing the same in August.
Hoping to see more answers to this question...searching for similar answers!
Thanks!
M
Posted by
11608 posts
Note correct spelling is Porto.
The area to the north and east of Porto, the Minho is a great place to visit. Guimares was Pieyugal’s first capital. Do a Douro River cruise or travel to one one of the vineyards along the river and spend a night at a Quinta.
Visit Coimbra and Aviero. There is much more to Portugal than Lisbon and Porto. Expand your trip.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
If you are flying into Lisbon then going straight to Porto, it’s quite easy to get to the Oriente train station. You can get on the metro at the airport and go (3-4 stops) to Oriente. From the metro you simply keep going up escalators or the elevators until you get to the train station.
If you purchase your train tickets up to 30 days ahead (cp.pt), round trip is under 30 euros.
You will have plenty of time to explore the Douro valley. There are a number of tour companies that do small group day tours that are quite nice. You can also take the train up the valley if you want to do it without a tour.
My two trips to Porto, I spent five days each time and didn’t run out of things to do. But if you need more, Guimarães or Braga make great day trips from Porto. Be sure to take the bus or metro out to Matosinhos for great fish.