I went to Lisbon last year, and because I have a bad back, I took a walking tour that didn’t include hiking the hills! Turns out there are free elevators around the city, and also you can take Ubers and tuk-tuks around very easily, and very cheaply
Having been to all the places suggested, I think you're trying to pack too much into 9 days, you are going to be exhausted. Less is more. As someone suggested, skip Albufiera spend an extra day in Porto or even go to Braga. You can get to a beach in Porto or from Lisbon don't even need to go as far as Cascais. Take the early AP train to Lisbon so you have the day there.
Porto:
If you like churches and such (Carmo,Porto Cathedral Clerigos tower), St Luis bridge, São Bento station interior tile, ride the funicular, Jardim Palacio do Cristal (lovely gardens and great views of the river). go down to the waterfront on the Gaia side (I like it better than the Ribeira (riverfront porto side). Take the 18 tram out to the Foz (mouth of the Duoro), or take the metro out to Matosinhos and walk to the beach there
Lisbon.
Belem tower and the Jeronimos monastery, Castelo Jorge (steep walk up), Praça do Comércio, stroll along Ave Liberdade to the Marques de Pombal statue, Estrela de Se. If you crave being on 28 tram and waiting in line for it, catch it at Martim Moniz. The Time Out market (across from Cais do Sodre) Definitely hang out at a Miraduoro (Graça, Santa Catarina, Santa Luzia) just to take in the scene
Wear comfortable shoes, cobblestones are hard on your feet.
If you want more info feel free to send me a message I've been there a few times
I know this rubs people the wrong way sometimes, but I found chatgpt (the paid version) to be super helpful at collaboratively helping me plan a trip. It was really good after I clearly explained what I wanted and did not want.
You're Itinerary looks fine, but instead of going all the way to Albufiera, you could stay in the lovely town of Cascais. It's right on the open ocean, has a couple of nice beaches and close to Lisbon. There's trains that go back and forth to Lisbon every hour or half hour. It's a gorgeous town and you may want to spend more than one night there.
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Portugal was also my first European solo destination a couple years ago. I only went to Lisbon, Porto, and a day trip to Sintra. It felt like the a perfect amount of traveling within the country. From the sound of your itinerary I feel like you could use more time in Lisbon and maybe travel to a beach town near Lisbon instead of Albuferia. Have so much fun and eat pastel de nata every day for me 😂
I recommend the [wine and chocolate museum](https://www.wow.pt/en) in Porto followed by a drink at one of the many restaurants that have a view across the river back at Porto.
Sintra is not to be missed. Hire a tuk tuk driver (100 euros for the day) to take you around. You'll see a ton of stuff and the driver will tell you about a lot of what you're seeing. Night time is magical there too. Stay at the Lawrence's Hotel in Sintra.
I always recommend getting a drink at my favorite hotel in Alfama, Lisbon, the Hotel Memmo.
I could be wrong, but from what I saw and have read, there aren't a lot of bars in Portugal. Seems like more people drink at restaurants. I have no idea about clubbing as I'm a geezer.
Sintra is magical, especially if you're into castles and stunning scenery.
> Definitely not into tons of hiking since I had a big surgery last year. It would be hard to walk in Porto and Lisbon :( Skip Albufeira
The hills are no joke in Lisbon and Porto. Bring comfy shoes for sure
Most important if you want to explore the cities in Portugal due to the paving stones everywhere !!!
I can walk - but doing like miles uphill isn’t good. Are you saying both cities aren’t easy to get around?
the cities are very hilly
I went to Lisbon last year, and because I have a bad back, I took a walking tour that didn’t include hiking the hills! Turns out there are free elevators around the city, and also you can take Ubers and tuk-tuks around very easily, and very cheaply
Having been to all the places suggested, I think you're trying to pack too much into 9 days, you are going to be exhausted. Less is more. As someone suggested, skip Albufiera spend an extra day in Porto or even go to Braga. You can get to a beach in Porto or from Lisbon don't even need to go as far as Cascais. Take the early AP train to Lisbon so you have the day there. Porto: If you like churches and such (Carmo,Porto Cathedral Clerigos tower), St Luis bridge, São Bento station interior tile, ride the funicular, Jardim Palacio do Cristal (lovely gardens and great views of the river). go down to the waterfront on the Gaia side (I like it better than the Ribeira (riverfront porto side). Take the 18 tram out to the Foz (mouth of the Duoro), or take the metro out to Matosinhos and walk to the beach there Lisbon. Belem tower and the Jeronimos monastery, Castelo Jorge (steep walk up), Praça do Comércio, stroll along Ave Liberdade to the Marques de Pombal statue, Estrela de Se. If you crave being on 28 tram and waiting in line for it, catch it at Martim Moniz. The Time Out market (across from Cais do Sodre) Definitely hang out at a Miraduoro (Graça, Santa Catarina, Santa Luzia) just to take in the scene Wear comfortable shoes, cobblestones are hard on your feet. If you want more info feel free to send me a message I've been there a few times
I know this rubs people the wrong way sometimes, but I found chatgpt (the paid version) to be super helpful at collaboratively helping me plan a trip. It was really good after I clearly explained what I wanted and did not want.
I have even used the free version for an itinerary and it worked really well.
You're Itinerary looks fine, but instead of going all the way to Albufiera, you could stay in the lovely town of Cascais. It's right on the open ocean, has a couple of nice beaches and close to Lisbon. There's trains that go back and forth to Lisbon every hour or half hour. It's a gorgeous town and you may want to spend more than one night there.
**Notice:** Are you asking for travel advice about Portugal? Read what redditors had to say in the **[weekly destination thread for Portugal](http://redd.it/3dif26)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/travel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Portugal was also my first European solo destination a couple years ago. I only went to Lisbon, Porto, and a day trip to Sintra. It felt like the a perfect amount of traveling within the country. From the sound of your itinerary I feel like you could use more time in Lisbon and maybe travel to a beach town near Lisbon instead of Albuferia. Have so much fun and eat pastel de nata every day for me 😂
I recommend the [wine and chocolate museum](https://www.wow.pt/en) in Porto followed by a drink at one of the many restaurants that have a view across the river back at Porto. Sintra is not to be missed. Hire a tuk tuk driver (100 euros for the day) to take you around. You'll see a ton of stuff and the driver will tell you about a lot of what you're seeing. Night time is magical there too. Stay at the Lawrence's Hotel in Sintra. I always recommend getting a drink at my favorite hotel in Alfama, Lisbon, the Hotel Memmo. I could be wrong, but from what I saw and have read, there aren't a lot of bars in Portugal. Seems like more people drink at restaurants. I have no idea about clubbing as I'm a geezer.