Is Lisbon or Porto better for a weekend?

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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Explore the beautiful cities along the coast of Portugal. Start your journey discovering historic sites and wineries in Porto, from there you will head South to Lisbon. Along the way, you will get a chance to visit charming coastal towns, dramatic cliffs and national parks.

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Quaint cobbled streets walled with azulejo tiles and traditional architecture, Porto exudes the very essence of authentic Portuguese city life. Porto is the perfect weekend away for those seeking a slow city break, soaking up the sunset views of the Douro River, whilst trying the many varieties of specialist port wine.

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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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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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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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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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This route has one of the most picturesque views. Hence, taking a Porto to Lisbon train is a great way to relish Portugal's beauty. Thus, make sure to book your tickets in advance as they get sold out quickly.

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All in all, if you based yourself in Lisbon and find yourself with an extra day, I would absolutely recommend a day trip to Porto. Yes, the travel time of 3 hours each way may seem long, but you can always sleep, read, or work and since there are early and late departures, you can have a full 8 to 9 hours in Porto.

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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.

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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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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 looking for the best location to stay in Porto that lets you experience authentic local life while still being close to the city center, Bonfim is our top recommendation. Located just to the east of Baixa and Ribeira, Bonfim is an up-and-coming area of Porto.

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Probably the easiest way of traveling from Lisbon to Porto is by train. There are frequent connections between the capital and the second biggest city in Portugal. The journey time is between 2 hours and 40 minutes and 3 hours and 10 minutes, depending on the train you take.

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Some say that Porto is more of a “foodie” town than Lisbon and that there's more authentic traditional cuisine to be found. That's understandable as Lisbon does cater to a much broader contingent of diners.

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