Porto and Lisbon

[jan]

We have tickets to arrive in Lisbon on March 29. We will have 8 nights before we fly to Rome.
I am thinking 4 nights each in Lisbon and Porto.
What do you all think?

 

[Dennis]

Well Jan: First off. Lucky you! Both cities are worth the visit.
In calculating your sightseeing time one needs to consider travel time between cities. By car or train it's around 3 hours; by express bus figure on 4 or so hours. Depending on your plane's arrival time and your stamina after the flight, arrival day can be a write-off. Unless things have changed drastically, departures from Lisbon airport can be chaotic so ample time is needed.
We found Lisbon more sophisticated, Porto more work-a-day. There is a saying "Braga prays; Coimbra reads; Lisbon sings; and Porto works." It is apt. I would lean towards an extra night in Lisbon to take a day's excursion to Sintra to see the castle, palace and country homes. That being said I was able to fill four days in Porto just wandering the streets, visiting the Port lodges.

 

[Jan55612]

I agree with Dennis. I would spend more time in Lisboa. Lots of stuff to see and do in Lisboa, Sintra, Cascais, Belem.......But, both are very interesting and charming cities to visit.