6 people (two parents, four teenage kids), 2 weeks in Portugal in August: what are your ideas? We'll get around by bus or train--no car. We're thinking of time in the Algarve--but where is the least crowded? The north sounds worth visiting--but where? Is Evora worth a stay or could it be a day trip from Lisbon? We want a mix of wandering in towns and doing adventure stuff (hiking, kayaking). Any suggestions would be great--Thanks!
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
Porto in the north is well worth visiting. From there it's a reasonably short train trip to the beautiful Duoro Valley.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
544 posts
You might enjoy some time up in the fortress hill towns that once protected Portugal from Spain. I recall seeing hikers and bikers near Marvao.
Evora is a good overnight stop if you enjoy history.
Posted by
OP
Farmington, ME, USA
74 posts
Thanks for your ideas. I wasn't sure about Porto--what is it you liked about it? And I've heard that Marvao is beautiful--but is it accessible without a car?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
We enjoyed Coimbra, with a day-trip (by bus) to the Busaco Forest, though as a hike that is a bit tame.
I would not miss a full day in Sintra (train from Lisbon), which combines spectacular scenery and castles of all styles and vintages.
Have fun!
Posted by
westford, ma, usa
2 posts
Evora, Elvas and Estremoz are clustered fairly close together .. all charming and worth the trip out from Lisbon. North of Lisbon, Obidos is an enchanting walled medieval town (a world heritage site I think) also worth taking in.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
Loved the size of the city. Where it is situated on the river. Amazing architecture. The port warehouses.
It's proximity to the Duoro Valley, which is one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
Evora would be a challenge as a day trip from Lisbon, but it's a very worthy place to visit. We loved Obidos but it's a little slow for an overnight. Nazare is magical, would be really crowded that time of year though.
Sintra overnight is a must-do. Two nights so that you have a full day there. It would be an easy day trip too, but trust me it's so great you will want to be there overnight.
Lisbon is good for five night/four days. I could have spent a week there. Such a pleasant city to visit.
Porto is recommended too, though a little more on the gritty side.
Posted by
nanaimo
156 posts
A fabulous day trip from Lisbon is Sintra which takes about 45 minutes by train. Lots of uphill walking but the hop-on hop-off bus is very inexpensive.
Posted by
baton rouge, la, US
269 posts
Evora is definitely worth a trip -- day or overnight. We bussed there from Lisbon for the day and had no trouble, but thought there was enough to merit an overnight stay, if you have the time and inclination. Very charming and historical. Lisbon is wonderful, and I agree that it's worth 4-5 nights minimum. The Algarve is wonderful. Salema is great, but there are tons of villages (like Sagres and Lagoa) that are a little less overrun with tourists and more natural. That being said, I'd pick Salema as a base and explore from there. (just remember that there's only one ATM there and it rarely works).
Posted by
OP
Farmington, ME, USA
74 posts
Thanks for your comments--they're very helpful--and make me have more questions! Any thoughts on Viana do Castelo? I'm worried about the heat in Evora--which is why we were thinking of containing it to a day trip--any thoughts? Any thoughts about using a bus vs. a train to any of these places? Last--if we had to choose between staying overnight vs a day trip to Sintra or Evora, which one would you make a day trip, and which one would you stay overnight in? Thanks again!
Posted by
sutton
9 posts
We are just back from a 3 week stay in Spain and Portugal.We stayed in Porto 3 nights in rental flat near the port wine warehouses found on holidayrentals.uk,Great views easy access to Douro valley by train.Then 3 days in Sintra again a wonderful flat near RR station.Easy entry into Lisbon by train and inexpensive.WE were in Evora for a day on our way from the Algrave 5 years ago Not worth an overnightPortugal is wonderful,inexpensive ,good food.Use Rics book.WE had a great meal in Porto at his suggestion Enjoy