I just found out I can change our tickets to fly out of Lisbon instead of Porto. Since we are coming from Sevilla, Spain, it makes sense to stay South. Does anyone have a huge preference for Northern Portual over Southern Portugal? We only have 6 days there, so want to maximize our time. We are also going in December, so weather might be a tad better in Southern Portugal.
Love your thoughts!
I've been to various parts of Portugal in winter, but in December I've only been to Lisbon. I loved the holiday lights and the overall festive feel of the city in December. The crowds weren't bad and had thinned out so much by maybe 9-10pm that I have lots of pictures of the lights with no one in them.
If coming from Seville, and not flying to Portugal, then it makes sense to come in from the South, and fly from Lisbon (though Lisbon is in central Portugal) There are direct buses from Seville to Tavira, Portugal (a great smaller town) and on to Faro, where you can pick up a train at either to Lisbon.
You could do a few days along the coast and then to Lisbon for a few. I would focus on maybe two stops with only six days, with maybe a daytrip from Lisbon to Sintra or elsewhere.
Yes, with only 6 days, was only planning on visiting 2 places max. Friends loved Porto, so we originally planned to fly from there, but we are coming from the Andalucía, so thought it might be easier to visit southern/central Portugal instead. We have 5 months to figure it out (though maybe only 2-3 before we have to book accommodation/change flights).
We really enjoyed the Algarve area of Southern Portugal this past April. The Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites Resort in Albufeira was gorgeous. We loved the amber and red sandstone cliffs and beach area as well as the lovely grounds there. You could take an Uber from Faro. When you wish to get to Lisbon you can reserve the fast Alfa Pendular train from Albufeira to Lisbon Oriente Station.
I, personally, would never do the Algarve in December. That area is really all about the beaches and they won’t be doable in December. Many of the smaller towns literally close down in the winter.
That said, it would be warmer and possibly dryer.
The Lisbon area or Porto would be my preference. Likely Lisbon since it would be warmer. Winter days when it doesn’t rain are lovely. Clear blue skies, few tourists, and warm enough to enjoy walking, etc. I still eat outside on those kind of days in the winter.
Just reread your post. I much, much prefer northern or central Portugal to the south.
My most favorite area of Portugal is the north. Porto is special and the Douro River Valley is one of the most scenic in Europe.
Our Douro River cruise was amazing.
Never been there in December, but the south would be warmer, check the month temps on both.
