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Lisbon and ???

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Hello! Planning 8 full days in Portugal in mid-March 2023 (travel days not part of the 8). We are a family of 2 adults and 3 teens (11/14/17). Planning to spend 5 days in Lisbon w/ side trips to Sintra, Evora and maybe Cascais.

What should be out second stop? Originally we thought Algarve but nervous it's just a massive tourist trap these days. We were excited to see the Benagil Caves and do some beach/dune walks but maybe just not worth it. I know Porto is a hot spot but we won't do port/wine stuff w/ kids and after Lisbon we think we will be done with museums, ruins and castles.

Another option is spending entire time in Lisbon and doing day trips from there - adding Obidos, Arrabida, Ericeira

We love nature, hikes, being outdoors - suggestions welcome! Thank you!

Posted by
1680 posts

Don’t go all the way to the Algarve if you’re only here 8 days. March is definitely not beach weather and can still be rainy. If you want beaches, google Silver Coast Portugal. There are a number of smaller towns along the coast north of Lisbon that are within a couple of hours or less. You will need a car in that area though.
Doing day trips to areas close to Lisbon is also a good idea. There are a lot of companies who do small group tours outside of Lisbon. Evora is another place that’s easy access and very nice.

You could also stay a couple of nights in Sintra and take advantage of the many hikes in the Sintra hills.

Posted by
481 posts

I would second Kathryn's suggestion of staying in Sintra a couple of nights instead of a daytrip. It is a very busy place with tourists, but has a lot of sights. If you stay you will have longer to enjoy them and also to see the town after it quiets down. And the hikes are nice.
I also really like Evora and feel it has more to offer than just a day. Coimbra might be another option with 3 teens. It has the university and could be worth 2 nights.

Posted by
3 posts

thank you both for your replies. Algarve is out. But I still haven't committed to the second location: Comporta, Obidos, Ericeira?

Would we be able to do Parque Natural Da Arrabida as a day trip from Lisbon? Is Ericeira worth it for a day trip from Lisbon?

  1. explore Lisbon
  2. Evora day trip (by bus, I heard it's faster than train)
  3. explore Lisbon
  4. Sintra day trip (by train to Pena Palace, Quinta Regaleria, Castelo dos Mouros)
  5. more Lisbon, maybe afternoon train to Cascais for stroll and dinner
  6. overnite?
  7. overnite?
  8. slow return to Lisbon from wherever, last night in Lisbon
  9. travel home

Also, can anyone recommend stellar tours for the day - walking tour of Alfama, food tour in Lisbon, etc. No big coach things, or 20-30 ppl group stuff.

Oh and lastly (for now) - any great Fado places to check out? THANK YOU!!

Posted by
1104 posts

If you like hiking, the path to walk to Pena Palace/Moorish Castle via Villa Sassetti is lovely with great views and no crowds. Per the website, the path is closed right now for maintenance but might be open again when you travel. If you do want to do some hiking, I'd add another day to Sintra so you don't feel rushed.

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

And the Palace of Monserrate which has an amazing garden (my favorite)

https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/

Posted by
1680 posts

For your second location, I would choose Ericeira of the ones you listed. It’s not terribly overrun by tourists and still has a quaint old town with restaurants and a lovely beach area. Obidos is too overrun and is limited in restaurant choices. You could do Arribida but only with a car. I also wasn’t that blown away by that area. But, lots os people love it.

It’s been too long since I did an organized walking tour of Lisbon to make recommendations but when traveling, the one thing I use Trip Advisor for is tour recommendations. So, if you don’t get any from this forum, you might try that site for the tour groups in Lisbon.

Posted by
3 posts

it's coming together but of course still more Qs...

  1. arrive in Lisbon
    1. explore Lisbon (morning walking tour)
    2. Cascais day trip
    3. explore Lisbon (Belem area)
    4. Évora day trip (self guided via bus)
    5. Lisbon
    6. Obidos, Tomar, Batalha... day tour (need rec for tour company/guide for day trip please!)
    7. Sintra overnite
    8. Sintra/Cabo da Roca return to Lisbon in evening
    9. travel home (noon flight)

can anyone recommend a tour company/guide for D6 Obidos, Tomar, etc? I've looked online and the pricing is all over the place. reviews seems good to great - but there has got to be a standout right?

Posted by
17 posts

Hello Benny,

As Portuguese i would advice this :

arrive in Lisbon
1.explore Lisbon (morning walking tour) = you can identify free walking tours online, they are usually great
2.Cascais day trip = Cascais for a day, in my opinion, is to much, usually in Portugal is Sintra-Cabo da Roca-Cascais tour on the same day, is good enought for a drink or coffee, unless you go by train and get out on some other stations, all near the sea.
3.explore Lisbon (Belem area) = Belem area you have at least 4 monuments, i would say a good organized morning you can do it :)
4.Évora day trip (self guided via bus) = Very good option, try to see if they pass over the "Portuguese stonehenge" dated before 3000-5000 before christ.
5.Lisbon = Usually a tuk tuk is a good option to drive you around the city on the hotspots, or you hotel should guide you.
6.Obidos, Tomar, Batalha... day tour (need rec for tour company/guide for day trip please!) = I guess Tomar on that trip is too much, us ually is Fatima ( very catholic place ) , Batalhar, Nazare ( world record of the biggest wave surfed), Obidos and Lisbon.
7.Sintra overnite = Good to enjoy the beauty of Sintra.
8.Sintra/Cabo da Roca return to Lisbon in evening
travel home (noon flight)
Hope you enjoy the most of your trip, i advice to search a little more about the day trips :)

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