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Porto vs. Algarve

Posted by on

Hello!
My Fiance and I are travelling to Portugal this October for a conference. We have time to take a 2 night trip somewhere, but not sure where we should go. I have read Porto is nice and charming, while Algarve is warmer and jas nice beaches. We will have time to explore around Lisbon and Sintra while we are there as well.
I am wondering if Porto is similar to Sintra and Lisbon, so should we do Algarve since it's different. And since it's October, would it still be warm enough for the beach? AND if Algarve, where?

I would love to do both and we most likely will go back in the future!

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Posted by
7259 posts

October is still relatively warm, but perhaps not warm enough for a swim in the Algarve. Also, there are beaches near Sintra so you could see those as well.

For just 2 nights I would choose Porto: it is quite different from Lisbon, with a unique cityscape, and it lends itself very well to a 36-hour visit.

Posted by
1768 posts

Porto, hands down! Porto is lovely and truly Portuguese. While the beaches are nice in the Algarve, it has much less Portuguese culture IMO. The architecture in Porto along the river is pretty spectacular and in October the crowds will have thinned. Plus it’s easy and preferable without a car. The Algarve is quite difficult if you don’t rent a car.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for your advice! I think we have decided to do Porto based on your recommendations and what we've read online.

Posted by
1320 posts

If you stay just north of Porto in the suburb of Matosinhos you will have a nice beach, and an easy, and cheap, bus ride to the city center. The bus will let you off right by the main Mercado, and from there you can take another down to the Port cellars, or even a taxi or Uber to the other side of the river.

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