Coimbra or more time in Lisbon ?
#1
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To visit Coimbra or not to visit Coimbra, that is the question
Good afternoon! Due to a scheduling mix-up of our lodgings in Lagos, I find myself in possession of one extra night in our itinerary that isn't accounted for, and I would appreciate your advice on where to spend it. Here's what we have lined up so far:
Lagos-4 nights
Evora-2 nights
Nazare-4 nights (with day trip/s to surrounding sites and cities)
? Coimbra or Lisbon
Lisbon-4 nights (with a day trip to Sintra)
The shortest amount of time we like to stay in one hotel is 2 nights. Here is what I'm trying to decide between:
A. Take one night from Nazare and add it to the extra night, giving us two nights in Coimbra. The only negatives to this option are one more hotel change and an extra 2-3 hours devoted to transportation to and from here. Coimbra sounds amazing, though, and I'd love to see it!
B. Add the extra night to Lisbon, which would give us time to take a day trip to Setubal
C. Add the extra night to Nazare, which would give us time to visit Caldas da Rainha and Sao Martinho do Porto
I am leaning towards choice A, but I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Thanks for listening!!
Lagos-4 nights
Evora-2 nights
Nazare-4 nights (with day trip/s to surrounding sites and cities)
? Coimbra or Lisbon
Lisbon-4 nights (with a day trip to Sintra)
The shortest amount of time we like to stay in one hotel is 2 nights. Here is what I'm trying to decide between:
A. Take one night from Nazare and add it to the extra night, giving us two nights in Coimbra. The only negatives to this option are one more hotel change and an extra 2-3 hours devoted to transportation to and from here. Coimbra sounds amazing, though, and I'd love to see it!
B. Add the extra night to Lisbon, which would give us time to take a day trip to Setubal
C. Add the extra night to Nazare, which would give us time to visit Caldas da Rainha and Sao Martinho do Porto
I am leaning towards choice A, but I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Thanks for listening!!
Last edited by travelwithginger; Apr 25th, 2024 at 12:29 PM.
#2
My choice ... A. Take one night from Nazare and add it to the extra night, giving us two nights in Coimbra. The only negatives to this option are one more hotel change and an extra 2-3 hours devoted to transportation to and from here. Coimbra sounds amazing, though, and I'd love to see it!
Coimbra is terrific. Below is the link to our busy day in Coimbra in 2022. Lots of photos in report, too.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cha...mbing-coimbra/
Cloisters at Mosteiro da Santa Cruz
Coimbra is terrific. Below is the link to our busy day in Coimbra in 2022. Lots of photos in report, too.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cha...mbing-coimbra/
Cloisters at Mosteiro da Santa Cruz
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I agree with Coimbra "is terrific". Wonderful Portugal
#10
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mjs, the reason I chose Nazare is because of the beach and as a base to see Alcobaca, Batalha, and maybe even Fatima and Tomar. We would only spend a day taking in the sights of Nazare and spend the other time there day tripping. I've considered staying in Sao Martinho do Porto or Caldas da Rainha instead ,because a local contact said they were less touristy than Nazare. What are your thoughts on this?
#12
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No, unfortunately not. It looks wonderful, but we wanted a more relaxed pace for this trip, so we didn't want to go too far north. If I was flying out of Porto, I sure would have included it, though! Hopefully, I can visit there in the future!
#13
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Maribel, thanks for your feedback. Are you suggesting we skip Nazare entirely, and replace it with Tomar? I am a little concerned that Nazare will be overrun with tourists, of which I'm one. Thanks for confirming about Coimbra!
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travelwithginger,
Yes, I think that Nazaré will be very tourist-filled, as is Obidos these days. You could visit Tomar and the Convento de Cristo in route to Coimbra, as many do. I would definitely plan to overnight at least in Coimbra. In addition to the University and its library, the Museu Machado de Castro is a true gem, don't miss it! and the city has a lively student atmosphere.
Yes, I think that Nazaré will be very tourist-filled, as is Obidos these days. You could visit Tomar and the Convento de Cristo in route to Coimbra, as many do. I would definitely plan to overnight at least in Coimbra. In addition to the University and its library, the Museu Machado de Castro is a true gem, don't miss it! and the city has a lively student atmosphere.
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kja, thank you very much for your feedback! It sounds like it will be easy to fit in many of the surrounding sights whilst in Nazare. I think that my husband would enjoy some beach time, but I truly appreciate you sharing your opinion of Nazare. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Coimbra. Knowing that just makes me that much happier that we're staying for two nights!
#20
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mjs, we will pick up our rental car in Lagos, and will have it whilst there and in Evora and Nazare. We will drop it off at the end of our time in Nazare and take either a bus or train to Coimbra. Then we will travel to Lisbon the same way.