We are going to be visiting in March we want to check out a city north of Lisbon and a city south of Lisbon in the Algarve. 3 days in Lisbon. We will rent a car and stop at some sites on our way to these places. My question is will that be a bad time of year to visit the Algarve? Too many tourists hotels too expensive? I think Porto may be too far to go north so maybe Nazare'?
Posted by
11609 posts
Go to Porto. Skip Nazare.
Or if you still decide against Porto, go to Evora.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
With only 8 days, you don’t have time to cover Lisbon, the Algarve and somewhere north.
The weather won’t be great in the Algarve in March and as this area is all about beaches and golf, skip it.
Have 5 nights in Lisbon with a day trip to Cascais then take the train to Porto. Have a day trip to the Douro then have your last night back in Lisbon for your homeward flight.
Nazare (overrated) is a place to visit if you want to go surfing, otherwise there are better places to visit.
If you don’t want to go to Porto, then hire a car after your time in Lisbon and drive around Alcobaca, Batalha, Fatima, Obidos, Santarem and Tomar.
Posted by
Connecticut
98 posts
Would not recommend Porto in March. We were there in 2019 and it was cold and rainy. Our Airbnb host told us that March is still Winter in Porto
Posted by
Irving
3279 posts
How about buying Rick Steves PT 11th edition guidebook, you can download an electronic version from his app.
I would fly in and out of Lisbon and sleep in the Alfama neighborhood and take his self-guided walking tours of the Alfama and Castel District, Baixa, Bairro Alto and Chiado. Lisbon is incredible with its four old towns. I would spend a minimum of four nights exploring Lisbon and then day trip to Belém, Sintra and Évora so you’re looking at seven nights in Lisbon.
The Algarve is best during the summer months when you can enjoy the beach.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
March is still winter in the whole of Portugal, not just Porto and you can get cold, wet weather anywhere in the country, even south on the Algarve.