Please sign in to post.

8-night trip to Lisbon/Algarve in February

Posted by on

I'm planning this trip for next February. Our interests are cool neighborhoods, good food/drink, and hiking. We generally don't do museums, tourist attractions, or shopping. Let me know if the following division of time makes sense to you:

  • 4 nights in Libson
    1 - Arrive in the afternoon; relax, explore area near hotel
    2 - Lisbon
    3 - Lisbon
    4 - Sintra (or something else)

  • 2 nights in Evora
    5 - Head back to the airport to pick up a rental car, and drive to Evora
    May stop by Belem on the way if not already visited
    6 - Evora

  • 2 nights in Lagos
    7 - drive down to Lagos; hike the Seven Hanging Valley
    8 - Sagres (or something else)
    9 - Head back to airport for 7 PM depature

Posted by
4705 posts

If your not interested in tourist attractions, I'm not sure that Sintra makes sense. Since Belem isn't even close to being on your way to Evora, you could do that easily by metro while you're staying in Lisbon.

I can't speak to your days in Evora or Lagos. We spent 10 days in Lisbon and Porto in September.

Posted by
55 posts

Good point about Sintra. It's on everyone's list so it's on mine as well (for now). I may go hike from the train station to the Moorish Castle, then to Pena Palace, then back down to Sintra town and eventually back to the train. That would make a nice day of hiking. I have no interest in seeing the interior of any of these castles though. The "timed entry" for Pena is nuts and not my style of travel.

Posted by
1848 posts

Not certain I would drive all the way to the Algarve for only two nights - one day. There are lots of hiking trails around Sintra - very close to Lisbon. There are even hikes along the water in the Sintra area, dunes around Cascais, and lots of mountain hikes in the Sintra hills.

If you want to see Belem, do it while in Lisbon as it’s a very short train or tram ride from the city center.

Posted by
4705 posts

That would make a nice day of hiking. I have no interest in seeing the
interior of any of these castles though.

If you like hiking, the Moorish Castle may be worth it. It is just ruins and has no interior, but the walk from the ticket gate to the castle was especially spectacular. Almost like a fairy tale walking through a lush green forest and then, there it is. We didn't go through the interior of Pena Palace but since you're in the neighbourhood, seeing the gardens and terraces may be worth it.

Posted by
73 posts

If you really want to do Seven Hanging Valleys, you can spend the next day walking part of the Rota Vincentina, which goes along the Southwestern coast. We didn’t have time to do it, but it sounded really intriguing.

Posted by
53 posts

We walked up to Pena Palace via the trail that goes by Villa Sassetti. Beautiful and the views are amazing. Was peaceful when we walked it. At the end are some steep steps, but I didn't think difficult. The trail branches, can head towards the Castle or Pena. We entered Pena via the lakes entrance which was also quiet. It's a separate entrance away from the main entrance and crowds.

Pena lists the trail taking 45 minutes. And from the Lakes entrance to the Palace 35 minutes.
Our highlight for that day was that trail.

https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/villa-sassetti/

https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/points-of-interest/valley-of-lakes-and-little-birds-fountain/

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.