Ok, maybe this will work better as a new thread, so people know I'm asking the question again.

Which city would you recommend for 5 days in May (next week) for a solo female traveler who's trying to make post-breakup trip plans at the last minute?

I'll cast my vote for Lisbon but I should warn you I'm being pretty partial because I live here... There's a lot to see and (sorry davidx!) I don't think you have to leave the city to keep busy for 5 days although Sintra and Cascais are feasible day trips and very interesting places to visit.

The weather forecasts for next week are not bright which is a pity because Lisbon it's a its best in sunny weather. There's also a religious holiday next week but being a catholic one you'll go thru it in both cities.

You have many museums (the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is good for quite a few hours and it's marvellous collection has free access on Sundays), Opera is still in season (Tosca will be on next week and you can try the last minute tickets for 15/20 euros two hours before the performance)and it's perfectly safe for a solo traveler (in spite that according to Frommer's I live in the wildest of places and should fear for my life - some kind soul could have let me know that I shouldn't walk around at night because I did just that alone yesterday! )

Bugsy

Welcome to ST bossgirl!

We'd planned to go to Lisbon on our last trip, but ran out of time (well, we were enjoying Spain sooo much!). You'd definitely find lots to do with 5 days in Barcelona, but from my research, it sounds like Lisbon would be great too.

If you don't have a strong preference for either, and given there's not a lot of time, perhaps start looking for accommodation in both & base your decision on that. . . .

Enjoy!

LISBON !!!

I love that city! So much I can see myself living there. (and I have zero interest in living in a big city)