Portugal trip - recommendations
 

We are traveling to Portugal in mid July for about 10 days. So far our itinerary is Lisbon for 3 days, Sintra for 2 days, Guimares for one day and will go to the market at Barcelos, two days in Porto and now we just need one night close to Lisbon as we will be flying out the next day. Any recommendations for the last night? We were thinking either Evora or somewhere on the coast. And, what do you think of our route? We will pick up a car in Sintra.

I heard about a town called Queluz from a very nice German couple that I met while traveling in Sintra last week. It's located just outside Lisbon, in fact, mid way between Sintra and Lisbon.

The couple were on a driving trip thru Portugal and said there is a lovely palace there. I didn't end up going since I didn't know how far the palace was from the train station and didn't want to waste the day in limbo, so I don't have first hand info.

Evora is very interesting. If you do go there, I highly recommend the restaurant Taberna Tipica Quarta-Feira. No menu, the chef/owner (who is quite a character) cooks whatever he wants and it changes every night. Best meal I had in Portugal. A tiny place. Reservations essential.

Queluz has a palaca/pousada..Dona Maria ..prices can be a wonderful. pousadas.pt is the website...there are pousadas in most of the towns you mention..It can be a rush to the airport from any where near/in Lisbon..Traffic can be terrible on route and you should endeavor to stay on the Lisbon side of the Tagus..Bridge traffic can be a killer..Evora is lovely and Guirmares is also..Portugal is one of our favorite countries in Europe..

Evora wold be nice for a couple of nights, but you have to remember, although it is a short drive to the airport from Evora, you will have to be up early to catch an international flight. You might want to consider staying at the Pousada São Filipe in Setúbal.

It will be very warm in July, especially inland, so go prepared.

You might also be interested in reading the article on Porto at: http://community.travelandleisure.co...65/135852.html

Think about Cascais. It is on the cosat and only about an hour from the airport.

Setubal??? You have to contend with the Abril 25th Bridge..Can be a parking lot if the timing is off and I've never seen it not off (4 trips)!!!

Thanks for the recommendations. I think we will try for Evora. Any ideas of where to stay? We will be driving in and then out to the airport the next morning. Thanks, Alison

I won't recommend where I stayed in Evora as it was very basic and low budget but I can help you to park in Evora. There is some parking just before the Pousada, next to the cathedral. You go up Rua de Repubblica, around the square and take the road that is almost in the center of the square on the opposite side from where you entered. This is from memory because I gave away my Evora map to another traveler.

If there are no spaces there you can park at the entrance to the town. There are large parking lots (free). As you approach Evora, look for the St. Bras chapel and another monument that looks like an angel with a dagger in her hand. Once you spot these landmarks (and you can't miss them) you're near Rua de Repubblica and the car park. The car park is called "Giraldo" and you will also see signs for it.

Here are photos to help you find the landmarks:
chapel:
http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/portugal2009/16

statue:
http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/portugal2009/17

We stayed at the Albergaria do Calvário in Évora, just inside the city walls. It's a boutique hotel where hospitality is on a very high level. We have never felt more welcome than in this hotel.
There is a private parking on the premises and Hugo or one of the other members of the staff will gladly park your car for you (it's an underground parking). The breakfast was to die for: partly buffet, partly à la carte (eggs, pancakes, fresh cappuccino, ...). I can highly recommend this hotel.
http://www.albergariadocalvario.com/

Make sure to have dinner at the BL Lounge when you are in Évora!