Portugal: I have 7 days -- what should I see?

get the RS book and add Evora and drop Fatima except for a day trip. the NYT just today did an article in their travel section of Evora, however we spent 2 wonderful relaxing days there in 2009 following the RS recomendations on where to stay and where to eat.

I haven't been to Evora, although it's on my list... I have been to Coimbra twice, and recommend it. It has interesting Roman ruins nearby at Conimbriga, and you shouldn't miss the University library. It's also a good town for wandering (up and down, though). You can visit Sintra and Belem (definitely visit the Monasterio there), as well as Cascais from Lisbon. Probably Obidos too, although it's a bit too cute. With just seven days I think I would do Evora and Coimbra, and maybe an extra day for Lisbon, one of my favorite cities. On the way north there's a remarkable ceramics museum in Calda da Reinha, and Batalha is also worth seeing.

Three days for Lisbon is a bit too much. I would spend two days and if you follow RS book, you will have a lot of fun there. You can visit Sintra in half a day. It is only an hour train ride from Lisbon.

"Three days for Lisbon is a bit too much." You think? I just spent six nights there, having spent seven nights there in 2008. I have every intention of going back. Plus, just half a day for Sintra is a bit optimistic.

One of our best experiences in Portugal was the couple of nights we spent at a B&B in Pinhao, in the beautiful Douro Valley. We also really liked Ponte de Lima, up north near the Spanish border. Fatima is definitely worth a visit, especially I think to a Catholic, but I agree that a day trip is sufficient. If you're a history buff, don't miss the magnificent 15th century monastery/church at Batalha. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the tomb of Prince Henry the Navigator.

You would think that 7 days is a lot of time in Portugal but it is not! We also have spent many days in Lisbon and agree 3 days is not enough but if you want to see other locations you may have to be satisfied with only 3 days. I would stick to the north and if possible rent a car and leave Lisbon for the end. You could visit Fatima and spend a night in Tomar to see the Convento de Cristo. Drive to Coimbra for one day/night then to Pinhao in the Douro Valley for one night at Hotel Douro, my recommendation. That's 3 nights gone already. If you have time stop in Porto or begin your drive back down the coast where you can visit Batalha, Obidos, Alcobaca or Sintra. Return the car in Lisbon and enjoy the city for 2-3 days. This seems really ambitious to me and to really enjoy each town you might want to stop at Coimbra and then work your way back to Lisbon, spending one night in Nazare which is near Batalha, Obidos and Alcobaca. Agree you should get RS book and we also enjoyed Fodors. There are also some good sites you can check to research what you would be most interested in visiting: http://www.discoverportugal2day.com/travel20.htm http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costaverde/index.html
http://www.portugaltravelguide.com/en/amarante.htm Have fun planning & have a great trip!

BTW, Portugal has good trains and buses, you don't have to have a car to get around. For some things to do in Lisbon you could take a look at my trip report from 2008: http://tinyurl.com/yzzn33c