Hello! We have booked our first (exciting) trip to Portugal - 8 nights in total - for June this year. Initially, we thought of spending 3 nights in Lisbon, 3 nights in the countryside outside of Evora (to visit the city, vineyards and also the region - Montesaraz, Vila Vicosa...) and lastly 2 nights in Caiscais to relax and visit Sintra before the flight home. But I am now doubting myself that we are moving around too much (we learnt from our trip to Languedoc in France last year that staying in one area and really understanding it is amazing!). Is it worth cutting it to perhaps a 2 destination trip? Or even 1 - for instance spending the week based in Caiscais and travelling from there? We are a French-South African couple in our late 30's who love travel, food, wine, scenery, walking and shopping (not necessarily clothes but interesting goodies for our home for instance). Any advice would be appreciated!
Posted by
11606 posts
Stay in Lisbon not Caiscais. Visit Caiscais as a day trip if you wish. We were underwhelmed by it. It is very easy to visit Sintra from Lisbon by train.
A good second location would be either Evora or Coimbra.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
I'd do as Suki suggests and make it a two-base trip.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
I concur with previous two postings. Stay in Lisbon and day trip to Sintra and surrounding area. Relaxing day excursion.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Based on your preference for some time in and around Evora, I’d perhaps do something like this ...
Day
1. Arrive in Lisbon. Travel to Evora (2 nights)
2. Evora
3. Return to Lisbon (6 nights)
4. Lisbon
5. Day to Sintra
6. Day to Coimbra or Tomar
7. Day to Belém & Cascais
8. Lisbon
9. Depart Lisbon
Examples of train timings ...
IC 592
Dep 09:02 LISBON - ORIENTE (Portugal)
Arr 10:35 EVORA (Portugal)
IC 721
Dep 09:39 LISBON - ORIENTE (Portugal)
Arr 11:31 COIMBRA-B (Portugal)
RE 4407
Dep 07:45 LISBON - SANTA APOLONIA (Portugal)
Arr 09:47 TOMAR (Portugal)
Posted by
Folsom
2738 posts
Given your experience in France and your interests I would respectfully disagree with David. I would base in Lisbon. Consider using this company to book a day trip to Sintra http://www.yourfriendinlisbon.com. Yes, you can do his on your own but having transportation and a great guide can really make this a splendid day. And you'll see Cascais which did not impress. Not cheap. Another way to spend a great day in Lisbon is on a culinary tour. We booked through http://culinarybackstreets.com and enjoyed it. I would train to Porto and visit the several of the many port cellars. Splurge for a lunch at Taylor Fladgate. Consider a tour to the Douro Valley. Coimbra is an OK place with good shopping for ceramics, interesting churches and, of course, the university. Hotels are meh. Evora has it's charm as well. But given your limited time, the easy train connections between Lisbon and Porto, your interests, this is what I would suggest.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
While I love living in Cascais, I agree with the other posters and recommend staying in Lisbon. The transport links to Evora, Sintra and Cascais are very good.
I also agree with the Your Friend in Lisbon recommendation for a tour of Sintra.
Posted by
Porto, Portugal
80 posts
Hello laurenfvallee,
In my opinion, you shouldn't go on a day trip to Coimbra... the best option would be staying there since there is a lot to see :D
I agree with staying in Évora as well since there is also a lot to see there and in the surrounding area ;)
Enjoy your trip to Portugal ;)
Posted by
OP
South Africa
25 posts
Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions! I will do some more research and let you know what we decide.
Posted by
55 posts
Take an afternoon in Lisbon and just get lost walking around Allfama. Much to see and good restaurants