Porto and the Douro valley
 

Hi

We are a couple in our late 20's and we have planned a trip to Portugal in June for 5 days. We are flying into Porto and out of Lisbon and want to spend 2 nights and 2 days in Lisbon. We need some sugfgestions for the other 3 days, I would like to explore Porto for a day and then spend the next 2 days in the Douro valley. Do we need a car for this? Are there any must see wineries in Douro? I've hear do the train and the riverboat but i don't know if driving would give us more options?

Also, should we then drive from Porto to Lisbon or is ther not much to see on the way?

Thanks!

loads to see between Porto and Lisbon

You can spend at least 3 days in Porto with possible side trips to Guimaraes & Braga. There are day trip tourist boats that do Douro valley tours. Also train to Regua & back provides good views. Car is another option but not mandatory.

Between Lisbon and Porto you could visit Obidos, Alcobaca, Bathalta,Nazare, Coimbra, Aviero, all very worthwhile.
However, with only five days, Lisbon and Porto( with a day trip on riverboat up the Douro)will fill your time.

Should we try to stay in Douro for a night? Or rather stay in Porto?

Is there a train between Porto and Lisbon and how long does it take?

Thanks for all the advice!

try www.cp.pt

in english and it has all the answers

both train & bus take around 3 hrs

I personally don't think you have nearly enough time to see Porto, Lisbon and the Douro Valley in 5 days, especially if the 5 days include travel time. I see you already have your reservations, but I think it'd be much more fun to either spend the time in Porto and the Douro, or in Lisbon with maybe a trip to Batalha, Alcobaca,Nazare, Obidos, Evora, or one of the close Alentejo towns.

Visiting the Douro from Porto can be done on a boat trip from Porto, but I really wouldn't recommend that option. The scenic portion of the Douro is really east of Pinhao, and I think most day trips go Porto-Pinhao-Porto. There's a train from Pinhao to Pocinho that takes you through exponentially prettier scenery.

So, if you're stuck with your plane tickets, I think I'd limit it to two days in Porto and 3 in Lisbon. Just my opinion, but I consider myself a fairly energetic traveler and I think your plan is overambitious.

not just acomodation but great programs as well
find it out here

http://www.lifecooler-travel.com/ind...x?consultor=m2

i'd definitelly recomend a pit stop in Obidos/Batalha/Nazare/Coimbra on your trip from Lisbon to POrto

have fun!
:)

I am planning a very similar trip but continuing to Spain after. From my research and speaking to many friends who have been to and lived in Portugal, 1-2 days in Porto is plenty. We have decided 2 nights in Lisbon 1 in Porto and 1-2 in Guimaraes/Douro.

Would love to trade tips.

<<1-2 days in Porto is plenty>>. That doesn't count for me! We spent 3 days in Porto last year (and one day in the Douro Valley) and we haven't nearly seen enough of Porto. We really liked it a lot, so we are going back this June for a few days at the end of our three week tour throughout Portugal.

I would agree that trying to do all three of Lisbon, Porto and the Douro valley (quite a distance from town and very winding roads) is a bit of a stretch.
I would suggest either doing Lisbon (for which you need 2 days minimum, not mention nearby Sintra, which you can expect to be a highlight of your visit) and one or more of the places mentioned here: Obidos, Alcobaça, Evora...
OR
doing Porto and the Douro valley (plus maybe Guimarães, which is close to Porto and which you can do in a day).
If you choose the former option, then I would highly recommend a company we used, Have a Wine Day ( www.en.haveawineday.com ) where as well as visiting the beautiful walled city of Evora and surrounding sights (including the biggest circle of prehistoric standing stones in Iberia) we had a lovely wine tasting. They do other day trips, including to Obidos, Fatima (with the big Catholic shrine) and Alcobaça.
If you choose the latter option, then for the Douro part you can take a boat trip (scenic) upstream from Porto and a train ride back (also scenic, but quicker) - all in a day if you like. The biggest company is Douro Azul but I think there are others. If you decide to drive to visit more wineries then make sure you book well ahead. You can eat or stay overnight at a few of them.