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Seeking advice on Portugal 11 day Trip Itinerary

Posted by on

We are coming in May 2026 for 11 days and wondering if we can include Algarve on the end of our trip or is it too far? We’d like to end with a few nights in a beach location before departing.

Proposed itinerary:
Arrive Porto - 3 nights including day trip to Douro Valley
Leave for Lisbon - driver from Porto to Coimbra, Nazare and Obidos on the way to Lisbon
3 nights in Lisbon, including day trip to Sintra, Cascais
Leave Lisbon for Algarve with driver and stop in Evora on the way
3 nights in Algarve
Return to Lisbon via train for 1 night before flying out of Lisbon
Is it too far to include Algarve? If so, please recommend a different beach location we would enjoy closer to Lisbon. Any other thoughts on our itinerary are appreciated.

Thank in Advance

Posted by
5 posts

It's doable as stated but you'll be really skimming the surface of places between Porto and Lisbon. Coimbra for example is worth a night or two. As is the Douro valley. We stayed at a vineyard. You said you'll be going to Nazare, which is a notable beach town. We did the same trip in reverse but without Algarve, and frankly would skip Nazare if we did it again. However we live near a tropical beach so it's not something we seek out on a trip. Portugal is a lovely country as are the people. The slower you go the more in-depth you can appreciate both. You'll want to go back.

Posted by
705 posts

I think it is too rushed to enjoy a lot of it. Particularly your travel days. Coimbra is at least a full day on its own, Obidos is very crowded at times, so unless you are there early or late it is possibly not worth stopping. Evora is also deserving of an overnight. As well, you have no time for Lisbon if you are daytripping one day to Sintra and another to Cascais.

I would drop Algarve. Or if you really want the Algarve drop Porto.

Our first trip we did Lisbon, Sintra, ( picked up rental car here) Algarve, Evora, and ended in Obidos for one evening. We dropped the rental car at the Lisbon airport. It was about an hour drive from Obidos to the airport. With only 10 nights I might skip the night in Sintra to fit your time in.

Posted by
1968 posts

I agree with the others, you are trying to cram too much into 10 nights. Drop the Algarve as there are lovely beach towns between Porto and Lisbon.

There is also no way you can make three stops between the two bigger cities in one day. Coimbra would make a good stop for an overnight.

The Silver Coast area has many towns with beaches. Foz do Alrelho and Ericeira (closer to Lisbon) are quite nice. And, of course, I’m partial to Cascais since I’ve lived here for ten years! The beaches right in Cascais leave a bit to be desired, but Guincho beach a few miles out of town is large, uncrowded and lovely. On the other side of Lisbon are Seisembra, Setubal and the Tróia area.

As someone else mentioned, Portugal is best enjoyed by slowing down, enjoying long lunches, and savoring the slower pace of life here.

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