We are two couples going in early May. One couple will be there for 9 days, the other for 12. We arrive in and depart from Lisbon. Plan on focusing on Lisbon and north (save Algarve for another day) so definitely Porto, but also interested in Sintra, Coimbra, Duoro Valley (wine tasting). Would greatly appreciate suggestions on the following:
- What is best way to plan the 9 days so we see main sights together and then what to do for the other 3 days? How long in Lisbon and Porto?
- Do we do the other cities only as day trips from Lisbon and Porto or stay in one (or more) overnight? If so, which ones?
- Are the three additional places noted above the best to focus on or are there others we should include (or others to do in the extra 3 days at the end)?
- I know it is not advisable to have a car in Lisbon or Porto, but should we rent a car for the cities in between or just take the train and do day trips via bus or taxi?
- We like private tours in key historical places or museums. What places do you recommend tours for and are there specific tours you recommend? Walking tours of cities as well.
- What neighborhoods do you recommend to stay in (hotels or AirBnBs) in Lisbon and Porto? We would like to be in walking distance of key areas vs having to take the subway, and be somewhere safe and reasonably quiet.
- Any special activities you recommend for that time of year such as day sail, cooking class, etc?
- It looks like the weather will be high 50s to low 70s during that time - how much rain should we expect?
I know these are a lot of questions! Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated.