Spain & Portugal
 

We are considering traveling to Malaga, renting a car and driving to Portugal. We have been to Madrid and Seville, but not the Costa del Sol, thus our thought of flying into Malaga and going from there. Any suggestions/helps will be appreciated.

It sounds good to see Southern Andalucia and also that wonderful country that is Portugal but they seem to be a bit far. Anyway, this could be an interesting route if you drive to Lisbon: Malaga-Marbella-Ronda-Grazalema-Arcos-Jerez-Sevilla-Aracena-Beja-Lisboa or also Malaga-Marbella-Ronda-Grazalema-Arcos-Jerez-Sevilla-Zafra-Merida-Elvas-Evora-Lisboa. Both ( the second one even more ) have lots to see and do and there is accommodation enough to be able to decide where to stay.

Thank you Pedro for the iterneraries. You mentioned distance being a bit far. What city in Spain might be closer and perhaps a better starting point than Malaga? We both love Sevilla and would enjoy seeing it again. We have been to Jerez (spent a wonderful day visiting a sherry bodega and seeing the fabulous Andalusian Horses perform).

I have only driven between Lisbon and Sevilla via Badajoz. Pretty uneventful drive and not too much traffic until you get into Portugal then its one-lane traffic and sometimes a bit slow. This is not necessarily the scenic route, but the fastest...

Hi Sharon <BR> <BR>Badajoz/Lisbon is a two-lanes motorway. The legal speed is 120 km/h and it takes aproximately 2 hours, with a dramatic aproach to Lisbon through the new Vasco da Gama bridge. However I'd take a secondary road, to benefit from the most interesting spots in Portugal (Elvas, Estremoz, Monsaraz and Evora, a UNESCO world heritage city). <BR>

Thanks j. <BR>The stretch I was thinking of was before you get to the interstate, but I was going via Almada (where I was living) and over the Abril 25 bridge...Vasco da Gama bridge had not quite been completed when I was there. Either way, there are certainly more scenic routes as you mentioned, including a swing over to the coast line and visiting Troia, Setubal, Palmela and Sesimbra. The hilly coastline and fishing villages are quite nice. You'll pass by many bull farms on this journey (in Spain) and groves of Cork trees.

Hi Joanne <BR>From your 2nd post i figured out you like horses, so if you're coming to Lisbon dont miss the Lusitano Horse show at Queluz Palace (close to Lisbon, about 3 trains per hour from Rossio Train Station). You can find all information about shows (and reharsals) at www.members.tripod/com/epae/portugu1.htm <BR>Happy travel