Porto to Lisbon: where to stop- Obidos or Figueira de Foz
Dec 20th, 2022, 07:33 PM
#1
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Porto to Lisbon: where to stop- Obidos or Figueira de Foz
We are traveling in early May 2023 down the coast from Porto to Lisbon, looking for a town to spend the night on our journey.
We are trying to choose between Obidos, and Figueira . Does anyone have a recommendation of which town would
be the better choice?
We are trying to choose between Obidos, and Figueira . Does anyone have a recommendation of which town would
be the better choice?
Dec 22nd, 2022, 04:17 PM
#3
We stayed in Obidós for four night and were sorry we chose it. So many tourists, a town that exists for tourism. V
However, it would be fine for one night. We stayed at the Pousada that was a Castle which was fun. The dining room was very good except they didn’t know how to make a martini. My husband went behind the bar and taught them!
However, it would be fine for one night. We stayed at the Pousada that was a Castle which was fun. The dining room was very good except they didn’t know how to make a martini. My husband went behind the bar and taught them!
Dec 22nd, 2022, 05:12 PM
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The two are completely different, as you probably already know.
Obidos îs a pretty, medieval village now completely overwhelmed by tourism during the day with lots of bus tour excursions from Lisbon. As HappyTrvlr says, it now exists solely for tourism. I would give it two hours, max, to walk the walls, and I'd overnight elsewhere. The Pousada Castelo Obidos (14th century) receives a rating of 8.4 on booking.com, so you might want to read the current reviews.
Figueira da Foz is a major beach resort on the Silver Coast, drawing in primarily a Portuguese crowd with its huge, wide beach with boardwalk. It attracts surfers but also has a few high-rise hotels and a casino.
Very close to Obidos, I'd actually choose the smaller Foz do Arelho on the Silver Coast with its white sand beach and small village charm.
https://www.liveluso.com/post/travel...relho_portugal.
For an historic property, I'd stay here-
https://quintafozarelho.com/en/concept/
Or... drive further south towards Lisbon and overnight at the up-and-coming, now chic Ericeira. Lots of new and atmospheric lodgings, some even 5-star luxury properties, are being built there, such as these-
https://www.aethoshotels.com/ericeira/
https://immerso.pt/en/
We had an October stay planned for Ericeira that we had to cancel, but we had booked here-
https://en.youandthesea.pt
Just a few thoughts.
Obidos îs a pretty, medieval village now completely overwhelmed by tourism during the day with lots of bus tour excursions from Lisbon. As HappyTrvlr says, it now exists solely for tourism. I would give it two hours, max, to walk the walls, and I'd overnight elsewhere. The Pousada Castelo Obidos (14th century) receives a rating of 8.4 on booking.com, so you might want to read the current reviews.
Figueira da Foz is a major beach resort on the Silver Coast, drawing in primarily a Portuguese crowd with its huge, wide beach with boardwalk. It attracts surfers but also has a few high-rise hotels and a casino.
Very close to Obidos, I'd actually choose the smaller Foz do Arelho on the Silver Coast with its white sand beach and small village charm.
https://www.liveluso.com/post/travel...relho_portugal.
For an historic property, I'd stay here-
https://quintafozarelho.com/en/concept/
Or... drive further south towards Lisbon and overnight at the up-and-coming, now chic Ericeira. Lots of new and atmospheric lodgings, some even 5-star luxury properties, are being built there, such as these-
https://www.aethoshotels.com/ericeira/
https://immerso.pt/en/
We had an October stay planned for Ericeira that we had to cancel, but we had booked here-
https://en.youandthesea.pt
Just a few thoughts.
Dec 22nd, 2022, 08:48 PM
#5
I wouldn't stop in either, but especially not Obidos. I'd stop in Coimbra. Friends decided not to take my advice to visit Obidos as a day trip and told me afterwards that staying there had indeed been a mistake.
Dec 22nd, 2022, 09:15 PM
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Just ditto to maitaitom and thursdaysd.
I assumed, probably very incorrectly, that Coimbra or Tomar were already in your Portugal itinerary. Either would be a much better stop if you're not already including them in your Portugal trip.
Could you share with us your complete itinerary so that we can give you better, more tailored advice?
If this is a first time Portugal visit, I would never trade Coimbra or Tomar (for historic/artistic reasons) for Obidos or a beach location on the Costa Prata. Just don't know your total itinerary.
If you haven't included either, that's a very different story.
I assumed, probably very incorrectly, that Coimbra or Tomar were already in your Portugal itinerary. Either would be a much better stop if you're not already including them in your Portugal trip.
Could you share with us your complete itinerary so that we can give you better, more tailored advice?
If this is a first time Portugal visit, I would never trade Coimbra or Tomar (for historic/artistic reasons) for Obidos or a beach location on the Costa Prata. Just don't know your total itinerary.
If you haven't included either, that's a very different story.
Last edited by Maribel; Dec 22nd, 2022 at 10:12 PM.
Dec 23rd, 2022, 06:19 AM
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Second opinion for Ericeira. Just a beautiful town, with a village feel as old town is full of narrow roads, alleyways and houses washed in blue in white. Numerous restaurants and cafes. All directly overlooking the ocean. Truly a magical location. Maribel: I don’t like that it is becoming up and coming and chic. It was a “hidden gem” just a few years ago, with very few tourists, just a real Portuguese old fishing village.
Dec 23rd, 2022, 12:59 PM
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mike1728,
I understand your feeling. I hope, too, that Ericeira doesn't become another Comporta.
The dilemma in trying to answer an "either or" question is that sometimes the better answer may be "neither", as in this case, if morninglory8 hasn't visited Coimbra or Tomar.
I understand your feeling. I hope, too, that Ericeira doesn't become another Comporta.
The dilemma in trying to answer an "either or" question is that sometimes the better answer may be "neither", as in this case, if morninglory8 hasn't visited Coimbra or Tomar.
Last edited by Maribel; Dec 23rd, 2022 at 01:11 PM.
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