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Duoro Valley and Sintra

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Hello.
Sintra and Lisbon.
We are going to Portugal next week. I already had a guide set up for 1/2 day tuk tuk in Lisbon and all fulls day in Sintra. However, I have doubts...They quoted 570 euros for 3 people. We will have a car so wanted to drive to Sintra ourselves, park, and use Bolr/Uber to get to places. Do you think that 570 euros is ok or too much?

Duoro Valley
We are from near Napa (California), so beautiful wineries are in abundance here. I've looked at wineries in Duoro Valley and the most beautiful thag I found are 2 hours away in Pinhao. Is it really worth driving that far or are there any beautiful and good wineries closer to Porto? Also, is the boat tours in Pinhao absolutely must or should we do one from Porto instead?
Thanks in advance!

Posted by
1963 posts

Parking and driving in Sintra is a challenge, but the quote you got was way too high. I booked a private tour of Sintra for my sister that includes transportation for October. The total was €500 with one of the best tour guides in the area. Take the train then use uber for a much less stressful and less expensive trip. Or book a private tour with a tour guide for less than your quote.

The wineries in the Douro are not right around Porto. On the train, the vineyards start around an hour outside of Porto. I’ve been in Napa also. The river and hills make the Douro much more scenic. The boat tours around Porto are more of the buildings, bridges, etc. From Pinhão, the tours are of the vineyards, hills, etc.

Posted by
971 posts

There is a scenic train available from Porto along the Duoro Valley.
https://www.cp.pt/info/en/miradouro-train
also scroll down here:
In the Hills, Across the Moors, Along the Coast: 5 Fall Rail Trips in Europe

Starting in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, the MiraDouro travels eastward, tracing the Douro Valley, where the country’s famed port wine is produced. From August to mid-October, wine estates known as quintas welcome visitors for harvest events and tastings.

Posted by
4 posts

I agree that the price you got for Sintra is extremely high for 3 people.

There are several tours available where you include Sintra in the morning, have lunch on the coast or close to the coast and enjoy the afternoon along the coast doing multiple stops and enjoying the amazing seaside area.

With regards to doing Sintra on your own it is possible but you will spend a lot of your time waiting for Ubers or if you use the Tuk Tuks available the cost will add up to what you would pay for a private guide that will show you everything and also explain the history about the Monuments.

Fernando Batista

Posted by
1 posts

We did a tour with Daniel of Terra D'Alma - Memorable Experiences. It was flat out wonderful and magical. We were planning with Daniel since last May. Be sure to lock down a date early and start the process to ensure you have good fit. By the time we first met yesterday, we were old friends We went to places special to Daniel. His friends treated us as their friends. When I planned our 3 weeks in Portugal, the only input my part Portuguese wife could give me was to be on the Douro. Daniel exceeded all our expectations. Well done Daniel

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