Thanks Magster! That cloister kept me happy for quite a long time.

It really seems that people who actually GO to Lisbon really like it, but for some reason it's just not on most American's lists of places to see.

Dear Thursdaysd,

What a wonderful report! Thank you for sharing it!

My husband (from Thailand) and I (from Brazil)have 11 days to visit Portugal and Spain. We will stop in Paris for 3 nights on the way back home. We are leaving US September 18th. I've always been able to plan our European trips just by reading several Fodors post (like yours) and Rick Steves guides. For some reason, Portugal it's a little "complicate"for me (and I speak portuguese????). I guess my question is: If you had 11 days how many would you spend in Portugal and where would you go?

Many thanks,

Pinkcaipirinha - I would happily spend all of them in Portugal! For my previous trip to Portugal, 15 nights, starting in the north, see wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html - fourth piece.

Do you need beach? If so, you should start in the south in the Algarve, I guess - I'm not a beach person and haven't been there. Then you need at least four days (five nights) for Lisbon, Sintra, Belem, etc. I'd head inland for Evora, then up the coast to Coimbra and Porto, with a side trip up the Duoro valley if possible (investigate the boat, and I'm not sure whether the mountain railways I took are still running), or maybe going even further north.

I prefer Portugal to Spain, where my only must-see sight would be the Alhambra, although I also enjoyed Ronda, and think that the coast in the north would be a good area for hiking.

Note that Easyjet flies from Porto to Paris CDG.

Just a couple of comments. I also do not know why Portugal just isn't as visited as it deserves.
You do not have to go to the Algarve for beach. The coast of Portugal from Lisbon to Porto is wonderful.
For a first trip, I would concentrate on several days in and around Lisbon, see some of the center (Tomar, Coimbra and environs) and head up to Porto and the Duoro. We did that in our first two week trip and still missed some things. But we like to linger.
And still, that would be spreading yourself thin in some areas.
But you can always go back.

I've REALLY enjoyed all your accolades for Portugal and it brings back happy memories. We (Americans) (me, husband, and 3 preteens) lived in Lisbon WAY back in the mid 70's. It is indeed a wonderful place,,full of history, nice warm people,lovely "sites", . It's not usually considered one of the TOP places in Europe to visit and it's a shame,,,,for most people who have visited Lisbon (and Portugal) have very positive reports.

Lisbon is wonderful, in its own way even better than Barcelona.
I want to say something about shopping. For a city of tiles, the tiles available in stores are awful. But I happened upon Mistura de Estilos just off Liberdade. It's on Rue S. Jose, just north of Solar des Presuntos, a one Michelin star restaurant that had gorgeous food (and stunningly inexpensive.
The owner is an artist. She has a wonderful selection of original and interesting tiles.

Thanks! Looking into booking Hotel Avenida Palace in Lisbon.
Mimi

Enjoy! I'd stay there if I could afford it.

This thread is six years old..things change.

Yes, some things change, but I was in Lisbon, staying at the Florescente, in December 2014, and it is still a great place to visit. I didn't go to Sintra, but I haven't heard that anything has changed there, and Belem is certainly still the same.

I was in a Lisbon in Oct. 2014 and enjoyed the stay very much.
A couple of restaurants (recommended by guide books) had closed, some hotels occasionally get rundown
( or improve ) over several years,
public transit often changes, parts of the city become "gentrified" or more dangerous, etc

Yes, Belem is till there, but that is not the point.

still

thursdaysd,
I just read your trip report! Thanks, I can see staying in Lisbon and doing daytrips is quite easy! Great report!

Thanks! Glad it's still useful. I've been back to Lisbon several times, and still love it.

Thursdayd -
We just booked a stay in a www.housetrip.com property in Belém and have high hopes for a great nine days. Your report - never mind that it's from 2009 - adds to our anticipatory excitement.
In case you ever come back here and see this - THANKS for your report.

You're very welcome - Lisbon is still one of my favorite cities. And yes, I am still here, finishing up a TR on the UK right now.

Enjoyed reading your report even though it is old. , it has lots of info for me.
I am making my first time trip to Lisbon this Spring and am looking forward to it.
You have lots of good info for me so thanks

Good to know it's still useful! Have been back to Lisbon several times and am still finding things to do, although I haven't written about them. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

I too am very thankful for this trip report! I have two weeks in the fall that I was planning to split between Portugal and northern Spain. I think your report has convinced me to give Lisbon much more time and let northern Spain alone this trip. I was there once and only day tripped into Lisbon which certainly did not do it justice. Thank you again,
Kim

Excellent. Thanks. Doing preparation for a long weekend in May. I was last there in 1998... wonder how much has changed?