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January in Portugal--Where to Stay between Lisbon and Porto?

Posted by (United States) on

Hello all,

We are planning a last minute winter trip to Portugal over New Years. It is part of a larger itinerary and plan to fly into Lisbon on New Years Eve and fly out of Porto back to the U.S. We only have a total of 8 nights.

Our current plan is to spend the first 4 nights in Lisbon and the final 2 in Porto. We have two nights in between that we are trying to fill and are considering a seaside town like Nazare or Coimbra. In January, what would you recommend?

This will be our first trip to Portugal. The closest we have been is a summer roadtrip through Northern Spain, which we absolutely loved. The region we liked most was Galicia (the coast from Muxia to Cambados)--its fresh seafood, delicious wines, and the wonderful coastal walks! We are also considering renting a car on this trip, for these two days only.

We would welcome all suggestions on our itinerary. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Posted by
1076 posts

If not already known, winter is the big wave season in Nazare. One day between November 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, the WSL Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge will take place, not determined more than around 48 hrs in advance.
It will be very crowded if your time staying there overlaps, but at the same time, it would be pretty exciting to watch.

Record for the largest wave surfed was in Nazare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIXbZPHLv2o

Look into visiting monasteries, Alcobaça and Batalha.

Posted by
1666 posts

The only thing attractive about the Nazaré idea is to watch the big waves. But, if you were able to see them, it would just be amazing timing.

I would opt for Coimbra, especially in January. It’s a more typical Portuguese town with a spectacular university library. If time allows, Conimbriga is a short drive out of town and is very worth your time.

Posted by
6113 posts

Coimbra would be the best option as there is plenty to see. Alternatively, staying in the Tomar/ Alcobaca/ Batalha triangle will allow you to see these pretty towns.

Nazare is over rated IMO.

Posted by
9 posts

Thank you for your replies, Gail, kathrynj, and Jennifer. They are all very helpful.

Based on your views, it appears that Coimbra is the way to go, rather than Nazare. We are now thinking about one night in Coimbra and the second night somewhere in the Duoro Valley (or depending on the weather, both nights in the Duoro Valley?). Our thinking is that it would be nice to experience some natural scenery in between the city bookends of Lisbon and Porto. I read that winter is the wrong time of the year to go to the Duoro Valley due to rain and cold. What are your thoughts of at least one night in the Duoro Valley in January? Since this trip is during off season, and we plan to have a car for these two days, I suppose we can just leave that night flexible and decide on the Duoro Valley at the last minute if the weather looks promising.

Thanks again.

Posted by
1076 posts

There's also the Minho. Will be cold, but interesting towns including Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo, Pointe de Lima, etc.

Posted by
36 posts

Coimbra is a great choice. I would recommend two nights there rather than squeezing in a night in Douro Valley with only one additional night between Lisbon and Porto. (The drive to Douro would take much of your day from Coimbra and then again the day after to Porto not leaving much time to explore.)

If you really want to see the Douro, you could add your additional night in Porto and day trip to Douro with a boat lunch/winery cruise up the valley.

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