Week in Lisbon?

I think Lisbon is hugely underrated! I spent 5 full days there a couple years ago and absolutely loved it!!! we took one day trip to Sintra and Cascais, and I felt like we missed so so much and I'd love to go back. I think a week would be great, there is plenty to do and several great daytrips. Lisbon is definitely historic and energetic and I found it to be really unique, maybe a bit "raw" but really a fascinating, friendly, fun, and (relative to the rest of Western Europe anyway) pretty darn inexpensive.

I would never say that you could spend "too much time" in Lisbon & environs, but if you want to see more I think you could visit a second city.

Another "historic but energetic" city with day-trip possibilities is Coimbra, with its 1,000-year-old university. It's about 2-1/2 hours from Lisbon by train or bus.

Adding another destination tightens up your itinerary quite a bit, and whether it's worth that is of course up to you.

Have a great trip!

Debra and Adam, thanks so much for your responses. If anyone out there has some other day-trip or side trip recommendations, let me know! I didn't post this because I thought it would complicate things but we are really on the fence about bumping it up to more - 10-14 days - and this gives us more possibilities. Thanks again!

Porto is an interesting city about 3 hours from Lisbon--too far for a day trip but something to consider if your extend your stay.

Sarah, we took daytrips to Obidos, Nazare and Fatima two summers ago. One city that I wanted to visit (but we never got there) was Tomar. I wanted to see the Convento de Cristo, a fortified monastery of the Knights Templar. It is a world Heritage site. I think that Lisbon is a good central location for lots of daytrips.

We have been to Portugal several times. If you've never been to Portugal, 10 - 14 days would be better. You could spend 5 days in Lisbon. Buy a Lisboa pass which gives you free public transportation for 3 days and some free and discounted site entrances for the same time period. You could then go north & stay in Oporto and take a few days to explore that area rather than travelling back & forth. Some interesting locations - Sintra, Nazare, Alcobaca, in addition to the others mentioned in other posts. The food and house wine is great, great pastry shops. Agree that it is relatively inexpensive. You will surely enjoy Portugal!

Lisbon is my favorite city in Europe. Been 4 times in the last few years and would go again in a heartbeat. I think a week in Lisbon is excellent. As others said, if you add a few more days you can hit some cities that are a bit further and too long for a day trip (Coimbra, Porto). But a week in Lisbon allows you to see Lisbon plus day trips to Sintra, Obidos and Cascais (as I think already mentioned) and also you could head to Evora. I agree with the poster that said it's very underrated. Happy travels

Concur with Christy, a week in Lisbon with a day trip to Sintra is perfect. Don’t miss the Gulbenkian Museum and eat a pastel de Belem (best pastry in the world!) or six for me. You can see our pictures at: http://gadtravel.blogspot.com/