Porto, Lisbon or Madrid?

[YouBelongWithMe]

For a three day break with my DD16.

She is interested in (and I quote) "instagrammable streets with places I can sit outside and drink coffee and look at the hot locals" 🤣

She likes mooching round old towns, eating local cuisine and preferably a beach or hotel with a pool.

What time of year?
Madrid is extremely hot in the summer. Lisbon somewhat less so, and Porto is the coolest of the 3.
Lisbon is the prettiest in my opinion.
For beaches either Lisbon or Porto would do, they're an easy trip on public transport away).

Our options are the Sept weekend, the Oct break or Easter next year.

Lisbon is younger and buzzier than Porto IMO. Although I’m sure both have instagrammable parts!

I’ve not been to Madrid but had three nights stays in both Lisbon and Porto in recent years and both are great places for a short break. Porto was much quieter and laid back. Cool places like Mercarto Metropolitano in Lisbon to eat and people watch.

Not Madrid! Just been, having wanted to visit for a long time. Grubby, congested, and surprisingly little to do. Certainly didn’t see much that was instagramable! Haven’t been to Porto, but think Lisbon will fit the bill perfectly.i expect someone will come along and say I’m wrong about Madrid!

Lisbon; but base yourself in a nice part

Having been to all three, definitely Lisbon!

Son and gi went to Porto after much research. Lisbon was discarded He's studying architecture. They both loved it the photos were fantastic their next break will be Madrid I think.

Been to all 3, not sure what "instagrammable" means, but Porto is by far the more interesting.

I haven’t been to Madrid. I’ve been to Lisbon and Porto, both were amazing but I preferred Porto.

I know it's not on the list but we've just been to Barcelona and it's very pretty, and very instagramable with lots of pretty coffee shops and outdoor seating.

Porto is great. Lots to see and photograph! The light is beautiful.If you can, try and get a boat up to one of the Douro villages or vineyards and then a train back or vice versa, it's stunning.

Lisbon over Madrid, haven’t been to Porto.

I'm just coming home from a trip to both Porto and Lisbon. I'd definitely go back to Porto again! It's buzzing with young folk.

I’ve been to all three and i’d pick Porto!

Porto for what you're after. Plenty of photo opportunities on the river side, the old trams, the food at Bom Sucesso market.

Also helpfully compact for such a short stay

Any! they are all fabulous 👌

we did Madrid last May and it was wonderful! the super touristy areas werent the best but there were tons of squares to sit and have drinks/tapas/watch the world go by

Channel 5 there's a series Michael Portillo in Portugal it well worth watching especially Porto.

I've been to all three and loved all 3, Madrid has great museums and lots of easy day trips to Segovia and Toledo, but that doesn't sound like her bag. I would go to Porto with her criteria, but the weather might be better in Lisbon at that time of year.

"5 - Portugal with Michael Portillo - Season 1 - Episode 1 / Porto" https://www.channel5.com/show/portillo-s-portugal

"5 - Madrid with Michael Portillo - Season 1 - Episode 1 / Episode 1" https://www.channel5.com/show/madrid-with-michael-portillo

Son and partner got a deal for Porto. Studio flat Airbnb, ryanair flights. Four nights £360. Hand luggage.

I preferred Porto (old gimmer who likes port and seafood) but I expect Lisbon is far more instragammable and I thoroughly liked it too!

It's very busy around the flat central bit - Baixa personally I wouldn't stay there. Bairro Alto was a lovely area.

Me too. I got back today and much preferred Porto. Lisbon is a typical capital city.

DH and I are off to Porto in 3 weeks so can let you know what we think!