My husband is a pilot and we have two tickets to use by the end of the year. We are leaving the day after Thanksgiving and will be spending two weeks. Because of travel via his airline we have to fly into Barcelona and out of Madrid. He would like to see Portugal as he's not been there. My original thought was fly to Barcelona spend a couple days there then fly to Lisbon and spend a couple days there enjoying the city and day trips to SIntra and Cascais. Then train up the coast to possibly a night in Averio and then on to Porto (with day trips to Braga and Amarante) then fly to Madrid where we have to fly out of back to the States.
Trying to decide how much time in each and should we rent a car or take a train?
Posted by
Elmwood, IL, USA
368 posts
Portugal is very different than Spain from the street mosaics to the tiled buildings in and out that take ceramic art to a whole other level, both Lisbon and Porto. The people are gracious and helpful. I liked Belém a lot outside Lisbon.
I would spend at least one night in Sintra. It’s best to start your morning early before the day trippers arrive at the Pena Palace, worth the taxi costs. Just make sure you buy your tickets at the TI before going to the palace. There is a tourist information booth at the train station or in town. Day trip to Cascais is all you’ll need. I just was there and it’s very touristy, not sure off season what the town is like. Porto at least 2 nights, my favorite city in Portugal. I liked the coast north of Porto much better., but it was still warm in October.
In Portugal I would just use trains. They are very convenient and reasonable. Post on the Portugal forum for additional suggestions.
Posted by
Folsom
2732 posts
You are hemmed in by your flight requirements. By “seeing” Portugal you’ll actually spend the better part of two days of your two weeks in transit. If Portugal is the place you want to visit (I’m assuming you have been to Spain?) then arrive in Barcelona, overnight, then fly to Lisbon. Same thing on the way home substituting Madrid. My choice instead would be to spend a few days in Barcelona, visit places around there, train to Madrid, spend two nights in Toledo, maybe a day trip to Segovia, saving Portugal for when you can visit Portugal.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Agree with Alan. Bottom line is, no bad choices here for you. If Portugal is what's calling, then go there. You surely will have more chances. OTOH, if you have not been to Spain much/at all before, then...your flights go in and out of Spain and there's so much to see... Lucky you, no wrong answers in this case.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
I'm doing some research on visiting Portugal. If weather's a factor, you may want to stick to Barcelona and Andalucia. Portugal seems to be colder and wetter, due to the Atlantic Ocean.