We are going on a trip to Porto and Lisbon in early October and would like to arrange some trips to other towns.We don't want to drive ourselves so would be looking at other means of transportation and/or small group tours. From Porto we would want to go to Belmonte, stay overnight and then go to Lisbon.Can anyone recommend the best way to do this? From Lisbon we would like to take some day tours to Sintra and Caiscais, another to Evora and one to Obidos. Has anyone had a great experience with tours going to these places? Or with knowledgeable local guides that would take us there?
Also would like recommendations for B and B's or small inexpensive hotels in Porto and Lisbon that are quaint and reflect the local culture.
Posted by
Austin, TX
2316 posts
I was in Lisbon last October and loved it.
I can recommend Be Poet Baixa Hotel. Really liked it.
https://bepoetbaixahotel.com
I was there end of last October and it rained every day off and on. I do not know if this is typical weather for Lisbon. It was also still very crowded but manageable.
From Lisbon, it is very easy to do Sintra on your own.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6535 posts
In Porto, we stayed at NaTravessa B & B. Very clean, super helpful hosts, close to Sao Bento and the cathedral. Wonderful Breakfast. 228 euro for two nights. Highly recommend.
Posted by
1 posts
In Porto we stayed at Casa Carolina which was wonderful. We took a day-long wine tour of the Douro Valley from Portugal Excellence Tours. One of the best travel experiences of my life. In Lisbon we stayed at Casa de Principe which is in a beautiful and intriguing neighborhood and at Memmo Alfama—which was stellar. They carry your bags, remember your name, the breakfast is awesome. I could go on . . . We also took a e-bike tour of Lisbon which I highly recommend.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA
700 posts
What I did is google Portugal bus lines and Portugal train lines. Then convert to English and you can find the travel time for those days trips. Cascais is maybe 30 minutes, but I think Evora is more like 2 hours, but I need to check.
Posted by
4 posts
I would recommend the train or bus to get to Belmonte, thats the easiest way (unless you want to rent a car). For day trips to Sintra and Caiscais, I know Gaido app has experienced licensed guides. May be worth checking out, they have a bunch of rec's for stuff outside the touristy stuff in Porto and Lisbon.
We went to Cascais and Sintra and had a great experience, I think October is a great time to go.