Just booked flights for a trip to Portugal next spring. We will be flying into and out of Lisbon as we used FF miles and couldn’t fly out of Porto like I would have liked. We’ll have 22 full days, March 24-April 14. We typically like to do slow travel and stay in one location for 2-4 weeks, but I’m thinking this trip will be different. We don’t want to rent a car, so trains, buses, etc is how we’d get around. Thinking of starting in Lisbon then going north to Porto(hit the cooler northern part later during the trip), then taking the train back to Lisbon for flight. Thinking of 8 days in Lisbon, 8 days in Porto, and maybe 3 nights each in a couple of other towns like Amarante and Coimbra. Planning on skipping the Algarve region. Any thoughts? Should we stay less in Lisbon or Porto and instead of doing day trips from there add other towns to stay in? I’m not familiar with Portugal so any help is appreciated.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2633 posts
Here's a good starting point for planning:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portugal
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1786 posts
First, I would encourage you to read a book or do some extensive online research about Portugal.
Amarante is a town I have never heard mentioned until I read your post. In looking briefly, it seems to be a bit out on its own. I would much prefer staying in a Quinta in the Douro, especially if you have any interest in wine.
Longer stays in Lisbon and Porto will give you the opportunity to do a few day trips. There are a number from each location.
Coimbra is good suggestion for a few nights. That early in the spring, you might be interested in Evora for 2-3 nights. There are many lovely towns to spend three nights. Hence my suggestion to do a bit of research to see what appeals to you.
Posted by
Big Island of Hawaii
747 posts
You could start your research by reading through the many posts on the Facebook Portugal Travel and Discovery page and the TripAdvisor Portugal forum. You will find so much information that you just need to filter through to choose what works for you.
We visited Portugal without a car, but I've heard people say it is easy to drive there. I would NOT drive in either Porto or Lisbon. We used trains (book only through the official cp.pt site) and buses and private drivers. For getting around town and for short trips, Uber is very affordable.
Both Lisbon and Porto have plenty of day trips nearby to keep you well occupied.
Posted by
Austin, TX
2151 posts
I was in Lisbon last October for four nights and it was not enough. Eight days in Lisbon sounds very good.
Do visit Sintra and Belem. Allow for a full day in each place. Visit all the neighborhoods of Lisbon. I stayed only in one and did not explore. i feel like I cheated myself.
There is great public transportation. There are four hop on hop off buses in Lisbon each costing about 22 Euros but if you buy three, you get the fourth free.
I was on a cruise and we ported in Porto. I took an excursion to Braga which was wonderful but wish that I had stayed in Porto from what I have now read. . Cruises can be limiting.