Portugal for a week suggestions

[kpc]

Next October, I will be in Lisbon for 4 nights for a conference...after that, I and +1 will have a week to travel around Portugal...I'm looking for suggestions...should we hire a car (is it difficult to drive around Portugal with the language barrier?) or catch the train between the cities?, and finally where to go... . I've found a couple of threads below to get some idea...interested in good food, outdoor scenery / sites etc. Not too interested in art galleries, museums, churches etc

Thanks in advance for your suggestions / help!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ation-guide/any-advice-must-see-do-57044.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/parts-portugal-spain-then-fasa-61547.html

 

[opusman]

Porto is amazing, I would definitely recommend 3-4 nights there.

 

[Mattg]

I could definitely recommend spending a few days in Porto, but I am yet to visit elsewhere in Portugal.

Looking forward to other peoples' suggestions as I will be there in January myself and am yet to decide what to visit!

 

[kpc]

Bump for more suggestions. Thanks

 

[Alanslegal]

Cascais is a nice place to chill out which is not too far from Lisbon. Also Sintra is pretty cool too.

Eat lots of egg tarts at Cafe De Belem (the one with the blue awnings), they are amazing - better than any egg tart I have eaten anywhere in the world.

Whilst you're at it, you might as well go to the most western point of the European continent.

Best to hire a car. Lucky we had some local friends there who drove us around

 

[RooFlyer]

I did a week in 2012.

Spent a couple of days in Lisbon - historic centre, and the Aquarium (Oceanario) in the NE of town is good too! I can much recommend the Britania Hotel. Its Art Deco, near some good restaurants and a brisk walk into the centre of town. Also has the charming aspect of having decanters of port spread about, including in one's room and at breakfast . Castelo de Sao George gives great views over the city. Panteao Nacionale a good sight, and views as well; the Se, excavations of Roman buildings; view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia. I didn't do the Cable Car (SFO-like tram) but wish I did. Speaking of SFO, check the main bridge in town

I then drove north, stopping at Peniche to see the sea side fort and to have sardines grilled over coals by the sea. Yum!

Then to nearby Obidos - gorgeous old town and Roman aqueduct and crenulated town wall; whitewashed buildings with sky blue highlights; bougainvillea, the works.

Couple of days in Porto and surrounds. Fascinating down-town and collection of bridges over the Duoro River. Took a tour of Taylor's Port Lodge. Sample different ports, tour of the cellars etc. Euro 7 I think - great value. Then drove up the Duoro inland to see where the port vineyards are - arid and hilly. Something came up and I lost half a day so didn't see much other than the sights from the highway. the Pousada (chain) there: Hotel Palacio Do Freixo is avoidable.

Headed further north and inland to Guimaraes to see some historic buildings (stayed at the Pousada Old Monastery - recommended, but you need wheels).

Freeways are excellent (good 'ol EU cash!) but the next level down are slow. I found this out the hard way - I had intended to avoid the freeways, as you miss so much, but the 'highways' are just so slow!

I avoided the south of Portugal (Costa del Sol) as I figured it would be full of beer swilling Poms.

"Pousada" is a chain of hotels based mostly in historic buildings such as old castles, monasteries etc in Portugal. Worth checking out but in my limited experience not a patch on the equivalent chain in Spain, the Paradores.

Edit: English isn't as well spoken as you might imagine in tourist spots, but you'll manage. I hired a car and would suggest that - as I mentioned, the freeways are good or you can always take the slower highways.

 

[kpc]

Any more suggestions...I have booked +1's award flights now so we will have 6 nights, 7 days in October 2016 starting / ending in Lisbon. Thanks...

 

[RB]

I have just seen this thread. I note that you have seen my trip report so hopefully that has given you some ideas. If you are used to driving around Europe you certainly should be able to cope-we didn't drive but the roads were excellent and everywhere we saw out of the cities the traffic was very light.
For Lisbon I could not give our host, apartment & district a bigger recommendation

 

[DaveB]

You will love Portugal with the people very friendly with english speaking much more prevalent than other latin Euro countries. Driving is easy, stopping and parking as in all of Europe a different matter.
We typically stay clear of the big cities but are more than happy to go back to Lisbon. Agree with Sintra, Caiscais/Estoril which are all good day trips from Lisbon.
A bit out of the way but we found Fatima crazy amazing regardless of your faith.

 

[opusman]

There was a very interesting Roman site near Coimbra (I think it was called Conimbriga) that's definitely worth a stop at if you are passing.
We also went to a pretty little fishing village somewhere north of Lisbon - I think Nazare? Also worth a stop.

 

[kpc]

Have decided on an itinerary for our trip in just under 2 months :

Day 1: Lisbon-Cascais-Sintra (overnight)
Day 2: Sintra-Obidos-Peniche-Coimbra (overnight)
Days 3-5: Coimbra- Porto (3 nights- including day trip to Duoro valley)
Day 6: Porto- Fatimah-Evora (overnight)
Day 7: Evora- Lisbon

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Getaway (Channel 9) had quite a good presentation on Portugal a few weeks ago. I think they were on an organised tour, but if you can get access to the clips from the show they take you through some of the towns and activities. It actually looked quite good!

 

[ellen10]

I hope you don't mind me tagging along on your thread.
I haven't been to Portugal but looking at visiting there next June.
Good luck with your trip.

 

[kpc]

Getaway (Channel 9) had quite a good presentation on Portugal a few weeks ago. I think they were on an organised tour, but if you can get access to the clips from the show they take you through some of the towns and activities. It actually looked quite good!

I saw that....hence why we are spending a bit of time in Porto. Plus I hate multiple one nights stops!

I hope you don't mind me tagging along on your thread.
I haven't been to Portugal but looking at visiting there next June.
Good luck with your trip.

You're welcome!

ps we have hired a car and will be driving on this trip....spent this afternoon programming all the stops into my GPS
here's the intended route: https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/...b75f61d9753!2m2!1d-9.1486144!2d38.7270721!3e0

 

[RB]

I saw that....hence why we are spending a bit of time in Porto. Plus I hate multiple one nights stops!

You're welcome!

ps we have hired a car and will be driving on this trip....spent this afternoon programming all the stops into my GPS
here's the intended route: https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/...b75f61d9753!2m2!1d-9.1486144!2d38.7270721!3e0

If the roads are still like they were when we were there in 2014 the non-city driving will be pretty easy. We were on buses but the roads were excellent & the traffic very thin. Sintra may be a bit of a challenge though-I would be suggesting using the buses to get around the sites while there.

 

[ellen10]

I saw that....hence why we are spending a bit of time in Porto. Plus I hate multiple one nights stops!

You're welcome!

ps we have hired a car and will be driving on this trip....spent this afternoon programming all the stops into my GPS
here's the intended route: https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/...b75f61d9753!2m2!1d-9.1486144!2d38.7270721!3e0

Thanks for sharing

 

[Austman]

Having been to Portugal, many times, I would disagree with your itinerary.

Far too much travel for just 7 days. A mistake IMO.

Still, it's a wonderful country!

 

[Austman]

I don't mean to be negative! But several days - even a week - in some of your places is what I've done. I just think it's a bit too much to try to squeeze in.

 

[Mal]

Portugal is a lovely country and I try to visit at least once a year (usually just Lisbon , but also enjoyed Porto). One of those places I will explore more given spare time.

 

[kpc]

I don't mean to be negative! But several days - even a week - in some of your places is what I've done. I just think it's a bit too much to try to squeeze in.

We have a short attention span...and like to cram in as much as possible

With 2 drivers, it is pretty easy! Last year, we drove 1500 kms in Ireland over 6 days, and didn't feel we were pushing ouerselves too hard...we swapped drivers every 2 hours so it was easy.

Hi AdMel...timely Q. Overall it went well.We got an auto Skoda...quite a small car but suited the 2 of us. Some of the roads in Ireland were quite narrow as others previously pointed out. ..made parking very easy!! Limited boot space but just enough for our 2 carryon size bags and a small back pack...drove ~1500 kms in 6 days (€110 in fuel @~€1.40 per litre for unleaded!! ).

Great having 2 drivers as we swapped drivers every 2 hours so we were not too tired.