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Suggestions on my planned Portugal Itinerary 4/27 - 5/7/22??

Posted by on

Hello everyone,

I am planning a rather quick trip to Portugal in April from the US; i would prefer longer, but cant due to work. Ill be arriving in Porto April 27th, afternoon, and departing Lisbon May 7th. I've been to Portugal before in 2015, and loved it, but only really saw Lisbon and Sintra. This time I'm focusing on the north and central part of Portugal. I have yet to visit the Algarve region, but i don't think i have time. Is the Algarve worth a stop? is Nazare worth 2 nights? I am basing my itinerary partly off of Rick Steves Portugal book (2019 ed) but from reverse. Entering from Porto, Leaving Lisbon.

Below is a draft basic itinerary, and i wanted to get some input on weather or not I'm giving too much time in one place, or not enough. Thank you for any tips or advice!

4/27 - Arrive Porto 1530, sleep in Porto

4/30- Depart Porto early in the morning- take train or bus to Coimbra. Sleep in Coimbra

5/2 - depart Coimbra early arrive in Nazare. Stay in Nazare- would like to visit Fatima and associated area

5/4- depart Nazare afternoon. Arrive Lisbon via train or bus. Take side/day trips to Evora if i have time

5/7 - Sadly, depart Lisbon

My focus will be on historical sites, natural beauty, wine tasting and cuisine and cultural activities, mostly. Haven't filled in the details with must see activities yet. Appreciate any comments, advice or tips!

Thanks!

Posted by
6113 posts

April isn’t the time for the Algarve and you don’t have time for it this trip!

Personally, I wouldn’t give Nazare more than a couple of hours. I stayed in Caldas da Rainha when I visited this area, but I had a hire car.

I preferred Tomar, Alcobaca and Batalha to Fatima.

Posted by
11175 posts

No Nazare is only worth a seafood lunch; do not stay there. Over touristed. Visit Alcobaça and Evora instead of more time in Nazare.

Posted by
764 posts

I'd skip Nazare, It's vastly overrated and overtouristed. Instead, if you want good seafood, while in Porto, take the subway/tram to Matosinhos. Fatima was a pleasant surprise. It's not the Catholic Disneyworld I expected. If you stay on the Basilica property, you will find no beggars, rosary hawkers, bootleg DVD movies about the kids, or guides walking around with big yellow umbrellas. (There is a small, discretely located gift shop, though.) Tip: skip the restroom near the parking lot and behind the Basilica. Instead, go across the plaza, into the Basilica of the Holy Trinity and down to the lower level. Much cleaner and quieter. We found it helpful to check fatima.pt for rosary, Mass and confession schedules before going. There's not a lot of information available on site.

Posted by
1441 posts

A pretty good itinerary. When in Porto, be sure to visit Bom Jesus in a day trip to Braga.

Posted by
15591 posts

I wouldn't bother with Nazare either. You have only 2 full days in Porto. Coimbra only needs one full day.

So I'd stay longer in Porto and plan a day trip, maybe to the Douro Valley or the nearby towns suggested by others. Take a late train to Coimbra for 2 nights but only one full day. Then take an early train to Lisbon.

You can get train schedules, prices and tickets here. You want the Porto-Campanha and the Coimbra-B stations. It's a short taxi ride from these stations to the town centers. AP trains are newest, fastest and most comfortable. IC trains are also quite good. You'll need to get to Lisbon to take a train to Evora. It's worth an overnight but can be a day trip from Lisbon.

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