Hi all - I am still in the early planning stages of a summer trip to Europe. I really want to see Portugal, but I have only allotted about 4-5 days for this beautiful country. I rarely spend more than 3 days in one city so I wouldn't be against trying to squeeze both into 5 days. But if I had to choose between Lisbon and Porto, which would you recommend?

I really appreciate your help!

Lisbon, it has more to offer.

Which city has "more to offer" depends on what interests you, unless you somehow imagine everybody is alike in the world and the only people who travel are "typical" tourists. I think both cities are fascinating but in entirely different ways. Which one I would pick would depend on what I wanted to get out of going to Portugal this time.

Splitting your time between the 2 is not a bad idea if you do the research and conclude it works for you.

>Splitting your time between the 2 is not a bad idea if you do the research and conclude it works for you.< Not a good idea if you want to enjoy either Lisbon or Porto.

Why so sour? Sandra why even reply? If you don't have an answer let it go. Lisbon would be my pick of the two.What about you Sandra? I just joined this forum and already I know who the sour p is.

I replied SaylerT because it is misleading for Michael or Robert to set themselves as authorities on how Lisbon and Porto for all travelers. I wanted that to be part of this thread.

Why don't you ask Robert why he contradicted me so sourly when I said something perfectly true? Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have done exactly what the OP is contemplating and had a wonderful experience. The first poster wrote -- " I rarely spend more than 3 days in one city so I wouldn't be against trying to squeeze both into 5 days. "

So Robert is here to declare that nobody enjoys that trip?

If you just joined this forum and this is going to be your intellectural level of contribution, I don't think my mood reading these self-aggrandizing pronouncements from "we-typical-tourists-who-know-what-everyone-wants" is going to improve.

Also, SaylerT, before you challenge other posters, it helps to actually read what they wrote. I answereed which I would in my response to the OP. (And by the way, you don't sound like a cheerful person to me at all.)

I answered the question "which would you recommend". Does this mean that the minute one expresses a choice one sets oneself up as an authority?

>I wanted that to be part of this thread.< And that you are!

I was pointing out the fact that snarkiness is not needed.Maybe you need to read your post.

Sandra I gave my opinion to the OP.
I left out the lecture.
I may be new to this forum,but I am not new to social media.
I'm sure you are the exception and not the rule.

bump?

cblairtx1, where is your first stop in Portugal? Porto and Lisbon are a 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hour train ride away from each other, depending on which train you take. This normally means you loose half a day traveling, which would only give you two days in each. Not much time to do more then check into and out of your hotel, unpack and pack your bags, and grab a quick lunch somewhere.

Lose.

jinxy412, welcome to Fodor's. Your insight is very helpful!

Thank you kindly, Robert. I registered solely in order to correct your spelling, which should contribute directly to your ego - you are that important! Keep on passive aggressively keeping on brother.

What beaches should I check out around Lisbon?

We enjoyed both cities but if I had to choose just one it would be Lisbon with side trips to Sintra and Cascais.
Much more to do in Lisbon and it always takes us a day or two to get acclimated and really get the feel of a city.