I’m going on the Rick Steves Portugal tour next September and I would like to arrive one to two days early to make sure that I make it there on time. Sintra is not scheduled on the tour, maybe because it’s so busy from what I can gather, but that’s just a guess. Do you recommend arriving 2 days early in Lisbon and going to Sintra on my own? Or one day early in Lisbon and then 2 days at the end in Porto? I haven’t been to either, so I’m not the best judge.
Thank you.
Posted by
Massachusetts
855 posts
When I took this tour (solo), I arrived in Lisbon two days early and stayed in Porto one extra day. While in Lisbon, I did a day trip to Sintra. I enjoyed my time in Sintra -- going on my own allowed me to go at my own pace and see what I wanted to see and not be tied down to any tour group's schedule.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
225 posts
Mary,
Did you enjoy this tour? I’ve never taken one, so I taking the leap. 😄 I think you added the right amount of days. Taking time to decompress at the end seems like a good idea to me after being in a group. Did you visit Sintra on your own, and what did you visit there?
Posted by
24 posts
I highly recommend Sintra. I arrived a day and half early for RS Portugal. I went straight to Sintra from the airport (not hard) and stayed at the lovely Chalet Saudade which is very close to the Sintra train station. However, I also enjoyed Porto and a couple of days there would be great as well. Enjoy Portugal - I certainly did!