finley415

Hello, we are spending 7 nights in Portugal in July, and I need some help sorting out a good, feasible itinerary. We fly in and out of Lisbon, and we do not plan on renting a car, so we'll be dependent on public transportation.

I would like to see Lisbon and Porto and take day trips to at least Sintra/Cascais and the Douro Valley. I was considering the first three nights in Lisbon, two in Porto, and the final two in Obidos (to catch the Medieval Festival--is it worth it?) and then we'll be back close to Lisbon for our evening departure.

I am noticing that that transportation from Porto to Obidos isn't the most direct/convenient; is there somewhere else you would recommend staying, or would it be best to just split time between Lisbon and Porto and take day trips, and how long in each place?

I have been reading about Portugal, and there are so many places I want to go that I'm having a hard time narrowing it down with our limited time, and I'm driving myself crazy.

Any suggestions/encouragement you can offer are appreciated!

Robert2533

When in July? It will be very warm in the Douro, so be aware. Regarding Obidos.

Yes, it is worth it but you will have to travel from Lisboa - Entrecampos station on the Regional to reach Obidos (Lisboa - Entrecampos > Obidos), if you don't have a car. There should be 10 trains each day. The average travel time is 2 hours.

Sintra and Cascais are an easy commute from Lisbon.

finley415

Going 6-13 July. I see that it's pretty easy to get from Lisbon to Obidos, but not so much from Porto to Obidos (about 5 hours by bus or train). Would you recommend backtracking to Lisbon from Porto to get to Obidos? Have you been to the Medieval Festival?

I'm beginning to think it might be best to cut out Porto/Douro or Obidos and just do shorter day trips (Coimbra, etc.) from Lisbon and one other place, but I really want to be able to stay all three places...sigh.

Robert2533

Haven't been to the festival for awhile as we're usually in Pamplona at that time, but yes, I would spend more time in Lisbon and as much as I hate to say it, avoid the Douro River Valley in July and August.

We were there a couple of years ago in late October. The average daily temperature broke 80F, but cooled nicely at night. But I would not forgo Porto. It's far too nice and the weather is generally excellent, even during July. It also has great beaches and let's not forget about the food.

HappyTrvlr

Coimbra is not near Lisbon. We stayed there on our drive tomzporto from Lisbon.
Evora is a better idea from Lisbon. And Obidos too.

finley415

I meant a day trip to Coimbra from Porto.

I'm thinking it might be best to split our nights between Lisbon and Porto then; Porto does look pretty neat, and I'd hate to miss that. The Douro looks beautiful, but I know I won't be able to do everything.

thursdaysd

I would be more inclined to stop in Coimbra on the way to Porto. It is certainly worth two nights - there are good Roman ruins at Conimbriga as well as the town itself.

Tabernash2

Lisbon is a wonderful city. We were there for 6 nights last Fall. Loved it.

finley415

Thank you all for your replies. It looks like my best option would be to stay for three weeks But since that isn't possible, I'll just have to make the best of my short time there. I'm looking forward to it!

finley415

If we're going to split the nights between Lisbon and Porto and take day trips from there, would it be better to do 4 in Lisbon and 3 in Porto or vice versa? I think staying in three places might be too much trouble running around, though I'm still tempted to endure the long train/bus ride from Porto to Obidos to spend the last two nights in that area before heading out of Lisbon. I really wish I could see all the amazing places I've been reading about.

LLING

Obidos is a beautiful walled village, and the Medieval Festival is pretty interesting and fun. There is also a beautiful garden, about 13km from Obidos, the Buddha Eden garden http://www.buddhaeden.com/
When going to Porto, a stop-over in Coimbra is a good decision.
July can be hot, bring a cap and your sun-block

MariliaPJCCA3

Hi finley415.
As a portuguese I suggest the following travel tips:
- After being in Lisbon for three days,by the 9th i would leave in the morning to have lunch in Aveiro and then go further up to Porto.In Porto you guys should visit "Casa da Música","Serralves" and "Foz".Don´t leave Porto without having lunch in "Casa Aleixo".This is all duable by train(Alfapendular or Intercidades).The train takes about 2 to 3 hours to the final destination(Porto).The prices,which are influenced by the travel category you choose,can reach 20 to 35 euros per person.
In Obidos,if possible try to visit "Foz do Arelho" and "São Martinho do Porto".Do not forget to drink "Ginjinha".In July and August0 the average temperature is around 30 to 40 celsius.Although you guys chose to visit the North of Portugal,for summer travels,i would recommend the south coast("Costa Vicentina").Goggle "Praia de Odeceixe" or "Praia Monte Clérigo" and tell me if you guys don´t fell in love with Portugal already..................
Finally Fodors publishied in March an article about Portugal called "8 Reasons to Visit Portugal".Check it out.
Hope everything goes well.
Best of luck.

finley415

Thank you so much for your suggestions, Marilia. I am indeed already in love with Portugal, and that's what is making planning so difficult--it all looks beautiful! The reason I chose not to go south (besides the time constraints), is that I've heard it's quite overrun by tourists, especially in the summer...is that true?

tailsock

"The reason I chose not to go south (besides the time constraints), is that I've heard it's quite overrun by tourists, especially in the summer...is that true?"

you mean tourists like yourself? ;-)

finley415

Yes, exactly!

MariliaPJCCA3

well, the south has 2 main regions: Alentejo e Algarve. 80% of the Alentejo coast remains wild and it´s not crowded, mainly the small villages.It´s called "Costa vicentina" and my older sons usually surf there, in a place called Praia da Carrapateira.If you google it, you will understand why it can not be overrun.Of course, small villages means tranquility- no nightclubs-, good native food and better wine and wearing havaianas all day long. It also means, alternative accomodation like motels or apartments, reserved in advance. Cities like Albufeira, Quarteira, Portimão e Armação de Pera, in Algarve, yes, are impossible in summer, but the secret is to avoid central Algarve.

finley415

Thanks for the tip! I'll look into that, but now I'm afraid I'll be even more undecided on our itinerary