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Is my Portugal itinerary too ambitious?

Active couple, early 60s, 1st time in Portugal, renting car in Porto & dropping off in Lisbon. Please advise:
5/18/25 U.S. to Porto
5/19/25 arrive Porto (pick up car)
5/20/25 Porto
5/21/25 Coimbra
5/22/25 Nazare
5/23/25 Evora
5/24/25 Salema
5/25/24 Lisbon (drop off car)
5/25/25 excursion to Sintra
5/26/25 Lisbon
5/27/25 depart Lisbon
Lodging: 5/19 & 5/20 Porto, 5/21 Coimbra, 5/22 Nazare, 5/23 Evora, 5/24 Salema, 5/25 & 5/26 Lisbon

Posted by
4558 posts

I won't comment on your itinerary because we all have our own pace and priorities. We spent 5 days in Lisbon and 3 in Porto plus a day driving between the two with a couple of stops and thought that worked well.. We did a daytrip to Sintra and wished we'd spent 2 days.

Where are you staying in Porto? Parking was €50/ night near where we stayed in Ribeiro. Consider not getting your car until your ready to leave. We paid €14 for Uber to the airport.

Posted by
1311 posts

That is a lot of driving to/from Salema for a small payoff in my opinion. I am not sure you can fit in Sintra in the same day. I would cut out Salema and add extra night in Lisbon. Even then, I would find your itinerary to be too packed for my tastes; I am usually not a fan of one night stays. Good luck.

Posted by
26 posts

Porto>Coimbra>Lisbon are linked by high speed train.

Evora can easily be done as a day trip from Lisbon via frequent buses or trains.

So, if willing to remove Salema and Nazare, you can reduce the 1 night stops and not even need a car.
If you require a beach, can always do a day trip to Cascais from Lisbon via commuter train.

Posted by
2770 posts

We went to Algarve and enjoyed it very much. But it is way too much trouble for one night. We stayed 3 nights.

You do not want a car in Porto.

Driving was more difficult than we expected so the idea of having an itinerary you could do by train is something to consider.

Posted by
4 posts

I really appreciate all your responses! They are very informative, so keep them coming please. :)