MyriamC

Joy, consider Tavira in the Algarve. It's very close to the Spanish border (one and a half hour to Sevilla) and it's still pretty unspoilt. Anyway, no noisy young tourists. We stayed there in a condo (in Cabanas de Tavira, more precisely) for 10 days last year and we loved it there. We are going back this June for 9 nights, but first we will be touring northern and central Portugal. We will start in Porto (3 nights), then on to Sintra for 6 nights (we prefer a quiet location rather than being in a city), then on to the Algarve. Can't wait!
TIP: make sure you're allowed to cross the border with your rental car!

jamikins

Glad you enjoyed it!

Lisbon was our favourite place. I'd personally cut a night from Algarve and add it to Lisbon but then I am not a big beach person and have no interest in the Algarve.

Keep in mind you lose 1/2 a day when you move around so the 4th day you will need to factor in time to get the car, find your way out of Lisbon and then drive a couple hours to Evora, which doesnt leave much time to explore Lisbon. If you only spend 1 night there you will not really be able to 'explore' alentejo with that amount of time.

spcfa

If you factor in 3 hours to get the rental car in Lisbon, get out of town, and then over to Evora (if you're going directly there) that should be enough. It's not a full half day that you lose.

Quick reminder - when leaving Lisbon in your rental car to get to the highway, you will go over a bridge. Immediately after the bridge (almost at the end) there is a tiny tiny tiny sign to the highway you need on the right - it looks like an inconsequential ramp. It isn't! Be sure to look for it. That will save you a good half-hour plus a lot of stress.

jamikins

My point was that they are expecting to see Lisbon that day but by the time they check-out, find the rental car place, drive out of Lisbon and then 2 hours to Evora they wont have time to see much of Lisbon.

JoyT

We have booked our bases in the Algarve CARVOEIRO,and Santa Cruz(Marillo apt) in Seville. Our dilemma is whether we should drop the car in the Algarve and get the train to Seville and then to Lisbon or keep the car. We are weighing convenience and costs. The car would be parked most of the time in Seville. Finding a train connector from the Algarve to Seville is also not straight forward. Any advise???

hkto

You can drop your car in Faro; there are 2 daily buses to Sevilla http://www.eva-bus.com/novo/gen_pdf....ESTINO=Sevilha

hkto

Actually this bus originates in Lagos so you can depart from Portimao (closest major town to Carvoeiro) http://www.eva-bus.com/novo/lagos_sevilha.php No need to go to Faro unless car drop off is more convenient there

MFNYC

If you like vineyards, the Douro Valley is stunning.

JoyT

Thanks, I am hearing you think we should drop the car (Lagos/Faro) and take bus to Sevilla and then train to Lisbon verses drive. Heard the bus was a milk run?

We are staying in Evora also for 2 nights and hope to explore some vineyards. Douro Valley does look amazing.Northern Portugal will have to be saved for a return trip.

Also looking for advise on where to stay in Lisbon so we are close to transport for trips to Sintra and Obidos.Thinking Rossio area? Any favorite boutique hotels or apts?

ribeirasacra

Douro valley is way too far to the north for JoyT's trip.
Joy when hiring a car in Portugal can you let us know how you get on with the new electronic toll roads. There is a great lack of information s to what car hire companies are doing about this.
Thank you