Looking for suggestions for a 3-4 night base north of Lisbon. We'll start a Gate 1 group tour in late September, from Porto to Lisbon. Once that ends, we plan to pick up a rental car to head up the coast for a few days, maybe visit Coimbra and other spots that didn't fit the tour. We thought about staying in Navare, but saw mixed feedback here.
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
I like Ericeira, but it might be too far south for you. It is a good base to visit Sintra, Mafra, Obidos perhaps, but not Coimbra or Alcobaça for example.
I have never been there, but I remember reading or hearing good things about São Martinho do Porto, just south of Nazaré.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1824 posts
Nazaré is not my favorite. I would go for Sao Martinho do Porto, Caldas da Rainha or even Foz do Arelha if you want to visit Alcobaca, Batahla, Peniche, Nazaré and even Obidos. The tourists in these places would be mostly Portuguese and all mentioned are quite nice small towns.
Posted by
Greenville, SC
2 posts
Are there any towns to be explored via the train? Or, is it best to rent a car for in between Lisbon and Porto? Some European trains drop you off where the action is. Others, not so much.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1824 posts
All of the towns mentioned would be difficult by train. If you want convenient via train, Coimbra or Aveiro would work. My preference would be Coimbra.
Posted by
MD
647 posts
Are there any towns to be explored via the train?
You might want to look into the bus system as well, which is pretty nice in Portugal and goes to some, if not all, of those places.