First time visit to Portugal
Jan 26th, 2017, 02:23 PM
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First time visit to Portugal
My husband and I will be in Portugal for one week from March 27th onwards. We will land in Lisbon and have booked a room in Hotel Mundial, Praça Martim Moniz 2
As always we like to spend ample time not just to see 'the sights' but also to experience the feel of the city. So no "if it's Tuesday this must be Belgium" for us.
We would like to receive suggestions on anything that you consider worthwhile sharing. We like classical music but also fado. Suggestions on restaurants or culinary delights are most welcome too.
We wonder though if one week will not be too long for Lisbon as it is not a very large city. Belem is on our list of course but that's almost within the city.
Which would you recommend: Sintra or Cascais? Weather permitting we would also love to visit the ocean beach as we understand there are some really good fish/seafood restaurants off route 247.
We could of course always rent a car and venture out but I understand intercity public transport is also very good. We might save Porto and the Douro valley for another time.
In short: all information would be most welcome. I know I will not be disappointed!
As always we like to spend ample time not just to see 'the sights' but also to experience the feel of the city. So no "if it's Tuesday this must be Belgium" for us.
We would like to receive suggestions on anything that you consider worthwhile sharing. We like classical music but also fado. Suggestions on restaurants or culinary delights are most welcome too.
We wonder though if one week will not be too long for Lisbon as it is not a very large city. Belem is on our list of course but that's almost within the city.
Which would you recommend: Sintra or Cascais? Weather permitting we would also love to visit the ocean beach as we understand there are some really good fish/seafood restaurants off route 247.
We could of course always rent a car and venture out but I understand intercity public transport is also very good. We might save Porto and the Douro valley for another time.
In short: all information would be most welcome. I know I will not be disappointed!
Jan 26th, 2017, 02:43 PM
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Yes to Sintra -nice hike up to the famous palace on a wooded hill.
I took the train to Sintra- then took a bus to the coast at Cabo da Roca - on a wild stretch of coast and a large rock sticking out into the Atlantic with a lighthouse on it -this is said to be the westernmost part of the European continent.
And the wave action is impressive; the bus ride from Sintra went thru forests of eucalyptus trees - the sweet odor permeates the area.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Cabo...Hd2VAzsQsAQIGQ
Then I took a bus to Cascais for train back to Lisbon.
You can also easily day trip to Evora by bus or train - going thru impressive cork plantations en route.
Obidos is another easy day trip by bus or train - and is a perfectly walled ancient-looking town:
I took the train to Sintra- then took a bus to the coast at Cabo da Roca - on a wild stretch of coast and a large rock sticking out into the Atlantic with a lighthouse on it -this is said to be the westernmost part of the European continent.
And the wave action is impressive; the bus ride from Sintra went thru forests of eucalyptus trees - the sweet odor permeates the area.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Cabo...Hd2VAzsQsAQIGQ
Then I took a bus to Cascais for train back to Lisbon.
You can also easily day trip to Evora by bus or train - going thru impressive cork plantations en route.
Obidos is another easy day trip by bus or train - and is a perfectly walled ancient-looking town:
Jan 26th, 2017, 02:43 PM
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Jan 26th, 2017, 02:49 PM
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Sintra and Cascais are very different, apples and oranges. Cascais is a seaside town with the Hell's Mouth, a rock formation where the waves produce spectacular foamy patterns, at least at high tide and especially when there's a good wind. It's a relaxed town, still has a fisherman's village sort of vibe.
The second-to-last stop of the train line is Estoril, with a casino that also hosts concerts etc. Famous for tourism of the "good-old-days" time when nobles took their vacations there in splendour...
The train for Cascais leaves from the transportation hub Cais do Sodre (ferries, buses, trams, trains) and goes via Belém where you can also board it.
Sintra is a town nestled against a rocky mountain, with one castle in the upper part of town, very sober and serious and full of remnants from the royal days, and then way way up there is the other castle that has a different character - colorful, whimsical in design, with great views. Situated in immense gardens.
The roundtrip bus ticket costs €5 if memory serves. You could walk up, of course, if you're tough, or down if your knees can do it.
The train for Sintra leaves from the Rossio train station, a short walk from the Rossio Metro stop at Praça Figueira.
The Viagem transportation card (costs 50 cents for the card, then you load it up and as you tap it when boarding buses and trams or enter turnstiles at Metro and trains its value goes down, then you reload it) is valid on both those trains.
From Praça Figueira take the little bus 727 (you'll soon see why it's little!!!) up to the castle - what a ride, and what a view!
The Gulbenkian Foundation, a museum-slash-art gallery, has the most exquisite collection of beautiful items from many ages and cultures -each in perfect condition and exhibited with great care. Not to be missed!
Then there is the Fado Museum, and if you ask the attendants they'll enthusiastically suggest where you might be able to hear live performances.
The part of Lisbon called Belém is of huge interest - there are a great many sightseeing targets right there within walking distance of each other - see http://lisbon-portugal-guide.com/bel...ct-lisbon.html
Plan on making a few trips there, don't miss the Maritime Museum - the history of the seafaring Portugal throughout the ages comes alive, and there are full-size boats and even seaplanes.
The presidential palace is only open to the public on Saturdays, as you walk by the guards enter the "presidential museum" and ask about the times for tours in English. There is not too much to see inside, it is more of interest to Portuguese visitors because they all have seen it on nightly-news TV, a bit like Americans keep seeing pictures of the white House.
Check out the new Centro Cultural Belém complex - it houses an excellent art exhibition, a fine bookshop, we attended two concerts and ate at the "East-West" restaurant that has an interesting fusion cuisine in an appealing decor.
We happened to have booked our lodgings in Belém and were glad - it took us almost a week to do it justice.
You're wise to plan on spending a good deal of time - Lisbon deserves it and will reward you!
The second-to-last stop of the train line is Estoril, with a casino that also hosts concerts etc. Famous for tourism of the "good-old-days" time when nobles took their vacations there in splendour...
The train for Cascais leaves from the transportation hub Cais do Sodre (ferries, buses, trams, trains) and goes via Belém where you can also board it.
Sintra is a town nestled against a rocky mountain, with one castle in the upper part of town, very sober and serious and full of remnants from the royal days, and then way way up there is the other castle that has a different character - colorful, whimsical in design, with great views. Situated in immense gardens.
The roundtrip bus ticket costs €5 if memory serves. You could walk up, of course, if you're tough, or down if your knees can do it.
The train for Sintra leaves from the Rossio train station, a short walk from the Rossio Metro stop at Praça Figueira.
The Viagem transportation card (costs 50 cents for the card, then you load it up and as you tap it when boarding buses and trams or enter turnstiles at Metro and trains its value goes down, then you reload it) is valid on both those trains.
From Praça Figueira take the little bus 727 (you'll soon see why it's little!!!) up to the castle - what a ride, and what a view!
The Gulbenkian Foundation, a museum-slash-art gallery, has the most exquisite collection of beautiful items from many ages and cultures -each in perfect condition and exhibited with great care. Not to be missed!
Then there is the Fado Museum, and if you ask the attendants they'll enthusiastically suggest where you might be able to hear live performances.
The part of Lisbon called Belém is of huge interest - there are a great many sightseeing targets right there within walking distance of each other - see http://lisbon-portugal-guide.com/bel...ct-lisbon.html
Plan on making a few trips there, don't miss the Maritime Museum - the history of the seafaring Portugal throughout the ages comes alive, and there are full-size boats and even seaplanes.
The presidential palace is only open to the public on Saturdays, as you walk by the guards enter the "presidential museum" and ask about the times for tours in English. There is not too much to see inside, it is more of interest to Portuguese visitors because they all have seen it on nightly-news TV, a bit like Americans keep seeing pictures of the white House.
Check out the new Centro Cultural Belém complex - it houses an excellent art exhibition, a fine bookshop, we attended two concerts and ate at the "East-West" restaurant that has an interesting fusion cuisine in an appealing decor.
We happened to have booked our lodgings in Belém and were glad - it took us almost a week to do it justice.
You're wise to plan on spending a good deal of time - Lisbon deserves it and will reward you!
Jan 26th, 2017, 03:07 PM
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One of our favorite palaces:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Queluz
Any equestrian interest, performances on Wednesday:
http://lusitanoportal.com/portuguese-riding-school/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Queluz
Any equestrian interest, performances on Wednesday:
http://lusitanoportal.com/portuguese-riding-school/
Jan 26th, 2017, 03:16 PM
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Don't miss the hill-climbing antique trams (line #28) that take you thru IMO Lisbon's most old-world quarter -the Alfama, draped over a hill:
https://www.google.com/search?q=tram...HWtWC3MQsAQIGw
https://www.google.com/search?q=tram...HWtWC3MQsAQIGw
Jan 26th, 2017, 04:57 PM
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Make sure to go to the Barro Alto quarter of Lisbon at night with tons of outdoor restaurants (I went in summer but assuming it will be warm enough then) and Fado. Really lively atmosphere and so fun!
Must go on the cablecar.
LOVE both Cascais & Sintra but they're both different (as noted above). If it were me, I would take a day trip to each. You will have the time, get more of the flavor of portugal and you won't be disappointed.
Must go on the cablecar.
LOVE both Cascais & Sintra but they're both different (as noted above). If it were me, I would take a day trip to each. You will have the time, get more of the flavor of portugal and you won't be disappointed.
Jan 26th, 2017, 10:52 PM
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I second all advice from PQ.
Obidos was a high Sintra is superb.
We didn't take the tram - too much queuing so we walked.
Ps : Belgium is nice even on Friday. Clear sky today, -3c. Going to Bruxelles center right now and no (big) traffic jams.
Obidos was a high Sintra is superb.
We didn't take the tram - too much queuing so we walked.
Ps : Belgium is nice even on Friday. Clear sky today, -3c. Going to Bruxelles center right now and no (big) traffic jams.
Jan 26th, 2017, 11:37 PM
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Obrigado! Thank you!!!! Where would I be without the Fodors community? I look forward to digesting all your information over the weekend.
And yes, I agree, Belgium is great too and definitely worth spending more time than only a Tuesday.
And yes, I agree, Belgium is great too and definitely worth spending more time than only a Tuesday.
Jan 27th, 2017, 10:09 AM
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We didn't take the tram - too much queuing so we walked.>
So did I - views from tram itself not all that great but views of the tram while walking superb. But most will prefer to take tram up and walk back down thru the warren of tiny streets.
So did I - views from tram itself not all that great but views of the tram while walking superb. But most will prefer to take tram up and walk back down thru the warren of tiny streets.
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