Lisbon or Cascais - which is a better base
Jul 13th, 2006, 11:05 PM
#1
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Lisbon or Cascais - which is a better base
Hi all,
We are planning to go to Portugal next year and I'd like some advice.
We are planning to fly to Lisbon, work our way down to the Algarve and fly out from Faro. I thought 5 nights Lisbon, 2 nights somewhere in the eastern Algarve and 7 nights in the golf mecca near Faro.
Some info about us - I am travelling with my husband and 9 yr old daughter and my father. Both men intend to play golf, so there there will be at least 2 cumbersome sets of golf clubs in our luggage.
Could someone advise me if it is better to find accommodation in Lisbon or to stay outside in, perhaps, Cascais and then travel in. I don't know how many days we will need to see Lisbon itself. I read some suggestions on this side to avoid Sintra and Setubal on the other side of the river seems a bit far.
We also intend to rent a car. Does anyone know of one way rental companies that don't charge a bomb or don't charge extra at all for one way rentals?
Originally, I thought that if we stay in Lisbon, we won't need to get a car till we are ready to leave. But if we stay in Cascais, do we need to get the car earlier?
Any ideas on the above planned itinerary and some suggestions to my questions would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
We are planning to go to Portugal next year and I'd like some advice.
We are planning to fly to Lisbon, work our way down to the Algarve and fly out from Faro. I thought 5 nights Lisbon, 2 nights somewhere in the eastern Algarve and 7 nights in the golf mecca near Faro.
Some info about us - I am travelling with my husband and 9 yr old daughter and my father. Both men intend to play golf, so there there will be at least 2 cumbersome sets of golf clubs in our luggage.
Could someone advise me if it is better to find accommodation in Lisbon or to stay outside in, perhaps, Cascais and then travel in. I don't know how many days we will need to see Lisbon itself. I read some suggestions on this side to avoid Sintra and Setubal on the other side of the river seems a bit far.
We also intend to rent a car. Does anyone know of one way rental companies that don't charge a bomb or don't charge extra at all for one way rentals?
Originally, I thought that if we stay in Lisbon, we won't need to get a car till we are ready to leave. But if we stay in Cascais, do we need to get the car earlier?
Any ideas on the above planned itinerary and some suggestions to my questions would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
Jul 13th, 2006, 11:53 PM
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We've done both. Lisbon is better if you want to explore the nightlife of Lisbon, esp. any Fado clubs. There is an energy there and I just find it a fascinating city.
Last time we went, we were thinking of moving there and exploring from a different angle. We stayed in Cascais and rented a car immediately. It worked out well. We drove up the coast, did go to Sintra (which I like) and went into Lisbon as well. It was easy.
I think if I were you, I would stay 3 nights in Lisbon, pick a car up and then, start exploring earlier.
Last time we went, we were thinking of moving there and exploring from a different angle. We stayed in Cascais and rented a car immediately. It worked out well. We drove up the coast, did go to Sintra (which I like) and went into Lisbon as well. It was easy.
I think if I were you, I would stay 3 nights in Lisbon, pick a car up and then, start exploring earlier.
Jul 14th, 2006, 12:21 AM
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I agree with the three night suggestion for seeing Lisbon - even if that doesn't allow for playing much golf.
If the golf experience is to be part of the Lisbon section of your trip, I would advise on staying in Cascais.
There is a train line connecting the beach cities of Cascais, Estoril and so forth to Lisbon. Transportation time is approx. 30 minutes. You'll arrive near the Docas area (forgot the name of the end station), from there, the Bairro Alto area is just a walk up the hill. The Castelo and the Alfama are walkable, too.
Thus, I don't think you'd need to rent a car even when staying in Cascais. It just might help in getting to a golf course - but from my recollection Taxis are rather cheap, too.
Upon a visit to Lisbon I stayed at Estoril, just one stop before Cascais, and I thought it was a perfectly ample compromise of being able to sightsee the city and at the same time being able to take a dip into the ocean after a long day on my feet.
Should you decide on staying in Lisbon proper, I would recommend to look into the area around Chiado or the Bairro Alto. Most hotels tend to be around Avenida Liberdade, but those hilly parts mentioned before may be more charming (and afford some great views).
If the golf experience is to be part of the Lisbon section of your trip, I would advise on staying in Cascais.
There is a train line connecting the beach cities of Cascais, Estoril and so forth to Lisbon. Transportation time is approx. 30 minutes. You'll arrive near the Docas area (forgot the name of the end station), from there, the Bairro Alto area is just a walk up the hill. The Castelo and the Alfama are walkable, too.
Thus, I don't think you'd need to rent a car even when staying in Cascais. It just might help in getting to a golf course - but from my recollection Taxis are rather cheap, too.
Upon a visit to Lisbon I stayed at Estoril, just one stop before Cascais, and I thought it was a perfectly ample compromise of being able to sightsee the city and at the same time being able to take a dip into the ocean after a long day on my feet.
Should you decide on staying in Lisbon proper, I would recommend to look into the area around Chiado or the Bairro Alto. Most hotels tend to be around Avenida Liberdade, but those hilly parts mentioned before may be more charming (and afford some great views).
Jul 14th, 2006, 02:23 AM
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Many thanks SloJan and hsv.
I wasn't planning on letting the men play golf while in Lisbon (notice who is in control here!) so if you both think 3 days is enough, then we have two more days to go somewhere else - as suggested, pick up a car after 3 days and explore the surrounding area.
My daughter has 2 weeks school vacation and we intend to use every single day up in Portugal!
I wasn't planning on letting the men play golf while in Lisbon (notice who is in control here!) so if you both think 3 days is enough, then we have two more days to go somewhere else - as suggested, pick up a car after 3 days and explore the surrounding area.
My daughter has 2 weeks school vacation and we intend to use every single day up in Portugal!
Jul 14th, 2006, 04:50 AM
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Three days is barely enough time to see Lisbon. But it is a start.
For your Lisbon part of the trip, I would stay in Lisbon. Pick a central area as suggested like the Chiado or Barrio Alto and see things easily from your hotel walking and using public transportation. Since you are planning on time along the coast, I wouldn't take up the time to go back and forth into Lisbon for the things you want to do there. I would just stay there and do them.
Pick up your car and start to explore.
We used Carjet last year and were very happy with the service and the car they provided us through Budget.
This year we are using Economy Car Rentals. They are providing a car from Thrifty. I cannot comment on them as we haven't used them just yet.
Both companies have excellent prices. Now I must say we did not do a one way rental.
If you are staying in near Faro and have a car, your daughter might love to explore some of the Alentejo if you feel comfortable driving with her while the guys golf.
I know it is very difficult to decide. The Rough Guide to Portugal is very good and pretty detailed. We found it very helpful for descriptions of towns and areas, much more so than many books.
Good luck.
For your Lisbon part of the trip, I would stay in Lisbon. Pick a central area as suggested like the Chiado or Barrio Alto and see things easily from your hotel walking and using public transportation. Since you are planning on time along the coast, I wouldn't take up the time to go back and forth into Lisbon for the things you want to do there. I would just stay there and do them.
Pick up your car and start to explore.
We used Carjet last year and were very happy with the service and the car they provided us through Budget.
This year we are using Economy Car Rentals. They are providing a car from Thrifty. I cannot comment on them as we haven't used them just yet.
Both companies have excellent prices. Now I must say we did not do a one way rental.
If you are staying in near Faro and have a car, your daughter might love to explore some of the Alentejo if you feel comfortable driving with her while the guys golf.
I know it is very difficult to decide. The Rough Guide to Portugal is very good and pretty detailed. We found it very helpful for descriptions of towns and areas, much more so than many books.
Good luck.
Jul 14th, 2006, 05:09 AM
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Your 9 year old will love a day in Sintra. So many fantastical places to visit - castles, scary ruins, grottoes.(Adults will be pretty happy too.) You will need 2 nights in Lisbon just to bracket a day trip to Sintra.
Cascais is also easily done as a day trip from Lisbon, combined with Belem. That's another day.
A third day takes you to the Castle Sao Jorge (St. George) and time to explore the city proper.
Does your 9 year old like jewellery? Try the Gulbenkian museum in Lisbon - there is a mouthwatering display of Lalique. Also lots of gorgeous pre-revolutionary France furniture from Versailles. Together with maybe some shopping and relaxation time, bank chores, etc., that's a fourth day, so ideally you have at least 4 nights Lisbon (and yes, I debated the options and settled on Lisbon over Cascais or Sintra. But opinions vary, so alas, ultimately you will have to be the one to decide.)
Pick up the car at the airport to avoid some of Lisbon's congestion. (Inside Lisbon proper, you can easily get to and from Sintra, Cascais etc. by local train - much easier and cheaper.)
Once you leave Lisbon, you are going to need to think big, to accomodate 4 people, even light luggage, and golf clubs. (I'd suggest the train to Faro, but I don't know the policy on trains and that much luggage.)You will not be charged a dropoff fee by most major renters providing you pick up and drop off in the same country, which you plan on doing.
Enjoy Portugal - we sure did!
Cascais is also easily done as a day trip from Lisbon, combined with Belem. That's another day.
A third day takes you to the Castle Sao Jorge (St. George) and time to explore the city proper.
Does your 9 year old like jewellery? Try the Gulbenkian museum in Lisbon - there is a mouthwatering display of Lalique. Also lots of gorgeous pre-revolutionary France furniture from Versailles. Together with maybe some shopping and relaxation time, bank chores, etc., that's a fourth day, so ideally you have at least 4 nights Lisbon (and yes, I debated the options and settled on Lisbon over Cascais or Sintra. But opinions vary, so alas, ultimately you will have to be the one to decide.)
Pick up the car at the airport to avoid some of Lisbon's congestion. (Inside Lisbon proper, you can easily get to and from Sintra, Cascais etc. by local train - much easier and cheaper.)
Once you leave Lisbon, you are going to need to think big, to accomodate 4 people, even light luggage, and golf clubs. (I'd suggest the train to Faro, but I don't know the policy on trains and that much luggage.)You will not be charged a dropoff fee by most major renters providing you pick up and drop off in the same country, which you plan on doing.
Enjoy Portugal - we sure did!
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:54 AM
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three nights in Lisbon seems right. two nights in Sintra would be good. You can have the car delivered to the hotel in libon and return at the airport. We usually rent thru autoeurope.com. try to see evora on the way down.
