Time in Porto/Lisbon
 

We currently have 5 nights (with 4 full days for sight seeing) booked in Porto near the end of May. We will do one day trip to the Douro Valley and maybe one to Guimaraes or Braga, if we want to. After Porto, we will head to Lisbon to fly back to Canada, with no time currently planned in Lisbon.

Would be worthwhile to leave Porto 1 day earlier for Lisbon and have 1 day in Lisbon to see some sights? My initial thought is that this would be too rushed or complicated as Lisbon is large city and we’ve never been there. I am thinking now though that maybe we could stay in a good location in Lisbon that would allow us to walk to some sights for 1 day. This would shorten our time in Porto to 3.5 days. Our flight home from Lisbon is an early afternoon flight, so we would have 1 full day (and evening) in Lisbon.

I have no problem leaving Lisbon this time and visiting it on another trip to Portugal. However, I just wanted some thoughts as maybe 3.5 days in Porto is enough and it would be good to see some things in Lisbon, even if it is limited.

a day is good to see if you want to come back... ride the hill-climbing tram thru the Alfama and wander around the Baixa, etc. Not that much in central Lisbon - Belem has a lot but takes a whole day.

Yes do a full day and see if you want to come back later (people either seem to love or not love Lisbon - I like it but not love it. Anywayn take antique tram up narrow streets of Alfama (great views from top) and wander around the Baixa district - central Lisbon not that big and IMO not that much there besides usual churches and government buildings - Belem on the riverfront takes a whole day and to me is awesome.

You may want to hit Coimbra for a few hours en route if going by train stash bags in station locker and head for lovely University and the fabulous square there in the upper town. If doing trains check www.cp.pt for discounted fares - general info www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Thank you both for your feedback. I will take a look at the suggestions.