My wife and I will be traveling to Portugal for 2 weeks in May 2023. Planning on arriving in Lisbon and after 3 days there the thought is to take the train to Porto and see Porto for 2 days, then pick up a rental car and make our way back to Lisbon through towns like Nazare, Obidos, Aveira, etc (itinerary still evolving). Main question now is options to stay in Porto for 4 nights or so and do 1 or 2 day trips from Porto (to Douro Valley 1 day and Guimares / Braga the next), or pick up a car rental in Porto and stay in Guimares and the Duoro valley 1 or 2 nights each. Does it matter or are both approaches the same? I don't think we will comfortably have the time to drive to the Algarve and enjoy it at a relaxing pace so figure seeing northern Portugal at an unhurried pace would be best. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks
Posted by
11130 posts
We loved Portugal and it’s welcoming people. Yes to Guimares and Braga. The Minho was our favorite part of Portugal. Douro Valley too.
Heading south from Porto include Coimbra, very worthwhile, Aviero, Obidos(2 hrs at most), and do not miss Évora, one of Portugal’s treasures. Skip Nazare, a touristy beach town. We couldn’t wait to get out of there.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
160 posts
We visited last April and found Porto to be a fabulous base for day trips. It was wonderful to wake up in the same bed each morning and return to the city to watch the sunset from the bridge each evening!