Lisbon to Porto Tour: Best Obidos Nazare Fatima Coimbra Aveiro

Thinking about zipping from Lisbon up to Porto, Portugal? It’s almost the classic Portuguese road trip, right? That one trip that hits all the highlights in between. Like, there’s Óbidos with its medieval charm, the impressive waves of Nazaré, Fátima’s religious significance, the academic vibe in Coimbra, and the colorful canals of Aveiro. Thing is, cramming it all in can be a bit of a whirlwind. This review, then, that could give you the lowdown, so you’ll know if this tour is your cup of tea.

First Stop: Picture-Perfect Óbidos

Óbidos, that’s just the beginning! What is waiting there is basically a postcard come to life. I mean, seriously, picture this: whitewashed houses absolutely covered in bright bougainvillea, and a castle looming overhead, that does look super dramatic. Is that the scene? Well, it is Óbidos in a nutshell, isn’t it? So too, it’s often a favorite spot, and this tour gives you just enough time to wander around. In some respects though, prepare for it, right? The place does tend to get rather crowded, and frankly, it feels a bit touristy these days. A little shopping is more or less inescapable, you know, little shops with all things local! Still, you get to sip *Ginjinha* – a cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup – which, as a matter of fact, is definitely something you need to experience. Maybe allocate more time, you might, so you can actually get properly lost in those narrow streets?

Next Up: Nazaré’s Giant Waves

Nazaré, though, really is a completely different kind of scene altogether. So the mood shifts. Nazaré it typically is all about the ocean and those massive, world-famous waves, right? And, you know, those massive waves have surfers who dare to ride them. It truly is a sight to behold, that! That being said, it’s arguably best to visit during the surf season – generally, anytime from fall through winter. Anyway, when the waves aren’t at their peak? Like, still a lovely coastal town, but in a way the whole buzz around it, might just, I don’t know, fade. It depends! You’ll probably have time to stroll along the beach. I would recommend this to everyone: grabbing some fresh seafood, it’s always a must-do in Nazaré.

Fátima: A Place of Pilgrimage

Fátima. That can be quite a contrast to the beaches. What this means is this: it’s a major religious site, so people visit, right, that come to see the Sanctuary of Fátima, that’s where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared way back when. As a matter of fact, whether you’re religious or not, anyway the scale of the place can be pretty striking, seemingly, right? As I was saying, the tour typically allocates a decent amount of time here, so people have time to reflect. Still, keep this in mind, okay? It does get extremely crowded, sometimes, particularly during religious holidays, and if you aren’t into that vibe, this place might not, to be honest, actually be the high point of your trip. Maybe something to think about?

Coimbra: A City Steeped in History

Coimbra, this really is where the atmosphere shifts once again. You could find there Portugal’s oldest university! Right, that the *University of Coimbra* overlooks the city. It’s a lively student town, with a cool, historic feel about it. You might want to walk around the university buildings, though, just a little, and get lost in the ancient library, the *Biblioteca Joanina*. Anyway, it is totally stunning. In some respects you will have some free time to look around. So, too, just bear in mind that there are a lot of hills. Definitely wear some comfy shoes. Pretty sure, by the way, that your feet will thank you for it!

Aveiro: The Venice of Portugal

Aveiro! Is that the final stop before Porto? As a matter of fact, that’s sometimes called the “Venice of Portugal,” and very the reason? The canals and colorful *Moliceiro* boats, seemingly, that are similar to gondolas. Basically, now there might be a boat trip there to experience, that shows how charming Aveiro is from the water. I think! The city’s famed for its *Ovos Moles*, too it’s almost sweet pastries. Frankly, a sweet treat you’ll probably want to try. That all being said, keep this in mind, right? If you’ve actually been to Venice? Well, now Aveiro could feel a little underwhelming, okay? Still though, it can make a nice end to the tour before you get to Porto.

Is This Whirlwind Tour Right for You?

Now, the big question then: should you actually do this “Lisbon to Porto” thing? It’s almost a highlight reel of central Portugal, in that you get to see quite a bit in a short amount of time. In some respects though, you only scratch the surface of each place. Do you get that? It truly could be great if you are on a tight schedule and want to get a taste, or if you plan, really, to return to the places that stood out the most, that do call to you more personally. I mean, for something more in-depth? Then you could be better off, like, focusing on fewer spots, right, so you can spend more time actually exploring those, and maybe going around Portugal for longer?

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