johnz323

I’m planning a trip to Portugal (first time) and Spain (second time) in late April/early May. I’ll be in Portugal about 10 days, starting in Lisbon and then I may travel north to Coimbra, followed by Porto. Does anyone have recommendations for other places to see in Portugal? I will not be driving so the little remote towns are out of the question unless they’re easily reached by trains or buses.

From Portugal, I may fly to Madrid, or go north to Galicia and stay in Santiago de Compostela. From what I’ve seen, it’s not easy getting to Galicia from Porto. Looks like the bus to Vigo is the only option…? I’m flying back to the states from Madrid.

Thanks!

bobthenavigator

Why fly back to Mardid--it is all so close using this itinerary---by car after Lisbon.
Lisbon
Obidos[ Nazare, Bathala]
Viana do Castelo[ Ponte de Lima, Barcelos]
Santiago
Then, back to Madrid if you must.

Sher

ttt

thursdaysd

bob - the OP said no car.

You can travel by train from Porto (Campanha) to Santiago, although there are only two trains a day and you have to change at Redondela. You can also travel by train across northern Spain, although not all the trains are RENFE. (See http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html for my train trip in the other direction.) Definitely recommend Coimbra, and I would look at day trips from Lisbon to Evora and Obidos. In northern Spain I would also recommend Leon.

johnz323

Thanks, thursdaysd. That's very helpful. I'd heard that in addition to Evora and Obidos, Sintra was also a must see. Thanks also for the train information.

thursdaysd

Yes, I would also recommend Sintra, but it's so close to Lisbon I wasn't counting it as a day trip! See http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-lisbon.cfm for things to do in Lisbon including Sintra.

johnz323

Thanks, erierika. I'm now thinking about going to Porto after Lisbon and then Coimbra as I might take the hotel train from Lisbon to Madrid.