We are planning to arrive early in Lisbon for the Heart ofPortugal tour in 2017. Any ideas for sights, activities, etc. not included in the tour??
Posted by
North Carolina
2492 posts
I really enjoyed the Oceanario in Lisbon. I believe it's Europe's largest aquarium, and it compares favorably with the major ones I've seen in the States. It is easily reachable via subway. Enjoy your tour!
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
The Royal Coach Museum is pretty cool and we also did the somewhat odd Marionette Museum, which was fun.
Posted by
Folsom
2733 posts
Doing the same tour next summer. We are thinking of a day trip to Sintra. There are several guide services that (suppposedly) get you past the crowds, some include lunch, many have hotel pick up included in Lisbon. Or, we will just wing it on our own.
Posted by
Colbert, WA, USA
142 posts
I wholeheartedly second the day trip to Sintra. We did not book a tour, but rather just headed out on our own. There is a train that goes directly from Lisbon to the Sintra Town Center and then we took the SIntra tourist bus that loops around and drops you off at the various palaces and castles. We did this pre Heart of Portugal tour in 2015. On our free afternoon, while on the tour, we took the train to Cascais, a touristy beach resort town Had I to do over again, I would have skipped Cascais. Pretty, but lots of shops and a small beach. When you go to Nazare, you'll get your beach experience there.
Posted by
OP
Birmingham, AL, USA
226 posts
Thanks for the valuable input!!
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
We took that tour last June and not long before we left the US we got a big package of stuff from RS folks and including in it were a listing of places that the tour would not be visiting. We have taken many RS tours and this has always been included in that package.
Posted by
Westford, MA
212 posts
We went on the Portugal tour in mid-Sept 2106. We spent 2 days in Sintra before the tour. I highly recommend staying in Sintra rather than doing a day tour from Lisbon. Our fellow tour mates who did day trips were not happy. Sintra is packed between 10am and 7pm with day visitors. We stayed in the lovely Chalet Saudade, an easy walk from the train station, and were able to get on the first bus of the day up to Pena Castle.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Charlie points out that your RS materials will include information about what you will not see on your tour, but you don't have to wait to find this out. Just go to this link, scroll down and click "Planning Tips," then scroll down to "Sightseeing On Your Own": https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/spain-portugal/portugal