Marvao, Villa Vicosa or Guimarres
 

ok, so have made reservations at the Pousada de Evora and the Hotel Real in Obidos. We are still working on Porto and Lisbon. We have one day to spare and I had originally thought of Marvao, but am a bit worried by the description of the mountainous roads. If you had one extra day would you go to Marvao, Villa Vicosa or Guimarres and why? (and to think 3 months ago I didn't even know these towns existed! thanks

I find Marvao fascinating but not in bad weather.

I recall being in Marvao and the sun was out.

Across the lower plains we could see the storm approaching. It was beautiful.

We just found a restaurant for lunch and the storm passed.

Interesting day.

But we loved Marvao for a day trip.

Pousada in Guimares is outstanding..there are 2, one in town and one just a bit away. I loved Guirmares and Villa Viscosa but not Marvao so much. Lisbon has another pousada, Queluz (Dona Maria) and the wonderful Pestana Palace and from what friends have said the new pousada in Porto is awesome..There are often specials so look into that aspect. Pestana Group and Poudadas.pt

We were bumped from the pousada outside of Guimares to the one in town due to a wedding.
We enjoyed being able to walk everywhere in this historic small city. However, I think I read that the in town pousada had closed. If it's it's still open, I recommend it. We enjoyed exploring the Minho region
where Guimares is located.

Bumped??How sad!! I hope that the pousada found you another place!! The Minho area is very interesting and scenic. Having a car is a real asset as the side roads can lead to wonderful surprises..Had a remarkable meal in a small crossroad village (forget the name, bad me) just as a drop in looksee..family style with the local road crew, the "line men for the county" and the cook's family..Hardly any $ at all..don't be reluctant to explore..If no one speaks any English miming wiull do the job, although we found that there is always a local who can help language wise, usually a school kid only to happy to practise!!

I would have a hard time choosing between Guimaraes and Marvao. Vila Vicosa is a nice town with a ducal palace, home originally to the Braganza family and built in 16C. There are some nice little places in the vicinity, and if you are interested in Alentejo pottery, you can easily make a stop at the Redondo pottery shop, one of the best, IMO. (Be careful, there are many shops selling very cheap stuff, looks pretty, breaks in a second). But it wouldn't be at the top of my ranking of these three places.

Marvao has a wonderful castle, really great for exploring and views, even the moorish cistern is still open. It has gotten a little touristy over the years, but I still think it's a wonderful stop. And Castelo de Vide nearby is also nice for a few hours.

Guimaraes is loaded with historical sites -- castle, old square, walls, palace or two, gothic (?) church. It's a very nice place, and the Citania dos Breteiros is a very interesting pre-historic settlement that is open to visitors and very near.

i have stayed in both pousadas in Guimaraes, and the convent out of town is wonderful. The in-town site (sorry to hear it may be closed) is convenient and comfortable but nothing like the convent, IMO.

Check out: Pousadas of the Alentejo, On The Road - Arraiolos to Vila Vicosa

<< am a bit worried by the description of the mountainous roads >>

There are no mountainous roads to get to Marvao! Rolling hills, perhaps. Marvao, as many Portuguese towns, is built on a hill but you park your car and walk up the hill (a very short walk).

Marvao is delightful but very small. You can also see Castelo de Vide the same day as Marvao - they're about 15 minutes apart.

Marvao is very easy as Ann said to park and walk in.

For Evora, on our last rip to this area, we stayed at www.conventodoespinheiro.com/en

It's outside of the old town,but easy to get to.

I would not stay in the new section. The old convent is wonderful.

Thanks everyone. so after rereading the guidebooks and all your helpful advice and studying the maps we changed course entirely and decided to spend the extra night at the Palace Bussaco as that will be something totally different from our other stops and sort of half way between Evora and Porto. We may still be able to stop off in either Marvao or Villa Vicosa on the way, and hopefully will have time for a day trip to Guimares. now onwards to Porto and Lisboa. Obrigado

Have a great trip.