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Recommendations For Portugal Itinerary?
Hello!
I’m in the initial stages of planning a future visit to Portugal.
Figured I’d tap knowledgeable wanderers for guidance in this stunning slice of Europe.
So far, my itinerary targets Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra.
Could those with past visits to these parts offer input?
Seeking recommendations on must-see cultural attractions and hidden local favorites off the beaten path.
Additionally, based on preliminary research, Portugal appears quite walkable within city centers.
However, I’m curious – for journeys between cities, how feasible is relying primarily on public transportation versus other options?
Thank you in advance for sharing your Portugal insights and experiences!
I look forward to learning more about what makes this destination so special from a local perspective.
Wishing you all safe and happy travels.
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12 Replies
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Hi Daniel,
For how long are you planning on going to Portugal and during which season?
I have been during both summer and winter, and both times were great.
In the summer, it is quite crowded.
It is really easy to use public transit.
We took the train 1 hour to Sintra.
Between Lisbon and Porta, we took a bus which took around 4 hours.
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Hi again Raj, thanks for your reply.
I’m thinking of going to Portugal for 10 days in autumn, maybe in September or October.
I’ve heard that the weather is nice, and the places are not too busy.
It’s good to know that I can get around easily by train or bus.
You seem like a seasoned traveler, Raj.
How many countries have you visited?
I’ve only seen eight so far, and Portugal will be my ninth.
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I have been to Portugal in both mid-September and also in December.
The weather was still nice in September but the beach towns to the south were all quite empty, which was quite nice.
I am currently on country 66, but never gets old.
Enjoy Portugal!
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September sounds like a dream, with nice weather and no crowds in the southern beaches. 🏖️
I would surely enjoy that.
Thanks again, Raj!
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We started flying into Porto and can’t say enough about the Yeatman Hotel.
We stayed for 3-4 nights.
Then we rented a car and drove to the Douro Valley which was beautiful if you’re into wine.
There we stayed at Six Senses Spa Douro Valley for 2 nights, which is now an IHG property.
Finished up in Lisbon for 3-4 nights and flew out from there.
Everything in Portugal is amazing and you will love it!
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Thank you for sharing some details of your trip to Portugal, including hotels where you stayed at, @Agustina.
I love wine, and visiting Douro Valley sounds like a great plan. 🍷
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When based in Lisbon take a day trip, first see Queluz Palace then head onto Sintra, which is just 1 hour by train.
A nice place for a day or two (especially in warmer weather) is Estoril along the coast on the way to Porto.
After reaching Porto and visiting the city and some great local wineries, loop back down to Evora on your way back to Lisbon.
We spent 9 or 10 days following the above itinerary and found the pace manageable.
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Estoril and Evora sound like really nice choices.
Thank you for your suggestions, @Clay.
I’ll do some more research on these destinations.
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We did 8 days in Portugal with 5 in Lisbon and 3 in Porto.
Porto is way more laid back and we did a Port wine tour of Sandeman’s.
We hopped on the train down to the north beaches but even in late September it was cold.
In Lisbon, we stayed in Alfama neighborhood which was a treat in itself.
We did a lot of walking around in the maze of Alfama getting lost quite often as it’s very easy to get turned around.
We went to a fado dinner which was great.
We even took in a concert at the monastery.
I would have loved to have gone to the Algarve area but we decided next time and we’ll go to both Algarve area, Gibraltar, and Malaga Spain.
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Fly into Lisbon for 3 days with a full day in Sintra and a stop in Cascais.
Rent a car and drive to Obidos for a quick visit. Head to Costa Nova and see the striped houses and grab some lunch.
Continue on to Nazare and spend two nights.
Drive to Aviero and stop for lunch.
On to Porto.
Do a day trip to the Douro Valley.
Make sure to go to at least one Port house.
Fly home from Porto.
You don’t have enough time to go down to the Algarve if you want to go north to Porto.
Driving is safe and simple over there, or public transit is very easy.
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We just got back from Portugal and this is the itinerary I put together.
It sounds like a lot but we really had time to see everything plus we made fun stops along the way
Day 1:
Drive from Lisbon to Porto, stop in Tomar on the way (really cool Templar town)
Day 2-4:
Porto. We stayed in the middle of the old town so we could walk everywhere.
We took the Big Red Bus to stop at all the major spots and get the lay of the land.
Day 5-6:
Drove from Porto and stopped in Agueda, Aviero and stayed at Bussaco Palace outside Coimbra.
Day 7-9:
Visited Coimbra and then headed to Sintra for 2 nights.
They have a great public bus that takes you to all the stops you’ll want to see
Day 10-11:
Spent 2 full days in Lisbon before heading home.
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When you visit Lisbon, it is important to see the old Alfama area, try a pastel de nata from Pastéis de Belém and ride on a tram along the quaint roads.
In Porto, you should go to the Ribeira district because of its bright houses and views of the river; also make sure to taste port wine in the warehouses over Douro River.
Regarding Sintra, the Pena Palace takes your breath away, and if you walk up to the Castle of the Moors you are rewarded with amazing views.
Concerning the ways of travel, public transport in Portugal is quite reliable, especially in urban areas.
Trains are good for moving from one city to another, while buses allow you to reach little towns or places less visited.
If you want adventure, hiring a car lets you go freely to distant locations, though it is not required if using public transportation suits your preference.
I hope this is useful to you.
Have a good journey and embrace all the beautiful things that Portugal presents for you.
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