Trip to Portugal
 

Hello,

My husband and I are planning a week long trip to Portugal in mid August. Right now we're planning on several days in Lisbon with a day trip to Sintra, an overnight to Evora and another overnight to Cascais / Estoril.

In Lisbon, we're planning to go to the Baixa area, Alfama are and then to see the Belen Tower and monastery. Are there any other must sees?

I'd love any advice on great restaurants in all three areas - from simple to really nice - we love great food and wine and that really makes a difference to us!

Also, any recommendations for stops along the way to Evora? We will have a car once e leave the city.

Also, is Evora worth the overnight or would you suggest somewhere else?

Thank you!

This is the trip report I've saved to inspire me when I plan my trip to Lisbon, have a look:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ended-stay.cfm

Cascais/Estoril I would do as a day trip from Lisbon - a very short train ride or drive - relocating takes so much time. Sintra maybe farther away actually.

I think Evora makes a fantastic day trip or overnight and driving thru the Alentejo and its cork plantations could be sweet.

Actually I took the train to Sintra, saw the two castles - not much else in that small but neat old royal town and then a bus thru an area that reeked of eulcaplyptus trees to the coast where it is the westernmost point on the European continent (waves crashing into rugged rocks) and then a bus to Cascais - so by car you could do this loop much quicker-just a thought - you could even end up in Cascais and stay the night.

PalenQ, as I too get ready for my Sept. Portugal trip, I just want to clarify...you did all that in one day and bus back to Lisbon at end, or did you stay in Cascais? If all in one day from and to Lisbon, how long a day was that?

In Lisboa definitely go to the tile museum, and we loved the modern art museum as well (had a nice little cafe). For very high end dining try Eleven (Michelin star) - it was out of this world. Less expensive but one we really enjoyed was Bistro Xipuri. Here is the restaurant part of our trip report (I divided it by the regions so there is a separate one for each region we visited)

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-portugal.cfm

Evora is worth an overnight, and definitely take the side trip to the standing stones (a la Stonehenge) in a nearby farmers field, only you get to walk right up to them - spooky and powerul. We enjoyed Arrelios also near Evora, a town of rug weavers. Enjoy your trip (be prepared, it will be hot in August)

DW and I are heavily into architecture, and were very impressed with the National Palace or Queluz and its gardens. Also the The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art gives performances on Wednesdays in Belem. Last trip we had every dinner at O Rei do Bacalhau [ask for Joseph], which is next door to the Hotel Santa Justa.

More suggestions for Lisbon:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-lisbon.cfm

If all in one day from and to Lisbon, how long a day was that?>

Oh probably left Lisbon about 9 am and was in Cascais by 6pm or so and then returned to Lisbon - with a car it would have been much quicker.

Thanks!

I've been to Cascais a few times. and though nice enough it did not impress me that much

Thank you for all the great info. One last question...if we wanted to take a day trip to Obidos, do you recommend driving or taking the train/bus? And is it worth it? Anything else really worth the trip nearby if we do in fact drive? Thanks!

We were in Portugal a few years ago. We rented a car and stayed in Sintra and took the train in to see Lisbon ( about a 20-30 min train ride.) Loved Sintra ( it is a bit touristy but when night falls it really clears out). There was a wonderful gourmet restaurant in Sintra called The G Spot for (gastronomic spot). It was fabulous. We drove to Cascais and Cabo di Roca ( the westernmost point in Europe) one day and returned to Sintra. Besides the 2 castles there is also an old house with fantastic gardens right in Sintra. Well worth visiting. When we left Sintra we spent a night in Obidose. It is a very interesting walled city. It doesn't take that long to see. We were there in August too. It was hot but not unbearable. We then drove to the Douro Valley for a night ( loved, loved, loved it) and then on to Porto where we flew out of. Enjoy your trip. We had a wonderful time in Portugal.

Driving in Portugal was very easy with the exception of in Sintra. The streets are extremely narrow. Don't get a large car.

Thanks so much Sberg...really appreciate the information!

<<Actually I took the train to Sintra, saw the two castles - <b>not much else</b> in that small but neat old royal town>>

Are you being serious?
1. Palácio de Pena
2. Quinta da Regaleira
3. Castelo dos Mouros
4. Palácio Nacional
5. Monserrate
6. Convento dos Capuchos

Good for at least two full days if you want to see the various castles/palaces with their huge parks.

We just returned from a trip to Portugal a few months ago and loved it. Here are a few restaurants we really enjoyed:


lunch at Cervejaria Ramiro, Av. Almerante Reis No. 1, Lisbon (great bustling place with wonderful seafood selections)

dinner and fado at Arcadas do Faia (fado starts at 9:30), Lisbon.


On your visit to Obidos, have lunch at Pousada do Castelo and have a drink on the castle walls.


On your visit to Sintra have lunch at Tulhas Restaurante on R. Gil Vincente near the tourist office.

On your visit to Cascais get gelato at Santini Cascais--as good or maybe better than in Rome.

We also enjoyed the Carriage Museum in Lisbon.(Museu Nacional dos Coches)

For the famous custard pastries, Antiga Confeitaria de Belem Bakery in Lisbon.

Have fun!

I would drive to Obidos - beautiful countryside, and visit Tomar if you can.