The distances depend largely on where you're lodged at, but they're not big (of course I'm used to Mexico City)... Nightlife is cool by the shore not so far from downtown (forgot the name of the area), and Barrio Alto is nice. The Belem area is not that close to downtown, but chances are you'll be spending most of the day in the area... It's cool that you'll get to explore the country, I wanted to, but didn't have the time. Ppl have told me that Oporto is great! I only went to a little village near Fatima which was nice (only pic I've got is from a poster :S).. Have fun and tell me how it went!!!