Hello, my husband and I are going to Portugal for the first time in September for 11 nights and I am overwhelmed by how much there is to see and do. We like hiking, kayaking and exploring old villages and grand old towns so initially we were thinking of doing Lisbon/Sintra/Obidos/Coimbra/Douro Valley but now people are telling me we are crazy to go to Portugal and not visit the beaches of the Algarve/Alentejo. So many things to see and do and so little time so I think we need to make a choice to do either Lisbon/Sintro/Obidos and Algarve/Alentejo beaches or Lisbon/Sintro/Obidos/Monsanto/Coimbra/Pesode Regua picturesque area. Note we are not big Port/Wine drinkers: I just have heard a lot about the Douro valley. We also would like to only stay at 3 or maybe 4 different inns/residences so we are able to relax and not be repacking every day. Seasoned travelers to Portugal I am graciously seeking your advice on what our itinerary should be. Thank you so much.

I've been to Portugal four times, and haven't made it south of Lisbon yet. But if I want a beach, which I mostly don't, I have one two hours away. Lazing on a beach wasn't on your list of interests, so why plan to do it? And if you do want a day on one, there are Atlantic beaches, too.

No one in this thread did.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-itinerary.cfm
You have not enough time to do that as well as other locations something has to give.
So it is a toss up between a beach and Portuguese culture. What can you get in California????

You could consider staying at a Marriott Resort in Obidos that is outside the old town, but right on the ocean.

www.praia-del-rey.com

Why go to Portugal and stay in a Marriott? You can do that at home.

Actually, we did. It was right on the ocean with a long sandy beach.

The OP mentioned beaches and Obidos.

If I were going to spend the night in/near Obidos (I did it as a day trip, took loads of photos, and feel no need to go back) I would stay in one of the B&Bs listed on TA. Or, if I could afford it, at the Pousada - http://www.pousadas.pt/historic-hote...ages/home.aspx . Unless you have points to burn, I don't understand staying in a US chain hotel out of the US, when there are so many more interesting local places.

The OP is only mentioning beaches because she has been told she should. Her previous thread on this trip did mention coastline, but you don't need a resort hotel for that.

Whenever I read that "people" said I would be crazy to do or not to do something,I often think:

How many people are "people?"

Do they have the same interests?

How many times have they been to that place?

Have they been to the places that you want to see?

Whose trip is it any way?

Let's see. We stayed in the Maria Christina in San Sebastian and the Westin Palace in Madrid in September.

Lovely chain hotels.

It always confounds me when someone has to impose there opinion on another posters information.

We have been to Obidos twice and stayed inside the old town some years ago.

Great place to stay.

Shouldn't the OP decide what is best for them rather than being told what's best for them??

Anyways--Happy New Year.

"It always confounds me when someone has to impose there opinion on another posters information."

Funny, I thought Fodors was all about people providing their opinions. I gave mine and asked you to explain yours.

A few years back we did an 8 day fall trip to Portugal covering many areas you mention, and did not visit the Algarve area (that will be for another trip). We started in Porto, and ended in Lisbon, with stops along the way (2 nights on the the road). Portugal is BEAUTIFUL!!

Here's my report with the specifics: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-portugal.cfm

A few years back we did an 8 day fall trip to Portugal covering many areas you mention, and did not visit the Algarve area (that will be for another trip). We started in Porto, and ended in Lisbon, with stops along the way (2 nights on the the road). Portugal is BEAUTIFUL!!

Here's my report with the specifics: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-portugal.cfm

The Douro River Valley is beautiful in and of itself, so no need to be a big port or wine drinker, but it can be very warm in September. I would wait until the fall harvest to visit the valley (www.pinterest.com/sanfermines/the-rio-douro/).

Your problem is that you don't have enough time to cover everything you've listed. Trying to do both the north and south with only 11 days is simply too much.

Thank you everyone, especially for the trip reports which were extremely helpful. We just need to pick a few places and go

Great country. Have a lovely trip.

We went to the Douro in August, right before the harvest. We would love to go back in September to see it as it would be amazing! The Douro is beautiful! If you want o relax a few days you couldn't find a better place to do it. You can do tastings of regular wine, not just Port there. The scenery is gorgeous! We stayed at Quinta da Nova. Unbelievable views from there with a restaurant right on site. It was my favorite night in Portugal and. Changed our plans in the middle of our trip to make it happen.

If you do not want to pack/unpack everyday then 11 days is not enough to visit the South and the North. I would recommend:
Lisbon/Sintra/Obidos/Coimbra/OPorto/Peso de Regua
From Oporto to Peso da Regua take a cruise. It´s a 2 days trip with overnight in Regua.
You may like to add Guimarães. The first capital of Portugal.