The Algarve, in Portugal's southern region, boasts a coastline of magnificent beach after magnificent beach. Surfing is a popular sport, and exploring the coastline's many coves is a popular adventure. There are many quaint villages and breathtaking cliffs that make this a charming area, well worth the first four days or so of your getaway. Explore the Algarve in its entirety, to the most westerly point in Cape St. Vincent.
The drive from Cape St Vincent to Lisbon will take you about three hours. Try and arrange to spend at least two days in Lisbon: even with that, you will only be scratching the surface of what Lisbon has to offer. Take a day to travel the 25 km to Sintra, a charming UNESCO-listed town at the foot of the Sintra mountains. Sintra features historic estates and castles, as well as royal palaces and military fortifications. Lisbon itself can be explored by tram, or on foot, as well as by using the many hop-on hop-off bus facilities. It is worth planning this stop carefully, to ensure that you choose what suits your preferences from the many attractions on offer. Historical buildings are plentiful, and trips along the Tagus River are popular. There are many half-day and full-day organised tours available.
Using Porto as your base for the last few days of your trip will allow you to venture out to the many unique towns and villages nearby, each known for its special offering. Nazaré is an international surfing destination. Coimbra is home to a medieval historic centre and to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Braga is one of Portugal's oldest cities and one of the country's main religious centres. Porto is situated on the Duoro River; the Duoro Valley is known to be one of the best wine regions in the world. Porto is bustling, but charming, with its colourful buildings, cobbled streets and many trams.
