We are a couple in our 60's, we love history, sightseeing, churches, museums, and some food. Round trip from Miami-Lisbon in February 16-March 3, so not counting departure and arrival we have 15 days, 16nights. I'm thinking about taking the train to Porto, then renting a car and following RS itinerary on reverse, with is recommendations on the dates to stay.
We are very flexible, and I have sometimes just planned my lodging for the first few nights and the last few nights and have left the in between open. Not sure if this is a smart thing to do in Portugal or not.
I'm not interested in going to the beaches, so I was planning on skipping some of the coastal towns. We both speak Portuguese from Brasil, so that could help on our communications.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1715 posts
So far we have visited Lisbon and Sintra. We spent 5 nights in Lisbon, and that included a day trip to Sintra. Another alternative would be to spend 4 nights in Lisbon and 1 or 2 nights in Sintra. I hope this helps with allocation of nights for Lisbon and Sintra. I can't offer help with other areas in Portugal. Our day trip to Sintra did include a brief stop in Cascais and a drive through Estoril. Both looked pretty to us and we commented it would be nice to spend more time there some day. So a day in Cascais/Estoril might be nice, too.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7229 posts
Hello lidia-
We have not been yet- have a trip planned for May.
Our plan is to fly into Lisbon then go right to Sintra where we will spend 3 nights then to Lisbon 4 nights
Pick up car as we leave Lisbon and drive to Evora- 2 or 3 nights there, haven't decided!
Next Tomar 2 or 3 nights
Then to coast where we will stay in Sao Marthinho as a base for Nazare, Alcobaba, Obidos, Caldas da Rainha, etc 4 nights
Next is Coimbra- where we will probably drop the car- 2 nights
train to Aveiro 2 nights
train to Porto 4 nights with a day trip to Douro. (Had originally planned to head to Douro from Coimbra and keep the car but changed plans)
Fly home from Porto
I always have lodgings booked in advance, not sure how necessary that is- but Portugal is becoming more popular so I'd be a bit nervous if I didn't- especially if you have particular needs for your hotel- like parking!
Since you have a RT Lisbon- I would recommend going somewhere right on arrival (by train not driving) and leaving all Lisbon nights til the end. You won't need a car there - or in Sintra or Porto
Posted by
36 posts
Though I enjoy using Rick Steve’s guidebooks, I encourage you to check other sources for towns and sites he doesn’t cover. As background, my sister and I flew into Porto, rented a car after a couple of days, then drove to Guimaraes, especially to visit the Celtic ruins of Citania de Britieros nearby. There us an elegant, yet affordable pousada (former convent) there, as well. We then visited Amarante (quiet, beautiful river side small town), then Regua to Coimbra, which became my favorite Portuguese city. Great university, museums, food, Fado! And great day trip opportunities - we did a drive to the schist villages in the hills above Lousa, specifically Talasnal. Also visited Conimbriga. Then on to Tomar and Lisbon, where we returned the car and stayed several nights before filleting home. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and most spoke English. (Have you discovered Julie Dawn Fox’s blog? She has great ideas.)