1-2 Day trip in portugal. lisbon or porto? | GTAMotorcycle.com

1-2 Day trip in portugal. lisbon or porto?

I

iblastoff

Well-known member
heading there in september but going with non-riders so will only have a day or two to check out some stuff via bike on my own.
not really looking for crazy twisties or anything offroad. just some nice scenic rides.

from porto, it seems the best path is heading out east towards duoro valley. i believe the whole way is basically paved from what i understand (n222 road).
down in lisbon, theres the algarves but it seems more like a resort area? not really my thing but could be totally off.

also from what i understand, all i need is an international drivers license there.
anyone have experience in either areas?
 
Day or two good luck. If this is a riding trip then stay out of Lisbon, it's just another big city with big-city traffic, toll roads, and speed cameras. Inland of Porto is a way better choice. I didn't get that far north, but just look at the map. Stayed one night in Coimbra, next night in Serra da Estrela, very indirect route between.
 
Are you renting a motorcycle?
Hertz is available in Porto.
This page has some suggested rides.
I had planned a 90 day trip to Europe in 2019 but COVID put an end to that.
In planning my route northern Portugal looked like better riding.
A lot of the main roads are toll so secondary roads are better choice.
You will need an international drivers license (if you get stopped) and that is easy to get.
I would lean (ignore the pun) to a smaller bike.
You will be hard pressed to find a non-paved road.
 
Been to Lisbon, Porto and Algarve just a week ago.

Drove in Algarve and you don’t need an international license. My CAD license is fine. Although I had an international license — just in case.

Between Porto and Lisbon I would really ask what you’d like to do. If it’s 1-2 days I would recommend Porto as opposed to Lisbon…. Lisbon is a big city like anything else. City is older and having been in Porto and Algarve (Faro, Sagres, Portimao, Olhão, Lagos, Lagoa etc). I find Lisbon lacks is just a metropolis not much character.

Porto on the other hand is more picturesque and more relaxing. It’s also (as you pointed out) a well known wine region. So if you only have a 1-2 days. That could easily take up ur time.

My vote is Porto and do a Douro Valley cruise and wine tour for the 1st day then 2nd day go and chill in the city center at the river front and sip some port or sangria.
IMG_1628.jpegIMG_1820.jpeg


and you have Algarve which totally blew my mind. If you are taking a bike out there. I would do in Algarve. The stunning coast views are unbelievable.

IMG_5603.jpeg
IMG_5464.jpegIMG_4994.jpeg

My vote:
Bike trip - Algarve
Walking tour - Porto
Eating local delicacies - Lisbon
 
Last edited:
I'm with Homme and sburns. Porto for sure for a couple days.

Much more picturesque, lots of sights to see and nice to walk.
 
good excuse to call my buddy currently retired and enjoying life in Portugal. He’s a rider and took his CANAM with him when he moved back home.

100% Porto will have better riding.
 
thanks all!! was definitely leaning towards porto area but this helps solidify it.

algarve does look pretty nice too but maybe a bit too resorty for me and plus i had just recently come back from a california trip which *seems* similar.

either way i won't be able to do both so porto it is.
 
just got back from duoro valley. it was a lot more tiring than i thought it'd be! gorgeous area and glad i got a chance to explore it for a short time. got chased by dogs. some of the speed limits definitely did not make sense to me. the few other vehicles on the road i met are all extraordinarily impatient. but overall, a good time.

i have to say the food in lisbon was...not so great. maybe its just my pallet but i find a lot of traditional portugese food (bifanas, various other speciality sandwiches, cod a bras, etc to be mostly lacking in flavour). I found food in porto to be overall better.

a62364a47ca54763465691a8660d4c60.jpg


7d0019f9ad293ffd93cb04bedf4c749d.jpg

81e066c13bde583609a5b8a6a24063ec.jpg

343dcab0c62f42ce2932ddfeca05de9c.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wow stunning. Looks like perfect weather as well.

Funny you mention the food there, I don't remember anything standing out, but nothing was bad either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom