Help!! Spouse and I decided to go to Portugal. Flying into and out of Lisbon, arriving 2 April, departing early morning 11 April. Will not be renting a car. At first we had thought about going to Madeira but logistically didn't make sense. We've been to Lisbon before, having spent three days in 2012. If we stay in Lisbon again for three days then head north to Porto for three days, that leaves two days. Thought about spending those days in Coimbra but not sure if there is enough there to interest us. I was hoping this was going to be a relaxing holiday but looks like there is too much to do in Portugal and not enough time to do it! Hate to spend a lot of time on trains and buses though. Our interests are history, wine, walking through historic city centers, etc. Hoping the good people of TripAdvisor can give me some much needed advice! Thanks!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
There is enough to do for two days in Coimbra, IMO. I spent two nights there in the fall and wished I had another day. There is a lot of history and the wine, as in all of Portugal, is great. For some reason, Coimbra has more than its share of great restaurants, too.
Go Walks does a great walking tour of the city that includes the university library and is well worth the time and money.
Posted by
Porto, Portugal
80 posts
Hello candi,
I agree with kathrynj... there is a lot to see in Coimbra - I went there last weekend and I loved it. You can divide your days like this: day one, south shore of Mondego river (visit to Santa Clara-a-Velha and Santa Clara-a-Nova monasteries, Quinta das Lágrimas gardens and a walk along the riverside) (I went to Portugal dos Pequenitos as well because of my little girl :) and second day, north shore of Mondego river (visit to the university, the new and old cathedrals, Machado de Castro Museum, viewpoints and a stroll through the alleys...)
Since you have visited Lisbon before, you could spend your time elsewhere :P
Enjoy your trip ;)
Posted by
8322 posts
Don't miss Sintra and Obidos on your way north.
Posted by
526 posts
We have booked this lady to take us from Lisbon to Sintra in March; if you're interested, text her for a quote at: https://www.facebook.com/taxiLxMar/ for a quote; she'll pick you up at your hotel & drive you there!
She gets really good reviews.
Jean
Posted by
OP
NYC, NY, usa
168 posts
Thanks for the replies. We've been to Sintra, absolutely loved it. Would like to spend at least one day in Lisbon to see a few of the sights we didn't see last time. Not sure about Obidos though, read that it's very touristy and least authentic. My idea vacation would be renting a house somewhere in Portugal (not sure where yet) that could get me to Lisbon for a day trip and possibly Porto for a day trip. Somewhere quiet and relaxing, where we could hike and take day trips to a historic city center but at night relax with a bottle of wine. Does that place exist? Hate the thought of packing up and moving every few days by train for what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday.