Spending 8 nights in Portugal (flying in and out of Lisbon). We booked our first 4 nights in Lisbon (but can cancel the 4th night if want) and are planning to go on a day trip to Sintra, and then just drive North with no reservations thereafter. Couple questions:

1) Do we need more than a day in Sintra? Should we stay overnight?

2) Other towns we were thinking of were Obidos and Porto. Is this a good itinerary?

3) If we are driving to Porto, is there a great country side place we should visit along the way, or even stay at?

Thanks so much for your help!

Just an FYI - we are going in the middle of May if that makes any difference. Thanks!

There is a lot between Lisbon and Porto: Coimbra, Batalha, Tomar, etc. Given the little time you have, Porto might be a stretch.

Browsing through these pictures might give you some ideas:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623555520457/

Can you change your fight arrangements and fly into Lisbon and out of Porto, eliminating the backtracking?

As far as Sintra goes, yes, it can be done as a day-trip from Lisbon.

Sintra is a good day trip, no need for an overnight. With as little time as you have, if you want to visit Porto I'd take the train. You could stop in Coimbra (also by train) on the way.

We did Sintra(Pena Palace),Cabo da Roca and Cascais on the same day from Lisbon by public bus+train as a day trip.No need for an overnight IME.

Overnite in Obidos and see Nazare from there as you drive north.

Thank you guys! We are considering cutting Porto from the itinerary. Gives us a little more time to enjoy Sintra and Obidos plus maybe one other close place.

Would it be a huge mistake to cut Porto? Just feel like it might be too much time dedicated to the up and back (we can't change the flight itinerary).

Amazing pictures! THank you!

Porto can be cut from the itinerary if you can't spend a few days there to enjoy it.