Hi - my girlfriend and I are attending a friend's wedding in early September in Lisbon. We are arriving into Lisbon on the Friday morning (early in the morning from Italy) and will be in Portugal all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday (the wedding is on Sunday night).

We definitely do not need to spend Friday and Saturday night in Lisbon.

We wanted to do a day at a secluded beach, a day touring Lisbon and a day either hiking/bike riding/touring a winery (or all 3?). We could rent a car for a day, if it's easier to leave Lisbon for the day trips.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I think you're trying to do too many things. With only three days there, you need to make some choices. You can do the beach thing such as soothsayer suggests or you can visit more of Lisbon - which in itself is impossible in three days. You need to determine how important spending that day at the beach is to you because that's going to take you out of the city and will take up a good chunk of your time.

If you want to take in the city, there is plenty to do say on Friday (lots of clubs in the evening) and Sunday before the wedding. You could take a day trip to Sintra on Sat. Sintra in itself also has many more sights than you'd be able to see in one day but it's a nice day trip that many people enjoy. No car needed, just hop on the train from Rossio station and in about 45 min you'll be in Sintra. From there you'd catch the bus for the destinations you prefer - palaces, historic old town, open air flea market, etc.

While in Lisbon, take tram 28 which will take you through the old historic parts of the city and drops you off at many of the sights - Castle of St. George for example. If you haven't yet, get a guide book of Lisbon. You'll see how much there is to see and do.

Jamikins has a very extensive trip report of Portugal - you may want to check it out for more ideas.
Enjoy your trip.

Thanks CYESQ! Here is a link to our two week trip to Portugal over new years this past year:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-20102011.cfm

I agree - you are trying to do too much. Lisbon is a fantastic city, and Sintra is amazing but deserves a full day. I think trying to get to a winery would be a bit problematic, unless you did it as a group tour or something. Thats what I would give up. As for secluded beach - there are lovely beaches by Lisbon that are just an easy train ride, but I think finding a secluded cove might prove difficult in that area.

Hope this helps!

Thanks very much for your replies! I'll plan on doing Friday in Lisbon and Saturday in Sintra. Guess we'll have to skip the winery idea and instead do a beach nearby for a few hours instead.