Must sees in Portugal

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Posted 13 years ago

Hi!
This is a long post, but hopefully you will find this information very helpful! If you’re thinking about coming to Portugal, take a look :)

Lisbon
Oporto
These 2 cities really worth a visit! I believe there is plenty of information about them in the internet. However, if you have any doubt or wish some local tips on different things to try, please let me know and I’ll help you :)

Sintra
This city is UNESCO World Heritage and it has a lot of see. If you’re looking for culture and amazing landscapes, this is the right place to go.
I would recommend to stay 1 day here (arrive in the morning and leave in the end of the day).
There are trains from Lisbon every 10min. You can take them on one of these stations: Oriente, Entrecampos, Rossio or Sete Rios (all of them with connection to subway stations: Oriente, Entrecampos, Restauradores and Jardim Zoológico, respectively).
Not sure if interRail ticket is valid. But definitely no reservation needed as it is just an urban service.

Óbidos
There is a train, it works and you dont need to pay extra fees. However it takes too long and the train station is quite far from the center (especially if you’re carrying your rucksack with you…). For me the best option is going by bus. You can take it in Campo Grande (the subway station has the same name). You can check the schedules here:

http://www.rodotejo.pt/horarios/todosresultados/991/119/4/0

I would recommend to stay here half a day. You may find useful information here: http://www.obidos.pt/

Tomar
There are trains from Lisbon every hour. You may take them on one of these stations: Oriente and Santa Apolónia. No reservation need.
I would recommend saving 1 day for this city. It doesn’t have a lot of places to stay (at least with nice prices…) so I probably advise you to sleep in Lisbon.


Évora
This city is UNESCO World Heritage and it has a lot of see.
You may take a train from Lisbon ( Oriente and Entrecampos are the stations where you can take them). Not a lot of trains a day, so please check carefully the timetables.
I would recommend to stay here 1 day and probably sleep here as it may be less expensive than Lisbon and has a good offer of places to stay.


Guimarães
You can take the train from Lisbon and Oporto. There are several during the day. Reservation is necessary. I would recommend half a day here.
More information on a site in the end of this post.


Aveiro
Portuguese people called it the Venice of Portugal. So you muy have an idea what to expect from it… Half a day it‘s enough to visit it and take a trip on the amazing Moliceiros (kind of boat).
You can arrive here from Oporto and Lisbon on Intercities Trains (reservation needed) or from Oporto in Regional Trains (without reservation). There are Regional Trains every hour.


Douro and Linha do Tua
These are 2 differents trips that basically are taking a train to a place and comeback on the same but trust me, you may love it!
If you’re looking for great landscapes, you must do this! September is definitely the perfect timing, but it is ok along all year. Be careful if you’re doing it in July-August… It may be really hot (more than 30ºC…) and I’m not sure if these trains have air-conditioning. So choose a train early in the morning to avoid problems.
Schedules here:
Douro
http://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/CP/Imagens/PDF/Passageiros/horarios/regional/porto_regua_pocinho.pdf

Linha do Tua
http://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/CP/Imagens/PDF/Passageiros/horarios/regional/linha_tua.pdf


Algarve
If you´re looking for wonderful beaches, this is The spot! Plenty of great options… Take the train in Oriente or Entrecampos to Faro and from here you have regional trains along the cost. Reservation is necessary In the Intercity.
Information on the regional line here:
http://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/CP/Imagens/PDF/Passageiros/horarios/regional/vrantonio_lagos.pdf
About how many days you should spend here, it really depends on how much you love beach ;)


I personally know all these places, so feel free to ask me any doubt you might have!
Enjoy your visit ;)