We are flying in and out of Lisbon April 8-18. This is my 11th trip to Europe, so you don't have to tell me this is too short. I am just in the beginning stages of planning, so I could use help with the itinerary. I want to stick to smaller towns, with a day trip trip to Tangier. Is it swimming weather yet? Help! We will drive.
Posted by
partout
71 posts
What are you interested in (history or just want to relax)? You could just spend all 10 days in Portugal. There are smaller towns north of Lisbon (Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, etc). The most famous beaches are in the Algarve (south). Have you ever been to Portugal, or Spain, before? IMO Tangier isn't worth the effort for one day, unless you just want to say that you've been to Morocco, but its your trip. But anyway, between Lisbon and Tangier you could visit Evora (roman ruins), and some of the small towns in Andalucia. I've never driven in this area before, so hopefully someone will be able to give you more advice on the driving time this would involve.
Posted by
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Last April we spent a week in Portugal. We did two days in Cascais (did a day trip to Sintra), 2 nights in Evora (day trips to two walled city castle towns - forget names) and 3 nights in Lisbon. By far our favorite hotel was in Evora (link below). We loved Evora and the Alejento region. Lisbon is a wonderful city to wander around. Go to the Port Institute, wander around the Alfama. We went to the zoo one day and some other people we met went to a bullfight. In Lisbon - go to the store I gave a link to below - A Vida Portuguesa - loved that store! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189106-d253488-Reviews-Albergaria_do_Calvario-Evora_Alentejo.html http://www.avidaportuguesa.com/
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Jerez de la Fronera, on your way to Tangier, is a great small town, and a must if you like sherry and port. Think Sandeman and Pedro Domecq. I'd suggest an overnight in Tangier-not sure how a day trip could happen without flying.
Posted by
Langley, B.C., Canada
59 posts
You can easily do a day trip via ferry out of Tarifa, Spain to Tangier. Tarifa is a nice small town & I think would be a better place to go to Morocco from than from Algeciras. But as another poster said we don't think Tangier is worth the time especially when you have limited time. Taking the bus from Lisboa to the Algarve then renting a car to explore all the small towns of the Algarve would be our suggestion. You can also do south east Portugal and south west Spain (ie Sevilla, etc) from the Algarve. Driving in the Algarve is easy - roads are good and not too busy. We have been there in April and there are people swimming in the Altantic Ocean off the Algarve but we think they are brave souls. The hotels that have pools generally don't heat them so they are not warm enough to swim in for sure. There is one apt complex in Olhos d' Agua, Do Parque, where we have stayed twice, which has a heated pool and nice accommodation. It is central in the Algarve so made a good base for traveling to all the towns along the coast and inland.
Happy travels.