Hi all,

Going to Europe from North American end of June with 2 kids (aged 6 and 11). We are flying to London (there for 3 days) then on to Colares, Portugal, for 7 days where we are renting a house with friends. After this, we have 5 more days before we have to fly back to London to go home.

Question: should we stick around Portugal - maybe go to the Algarve or hang out in Lisbon? Will spending time in Colares allow us to see Lisbon at all? We are also toying with the option of flying over to Barcelona for those 5 days.

What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Karen

You can take the train into Lisbon from Sentra. It doesn't take any time at all.

As far as what to do with your extra 5 days, I'd stay in Portugal and do a little exploring. If you like wine, well there are dozens of options.

If you want a little more beach time, then yes, you can take the train down to Faro.

Flying to Barcelona would work, but you'll end up loosing half a day traveling, and unless you don't alreay have reservations in Barcelona, the end of June is very busy. Rooms are in short supply and prices are up.

I suppose would visit Sintra and Pena palace while you are in Colares. Lisbon is an easy day trip from Sintra, maybe 45 minutes? it does not take long. Or you could possibly stop by at Lisbon on your way to Algarve - it would fall on the way. If you are flying to Barcelona you would likely leave from Lisbon. You could visit the Tower of Belem, the monument of discoveries, possibly even Castelo Sao Jorge in a day.
While I haven't visited Algarve, the pictures look gorgeous. I am not that big a fan of Barcelona, I realize I am probably an exception here. My boys (only 3 and 7 at the time) seemed to have enjoyed Portugal more too.

We have never been to Colares, but it looks quite beautiful

I agree with staying in Portugal and I love Barcelona. Besides Sintra and Lisbon there is Cascais and Evora.

The Algarve is nice if you like Brit pensioners wondering how Brexit will effect their sinuses.

Sounds like you will have 7 days to visit all the sights in/around Corales which I presume would include a trip to Sintra and Lisbon. Other not to miss sights in my opinion would be the monastery in Tomar. And the lovely village of Obidos. If you have covered all of these in the remaining 5 days I would rent a car and try and cover Evora and other nearby hilltop villages (we absolutely fell in love with Marvao). Also Coimbra is a lovely city worth a visit. If you are into wines you will be in heaven in the Douro valley. Check out the link below.

https://www.aladyinlondon.com/2012/0...al-travel.html

In short, I would not go to Barcelona and do justice to everything to be enjoyed in Portugal.

mnag gives you lots of good ideas. Also stop in Porto and even go to Santiago de Compostela. Don't bother with BCN. It's highly overrated.

Lisbon to Santiago is about a six hour drive. If you head north take a look at Braga, Amarante and Viano do Castelo