Portugal 16 or 17 days in April
 

Trying to plan the pandemic-delayed trip to Portugal, my first time there.

Best fares seem to be in and out of Lisbon, meaning that I will have to back track to Lisbon the final night before flying back.

So far I have:

3 nights Lisbon

2 nights Cascais/Sintra (rent a car in Lisbon, drive to Cascais/Sintra)

4 nights Algarve (drive from Cascais/Sintra to Algarve, either Lagos or maybe around Carveiro, then return car at Faro airport, fly to Porto)

3 nights Porto

2 nights Pinhao (rent a car in Porto or Porto airport, drive to Pinhao. Then return car to OPO and fly down to Lisbon)

1 night Lisbon


So I may have an extra night, was thinking of either adding a night in Cascais/Sintra or Pinhao. Or possibly Algarve, which is likely to have the best weather in mid to late April.

Porto and the north is suppose to be more wet. But is it true of the Duoro Valley as well? Maybe an extra day for Pinhao increases chance of getting at least one good weather day?

Or maybe, just keep it to 16 days and don't allocate the additional day to one of the places?

Nothing has been booked yet, other than two Lisbon hotels with whom I have a credit from originally 2020 to use.

Be sure to keep an eye on COVID restrictions. Supposedly an announcement will be made tomorrow, but as of this minute, Portugal requires a COVID test to get in and an EU Digital Certificate to get into hotels, restaurants and attractions.

That last bit is worrisome as I've had two hotels tell me that my CDC card won't suffice (and then they changed their minds when I pushed the issue). At the moment we're booked for late March/April, but unless the guidelines change to accept CDC cards and American digital vaccine certificates, we may well have to cancel for the third time.

Lots of chatter over on Trip Advisor regarding this very topic.

PS - We booked flying into Porto and out of Lisbon for a reasonable price, fully refundable tickets on United.

Hi Mel,
We (again) are considering going...waiting for the hotels to confirm the CDC card will be acceptable. Fingers crossed.

My hotel was noncommittal.

I can’t imagine they would turn away Americans wanting to visit and spending money.

some TA posts suggest enforcement by restaurants is lax.

Yeah, well. Switzerland was definitely not lax when we visited in October. Portugal, however, is not Switzerland and therefore a whole different animal.

I'd prefer to know going in though, as who wants to get there and not be able to eat in restaurants or visit attractions?

I think things are about to change though, so I'm not worried just yet.

Fingers crossed xyz99.

There are suppose to be some deliberations on Wednesday so they can announce some change.

Switzerland is also suppose to be considering changing some rules on Wednesday as well.

Hi- We're scheduled to fly into Porto 11 Apr, then do a segment of the Camino de Santiago, explore Galicia in a rental car for a few nights before returning to fly out of Porto on 5 May.

Our 11 nights on the Camino are booked through a travel agent, they arrange the lodging, schlep the luggage so we only have to carry a day pack, etc. We have not heard anything about vaccination certificates for hotels. We are boosted, but only have the cardboard shot record.

So I'm glad you posted this. I was aware of the testing requirement prior to flight, but that's it. I'll get with our tour vendor, and get their thoughts. We can cancel up to 15 March no penalty.

Regarding flights, still seeing good prices on United, no difference flying into Porto and out of Lisbon. Good luck with your travels.

From our tour guide, who does live in Portugal:"The measures are updated every 15 days. At the moment, even in restaurants, they accept the country's vaccination certificate (regardless of whether it is from the European Union or not). They already warned that they were going to lower restrictions and we are sure that at the end of February these measures will no longer be implemented.



Therefore, we advise you not to take these measures for granted, as they are reviewed.

The Portuguese government will meet today to discuss a possible easing of measures to combat the covid-19 pandemic. The meeting comes at a time when there is a decrease in new infections, which marks the descending phase of the pandemic in Portugal."

Hopefully this resolves itself. But we've been saying that for 2 years. If this trip gets canceled, it'll be motorcycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so not a terrible back up plan.

Nothing solid yet regarding easing of restrictions and Vax passports, but today's press briefing by the Minister of Health indicated that changes are coming.

​​​​​​https://www.theportugalnews.com/news...rictions/65320

Switzerland has done away with the COVID certificate effective February 17, but will still issue them to residents planning to travel within the EU.

Back to the itinerary, having a car in Sintra isn't usually recommended.

Ditto mlgb's comment about a car. I've not been to Portugal yet, but I've read so many negative comments about having a car in Sintra that I'd never take one there.

For those with an upcoming trip to Portugal who are wondering about access to museums, monuments:
I've emailed several museums, monuments that I plant to visit in March and have received responses that vaccination certificates are not required for entrance.
This is one response of many that arrived in my inbox this morning:

"Dear Maribel,
Thank you for your contact and interest in visiting Porto
Regarding your request, we inform you that, there's no need to present a vaccination passport to visit museums and monuments.
The only touristic attraction where you need to present it is in the Port Wine Cellars.
You'll only need to present your vaccination passport in accommodation and restaurants. In that case, the US vaccination passport is valid.
If you need any further assistance from us, do not hesitate to contact.
Kind regards,
Gonçalo Castro"

Same response from Museu Medeiro Almeda, Museo Berardo, Museu Nacional de Coches, all in Lisbon, and the monuments run by Parques de Sintra plus Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra.

The only venues requiring vaccination certificates are performance venues, such as Lisbon's Centro Cultural de Belém & Porto's Casa da Musica, who sent the following response:

"Dear Maribel,
In order to attend the performance you will need to show your CDC vaccination card along with your Passport, or any other document that attests your identity.
Best regards,
Sérgio Leite
Bilheteira / Box Office
Casa da Música"

Hope this helps.
I was bored yesterday with nothing to do but send these emails (except for housework, of course!):)

I've been studying hotel and restaurant options and it seems Cascais has more restaurants while Sintra hotels are less expensive. However, looks like many of them are at different levels so some hiking up and down.

So maybe thinking of visiting Sintra from Cascais or Lisbon, either by train or by car. Or maybe by guided tour.

If you had time for one, which of the palaces or castles would you visit, Pena, Castelos dos Mouros, Sintra National Palace or Quinta da Regaleira?

I contacted a couple of hotels and one said the US CDC card is fine while the other said as long as you have an EMA-approved vaccine.

Yes, scrb11,
This is my understanding from our hotels--the US CDC will suffice having an EMA-approved vaccine.
We are staying in Cascais this time (but it's somewhat work related). Yes, Cascais has more dining options but it does have accommodations in all price ranges as well. Our rate at the Pousada is only 90 euros/night.

You do not want to visit Sintra from Cascais by train. You will want to take the bus 417 which takes 30 minutes.
Winter bus schedule:
https://scotturb.com/carreiras/horarios/inverno/.

Sintra would be more convenient, however, so that you're already there to do your monument touring and can head out earlier in the morning.

As to monuments, I've seen all 5 and it really depends on your personal interest. For me the most interesting was the National Palace because of its history--the only surviving Portuguese palace from the Middle Ages.

Most want to see the Pena Palace (at least from the outside) because of its fanciful, extravagant hodge podge mix of architectural styles (some poster described it as "Disney meets Gaudí"). Please be aware that now the Pena Palace has timed tickets, timed entry slots, to control the crowds somewhat better.
Some like to climb the ramparts of the Castelo dos Moros.
Others like to spend their time exploring the Parque de Sintra's vast grounds.

This time we're going to spend more time exploring the grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira (doesn't belong to the Parques de Sintra and has its own online ticket sales) and then finish with the gardens of Monserrate.

Thanks for the update Maribel, that's very encouraging.

You're welcome Mel. I'm now very optimistic about our upcoming trip!

OK, I'm also weighing Lagos vs. Carvoeiro.

Any opinions?

For the places I'm looking at, it seems you can be closer to the coast line in Carvoeiro than in Lagos. But in the latter you're closer to amenities and there are more of them, restaurants, markets, maybe even laundromats.

Wonderful news, Maribel! It’s so helpful to hear how rules are applied in the real world!

And the recommendations for Sintra are very helpful. In fact, I was just toying with the possibility of staying in Cascais for our first 3 days rather than Sintra, but I know that if I start second guessing my choices, I’ll drive myself nuts!

The train from Lisbon is pretty convenient however.

When I flew into Lisbon I stayed the arrival night near the Airport and then took the train from the Oriente Station, which is an architectural gem. You can take the RED line from ther airport to the Oriente.

I believe you can also take an Uber to Sintra.

Info here
https://www.sintra-portugal.com/guid...to-Sintra.html

Of the sites I visited my favorites in order

Quinta da Regaleira (interior and grounds)
Pena Palace (Outside) I mistakenly bought the ticket that included the interior.
National Palace (inside and out)
I didn't care that much for Montserrate and didn't climb the ramparts.

Quinta is walkable from town, the National Palace is right in town.

The town itself is charming. I stayed at Casa Da Pendôa, booked through Expedia, the double mountain view. However they are not showing availability on Exedia but maybe on booking.com

My vote would be for Lagos. But.... we had a car in order to do day trips to the stunning beaches of the Costa Vicentina (Praia Arrifana, Praia da Bordeira, Praia do Amado are beautiful), the fishermen's trail, the castle at Silves and Cabo São Vicente.
Yes, Lagos has plenty of amenities.

progol,
Don't second guess yourself please!! Keep you reservation in Sintra. If you find yourselves with extra time there you can always go to Cascais by bus 417.

For those who are staying in center city (downtown) Lisbon and NOT from the airport, visitors on a day trip will want to take the day trip to Sintra by train from ROSSIO. It's a 40- minute ride.
https://www.sintra-portugal.com/guid...to-Sintra.html

Yes, uber does work in Lisbon-Cascais -Sintra.

Maribel, no worries, I’m not going to change it! We’ll probably do a day trip to Cascais, either from Sintra or, more likely, Lisbon. But I still can’t stop thinking about alternatives! 😉

Announcement made that negative tests for restaurants, hotels and other settings will officially no longer be in force, although, as Maribel has already told us, vaccination cards haven’t been needed for most cultural establishments. So no need to take frequent tests to enjoy Portugal. As of now, US citizens still do need to test to enter, however.

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news...portugal/65342

Yep, happy day!
And I continue to get email responses today from Portugal museums/monuments assuring me that vaccination certificates are not required.
And the negative test that was required was only for major sporting events, bars that have dance areas and nightclubs.

Today, from The Portuguese Resident-
https://www.portugalresident.com/por...ve-weeks-time/

Yay!

Mel and progol,
Yay is right---we don't have to cancel for the third time!

I forgot to mention to you that Quinta das Carvalhas in Pinhão, across the bridge from The Vintage House, has a hiking/walking trails opportunity.

WALKS & TRAILS

"At Quinta das Carvalhas we have available a challenging yet relaxing walking trail for adventurers and nature lovers. We offer visitors the chance to enter the Quinta and follow a track amongst vines, forests, terraces, orchards and olive trees to finish at our Wine Shop for a tasting of Quinta das Carvalhas Ports.

All tracks are signaled accordingly as well as a Map is given to every visitor."

INFO
Price (VAT included): € 10,00 (adults) |
Available all year | Mon-Sun (Except 24 to 26 and 31 December, 01 and 02 January)
Available hours: 10:00 -12:00; 14:00-16:00; 16:00-18:00 (Last time period only available between March and October).
Booking only
https://realcompanhiavelha.pt/en/win...e-experiences/

Thanks for the update! Looking forward to our 4 nights in Lisbon in April.

Fabulous Maribel, thanks for the hiking info.

Maribel,
This is wonderful news, thank you so much.
Our trip is supposed to start on March 18th, and I got confirmation from all the hotels that the CDC issued card is acceptable, if showing one of the 3 approved vaccines. All hotels except the one in Evora, but I booked a different one which accepts the CDC card.
It sounds like I can go ahead and book the flights, yay!

xyz99,
It's so great that we all don't have to cancel for a third time! Our trip is to start on March 10 and we're getting excited. Have a really great trip!

I went for Carvoeiro.

Will actually be driving from Cascais to Algarve. Mainly chose to drive rather than fly or take the train because of car rental options. I wanted to have a car around Cascais but that is only for 3 nights. So I did a one-way rental for 8 nights.

Actually, I added 3 nights so I'd have extra night in Cascais/Sintra, extra night in Algarve and extra night in Lisbon before return flight.

Between Carvoeiro and Lagos, it seems Carvoeiro has amenities and the Boardwalk close so that seems like it would work better. We will see though.


Now for Porto, I booked a place in Vila Nova, near some Miradouro that iconic bridge and Porto center. Seems the views are better looking north across the river than looking south?

But all the attractions and many of the dining options are north of the river?

Has anyone stayed on the south side and found that they had to cross the bridge, which is also very elevated, often?

Well, Carvoeiro wins out!
In Porto you've booked a hotel on the other side of the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia (just called Gaia by the locals), where all the port lodges sit. You'll have great views of Porto.
Other than the port lodges that will surround you, the major attractions of Porto are in Porto itself.
Gaia does have dining options, many in the new WOW (World of Wine) complex, a restaurant at Graham's port lodge, a restaurant at Taylor's port lodge (lovely terrace dining) and several on the Gaia riverfront.

Our favorite dining spots are in Porto and in the "posh" section of Foz do Douro (where the river meets the ocean). And for fantastic, fresh fish we take the 500 double decker bus in Porto to Matosinhos to the street across from the fish market, Rua Heróis de França. All the fish houses are lined up in a row and have charcoal grills outside. A favorite: O Valentim Others: Casa Serrão, Salta O Muro

Yes, you'll have to cross the bridge often to do your Porto sightseeing, but taxis are inexpensive and there's also the Uber option. There's also a river taxi/shuttle that departs every 10-15 minutes from Gaia's quay (cais de Gaia) and docks in Porto at Cais da Ribeira. Some people enjoy staying over in Gaia, others prefer to be in the heart of the city. But since I don't know what hotel you've chosen, I can't tell you how far a walk that would be for you to catch the river taxi. See the departure point on this map.
https://www.dourorivertaxi.com/en/location
Then you'll make your way up from there for sightseeing. Porto is a "vertical" city (lots and lots of climbs), like Lisbon and Coimbra.

Looking at a couple of places near the bridge with views, Vincci Ponte de Ferro and Porto View.

Porto View costs less, has bigger apartment rooms, actually think it has better views on the west side of the bridge. Looks like you'd have to climb a bit to get to the bridge or the miradouros up there or to get to restaurants and such.

But Vincci offers buffet breakfast €15 so that I don't have to hike to a cafe and for anything other than pastry and coffee, it would cost about the same anyways.

Plus I notice a lot of the cafes, according to Google Maps, don't open until 9 or 10 AM anyways?

So the convenience of breakfast on site would be something of a timesaver, unless I can do my excursions to grab a bite and then explore the city, without going out of my way. Then you may have to compete with a crowd to sit down for awhile.

Seems like you're set on staying in (Vila Nova de) Gaia, which is actually a city in its own right. I think the Vincci Ponte de Ferro is a nicer property. But now that I've looked at the photos of the Porto View, it would be nice to have that balcony. I guess a coin toss!

scrb11,
I had always thought that for convenience, handiness to sightseeing and dining, a first-time visitor to Porto, especially for a short stay, should stay IN Porto rather than in Gaia.
But...I've looked closely at the reviews of the new Vincci Ponte de Ferro (but won't see it until Oct.) and am intrigued. It's right next to the Eiffel- inspired Luiz1 bridge. So...being intrigued, I checked the "location" remarks of guests on booking.com and on TA. Here are some that speak to the convenience of its location, if you're still interested.

"The location..exceptional, being right next to the bridge with stunning views. Also, next to a metro stop."
"Super easy walk down to port cellars or across the bridge to Porto proper with easy (elevator) access to both upper and lower bridge."
"Possibility to use the elevator to descend to the riverside."
"There’s a lift to the ground floor where you can easily access the river side which saves a big uphill walk."
"Very convenient... you can use the indoor elevator to access both the upper and lower sides of the famous bridge."
"Elevator provides access to both levels of the city which cuts your walking time down significantly when exploring the city."
"You're close walking distance to most everything on the other side of the river."
"Really handy for both sides of the Douro, with many activities/restaurants etc within easy reach. Also easily accessed from the airport if traveling by the metro."

So, the Vincci Ponte de Ferro seems to be a more convenient location that I had thought. I don't know about the other property.

Yeah I just booked it.

My main priority is taking pictures and besides the views from the hotel grounds, there are miradors all around it, with the iconic bridge and the view across to the Porto skyline.

The other place I was looking at were the Porto View apartments, which is just above the river banks and the apartments all have good views over the river and Porto

The Vincci is a bit more expensive and the rooms are like half the size, unless you really spend on a larger room. But it has amenities, like 15 Euros for breakfast which would save me time going out somewhere (and most places don't seem to open before 9:30-10 AM, at least going by the hours listed in Google Maps). They also have a lot of restaurants on site but I'm guessing they will be pricey, not because of the quality of the food necessarily but the scenic setting.

I don't know how easy it is to get to places near the river from that location but with the metro, seems like I could easily reach the areas around the Sao Bento and Aliados metro stations. Would make taking the metro from the airport easy. Otherwise, I'm sure hotel staff can tell me about using those elevators.

OK, after Porto, it will be 3 nights in the Duoro valley. I'm considering Dois Lagres in Pinhao, a bit of a hike to the town or I can drive if parking and traffic isn't too hectic. There are a couple of places above town with stunning views but I wouldn't want to hike or drive down every time to get a meal. Seems like some people hike down for dinners and take a taxi back up.

Again the priority is scenery. I've found a few miradors I want to drive to. They're all spaced apart including a place called Mesao Frio. There are some lodgings with great views and it's close to some restaurants and stores as well.

I'm wondering whether to stay in Mesao Frio and then day trip to Pinhao rather than staying out in Pinhao. There are obviously more things to do in Pinhao, as far as quintas and that boat trip. But Mesao Frio is closer to Porto and I will be returning to Porto airport probably for a morning flight back to Lisbon.

Parking and traffic aren't remotely hectic in Pinhão. It's a tiny burg. You should be able to find a spot down by the pier and behind the pier. Yes, I know the places above the town with stunning views (Casal de Loivos, for example), but I personally wouldn't want to drive back up at night on those very winding roads. I've been to the Miradouro there.

I've not stayed at the Dois Lagres. It sits above the LBV House.

If you want the best photography, you need to stay between Régua and Pinhão, imo, as that stretch is the prettiest part, at least for me. It can be quite a slow day trip, ime, from Mesão Frio to Pinhão via the narrow N222 highway. I've done it.
But.. if you'll be returning to Porto for a morning flight, you'll want to stay closer. Count on a minimum drive of 90 min. to the Porto airport from Pinhão.

As for the miradouros, these are the most impressive, pdf attached.