We will be flying to Lisbon from New York on August 26th, landing on Sunday morning the 27th at 8:30ish. Here are three alternate itineraries that we are considering and would appreciate any thoughts -

Itinerary #1
Day 1-3 Cascais (2 nights, Sunday & Monday)
Day 3-6 Lagos (drive from Cascais, stay three nights, Tues-Fri)
Day 6-9 Lisbon (3 nights, Fri-Mon, day trip to Sintra)
Return home Monday September 4th

Itinerary #2
Day 1-4 Cascais (3 nights, Sun-Wed)
Day 4-8 Lisbon (4 nights, Wed-Sun, trip to Sintra)
Return home Sunday September 3rd

Itinerary #3
Day 1-3 Cascais (2 nights, Sun&Mon)
Day 3-5 Sintra (2 nights, Tues&Wed)
Day 5-8 Lisbon (3 nights, Thurs-Sun)
Return home Sunday Sept. 3rd

We are around 30 years old, enjoy beaches/pools, cafes, bars, restaurants, sightseeing, just walking around...not so much into museums and the like. We enjoy going out for dinner and drinks and would not want to drive anywhere at night, we'd prefer to rely on taxis and walking. Except, of course, for driving to places during the day or driving to and from Lagos from Lisbon.

My concern with itinerary #2 is that 4 nights in Lisbon might be too many. We could extend the trip an extra day in itinerary #1 and go to Lagos, but I am concerned about the massive amount of crowds that we can expect...is it better during the week as opposed to the weekend? I'd like to have at least a couple of days at the beach (or near the beach at a hotel with a nice pool). I picked Lagos out of the towns in the Algarve because it seemed to fit everything we were looking for. A fun atmosphere at night, nice beaches and a short distance from other sightseeing destinations. We'd like to be in a nice hotel within walking distance of town, we enjoy going to bars but are not into the club scene. We also don't want to feel like the oldest people out in the bars at night! What can we expect?

I have read several guidebooks and perused numerous threads on this board, including "what to do in and around Lisbon," which have been extremely helpful. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the above ideas or any others. Thanks in advance.

Be sure and spend a night in Obidos. It's absolutely magical!

Itinerary#1
If you have the car while in Cascais, you can do some exploration to Sintra's hill and town, otherwise it's more advisable to go to Sintra from Lisbon.

ttt

A wonderful bus ride regularly links Cascais to Sintra - it goes along the rugged coast, you can get off at the Cabo de ??? can't think of name but said to be Europe's most westernmost part, even farther west than Ireland's West Coast - lighthouse here and hellacious sea action smashing into the rocks - then through Eucalyptus forests to Sintra - doesn't take real long and a wondrous ride.

Thank you for the suggestions. I think we are leaning toward Itinerary #1 with a day trip to Sintra on day 2 from Cascais (we would have to have a car, but I guess we would just rent the car at the airport when we land and drive to Cascais, then on to Lagos on day 3). Does anyone know the best place to drop the car off in Lisbon? Back at the airport? We'd prefer to avoid driving in the city.

Still looking for any thoughts on what to expect in Lagos. We are also looking for hotel recommendations - Tivoli Lagos?

ttt, one more time.

Well I haven't been to Portugal but I'm extensively researching my upcoming trip (July) so I have a couple of thoughts. First, you could try asking on the Lisbon thread "Things to do in and around Lisbon, Part 2". The only problem with that is that it's turned into something of a chat room so specific questions like these don't get a lot of answers, but the experts hang out there (Matt and Lobo especially) and they have extensive knowledge.

We decided against the Lagos area for a summer trip because everything I've heard says it's just too crowded. Apparently it's much more enjoyable in the spring or fall.

But there are plenty of other things to do in the middle of the country besides Lisbon. The more I researched the more interesting things I found. It seems to me all your itineraries are too heavy on the Cascais/Sintra area. My research tells me you can cover those two towns and surrounding area in two days. Obviously the longer you stay somewhere the more in depth you can get, but since you seem willing to travel a bit of a distance why don't you consider some other areas.

Here's my itinerary for reference:
Day 1 (also a Sunday, also arrive around 8) - drive to Evora
Day 2 - explore towns in that area Monsaraz, Arraiolos, Evoramonte.
Day 3 - drive to Marvao
Day 4 - Tomar on route to Coimbra
Day 5 - Alcobaca (and maybe Batalha) on route to Obidos
Day 6 - Nazare as a day trip from Obidos
Day 7 - Sintra on route to Lisbon
Days 8-12 Lisbon (5 nights)

Of those 4 full days in Lisbon we might day trip to Cascais, or we might do Cascais on the way there and do Sintra as a daytrip. Apparently having a car there is a pain. That part we still have to work out.

Anyway, you might want to check out some of the places I've listed, they all seem really interesting.

And if anyone has any suggestions on my itinerary I'm still open to suggestions.

Carolyn.
First of all, let me say that three or four nights in Lisbon is really not all that much as there is lots to see.
There is a lot of night life and restaurants. But of course, it isn't the beach.

I personally would combine Sintra with a day trip from Lisbon. Because in Sintra, it is mostly a museum type of visit. We liked it but I am just as glad we did not stay there. You don't need the car for the outing. And I know people say that after the crowds leave is the best time, but I think a full day would be really enough if your tastes are as you describe.

I haven't been to the Algarve, so I cannot comment on Lagos. But from all that I have read, it will be crowded in August. But you have the lure of the beach.

That having been said, we enjoyed the coast of Lisbon. I think there will still be crowds, but maybe not as crazy as Lagos.

Itinersry #1 would give you two beach type of stays. I would get the car upon arrival and drive directly to Cascais. This would allow you to have a car to explore the coast from Cascais North. When you want to go from Lagos to Lisbon, you can return the car to the airport. Lisbon's airport is very close and requires little effort to return the car and jump into a cab into town.

I would suggest staying in an area like the Bairro Alto where I understand there is lots of night life and young people (we are a lot older than you).

I would tweak #1 or #2 and drop an overnight in Sintra.

Otherwise, it seems you will have a great time.

Isabel. Seems as if you have a great trip planned.

I don't think you will have any trouble doing Alcobaca and Batalha in the same day.

Also, you may want to drop in on Conimbriga. It was closed early the day we were there. So we missed it.

We found all of these places to be really well marked from the road.

We did have a little difficulty around Alcobaca as there is a lot of construction around the church and it was confusing to park the car. Maybe that is finished.

Please post your impressions of the Alentejo. We are visiting the places you are and I like all the feedback.

Itinerary #1. While in Cascais you can do a day trip to Sintra. More than one day in Sintra is too much.
Also, I wouldn't escape Lagos as you will be there in the beginning of September and it's a lovely time to be in the Algarve. Not crowded ( in August it is) and you will still get good weather so you can enjoy the beach.

wonder why this thread does not show up on a Portugal search. Wierd.

I am sure you want to make decisions soon but I will post what I find on our trip in early June as far as how much time we need in Sintra, etc.

We will spend one night there and hope to be able to see the highlights before driving to Lisbon. I would like to just drive through the coastal areas on the way from Sintra to Lisbon.

Also hope to make side trips from Nazare to see Alcobaca, Batalha,Fatima,Tomar, etc. That may be too much - we will be for 2 nights.

The driving times may be the deciding factor exactly what we see. There is always the next trip!

Thanks so much for all the suggestions...I really appreciate all of the ideas. We booked the tickets yesterday and we will have 7 nights total (not including the overnight flight). I have tweaked the itinerary as follows:
Land in Lisbon, pick up the rental car and drive to Cascais -
Day 1-3 Cascais (2 nights, Sun/Mon) - we will do a day trip to Sintra on day 2
Day 3-5 Lagos (2 nights, Tues/Wed) - drive back to Lisbon airport on Thursday and drop off the car
Day 5-8 Lisbon
Fly home Sunday morning

Does this itinerary seem workable? We are not averse to driving (in fact DH really enjoys it) so I think even though we are moving around a bit we'll be ok.

Hotel ideas:
Cascais - Hotel Cascais Miragem
Lagos - Tivoli Lagos
Lisbon - Tivoli Lisboa or Dom Carlos Park?

Any ideas on the above would be great - thanks!

just got back from 8 days in portugal and we stayed in lisbon but took the train or tours around the country. loved the train ride and city of porto. down by the winerys is beatiful on the river but the city by the subway is under construction so use a cab. they are cheap. we took the traiin to faro one day and i wouldnt recommend that. i thought the beach was going to be there, but it's a far cab ride to the beach and not said to be very nice. it was recommended that we go to the SE of portugal to see beautiful beaches, but we didnt get to go that way. i think 4 nights in lisbon would be fine. there is so much to see and do and the subway gets to where you need to go. i would be afraid to drive in that country.
enjoy your trip, portugal is wonderful

Carolynf

I think one of the other posters on the Lisbon thread is staying at the Tivoli Lisbon.
Maybe she can give you some information when she returns.

Carolyn, it seems you like big chain hotels from your post but if you consider staying in smaller hotels I could recommend you in Cascais the Hotel Albatroz (www.albatrozhotels.com) and the Casa da Pergola (www.pergolahouse.com) .
Both lovely and with the best location in Cascais, right in the center.

Tere - I had looked into the Hotel Albatroz, it is absolutely beautiful but quite a bit more expensive than the Miragem...however, we just decided to get a cheaper rental car so I am going to try to use that savings to justify two nights at the Albatroz. I think we will need it for the first two nights of our trip!
As for the Tivoli Lagos, I read tons of reviews and that seems to have the best location/price/amenities for us, especially the beach club.
Finally, my idea about the Tivoli Lisboa or Dom Carlos Park was based on the reasonably priced suites at those hotels. I actually prefer boutique hotels but we'd like a suite while in Lisbon for $250-300/night. If I can get that somewhere else I'm certainly willing to look at other properties. Admittedly I have not completed my hotel research, as I was concentrating more on itinerary first.
Thanks again to all.

bookmarking - and hoping for a trip report when you guys get back!

Carolyn, just one more tip. The Tivoli Lisboa is much better and better located than the Dom Carlos Park so I would consider the Tivoli over the Dom Carlos.
Another very nice hotel , next to the Tivoli is the Sofitel Lisboa, though I think a suite might get more expensive than at the Tivoli.

Tere -
Do you know anything about the different rooms at the Hotel Albatroz and the Villa Albatroz? A beach view room in the main hotel is about the same price as a superior double in the Villa Albatroz.