I am planning a December trip for 8 days in Portugal and love the idea of spending time in the countryside! I live in NYC and while I definitely want to spend 4 or 5 nights in Lisbon I don't want my entire trip to be in a city.
Thoughts about or recommendations for the Alentejo Region? I'm thinking of spending 2 or 3 nights perhaps at a vineyard or in Evora.
Algarve or Coimbra/Central Portugal are two other areas I'm looking into as alternatives.
Thanks!
I would suggest 4 nights in Lisbon then 3 in Sintra. There is so much to do in Sintra, it feels like a big park with a small town. Pena Palace is very unique and the highlight in the park, then you could explore throughout the park before heading to the Moorish Castle with the wall walk then take the trail back down to the town. You have the National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Monserrate which can be seen the next day. Evora can be a day trip from Lisbon.
The Douro Valley would be my suggestion for a Quinta stay if you decide to add a vineyard. Lisbon the first 3 nights then move to the Douro Valley for 3 nights, then back for 1 night Lisbon before your flight home.
I really liked Evora, and with a car we explored some of the other towns near by. I have heard that it is colder in the winter than Lisbon, however when I look at the average temperatures it doesn't seem much different. We stayed right in the town. The RS Portugal book has some good recommendations for accommodations.
Definitely not the Algarve. It’s really all about the beaches and in December you wouldn’t have beach weather.
I like your idea of Evora and Alentejo. It’s a lovely part of Portugal with lots of history, megaliths, cork and wine - and the food in that part of the country is excellent.
I’ve just stayed in Evora but also like the idea of a winery. I’m sure there are many lovely places. You might also want to check out the Posada in Evora (or a small town close). I’ve been told by a friend it was a great place to stay.
While in that area, be sure to take the Megalith tour offered by an archeologist. It is amazing.
I think this area would be great for someone who wants a quieter few days.
Pab, thanks for the Sintra suggestion. If I just did Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon do you think it would be enough time? The Douro Valley looks beautiful, do you have any favorites from that area?
Lisa, did you rent a car from Evora or another city? The train looks easy from Lisbon, but was thinking about renting once I got to Evora if it's doable.
Kathryn, good to know about the Algarve. It looks so beautiful, but could see that it’s really not the right time to visit. Will definitely check out the Megalith tour! Glad to hear you love that area.
We had rented the car beforehand, but there are definitely car rentals close to you in Evora. I think it would make sense to pick up there, particularly if you are staying in the city. We had to park the car outside the walls anyways, and I remember wondering if security would be a problem with a big car park. As it was we had no problems.
Some of the towns close by include Estramoz and Vila Vicosa. Vila Vicosa has an interesting Palace, but you do have to book for the tour, so if you go make sure you know when the English speaking tour is. Estramoz has a Pousada that Kathryn mentioned. It was very nice, but personally I would prefer the slightly more busy Evora.
Sintra can be done in a day. If you’re planning on doing it independently there’s the train to Sintra, catching the bus at the train station to the Pena Palace, buying your tickets either at the TI at the train station or at the palace, taking the park shuttle to reach the palace then reverse the day. I would almost recommend a bus tour from Lisbon if you’re just interested in the palace & or maybe add the Moorish Castle. It may be worth it and the best use of your time.
As far as the Douro Valley I just did a day trip by train to Pinhão from Porto. Pinhão is a very small town, didn’t even see any taxis at the train station. I’m sure the accommodations you book could arrange for transportation. RS has a number of suggested Quintas to stay in both Pinhão & Régua. Peso da Régua is a much bigger town. Maybe a separate Douro Valley question on the travel forum would get you more information.
I hope this helps.
We were in the Algarve for 4 weeks last February and it was amazing, the scenery is incredible. I do not agree that the Algarve is just about the beaches, sure the temperatures are in the mid teens celsius but there is a lot to see and do that does not involve a beach. We rented a car and did day trips out of Albufeira to some incredible coastal towns.
