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Self-drive Itinerary thoughts - Spring 2026

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Couple in early 60s that want to explore culture and history and go a bit off the beaten path. My research has led me to the following itinerary. Wondering if I am trying to fit too much in.

12 nights. Fly into Porto and out of Lisbon. Will rent a car from Porto on day 3. Trip will be end of April into May 2026
3 nights in Porto on day 4 head to Douro Valley to explore. Drive on to Coimbra
2 nights in Coimbra
2 nights in Tomar
1 night in Nazare
1 night in Evora - mainly so we can do the day trip to the cork farm and vineyard - is this a waste of time? We do love the agriculture and seeing the farmers and this process looks pretty cool.
3 nights in Sintra - day trip to Lisbon possibly. Avoiding staying in the city as we enjoy smaller villages/towns better
Fly out of Lisbon

Lots to see and do at all of these spots. But was wondering if we should leave something out. Not a huge fan of 1-night stays but seems unavoidable unless we can add days or leave something out. I mapped on Google maps and distances are very doable. We have self-driven in Ireland and Scotland and loved the flexibility. Do we need a car in Porto or pick up when we are ready to head out to Douro Valley. Should we stay a night in Douro Valley and drop a night in either Coimbra or Tomar?

Appreciate any input.

Posted by
8176 posts

Because there will be no large waves at Nazaré when you’ll be visiting, it could easily be removed from the itinerary. To me, it’s a typical beach town like you find in the states. Since you will have a car another night in Tomar would be good if you planned on taking any day trips. Of course, adding it to Évora wouldn’t hurt either. I liked the adding more days to the trip idea best.

Our day trips from Tomar included Almourol Castle, and Fátima and Batalha Monastery. The last two were on the same day. Also, we visited the Conimbriga ruins between Coimbra and Tomar.

We’ve never taken a tour of a cork farm, but we’re fortunate to see it being harvested as we were driving by. That however was in western Spain, not Portugal.

The driving distances are very doeable. No, you do not need a vehicle in Porto.

Posted by
15873 posts

Pick up the car when you leave Porto (day 4?). Spend a night (or 2) at a quinta in the Douro Valley. I don't like a lot of short stays, so I'd consider stopping in Coimbra for a day on the way to Tomar or going straight to Tomar and day-tripping to Coimbra from there. I'd ditch the car after Evora, perhaps in Lisbon. You won't want a car in Sintra!! The cost of an uber from central Lisbon was about the same as from the airport, so I'd return the car there and avoid any driving in Lisbon at all.

Posted by
1985 posts

I would also suggest dropping Nazare, for the reasons the other poster mentioned. You don’t want a car in Porto, Lisbon or Sintra. Évora is quite nice and the Megaliths are definitely worth your time. A cork tour would be great but I don’t think it’s the time of year to watch it being harvested. Spending at least one night in a quinta in the Douro is a very unique experience, too.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for all of the excellent input. Douro Valley stay at a quinta looks fantastic. Now I may adjust Porto to 2 nights and add a 2 night stay in Douro Valley. Keep 2 nights in Coimbra, Tomar and Evora with last 3 in Sintra. The drive from Douro Valley to Tomar is over 6 hours so definitely need a stop in Coimbra to break it up. Appreciate any additional thoughts.

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