Portugal - Where to Go?
 

Hi!

My brother (22 years old) and I (24 years old) are thinking of heading to Portugal for 1.5 weeks in June. I have always heard that Portugal is gorgeous but don't know much about it. We would mostly be looking for beach towns. Any suggestions on where to begin? We have no clue!

Thanks so much!
Allie

I would start by researching the Algarve - although huby and I loved Lisbon, it is great for nightlife (although not for the beach) so maybe a mix of the two would suit?

Fodors has a good guide book on Portugal---why not start there. Come back when you do have a clue.

At your age and with beach in mind, you'll probably enjoy the Algarve because it's all about beach and fun. However, keep in mind that at that time of the year it is just as British and German as it is Portuguese. Good places to check out in Algarve: Lagos, Sagres, Tavira, Albufeira, Vilamoura: http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/algarve/

If you enjoy cities, you should of course also head to the capital. Lisbon has good beaches neaby: http://www.lisbonlux.com/beaches/
You'll probably also like the nightlife in Bairro Alto: http://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon-bars/

Bairro Alto: http://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon/bairro-alto.html

jamikins + ColeConners, thanks for the tips! I have heard of Algarve before so I will check into it before looking else where. Many thanks again :)

hello!!! i´m from Portugal and i can help you...!
so first...Algarve in the summer has more tourists than locals...it´s crazy...if you go to algarve go to the isle of Tavira beautiful place...
But the good part is that portugal is reaaaaaaly small...so you can travel from Algarve to lisbon in 2/3 hours by train...
second...Lisbon is beautiful and has great nightlife! You have Bairro alto (crazy awesome), Santos (full of clubs), docas (the old docs nearby the river Tejo, full of restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs)....
Cascais and Estoril - great beaches!!!!!
Cascais is a very pretty village with the best ice cream in the world, is just at the center of cascais and the place is called Santinni!! it´s a must try!
than you have the other side of the river Tejo, cross the big 25th of April bridge by train, and the other side has amazing desert beautiful beaches...Troia is wonderful you should go there too...

Karencorreia- could you look at my itinerary on this forum. Since you are a native of Portugal, you can provide some inputs.

Thanks!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...des-lisbon.cfm