Portugal Trip
 

First time posting using Fodors. I'll be doing a lot of traveling in Europe over the coming summer (travel originating in Dublin but I'm originally from the USA). I'm planning a trip to Portugal in late July / early August for about 6-8 days, give or take. We are interested in nature (hiking/kayaking), beach days, and the historical/architectural sites, as well as nightlife.

As of now, my very tentative plan is:
Will likely fly in and out of Lisbon but Porto is an option (as long is the price is fine)
2-4 night accommodation in Lisbon (city center, Alfama, Sintra, Caparca)
1-2 night accommodation in Lagos (Algarve beach area and Quinta Miradouro vineyard)
2-3 night accommodation in Coimbra (Aveiro, Mondego River, and Porto)

I have a number of questions:
Are those accommodation locations reasonable with the other locations I want to visit around those cities? I understand some of those would be day trips. I would rather have a "base" to leave our belongings and easily settle in after the day, but would you recommend staying in those various other locations instead of having a central location? What is the best method to travel around? We are fine with the bus (and would prefer the cheaper option) but only if the bus isn't too much longer than the train.

Finally, is there anything you feel I should add to my trip or take out of my trip (based on the little bit you've read about my interests)? Any suggestions, pointers, or any information would be greatly appreciated.

I'd aim for a minimum 2 nights to stop because with two nights you get an afternoon's trip and a day's trip, that is all

Yes they make sense, check the train timings at http://www.cp.pt/passageiros/pt click the EN at the top RHS. To make it easy. Use the train the most it makes life easy and at least sort out the transport time using it.

Just a warning. Algarve will be packed in July/August with millions from all over Europe, with high prices and congested roads. Unless you want a beach, I suggest you stay away from the coast in some of the attractive inland places like Loulé and Silves.

The Atlantic beaches will probably be less crowded than the Algarve. Allow more time for Lisbon. Porto as a day trip from Coimbra sounds odd, have you checked the transit time? Bus or train are both fine.

Alentejo beaches will be even clearer but harder to get to

1st, unless you have a special reason to go to Caparica, rule it out and save one day. in Lisbon area you have beaches more convenient such as Tamariz (Estoril) and Guincho (Cascais).
2nd, your itinerary, given the short stay seems too geographically spread. Consider Lagos, Evora and Lisbon or Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. This 2nd option offers better transportation facilities, less extreme temperatures and offers you a glimpse of Portugal (south, centre and north).
3rd, if you still want to do Algarve to Coimbra in one day, check the schedules of the Alfa Pendular (CP train company). The alternative of traveling from Lagos to Coimbra by bus all the way seems like a nightmare to me. Eventually you'll have to catch a regional train from Lagos to the long distance train and from there is direct to Coimbra.
4th. Algarve beaches are on the Atlantic (unless I'm not reading the map properly).

"Algarve beaches are on the Atlantic" yep all of them, but I guess the larger waves and surfing ops are to the west, also the sand bars on the east side make the waves more subdued

If we are going to be so fussy, then you can reword my suggestion to "the west coast beaches north of Lisbon are likely to be less crowded than the Algarve". Really, I have seen Atlantic used for west coast on this forum frequently, and noone seemed to have any trouble understanding what was meant. Get out of bed on the wrong side this morning, lobo?

ok, ok, don't shoot the messenger. The other 3 points I think are all reasonable.

Thank you for the replies.

As for the Algarve beaches, I understand it will be busy, but is it still worth going to? We would like to go to the beach and this will very likely be my last visit (it is my first) to Portugal for quite some time. Crowds don't bother me as long as it is worth it and it is somewhat manageable.

Lobo, you suggested "Lagos, Evora and Lisbon or Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto". Which would you, or anyone else, recommend for a younger traveler in terms of seeing as much and nightlife?

Simply google them, decide whether you like them or not. If you rent a car, make sure to visit some beaches outside of Lagos, too, as there will be less peers in attendance as we found. Also, then you'd have easy access to the beaches on the West coast, most of which are totally different compared to the ones in the South. We loved touring the beaeches and the Algarve so much some years back.