Portugal Beyond the Usual Destinations

A few years ago, Lisa and I visited Portugal for the first time, and like many first-time visitors to the country, we spent our time in Lisbon and Porto, the most popular places to visit. Lisbon was everything we expected, but Porto was a different story. It wasn’t that the city wasn’t what we expected; it was that the weather conditions for our time there were less than ideal. We knew what we were arriving into, as a few days before, we were checking the weather from our Airbnb in Lisbon and noticed the storm that was definitely going to be hitting Porto almost exactly when we arrived. In fact, we almost skipped Porto altogether as we considered flying somewhere else on this leg of the journey.

And now, after four years, I was back in Portugal. And with more time in Portugal to explore, I added three stops to the trip: Coimbra, Nazaré, and Aveiro. There wasn’t much strategy in the choice of those destinations; they were convenient and interesting-looking places between Lisbon and Porto. Coimbra has the university; Nazaré has the beaches and waves, and Aveiro has the canals.

In this post, I want to share some quick thoughts on each place and how much time I recommend spending there.

Coimbra

Coimbra is easily the biggest of the three, and it’s probably the most familiar stop as well. The University of Coimbra is one of the city’s main draws and a UNESCO site, so it already has a strong pull for first-time visitors. The university grounds are really nice to wander around in. Of the three, Coimbra felt the most diverse for exploring. There are winding paths, hills to climb, and plenty of elevated viewpoints that make the historic center especially good for photography.

Getting there is also straightforward. The train station is close to the city center, and you can walk to the historic core in about 20 to 25 minutes. The walk is flat and easy, though an Uber is quicker and still fairly affordable.

Since I was here in June, the student population was much lower than usual, which made parts of the city feel quiet and almost empty at times. That was actually a nice contrast to Lisbon. All three locations were much quieter than Lisbon, and exploring Coimbra was quite peaceful.

You can see a lot in one day if that’s all you have, as the historic city center is not too big, but I’d recommend staying a night or two if you want that slower pace. The sunrises and sunsets are especially beautiful, and two days give you enough time to explore, wait for better photo moments, and really enjoy the city.

Nazaré

Before I booked the Airbnb in Nazaré, I admittedly knew little about it. At this point in the journey, I was making my way back to Lisbon from Porto, so I wanted a location between the two that I could stop. Nazaré ended up being that choice.

Nazaré is a seaside town on Portugal’s central Atlantic coast. It’s a few hours by bus from Porto, and departing, it’s a quick bus to Lisbon. Nazaré is best known for its dramatic waves and massive surf at Praia do Norte. The waves are most pronounced in the winter, but some of the scenes in June are still impressive. It’s a relatively small town where most places are within easy walking distance. My Airbnb was compact but well-located, close to both the bus station and the beach, and, best of all, there were no major hills to deal with.

The only major climb that you will probably need to consider is up to the old town. That will lead to the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, the famous viewpoint for watching the massive waves. You can walk it, and the journey up also rewards you with views over the town below, but a funicular provides a quick and easy way to the top. It costs €2.50 for a single journey and €4.00 for a round trip.

The weather in Nazaré can feel surprisingly varied depending on where you are. Since it’s near the ocean, a cool breeze moved through the narrow streets, yet just a short walk away, the temperature could feel much warmer. Being right on the coast, conditions can shift quickly between sun, clouds, and occasional fog, which influences the temperature changes. During my mid-June visit, it hovered around 18°C, roughly half of what I experienced in Lisbon.

Side Note: I rarely recommend a place to eat, and you can find a croissant anywhere in Portugal. However, a pastry breakfast is a must when in Portugal, and I have to recommend Unicroissant Nazaré. It’s a small place that offers croissants and coffee. And yes, they are just croissants, but wow, they are good! You can get them plain or with a choice of filling. I’m telling you, don’t pass this place up. Easily the best croissant I had during my time in Portugal.

Overall, Nazaré is a nice and compact destination. One full day of exploring, paired with an overnight stay, is usually enough to take it all in.

Aveiro

Aveiro sits about 30 minutes south of Porto and is easily reached by train, which makes it a popular day trip if you’re based in the city. My first impression on arrival was just how modern the city felt. There are still hints of its older character, but overall, it surprised me. The narrow sidewalks and winding streets I’d gotten used to a day before arriving in Aveiro were mostly gone, and so were the steep inclines. Aveiro is relatively flat, which makes it a much easier place to explore on foot. There are still hills, but it’s nothing as dramatic as Lisbon,

It’s often called the “Venice of Portugal” thanks to its network of canals, though I wouldn’t go in expecting a mini Venice. The canals here are more limited and not everywhere like in Venice, but they still give Aveiro a distinct charm and add something unique you don’t really find elsewhere in Portugal. Still, they are mostly there as a tourist draw rather than a distinct characteristic of the city. They feel manufactured where Venice canals feel timeless and historic.

Overall, Aveiro is a nice place to visit; however, if you are new to the country and have limited time, I wouldn’t put it at the top of the list. If choosing to visit, a half-day visit to have lunch and explore a bit, or one overnight, is plenty here. I was here for only one night myself, and it was plenty, as the variety and photo opportunities were limited in my opinion.

Conclusion

Choosing these three locations was a great way to occupy my time between the two main destinations of Lisbon and Porto. Portugal is very easy to get around as the trains can take you directly almost anywhere you want to go. And with both Lisbon and Porto being busy and lively, it was great to have some quieter and slower time. All locations offer moments that reward that relaxed pace.

If you are visiting Portugal for the first time and are short on time, prioritize the bigger cities, but if you have the luxury of an extended stay, Coimbra, Nazaré, and Aveiro are worth your time, as they offer a much different experience than the bigger cities and all feel unique.