Portugal: Lisbon and Porto

I've stayed at The Emporium Suites Lisbon many times. Located in the Baixa area, great location.

Just back last week. A little further away but a top notch apartment in Lisbon was Marquês Best Apartments on R. Luciano Cordeiro. Pool and air-conditioning. Easy walking distance to the Metro, Av. da Liberdade, and hop on hop off bus etc. (a little hilly up and down 1-3km). Loved the Pasteiaria across the street A Cartola. You can go to a Metro station and load up a ticket for 24 hrs for the bus and subway (under euro7 per person). We used the hop on hop off bus too (OK but you have to deal with it) Viator and our own navigation. Can recommend Zé da Mouraria 2 for a cod dinner. 3 hour train trip between Lisbon and Porto. Stayed at apartment Almada Domus in Porto. Same... Hop on hop off bus and Viator. The subway in Porto does not get you to many places you want to go. A lot of construction in town on a new subway route. A little hilly up and down too. Had a great last night dinner at Tapabento, but you need reservations weeks in advance. People waiting in line outside without reservations. Using the Uber App in both cities was easy, cheap and reliable. Make sure your phone/Sim will work in Portugal/EU. Citymapper works great in Lisbon and Google in Porto.

Three days is really not enough time to see either city let alone both. Especially with time spent checking in, out and traveling. I would pick one.

I agree with the previous poster. Stay in Lisbon for your three days. There are many private and small group tours inLisbon. You will have zero difficulty filling your time.

I agree with the two posters above. If you only have 3 days, and your arrive in Lisbon, just stay in Lisbon. Or if you arrive in Porto, just stay in Porto.

Not only is 3 days not enough time for either city, but consider the time cost in moving yourself from Lisbon to Porto (and do you then also have to move yourself from Porto back to Lisbon?).

Train ride from Lisbon to Porto is just under 3 hours by the so-called high speed Alfa Pendular (AP) , excuse me to say, is not really that high speed especially when compared to say the ICE or TGV (what’s their new name now?) or high speed trains in East Asia. Alfa Pendular is not offered all the time, with most of the trains going from Lisbon to Porto and back being slower, but not by much. AP is only faster by 30 minutes. Then after completing this about 3 to 3.5 hour trip, you have to find your hotel and settle in etc.

Just stay in Lisbon or Porto, not both.

For a tour guide in Lisbon I can highly recommend Pats Madeira. Half or full day tours that will add to your experience immensely https://lisbonwithpats.com.

If you choose to stay in Lisbon, check out Rafael Pereira as a possible guide. He guides for Rick Steves, and is one of the best guides we have ever had, out of 17 guides. He’s also guiding on his own, and may guide for some other agencies.

Try this email: rafaelzamithpereira@gmail.com. I think that’s current.

And yes, choose one city or the other. We spent 3 days in Lisbon before our Rick Steves Portugal tour, and added 3 days in Porto after the tour, and even with the time the tour spent there, didn’t do or see all we wanted.

We just finished a tout with CHILL OUT LISBON. Liliana and Edwardo were our guide (and apprentice guide). It was an afternoon filled with walk-in up hills and down alleys. They spoke about the history, the context and the local viewpoint. They mostly stay away from touristy areas and sites. Their English is excellent. So is their sense{s} of humor. They really evince an enjoyment of giving them tours. They were able to answer all of our questions. The tour is technically free- they live on tips. Well worth the time and a big tip

Hi Michelle,

In Lisbon as we speak. We have been here for six days staying at Chiado Arty Flats in the Chiado area. This is an amazing an apt/hotel near the metro, Rossio train station, and any number of excellent restaurants. We have a small studio with an outdoor patio, small kitchen, and spacious bedroom. The owners are so hospitable from lovely breakfasts delivered to your room to a welcome bottle of wine, we feel so much at home.