Has Anyone Been To Portugal?

[ummmm]

Any recommendations of what part to go?

We love the sea but don't sunbathe, like being out and about locally, like history and architecture and love eating, especially seafood.

We're not planning on going until next year so I have plenty of time to read up on any recommendations.

[Toorak]

Rather than the algarve you could consider estoril which is very close to Lisbon so gives you both beach and culture

http://estorilportugalguide.com/index.html

[fiction-factory]

Lisbon itself is well worth visiting for maybe 3 nights. It has a coastal bit but no beach- most locals catch a train to a nearby resort (name I've forgotten) which has a big marina and a beach

[mjru]

I love Portugal and have been to Praia de Rocha, it's small but plenty oo places to eat etc, Porta Mao is very pretty, a nice harbour, I went in November and can imagine it bustling in Summer but I'd definitely return

[Smowball]

I went last year ummm and loved it. Minds gone blank to the name of the place but going to look it up for you. We stayed in an all inclusive place but in an apartment . Was 5 min walk to huge beach with fantastic restaurant. Two mins away from a crossroads of two long roads crammed with restaurants , bars etc, and loads of trips available to do . We were a very short taxi ride away from an amazing marina where they did loads of boat trips. Really enjoyed it.

[MargoTester]

I think you mean Sintra FF - just outside Lisbon. Beautiful - although it was raining when we were there, easy journey on the local train.

[MargoTester]

Sorry FF just re-read your post Sintra is not a beach resort. Google Sintra though - castles in the air.

[Arksided]

It was a few years ago but we stayed in Albufeira Loved it there plenty to do, I'd go back tomorrow if I could:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=portugal+albufeira

[ummmm]

I'm going to look into all your suggestions :-)

[fiction-factory]

Yes Margo- Sintra was a great day out. I think the beach began with P but I'll try to remember - the famous custard tart place was there

[fiction-factory]

Margo-Tester: I have just remembered that it's Cascais/Belem

[Kathyan]

We've been to Vilamoura and Alvor. In fact we are going back to Alvor next week! I love Portugal. It's the only place we've re-visited.

[Toorak]

Cascais is very close to estoril - Lisbon and Sinatra are easily accessible from both

[piggynose]

personally i would only recommend through experience porto and coimbra. been to lisbon, wasn't overly impressed, the south wasn't too bad, quite liked Faro, nice food in Porto and Faro.

[Old_Geezer]

Went once. So no recommendations as nothing to compare one part with. Had a nice time except to be told that you can't buy bus tickets on the bus but must get them in advance at the supermaket. Not a good prank. Tried twice walking around the supermaket like a moron looking for bus tickets for sale before I decided being fooled twice was at least once too many. I'm sure that the locals must have been wetting themselves with laughter at the daft tourist.

[Jennykenny]

Just got back yesterday from a week's tour with Riviera.
We visited Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Porto and Obidos, all of which were fascinating and interesting places to spend time. I have to say that Porto is my favourite. Lived near there for three years and the city itself is very interesting with loads to do and see - you could spend days visiting the wine lodges alone. My favourite is Sandeman. Look for the man in the hat and the cloak.
There are great seafood restaurants beside the river, a very striking cathedral, excellent range of shops and markets, and a cable car.
Half an hour on the train going south brings you to the beautiful beaches of Miramar and Aguda. Full of amazing fish restaurants. Can't recommend it enough, and the people are lovely.

[ummmm]

Thanks all. You've given me some research to do :-)

[jourdain2]

Twice, I love it! Vilamoura was lovely - lots of golfing nearby and a huge marina - but I loved best getting just a bit north of the Algarve and into the cork forests and the towns there. Not touristy and perhaps about 45 mins from the beach. Lisbon is also a good place.

[DTCwordfan]

Oporto, Ummm and the Duoro valley - where the wine and port come from, some lovely Poussadas up there to crash in and indulge.

For fish restaurants and close to Lisboa, then I would be looking at Cascais...some fabulous local history and one can strike out into Lisboa and there are fab fish restaurants....