To ask for opinions on this backpacking route?

[checonfusione]

I’m looking at a two and a half week backpacking trip next summer, and I think I’ve found a route I’m happy with. I’m just looking for opinions on whether I need to do longer in some places or less time in others:

1. Porto - 3 nights
2. lisbon - 3 nights
3. Malaga - 3 nights
4. madrid - 3 nights
5. barcelona - 4 nights

I think it’s pretty doable and cost effective with hostels in some places, Airbnbs in others and then a splurge on a hotel in Barcelona. AIBU to do it this way? Is there anywhere I should drop/add?

Looks fabulous. How exciting. Have you been to Cais Cais ? Quick train ride from Lisbon.
Not sure I’d spend 4 nights in Barcelona?
Ronda and Mijas are both lovely from Malaga.

To be fair when I say Barcelona, I’ll be staying down the coast to have a beach day

I don't think I would call a two week holiday in two European countries "backpacking" but you do you!

Moving from place to place, staying in hostels and carrying only a backpack isn’t backpacking?

Not in my book. It doesn't matter what kind of luggage you're taking, it's still just a holiday.

Okay.

I didn’t ask what your book says. It’s not a holiday.

Just taking a backpack and staying in multiple places doesn't make it backpacking.

It's a multi centre holiday with Ryanair baggage allowance.

It’s basically a series of city breaks. Might be more interesting to stop off at other places in between, otherwise it seems likely to turn into a tick box exercise of cathedrals, museums etc?

Porto is one of my favourite cities ever, have you been before, OP?

I'd recommend considering a day trip to Andorra from Barcelona. You can go alone or you can pay about £100 for a coach trip if you want it to be a bit easier. I did that in December, really cool country most people never make it to.

You do you - how patronising

So what’s your definition of backpacking then?

Well because I'm a pedant, the definition of backpacking from the Cambridge dictionary is

• Traveling from place to place while carrying all necessary clothing and personal belongings in a backpack.
• Typically involves low-cost, independent tourism, staying in inexpensive accommodations like hostels, and managing a tight budget. 1, 2, 3]

Of course if you are an American then backpacking means hiking through rural, wild, or mountainous terrain for more than a day, carrying survival gear, food and camping equipment.

So (I know it's not what you asked @checonfusione ), yes op IS backpacking by the sounds of it and I for one hopes she has a lovely time (though I wouldn't personally give Barcelona 4 nights)

Lisbon is quite hilly

Porto is also quite hilly (worth it, but give yourself longer than maps says to get anywhere)

@JustWalnut

Your itinerary is fine, don't listen to the derailers.

If you were going to travel for months then it would be important to build in more time in each place, mostly to ensure you have rest days and so that you don't spend an entire day travelling instead of being in your destination.

But this getaway is completely doable with a day or two in each place and a travel day either side.

Have a lovely time.

So what is your definition of backpacking then?

God knows why people are being so shitty and rude. She’s going away backpacking / holiday/ whatever you want to call it.

So backpacking it is then! @checonfusione 😀

Sounds great. Of course it's backpacking unless OP has a line of Sherpas carrying other luggage or a limo between each place.

i know. So pointless.

Well I’ve just spoken to some family who are in Porto and they said it’s not worth it 😅

i’d be staying in hostels till the last stop of the trip, but now I’m wondering if northern Italy and Croatia might be better?

Well this is exactly what I’ll be doing 😂

Make sure you’re doing backpacking properly to people’s satisfaction 🙄😂
Croatia is lovely.

I’d switch Madrid and Barcelona around and stay longer in Madrid or from Madrid ho to Bilbao then take the ferry back to the U.K.