I am planning a spontaneous trip to Portugal with husband and 23 yr old daughter to meet up with her twin sister who is currently studying in the UK. We have always wanted to travel to Portugal together although we thought we'd be going during the warmer seasons and enjoying the sand and sea..... Now planning over Christmas! Would love to visit Lisbon and Porto - flying in to Lisbon from NY and returning from Porto. (12/20 - 12/28)
If we arrive on the 20th of December, how many days should we stay in Lisbon if we are to return to NY on the 28th?
Should we rent a car to drive to Porto and stop in Aveiro or Coimbra on the way? Is it ok at that time of year? What about day trips to Sintra, Evora? Will we have time to explore Lisbon if we try to see these sites? And if we arrive in Porto on Christmas Eve or Day will we have enough time to explore with everything closed only having the 26th and 27th before departing on the 28th? Just not sure how to work out the days 20th - 28th with the holiday in there??? Any advice really appreciated as we are scrambling to secure our flights and hotel accommodations! Thank you all!!
Posted by
7 posts
Hello,
My wife and have been to Portugal five times, I can tell you what I know about about the county. Hopefully other readers can provide their recommendations as well. Ultimately you'll have to decide how to split your time between the two cities
First, we've not been to the country during the holidays, but we were there once in February. It was colder than I expected, especially along the ocean.
My preference would be to spend more time in Lisbon. there's so much to see and do there: the Baixa, the Barrio Alto, Castelo St Jorge, the Alfama, Belem, the Docas, The Gulbenkian Museum, the Tile Museum, Belem, the Coach Museum, The Port Wine Institute, Fado music, Estoril & Cascai . Even riding the rickety #28 trolley is worth an hour of your time. It depends on what interests you have. Public transport will get you to all of the above places.
You certainly can rent a car one-way, which would allow you access to Aviero. Coastal towns Obidos and Nazarre would also be worth a stop along the way, too. Plus having a car gives you the opportunity to take the back roads on your own schedule. Personally, to save on rental fees, I'd take the train to Coimbra, spend a day or two there, then continue by train on to Porto. You'll have to make that judgement call.
Porto also has that sort of run-down charm. The big draw there are the Port Cellars across the Douro River, (walkable). There are fewer "attractions" in Porto, but you can find them in your guide book (The train station has these marvelous tiles, if I remember correctly.). Plus noodling around the old town is a great way to spend a day. Be sure to have a bica at the Majestic Cafe.
That's my two cents worth. Hope others can pitch in with their ideas and suggestions.
Whatever you choose, please have a fun trip.
Regards,
Marco from Wisconsin
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you Marco!