Portugal
 

Arriving in Lisbon May 30th.
Two weeks in country, never been before.
Thinking a couple of days in Lisbon and then renting a car and heading north through the interior and around to Porto.
Then heading south down the coast back to Lisbon for a flight out.
Any advice from experienced Portugal travellers is greatly appreciated!

They talk funny there.

I spent a week in Cascais with some NATO scientists a couple of years ago. Great little town, very international because of the NATO people.

Going soon. Report back.

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Sorry

Echo sentiments on Lisbon - one of my favorite European cities. We spent a few days there and then drove south to Lagos for some beach time. Circled back north thru Evora which is a very cool walled city with Roman ruins and a UNESCO heritage site.

Spent 4 days mulling around last year. Cascais and Sintra were both good day trips.

Have a great time but be careful. Portugal used to be known as having the most dangerous roads in Europe with a higher fatality rate than all of Europe.

I have not been but it is on my radar for next year so I have started research. I have roughly decided to start in Lisbon for a few days, swing east hitting Evora then into Extremadura in Spain – Badajoz, Mérida, Cáceres, Plasencia – then back into Portugal around Tomar & return to Lisbon with a daytrip to Sintra. Staying in rental farmhouses (90-140€) & self-catering a bunch etc. 2 to 3 weeks.

A co-worker just did a business hit & run in Porto & the woodworking area around Paços de Ferreira. He said it was obvious that the area is hurting badly. I may go there in July for the same visit.

Ian

Go to Nazare!

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Lisbon is a really fun city.

I went 2 years ago, and want to go back.

In town, you won't need a car. just take public transit or a taxi. Tip for taxis, negotiate your price before getting in.

The city is very hilly and if you're looking at a map and think you're at an intersection, you might be, but the cross road could be a floor or two below you.

Drugs are apparently decriminalized, yet still illegal, so don't be shocked when the street vendors selling selfie sticks also offer you cocaine and weed.

I felt really safe there, for the most part, even carrying around a couple grand worth of camera gear, except for about 10 minutes. My buddy and I were walking down an alley and felt a group of guys eyeing us. Nothing came of it.

They sell little beers everywhere for 2 euros, and there are no rules (that we knew of) preventing walking around with an open container. With all the walking we did it was nice to have refreshment nearly on demand. Keep hydrated... or some such.

I spent a week in Cascais and went into Lisbon a few times on the train,which is cheap fast and frequent.Even used the service bus to get from the airport to the train station.A multiday public transport ticket allows you to use bus, train and water bus unlimited amounts within the time span o the rucket,which is really great value. Th Algarve is very commercialised, Porto probably far less so,and it much nearer to Lisbon.