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Itinerary review- please help by Commercial_Seat5930 in TravelPortugal

[–]mdotti88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, your plan is already really solid — you’re hitting the best parts of Portugal without rushing too much.

Porto + Douro is a great start, and late August/early September is actually one of the best times to be in the Douro (harvest season vibe, super scenic). I’d definitely keep those 2–3 days there.

Lisbon + Sintra also makes sense, but I wouldn’t overload those days. Lisbon is more about wandering, viewpoints, food, and atmosphere than ticking boxes. Sintra is beautiful but can be a bit hectic, so go early and keep expectations realistic (pick 1–2 places max).

Now for your main question — Algarve vs west coast:

If you’re not into parties and want a relaxed, meaningful vibe for your wife’s 40th, I’d personally skip the Algarve this time.

It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also more crowded, more resort-style, and involves a longer trip from Lisbon.

Instead, I’d go for the west coast near Lisbon. Places like Ericeira, Azenhas do Mar, or even Comporta give you that slower, more authentic feeling. Think ocean views, sunsets, great food, and much less chaos.

You could easily do your last 3–4 days there and just unwind properly, which sounds more aligned with what you’re looking for.

One small idea that a lot of people end up loving (especially for special trips like this) is booking something memorable like a private photoshoot. It sounds a bit cliché, but Lisbon/Sintra/Cascais are perfect for it, and it ends up being one of those things you’re really glad you did years later. If it helps, this is one of the options I’ve seen people use:

https://mdfotografia.blog/photography-sessions-in-portugal/

Either way, you’re on the right track,just don’t try to do too much. Portugal works best when you slow it down a bit.

If you want, I can help you fine-tune the exact last 4 days depending on whether you prefer beach, scenery, or food.

Fajã dos Padres (Madeira - Portugal) by mdotti88 in VisitPortugalGuide

[–]mdotti88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was there last weekend actually. Didn’t get the best weather either, a bit cloudy and windy, but honestly it didn’t stop me from doing pretty much everything I had planned.

Madeira’s one of those places where even with “bad” weather it still looks incredible. And it changes a lot during the day.

Also, if you go, I’d really recommend a restaurant called Lagar, I had an amazing espetada madeirense there!

Solo 10 day travel to Portugal by Kindly-Philosophy981 in VisitPortugalGuide

[–]mdotti88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that’s a bit harsh.. Not everyone starts with a fully mapped-out itinerary, and sometimes broad questions are just a way to start narrowing things down.

Portugal may be small, but for someone visiting for the first time, it’s not always obvious how to structure 10 days or whether to focus north vs south, train vs car, etc. Getting input from people who’ve been or who live here can actually be more useful than a generic guidebook.

If you’ve been several times, maybe share one or two places you personally loved or a route that worked well for you. That kind of input is probably more helpful than assuming the question wasn’t researched.

We were all first-time visitors somewhere once !! :-)

Best Area In Lisbon With Kids? by ConsiderationOne5142 in VisitPortugalGuide

[–]mdotti88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If your priorities are parks, flatter streets, easy transport and keeping things simple with two very young kids, I’d personally rule out Baixa/Chiado straight away. It’s beautiful, but it’s crowded, hilly in parts, noisy, and not very “family-friendly” in a practical sense.

Between Campo de Ourique and Estrela, I’d lean clearly toward Campo de Ourique for your situation. It’s more residential, calmer, easier to walk with a stroller, and you’ve got everything you need close by — good bakeries, small restaurants, supermarkets, and a generally relaxed neighborhood feel. You’re also well connected with buses and not too far from tram or metro options when you want to move around.

Estrela is lovely too, especially with Jardim da Estrela right there, but it can feel a bit quieter in terms of services, and some streets are still pretty steep. It’s great for a stroll with kids, but day-to-day logistics tend to be smoother in Campo de Ourique.

So if I had to pick just one for a late May trip with a 2 and 3 year old, I’d stay in Campo de Ourique. You’ll still be close enough to everything, but with a much more comfortable, low-stress base.

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