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Portugal & San Sebastián
Posted on 4/5/26 at 8:54 pm
Posted on 4/5/26 at 8:54 pm
Looking to at going to Portugal and San Sebastián in mid August for my 10 year anniversary. We typically plan our trips around F&B and culture. I’m in the alcohol business for Douro Valley is a must. Open to suggestions for must see places and things to do. This is our tentative plan. Is it doable or should we adjust?
3 nights Porto (with a day in Douro Valley)
4 nights Lisbon
3 nights San Sebastián
TIA
3 nights Porto (with a day in Douro Valley)
4 nights Lisbon
3 nights San Sebastián
TIA
This post was edited on 4/5/26 at 8:55 pm
4
Posted on 4/6/26 at 2:25 am to NachoReb
Very doable - been to Portugal numerous times over the past 5 years. A few places you should try during your trip: in Porto, there's a great very small bar, that is owned by the family of a small winery and is the only place, outside of several restaurants, where the wine is sold. Bar is called Morro d' amores, and is up a hill at Rua da Bainharia n. 99.
In Lisbon, there is a fantastic place that specializes in Mozambique food, Canto do Aziz. Its a small, casual place but the seafood is outstanding.
In Lisbon, there is a fantastic place that specializes in Mozambique food, Canto do Aziz. Its a small, casual place but the seafood is outstanding.
Posted on 4/6/26 at 6:48 am to NachoReb
Haven't done Portugal yet, but did spend one day in San Sebastian about 18 months ago. We did a small group walking tour with food & wine and we had a great time. Learned a lot about the history of the city.
That area does have several multi-star Michelin places. Some are considered one time experiences. We didn't have enough time to take in one of those, but if you are there for 3 nights and are into food & wine I would certainly try to book a table at one of those. I recall that the best places may be a short drive out of the city so a car or ride share may be your best option.
We did have a car for 4 days in northern Spain from/to Zaragoza and driving was quite easy. Traffic into San Sebastian was heavy and we had to park in a garage in the middle of town to meet up with the tour, but navigation was easy.
If you have a car and one day free, consider driving to Logrono or a small town near there. That's in the Rioja region - plenty of good wine tasting locations. Logrono also has a compact walkable city center that features plenty of tapas bars and pintxos - much like what you'll see in San Sebastain.
That area does have several multi-star Michelin places. Some are considered one time experiences. We didn't have enough time to take in one of those, but if you are there for 3 nights and are into food & wine I would certainly try to book a table at one of those. I recall that the best places may be a short drive out of the city so a car or ride share may be your best option.
We did have a car for 4 days in northern Spain from/to Zaragoza and driving was quite easy. Traffic into San Sebastian was heavy and we had to park in a garage in the middle of town to meet up with the tour, but navigation was easy.
If you have a car and one day free, consider driving to Logrono or a small town near there. That's in the Rioja region - plenty of good wine tasting locations. Logrono also has a compact walkable city center that features plenty of tapas bars and pintxos - much like what you'll see in San Sebastain.
Posted on 4/6/26 at 7:04 am to NachoReb
We did Portugal a few years ago. My thoughts:
Three nights in Porto works well since the city is compact and easy to cover. It gives you time for the historic center and a full day in the Douro Valley. Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo is one of the most established estates and a solid choice for vineyard views and classic Port tastings. My favorite stop!
Four nights in Lisbon is the right amount for the main neighborhoods and Belém. While you’re in Lisbon, make sure to hear fado one evening — it’s one of the city’s most important cultural traditions.
You should include Fátima, it’s an easy day trip from Lisbon, and many travelers pair it with Nazaré or Batalha. It doesn’t require an overnight unless you want a slower visit.
Three nights in San Sebastián is a good finish for food and culture, with time for pintxos, the old town, and a quick trip to Getaria for txakoli and seafood.
Selected Photos From The Trip!
Three nights in Porto works well since the city is compact and easy to cover. It gives you time for the historic center and a full day in the Douro Valley. Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo is one of the most established estates and a solid choice for vineyard views and classic Port tastings. My favorite stop!
Four nights in Lisbon is the right amount for the main neighborhoods and Belém. While you’re in Lisbon, make sure to hear fado one evening — it’s one of the city’s most important cultural traditions.
You should include Fátima, it’s an easy day trip from Lisbon, and many travelers pair it with Nazaré or Batalha. It doesn’t require an overnight unless you want a slower visit.
Three nights in San Sebastián is a good finish for food and culture, with time for pintxos, the old town, and a quick trip to Getaria for txakoli and seafood.
Selected Photos From The Trip!
Posted on 4/6/26 at 5:02 pm to NachoReb
How are you getting from Portugal to San Sebastian? It's an 8 hr drive from Porto or a 3:45 hr flight but add a couple of hours to that for getting through airport security. So that travel day will be a time suck. I've been to all 3 cities but not on the same trip. You will walk your arse off in Lisbon/Porto and its hilly so be prepared for that.
This guy is a food guide with a lot of great youtube vids. We used his vids to plan our pinxto stops in Madrid, Pamplona and San Sebastian and he was spot on with his recommendations. In SS, we spent most of our time in the Gros neighborhood which is more locals and a lot less touristy. Old Town has some good spots such as La Vina for basque cheescake and Bar Etxeberria which is a sort of dive bar with an owner who is quite the character. Try spanish vermut (vermouth) which is sort of a national drink, its fantastic. Over in Gros, which is walkable from Old Town across the little river, or favorite place that we went to 3 times is Maltuva but damn, I just saw its permanenetly closed. But there are several other good pinxto places, just watch the vid I posted. You can also walk to the top of Motako Gaztelua (a big hill overlooking the bay) and there is a little ramshackle bar up their that is a great place to chill.
I'll come back and give some recs for Lisbon and Porto. Looks like the guide I posted has Lisbon and Porto vids, just do a search on his channel.
This guy is a food guide with a lot of great youtube vids. We used his vids to plan our pinxto stops in Madrid, Pamplona and San Sebastian and he was spot on with his recommendations. In SS, we spent most of our time in the Gros neighborhood which is more locals and a lot less touristy. Old Town has some good spots such as La Vina for basque cheescake and Bar Etxeberria which is a sort of dive bar with an owner who is quite the character. Try spanish vermut (vermouth) which is sort of a national drink, its fantastic. Over in Gros, which is walkable from Old Town across the little river, or favorite place that we went to 3 times is Maltuva but damn, I just saw its permanenetly closed. But there are several other good pinxto places, just watch the vid I posted. You can also walk to the top of Motako Gaztelua (a big hill overlooking the bay) and there is a little ramshackle bar up their that is a great place to chill.
I'll come back and give some recs for Lisbon and Porto. Looks like the guide I posted has Lisbon and Porto vids, just do a search on his channel.
This post was edited on 4/6/26 at 5:04 pm
Posted on 4/6/26 at 8:04 pm to Zappas Stache
Thanks for the info. We haven’t made it that far in the planning but I’m assuming we’re going to fly. I didn’t realize it was that long of a flight
Posted on 4/6/26 at 10:04 pm to NachoReb
quote:
didn’t realize it was that long of a flight
You have to connect through Madrid. But there is a direct flight lisbon to Bilbao that's only 1.5 hrs. You could check out Bilbao and the guggenheim museum and then train to San Sebastian which is 2.5 hrs. Same time as flying through Madrid but you get to see Bilbao.
This post was edited on 4/6/26 at 11:03 pm
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