Help with 11 night Portugal Itinerary
 

I just bought my plane tickets and this trip is super last minute!! We are a couple in our 40s. Not looking for lots of laying around beach time (but love the beauty of the ocean.) Enjoy food, wine, history, culture, adventure, nature, yoga, hiking, biking.....

Here is what I have come up with

Land at 5:25 am on Day 1 in Lisbon
Nights 1-3 Lisbon - (day trip to SIntra)
Nights 4-5 Algarve (not sure which town)
Nights 6-7 Evora
Nights 8-9 Coimbra
Nights 10-11 Porto
Last Day flight from Porto at 7:30 am

We were not going to head South - but we do want to check out the Benagil Sea Caves

We would pick up a car on the way out of Lisbon

Is this doable???

Thanks!!!

looks perfectly doable to me. In Lisbon don't miss the Azulejos museum and the Belem district. In Evora take the side trip to see the standing stones - amazing. and if you can in your time in Coimbra take a side trip to Tomar - one of our favorite parts of Portugal. Also the magical mystical forest of Bussaco - especially if you are interested in Napoleon.

Do us a favor and post a trip report, seems Portugal doesn't get as much information out there as other countries. My DH and I are doing a similar trip in the fall. Have fun!!

Thanks lauram!!


Will do heart2travel!

Hopefully will get more feedback now, and will post a report when we return.

Coimbra is a nice town but for a day - I found Nazare a nice seaside town with old-world character (unlike Algarve places) - be sure to hit Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site en route Coimbra/Nazare to Porto.

Cars are nice for slowly exploring the countryside but you are going to mainly cities and seem to be just going as quick as possible between points A and B - in that case consider the trains - you will not need cars in any of those places - just a suggestion to consider- driving is fine too - for lots of info on trains- www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com and https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/ (Portugeuse Railways' official site.

I would suggest the beauty of the ocean is just as nice in places like Nazare over the modern high-rise full Algarve - Lagos is one town there with old-world charm however.

Suggest cutting Algarve and more time in Porto area -doing day trips to say Guimares or Braga - by train or car - two fantastic places.

I would limit the time in Coimbra in favor of spending more time in Porto.

PalenQ- Ditch the sea caves altogther?

If we do skip the South - where should we add the 2 nights?

massimop - Should we spend any nights in Coimbra? Or just visit along the drive North.

Would you add 2 more nights to Porto for day trips?

Just so hard to answer for somebody else, since some of it depends on whether you will have more you want to do in Evora on the morning of your departure, or if you typically get up and hit the road early when traveling.

If it's the former, you'll have a more relaxed visit to Coimbra if you plan on spending the night. If it's the latter, it is likely you can see everything you want to see in Coimbra in a day. Whether you then want to spend the night in Coimbra (or possibly Tomar?) up to you.

Keep in mind that if you want to see the library in Coimbra (highly recommended!) it is a timed entry. I don't know if it is possible these days to reserve in advance online. But if not, best thing to do when you arrive in Coimbra is to head to the library first to buy a ticket. If you cannot enter the immediately you might want to ask for an entry time that's later in the day so you can do other sightseeing in between.

I forgot to answer about daytrips from Porto:

Porto is just the kind of odd, one-off city that I like. There are very few places like it I have ever seen. It's hard for me to know if other people find it as interesting as I do. I was much less interested in the guidebook recommended sights in Porto than I was in walking all over the small city, and normally I plan my trip around going to museums and specific architectural sights of great importance. But Porto is like some huge open air antiques market. If you enjoy rummaging in attics, Porto is really fun. The entire city os made up of things nobody makes anymore. If you'd rather look at scenery or see outstanding art and architecture, Porto isn't that, and some of it is very touristy (Ryan Air fast break touristy, drinking port wine).

By the way, if you really are from Miami Beach it's possible some of Porto will seem rather familiar. A lot of it is Art Nouveau of an old glam style (actually Lisbon has a certain Florida feel to it too). So either you will shrug your shoulders or you will be thrilled to feel the connection

https://europetravelculture.wordpres...ure-in-oporto/

http://www.e-travelmag.com/portugal/...veau-in-porto/

Wow!!! Thanks so much folks for the feedback!!!

We are a mix of slow pokes and movers and shakers on vacation. Some days we go go go and others we need to sleep in and chillax.

We are going to skip Algarve and South - as yes, french - we live on Miami Beach and I think we would miss out heading south. And I love vintage Miami Beach - Art Deco and all.

We do want a car - we enjoy the freedom. This above itinerary was a first stab. I will keep refining.

Will add another night to Porto, wondering if we should stay somewhere of the coast in the Douro valley for a night or 2.

Not sure if we should stay somewhere else besides Coimbra.

Go to the Douro Valley! It was our favorite part of Portugal. It is so beautiful.We stayed at Quinta Nova and it was phenomenal. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ern_Portu.html.
At least try to spend one night there. You won't regret it.

Not sure if we should stay somewhere else besides Coimbra>

Coimbra is a nice city -especially the old upper town with university courtyards- but it is a fairly large seemingly congested city or so it seemed when I was there (did not stay there but as said on the nearby seaside or in Tomar as massimop suggests (did not go there but put faith in her/his takes on things).

Duoro can be great if a car and you get to the best of it (which I could not do on a day trip by train from Porto).

This trip is back on for December Xmas break this time with our 2 teen boys in tow.

Looks like we will have 10 nights on the ground. Was thinking of wither flying into Porto and out of Lisbon or vice versa.

Is this all still doable in Winter?

We spent two weeks in Portugal over New Years 2010/2011 and had a great time.

Our pics are here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57636734183955

We needed warm clothes and tourists were light on the ground.

Lisbon was really fun on NYE!

Enjoy!

Is this all still doable in Winter?>

Portugal is for sure and cities like Porto and Lisbon will be warm enough but I'd forego the Duoro Valley and any beach areas as water will even in Algarve I believe be too cool.

But places like Braga, Guimares, Evora, Coimbra, Obidos and Sintra will be fine - even nicer in a way without hoards of tourists. jamikins usual sharp camera eye shows things at Xmas - seems a little foggy perhaps but the castles at Sintra and food and those gleaming golden church interiors still shine.

We are thinking of starting in Porto with a car and leaving from Lisbon. (Or would someone advise the opposite look like they Looking at arriving Christmas Day.

Want to figure out how many nights each and where to sleep along the way.

Porto - 2 or 3 nights?

Lisbon - 3 or 4 nights?

Booked air!! Landing in Porto and leaving 10 days later from Lisbon.

Still wondering how to divide time....

Yes for each - I'd do a day trip from Porto like to Guimares or Braga or spend just two full days there.

Lisbon 3-4 and do a day trip to Sintra for sure.

heart2travel, I did a five part trip report for our trip to Portugal back in 2012 - lots of details, we had a great time

Checking out your reports LauraM. Thanks!

Booked Porto for 3 nights.

Cant decide where to stay in Lisbon and things are booking up fast because its NYE. Any advice?

With 3 nights in Porto and 4 nights in Lisbon.
That gives us 3 nights in between.
Not sure if we should pick one place for 3 nights (which is preferable to moving around more.) or a 2/1 combo.

Evora is loved on the boards - but a friend there now felt like it was a skip - but said dont miss Merida (Spain)

Coimbra gets mixed reviews as a base. Also will be winter - so not sure about Nazare - but it may be a good base for - Alcobaça, Batalha Fátima, and Obidos.

Someone said no to Duoro Valley bc its winter - is it just that its too cold? Would it be worth a day trip from Porto with a guide?

In Lisbon, we loved the Hotel Avenida Palace.

Perfect location on the square and next to the train station, gorgeous property with excellent customer service, and the best breakfast buffet we've ever seen, in a beautiful dining room.

Contact them directly for the best price and service.

http://www.hotelavenidapalace.pt/hotel-overviewhtml

MoBro - thats exactly where my friend just stayed and sadly they are booked for one of my nights (according to the website.) I will email them just in case!

I have attached the link to our Portugal trip report. We spend about 10 days in Lisbon, Douro valley, Evora, Marvao and Algarve. Fast paced as you can see but not much I would change. Portugal is lovely. You will have a great time.

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...ra-algarve.cfm

MiamiBeachMomma, it's worth a try to contact them directly. It's an awesome hotel.

I remember there was another beautiful hotel, across the square from Avenida Palace, but I can't remember it's name and really don't know anything about it, except it's a great location.

Good luck!

Nights 4-5 Algarve (not sure which town)>

In December I'd forget the Algarve - very modern place with a few old towns and too cool for swimming.

Maybe consider stopping overnight in Obidos en route to Coimbra - perfectly walled medieval town - a Pousada - hotels in historic edifices is built right into the ancient walls. Really exceptional.

Or add days to Porto and Lisbon - again some neat day trips from Porto to say Guimares and Braga.

PalenQ - for sure we dropped the Algarve for the winter visit. I think we will do one of your suggested day trips while in Porto as we have 3 nights there.

MoBro- emailed the hotel and they replied they are booked :(
I also used google maps to check the hotel that looks like its across the street - they are booked too. Arg!

mnag - thats for posting!! Did you feel like Evora was worth the stop? Was thinking one night at the Convento Do Espinheiro.

I have rooms at he Lapa Olippiso as a back up - since things were booking up - its way more than we planned to spend and I think its not really the location we were hoping for - any thoughts?

Thinking we may add a night to Lisbon and then do 2 in Coimbra as a base for that area rather than staying anywhere of just one night - unless someone highly recommends.

Last Winter break we went to London for 9 days or so and stayed the entire time in one place and did some day trips. That was a big winner with my younger son - he enjoys his sleep and chill time.

Thanks!

MiamiBeachMomma, yes we enjoyed Evora and the Convento. The women in our large group enjoyed the little shops in the main part of town, nice restaurants in addition to the historical sights. You may find the below article useful.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/tr...ernighter.html

'The town of Évora certainly has enough charm to hold your attention for two (or more) days but since you’ve most likely arrived by car, there is also lots to explore nearby. Within 30 minutes are the charming villages of Monsarraz, Estremoz and Vila Viçosa, with their Baroque palaces and medieval churches. To the north, the hilltop town of Arraiolos is the center of Portuguese carpet and tapestry weaving.

There are also wineries galore, like Herdade de Coelheiros, whose labels for their Tapada de Coelheiros wines are inspired by Arraiolos’s famous rugs. Even closer to Évora is Adega de Cartuxa.'

mnag - Thanks!! Will read the NYT article! Its me, my hubby, and my boys - 18 and 15 - do you think this would be an interesting stop for them as well?

Now Im considering visiting the area as a day trip from Lisbon (if I add a night there) and using Coimbra or Tomar for a 2 night stop in between the Porto and Lisbon stays.

Where did you all stay in Lisbon?

I suggest you don’t miss Evora. It was one of the high points in our trip. The surrounding countryside is so beautiful-studded with cork oaks. I would imagine your boys would enjoy seeing all the products made out of cork in town. I wished we had more time there- we only spent one night.
I enjoyed Coimbra but I think stopping there for the day is fine. I didn’t love Obidos- felt too much like Disneyland to me. You have to pay to enter!
Have a great trip- we loved our visit!

Miami beach momma,
Are you planning on writing a trip report when you return? We will be in Lisbon for 5 nights in April, so I would love to hear what you have to say about Lisbon. And other places, as well. Hopefully, we will make a second trip to Portugal to visit Porto and other places. Thanks.

Coimbra is good for a morning visit, finishing off in Tomar for the night. Neither right now require much more.

I enjoyed Coimbra but I think stopping there for the day is fine.>

Or even a few-hour stop just to see the exquisite university rectangle in upper town. Rest of town nice but not that compelling.

Obidos have to pay to enter? Are you sure about that or talking about mandatory parking fee for vehicles? Can find nothing to document that you say if arriving by train or bus you must pay to enter -please clarify.

Anyone have good car rental experience? From which company? Just renting for abut 3-4 days between porto and lisbon.

May want to make a separate post about that -old threads are not much read but a separate post should yield several erudite answers from Fodorgarchs.

Thanks for tip PalenQ!

Seems to have worked... AutoEurope always gets great reviews here (not from me as I am clueless on car rentals).

definitely did not have to pay to stay in Obidos, (other than at hotel lol) and we did have a car.

My memory is that our car rental experience in Portugal was pretty easy. We used auto europe. definitely get the prepaid toll gadget, otherwise the toll roads would be a nightmare.

So far this is the plan.....

Land in Porto on Christmas Day.
Walking tour booked for 4 pm.
3 nights Porto - pick up car upon checkout

Belmonte 1 night

?????? 1 night

Evora 1 night

Lisbon 4 nights. Drop off car upon arrival in Lisbon.

Private day trip tour to Sinatra and Cascais is booked.

Still deciding on that one night...was thinking Tomar as a possibility.

Any thoughts on the one night???

Marvao was another option reccomnded to me...