Can you do Lisbon and Porto in 5 days?

If you only have five days in Portugal, you can pair two major cities—Lisbon and Porto, for example—or choose one region for an in-depth experience. Explore the dreamy Algarve coast, head to the wine-famous Duoro Valley, or stick to Lisbon and its surrounds.



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To get a well-rounded experience of Portugal, it makes sense to try to visit both places. Ideally, I'd recommend three or four nights in Lisbon (in order to do a day trip to Sintra) and two nights in Porto. On the shortest itinerary I would plan on two nights in each city. Fly into one city and out of the other.

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If you are lucky enough to spend 5 days in Lisbon you have the chance to get to know the city in depth. And do it calmly, having plenty of time to see and enjoy its monuments and with the possibility of making excursions to the most interesting places in the surroundings.

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We recommend spending at least two days in Porto for a slightly more relaxed pace. You can take your time to explore the city's charming streets and neighbourhoods, visit some of the top museums and cultural attractions, and perhaps take a day trip to nearby towns or beaches.

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Big sister Lisbon is twice the size, more cosmopolitan, faster paced and 200 miles further south, so in summer it can be sweltering. Compact, walkable Porto has a more traditional feel and is cooled by Atlantic breezes through summer, though fog and rain can roll in via the same route during the winter.

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So, how many days to explore Lisbon? We always recommend that it takes three days to fully explore Lisbon. This is sufficient to visit all of the characterful districts, experience the nightlife and join a couple of unique activities.

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For your first trip to Porto, we think three days is ideal. You'll need two days to take in the city's main highlights, and an extra day to explore the nearby Douro Valley. Being a relatively small city, it's possible to pack all of Porto's main attractions into a day (here's our guide on how to do Porto in a day).

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Travel by Train: The railway offers regular and direct services from Porto to Lisbon, and is the recommended means of travel. The fastest train (the Alfa Pendular service) takes 2h50minutes, while seats on the slightly slower Intercidades (intercity) service only cost €25.10 for an adult single.

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If you're planning a trip to Portugal, a stop in Porto is a must. Luckily, it's only 313 kilometers (about 195 miles) from Lisbon and easy to reach from the capital city. Downtown Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a historic center and colorful houses.

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Both Lisbon and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Lisbon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lisbon than Barcelona. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination. Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Barcelona.

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Located about halfway between Lisbon and Porto, the walled village of Obidos is definitely worth a visit! one of the best-preserved medieval villages in all of Europe. This enchanting village is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its well-preserved castle walls, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning views.

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Comfortable walking shoes:Porto is a very walkable city, with many cobblestone streets and steep hills. Comfortable shoes will be essential for exploring the city on foot. Light layers: The weather in Porto can be unpredictable, and it's always a good idea to bring clothing that can be layered.

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The best time to visit Porto is from mid-spring in April until the end of October, when it is still warm and sunny. Nonetheless, the best months are undoubtedly May and September.

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To get a well-rounded experience of Portugal, it makes sense to try to visit both places. Ideally, I'd recommend three or four nights in Lisbon (in order to do a day trip to Sintra) and two nights in Porto. On the shortest itinerary I would plan on two nights in each city. Fly into one city and out of the other.

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Is 4 days enough to see Lisbon? Yes, 4 days are typically enough to see the highlights of Lisbon and experience some of its culture, landmarks and cuisine. It allows for a decent amount of time to visit popular sights and also offers some flexibility for further exploration.

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Lisbon is a fantastic destination for your 1-week holiday. It is a fascinating and varied city, which combines the best aspects of a city break, beach holiday and cultural trip.

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The average journey time by train between Lisbon and Porto is 4 hours and 8 minutes, with around 17 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

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Lisbon and Porto are both hilly cities, but Lisbon is hillier. If you have trouble walking, then Porto is the flatter option and is also a much smaller city so you can see more on-foot or in a short time.

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Visiting Porto makes it possible to take a day trip to the UNESCO Douro Valley. And, for that reason alone makes Porto worth visiting. The Douro Valley is an unmissable destination while in Porto. It's incredibly scenic with its steep hills filled with vineyards right down to the Douro River.

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