Porto to Algarve Must See Suggestions

[Satsuma]

Hi,

We are hoping fly into Porto & make our way down to the Algarve via Lisbon over about 10 days & then spend a few days in the Algarve. Are there any must see sights, either coastal or inland that anyone can recommend on our way down to the Algarve?

Also I've been looking at car hire & finding it really expensive for pick up at Porto & drop off at Faro. However pick up at Lisbon & then drop off at Faro is quite reasonable. Would it be practical to use trains from Porto to Lisbon & then pick up a car at Lisbon? Would we be missing out on anything we could see with a car between Porto & Lisbon?

Any advice/tips would be appreciated!

[bifas 1st darling!]

The Roman ruins at Conimbriga near Coimbra are amazing, a must if you like that sort of thing!

[Satsuma]

Thankyou, the ruins sound a good option.

[sam]

Aveiro & area (inc colourful striped houses on coast and colourful Beira Mar stadium)
Coimbra
Sintra
Evora

[EMM]

Aveiro is knwn as the Venice of Portugal due to its netwrok of canals with small brightly coloured boats that offer trips around them.
Best food we have had in Portugal if you like the " real " thing, bachalau. polvo in their many versions.
The starters we were offered compared with the range and variety of a turkish meze.
Plus the egg based deserts are famous throughout Portugal.

[Satsuma]

The Aveiro area sounds great. Thanks for the suggestions.

[ceh]

The coast around Comporta is supposed to be a favourite with the Portuguese - I plan to go there when I have more time to spend in Portuglal