City Break in Porto and Lisbon: A Week-Long Road Trip
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From Porto to Lisbon: A Beautiful Scenic Route

Combine your city trip to Porto and Lisbon with a stunning route through nature. This trip (which we took in February) is a week filled with sunshine, picturesque cities, and unexpected discoveries in nature, as you follow the breathtaking Douro River from Porto to Lisbon.

It’s a journey through the history and culture of unique Portugal. Read about the road trip between the two cities. Of course, you can also do the route in the opposite direction.

Station Porto rotated e1702831313641
Steegje Porto Portugal rotated e1702835095168
Station Porto Portugal rotated e1702831350579

Porto: History, Harry Potter, and Heavenly Meals

This city is fascinating all year round. With a handy map, you can explore the city. Admire the beautiful train station with its azulejos that tell the story of its history; enjoy the stately homes and green parks. Discover the Porto of Harry Potter, where J.K. Rowling found her inspiration. You’ll be amazed by the stunning Livraria Lello bookstore.

Tips for Porto:

  • Take a bike tour of the city. Explore the city on Baja bikes.
  • O Caseirinho, a family restaurant just outside the city center on the Douro River. Local wine, cheese, and meat.
  • Livraria Lello Bookstore: You can reserve a time slot online (it gets pretty crowded there). You’ll also receive a book voucher.
Porto - Livraria Lello - staircase
Fado duo - Porto - Portugal
Porto Tram - Portugal

Porto: A tram ride to the beach and wineries along the Douro

Your next day began with a delicious breakfast, followed by a leisurely ride on the old wooden tram to the beach. On the way back, you’ll stroll along the Douro River, past wineries and the impressive Church of St. Francis with its catacombs. Porto proves that it’s worth every step. In Porto, you can get around on foot, by bike, or by tram. A car is absolutely unnecessary here.

Coimbra, Portugal’s oldest university

Coimbra, a somewhat forgotten city nestled between the famous cities of Porto and Lisbon, but this former capital of the Kingdom of Portugal is well worth a visit. The city is divided in two by the Mondego River. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal during the Middle Ages and has a long and significant history.

In 1290, King Dinis founded Portugal’s first university in Coimbra. The university is also one of the oldest in the world. The Coimbra student organization played a central role in the country’s subsequent history as a defender of the values of freedom and democracy, served as a bastion of resistance, and stood up against the Estado Novo dictatorship. Initially confined to the Royal Palace, the university spread throughout Coimbra, transforming it into a university town and earning it the title “Coimbra, City of Knowledge.”

Coimbra, Portugal
Coimbra, Portugal—historic city
University of Coimbra

Fado in Coimbra

It was also within the university that “Fado de Coimbra” was born, a musical expression unique in the world. The poems and artists evoke sweet serenades about love and longing for a woman, for the city, and for the Academy. The songs are accompanied by special round-bodied acoustic guitars.

Today, Coimbra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many historic buildings and the city’s significance in the history of Portugal.

Coimbra, the setting for the love story of Pedro and Inês

Coimbra was also the setting for one of the most beautiful and tragic love stories that still lives on in the Portuguese imagination today: the forbidden love between D. Pedro of Portugal and D. Inês de Castro. It was in Coimbra that sparks flew between the heir to the Portuguese throne and the Galician noblewoman. Their tombs can still be visited in the magnificent monastery of Alcobaça (an hour’s drive south of Coimbra).

The Joanina Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world

The Joanina Library was named one of the most beautiful libraries in the world by The Telegraph. The library was built in the 17th century using gold reserves discovered in Brazil. It is located in the Paço das Escolas at the University of Coimbra.

Old Cathedral of Coimbra, Quiema das Fitas

The site where Portugal’s second king, D. Sancho I, was crowned serves as the stage for the monumental serenade that marks the beginning of “Queima das Fitas” (literally, “burning of the banners”). On the first Friday in May, students celebrate the end of the academic year by burning the banners of the various faculties and performing a serenade at midnight on the steps of the impressive cathedral. The Queima lasts eight days (one day for each faculty) and has now evolved into a festival featuring a parade and floats. It is one of the largest student events in Europe.

Alvados: Nature, Tranquility, and Culinary Delights

Continuing along the Douro Route, you’ll arrive in Alvados, at the Cooking & Nature hotel. At “the Nest,” you’ll experience complete tranquility surrounded by nature. There’s one local restaurant, but you can also dine at Cooking & Nature. The next day, take an e-bike tour along the breathtaking route lined with orange and olive trees—it’s unforgettable.

Restaurant Cooking Nature Portugal 1
Zwembad Cooking Nature the Nest Portugal
Terras Nature Cooking

Nazaré: the world’s highest waves

A new highlight awaits you in Nazaré: the world’s highest waves crash along the coast. Surfers brave these impressive waves—a thrilling spectacle. A little further on, you can try your hand at calmer waters. From here, continue on to Lisbon!

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Kust tussen Porto en Lissabon Nazare

Lisbon: narrow alleys and breathtaking views

Of course, the best way to explore Lisbon is by taking tram 28. Stroll through the narrow alleys of Alfama, which were spared by the 1755 earthquake. You’ll enjoy a stunning view from one of the city’s rooftop bars, such as the one at Hotel Mondial. You definitely don’t need a car in Lisbon. Everything is easily accessible on foot or by tram.

Lisbon - Tram 28
Almafa Hill, Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon - Santa Maria Maior - signs

Fado in Lisbon

Of course, try a Fado restaurant. A chance encounter with an elderly man led us to Trovas Antigas, a “non-touristy” Fado restaurant in the bustling Bairro Alto neighborhood. An evening filled with enchanting music and delicious food.

Practical Tips for a City Trip to Porto and Lisbon

  • The trip from Porto to Lisbon is also easy to make by train; there are as many as 20 trains a day, and the ride takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes
  • Hotel Cooking & Nature in Alvados, with beautiful bike routes
  • The Nest Hotel next to Cooking & Nature in Alvados
  • O Caseirinho Restaurant in Porto
  • Trovas Antigas Fado Restaurant in Bairro Alto, Lisbon
  • You can fly to Porto and Lisbon with airlines such as Transavia
  • Car Rental in Porto: You can rent a car from Sunnycars. You don’t really need a car on your first and last days in the city. Both cities are hilly but easy to explore on foot.

City Trip to Porto and Lisbon: Route on the Map

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Madelon-Seignette - Author, Nature Travel Lab

About the author

Madelon Seignette

With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.

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