In January, have a chance to visit either Porto or Lisbon for 3 days. Have never visited Portugal before. Would you recommend Lisbon or Porto?

Lisbon, without question. Plenty to keep you busy and entertained for 3 days! Neat day trips to beautiful Sintra and even the beaches of Cascais/Estoril. If you've never visited Portugal, Lisbon is the place to start.

I second Lisbon, since your travel is January. While the Algarve region in Southern Portugal is simply amazing, I would only go there in the summer time when you can enjoy the desolate beaches.

I second the above opinions. Porto's surroundings are beautiful, the North of Portugal is worth seing but not in January, it's very cold in the North. The 3 days in Lisv«bon will allow you to see it and take a day trip to Cascais( where I live) and Sintra. Don't miss Sintra.

Porto is a gorgeous city, I have been to both Porto and Lisbon several times and somehow I find Porto has more charm and energy. Food is amazing in any of the two cities (as in all of Portugal). Yet I must agree with the previous posters--Porto in winter is not the best choice, damp and cold. For that alone, I'd choose Lisbon in January, and then take some road trips South to Cascais/Estoril/Faro. <BR><BR>Either city you chose, you cannot go wrong, but if I were to only chose one, I'd choose Porto (in warmer weather, though). <BR><BR>Enjoy, wherever you go. Portugal is a gorgeous country full of colorful customs, beautiful people, haunting music (the &quot;Fado&quot and delicious wines/cuisine.<BR><BR>Sandra

What a terrible choice to have to make but certainly the time of year answers it in Lisbon's favour. If you like to e-mail me i will send you some notes and URLs.

I agree that Lisbon is the best choice for a first time visitor in January, but Porto is one of the most underrated cities in Europe.

Lisbon. The weather in Lisbon is much better than in rainy Porto, and in January rains a lot in Porto.<BR>Have fun