Portugal First Timer: Feedback on 3-Week Solo Itinerary

Posted by wanderella (San Francisco) on 01/10/25 07:33 AM

Hello fellow travelers!

I'm planning my first trip to Portugal (March 1 - 21, 2025) and would love some feedback on my itinerary. I'm a fit, senior traveler with solo travel experience and will be primarily using public transportation (trains and buses) throughout my trip.

Here's my current plan using public transport (mode to destination in brackets):

Lisbon (3 nights): Explore the city, soak in the atmosphere.
Lagoa (2 nights): Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail starting at Praia do Vale de Centianes (3h 5min bus and taxi to a Carvoeiro hotel).
Sintra (2 nights): Explore palaces and gardens (3h 45min bus and train).
Evora (2 nights): Discover Roman ruins and historic architecture (2hr 29min train).
Tomar (2 nights): Visit the Templar Castle and explore the town (4h 10min bus).
Coimbra (2 nights): Experience university life and explore the city (2h 10min bus or 50 min taxi if I miss the one daily bus. lol).
Porto (6 nights): Explore the city, enjoy the wine scene (55 min train).

- Day Trip 1: Douro Valley wine tasting (guided tour).
- Day Trip 2: Aveiro (canals), Paiva Walkways, and Arouca 516 Footbridge (guided tour).
Lisbon (1 night): Depart for home (2h 37min train).

'm open to all suggestions and advice! Thanks in advance for your input.

Posted by Barbara

Brooklyn, NY

01/10/25 08:59 AM

4311 posts

We were just in Portugal for 13 nights this past October. Being city people, I would pull at least 1 night from Porto for Lisbon. Two would be better. Your 3 nights only gives you 2 days and one of those days could/should be spent in Belem. That leaves you just one full day to see Lisbon. Even though it is a small city, it has a lot to offer. We spent 6 nights in Lisbon.
We did like Porto more than we thought we would, but our 3 days there were enough. We fell hard for the Ruby Port Wine - just had a glass after dinner today in fact. That was another surprise.

PS, if you are interested in WWII history, the walking tour with Lisbon Walks entitled ‘Lisbon, City of Spies’ was fabulous. So interesting that all 4 of us hung on every word our guide spoke.

Posted by bostonphil7

Austin, TX

01/10/25 10:50 AM

2373 posts

Hello wanderella

I sent four nights in Lisbon and it was not enough. It is a wonderful city. If possible, I suggest that you add one or two more nights to Lisbon.

And as Barbara suggested, if possible try to get to Belem. Great place. Easy to get to using public transportation.

Posted by bdokeefe

01/10/25 11:52 AM

93 posts

Hello- Does heading to Lagoa after Lisbon, then back up to Sintra work using public transportation? I've been to Sintra 3 times, each time starting the trip there, and with a different family member. Easy to get to from airport, and it's a nice culture shock to get off a plane and be in a place with palaces and a 11th Century Moorish Castle lurking over the town. 3 Nights to start the trip and get over jet-lag (if coming from overseas). Then maybe work your way north, and spend all your time in Lisbon at end of trip.

I've been to most of your stops, they're all nice spots to visit. I would recommend having a 3 night stay in one of your spots with two nights from Lagoa to Coimbra. That's a lot of moving around, and trying to find a good spot for morning coffee every other day.

In Tomar, if you can make it out to the aquaduct just outside of town, and you aren't afraid of heights, that has great views when you walk across it. I stayed right along the river, some nice parks in the area.

Coimbra, we really enjoyed the gardens below the University, especially the bamboo section. Very peaceful.

Paiva parkway is a very nice walk, we didn't do the bridge.

Aviero- I stayed here Nov 2023 and really liked it. The main square was all torn up, it should look very nice now. They have some neat pedestrian bridges over the canal.

Have a great trip, and bring good rain gear.