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Portugal in June

Posted by (Toronto) on

Travelling to Portugal beginning of June and looking for some recommendations on the following itinerary:
1. Porto: Flying into Porto. Looking to stay 3 nights. Would this be enough time?

  1. Heading to Algarve. for 6 or 7 days. There will be two of us. Should we stay in 1 spot in the Algarve, or maybe pick two different towns? We are a couple, and looking for nice beaches, great resto's, culture, some shopping. Not looking for anything too cosmopolitan, or crazy nightlife. We are in our late 20's, but have "been there done that" with the night life! If we chose Lagos, would you recommend to stay there all 6 nights, or maybe 3 nights in Lagos, and 3 nights somewhere else? Open to other places/towns in Algarve

  2. Head to Lisbon for 3 nights and fly home from there.

We have placed our 6 or 7 days in Algarve, because we leave the sun, beaches and exploring. If you have recommendations for beautiful landscapes/areas/hikes where we can stay in Algrave, or split it up and head somewhere else in Portugal for a few days - let us know!

Thanks in advance

Posted by
6113 posts

How are you getting from Porto to the Algarve? Assuming you're flying into Europe rather than from within Europe, day 1 will be lost with jetlag. I think you need longer in Porto and Lisbon.

Lagos is as good as the Algarve gets, so just stay there. You may prefer to take your beach time further north to avoid the travel down to the Algarve

Posted by
3 posts

We are going to fly from Porto to Faro. We are also arriving to Porto from Amsterdam, so will already be in EU. .

Thanks for the advice on durations, we will relook at that!

If we are going to stay in Lagos, is it easy to get around to different beach spots and towns? Would bus or car rental be the best option?

Posted by
127 posts

For culture and food, Porto and Lisbon are excellent choices. Personally, I find the Algarve too touristy. The beaches are beautiful, but most of the beach towns are dominated by the demands of foreign tourists. There are plenty of good beaches in the Lisbon area. Check out both the RS guide and Lonely Planet for details. My advice would be to spend more time in Lisbon. Lots of interesting small museums, too many great restaurants to count, old world charm, and many good day trips (Sintra in particular). The is a great street festival in Lisbon in mid June.

Posted by
238 posts
  • 3 nights in Porto: enough to feel the city and visit most important spots.
  • Algarve: it's better to hire a car. Concerning Lagos, it's a really beutiful city, but has only one beach you can reach by foot, namd "d. Ana". It was a really nice beach... but no longer is. It's ugly now, see what we have done with it:

http://oceanusatlanticus.blogspot.pt/2015/07/praia-de-dona-ana-avanca-queixa-para.html

Maybe you should considerer a different town in Algarve (Alvor, Carvoeiro, Tavira, Manta Rota, Fábrica).

During your stay in Algarve try to visit beach "Senhora da Rocha" (you need a car) and take there the boat (ask anyone in the beach) to the caves. You will visit one of the most beautiful beach/cave in Portugal:

http://liveportugal.pt/algar-de-benagil/

Also try not to miss "Cacela Velha", the best hour is after 5pm, you have one tabern near the church that opens at that hour, try the oysters (cheap, fresh and good). The view is amazing:

http://www.pportodosmuseus.pt/2012/01/16/cacela-velha-vai-ter-novo-centro-de-acolhimento-de-visitantes/

Posted by
3 posts

Hi Britt,

I'm Portuguese and a Lisbon/Portugal Lover :)

In Porto you have to go up the river valley, visit the wine cellars and try the Porto cuisine: Tripas

The Algarve is really crowded with tourists. It's the place where everybody goes on hollidays. It's a place to go to the beach and relax. The area where you will find less tourists is in Tavira. I love Santa luzia and Cabanas (small villages) Here you have to eat mainly our amazing fish (but it's served with the bones)
Of course you can skip the Algarve and visit some other beautifull cities in Portugal like Évora, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Tomar, Coimbra, Conimbriga, Sintra or Óbidos. If you like landscapes you should try the Alentejo coast. Quiet, less touristic and amazing.

When are you coming to Lisbon? June is the month of Lisbon, we have outdoors parties all over the city and specially on the night from the 12th to the 13th -it's a crazy night. We celebrate our Patron Saint "St António" and if you want to feel the Portuguese culture and ways you have to be here that night.

I hope I've helped you.

Mafalda

Posted by
3 posts

Hi Britt,

You're lucky. June is a wonderful time to come to Portugal!
Your trip seems well planned. My favourite towns in the Algave are Lagos (for the nightlife and fun) and Sagres (the soul of Algarve)!

Concerning the Porto, Douro Valley, is a must. If you like driving, the N222 between Régua and Pinhão is the best road in the world to drive on (by "the Telegraph")! Going by train is possible but you'll probably miss the really good vineyards, ending up visiting one of the most comercial ones (propably Dow's or Sandeman).
I was born in Lisbon and currently a city guide in Porto and Douro Valley, National park guide in Gerês and I have my own scooter rental shop in central Porto.
If you consider to rent a scooter, send me a private message if you wish, and I'll tell you the best roads, city spots, and vineyards to go to, ok?
Cheers!

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