Portugal in June

[Dori]

We have booked flights to Portugal in June for me, DH, our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. We’ll tour Lisbon for a few days, maybe Sintra and then spend 4-5 days in the Algarve. We’re looking to stay in Air BnB accommodations. I would appreciate any suggestions or tips. Would we need to rent a car (probably a van, since there are 6 of us) or can we use buses and maybe a train? Thanks!

Dori

 

[Vacationsarefun]

I haven't really been there myself yet (other than one day) but am planning to spend a couple of days in Lisbon in early June as well. As far as I can tell, there is no need to rent a car in Lisbon and public transport seems to work quite well for visiting Sintra. So I would say you won't need a car for that portion but of course it depends on what you are planning on/where your accomodations will be. I haven't looked at the Algarve yet so can't tell you anything about that (I assume a car would be handy there though).

 

[vikingsholm]

We have booked flights to Portugal in June for me, DH, our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. We’ll tour Lisbon for a few days, maybe Sintra and then spend 4-5 days in the Algarve. We’re looking to stay in Air BnB accommodations. I would appreciate any suggestions or tips. Would we need to rent a car (probably a van, since there are 6 of us) or can we use buses and maybe a train? Thanks!

Dori

We went to Portugal in March. A great trip.

We flew into Lisbon and took a taxi to our hotel in the heart of Avenida de Liberdade, which was a really worthwhile location because we could walk to a lot of the downtown area highlights all the way down to the shore. Also took a tuk tuk tour around other parts of Lisbon - the old town and Belem, which was a lot of fun with a local guide. We reserved that through the hotel with a company they liked, rather than grab a random one along the curb, which sometimes aren't licensed and they told us could be subject to being stopped by the police and halted. Not sure how often that happens, but didn't want to chance it.

Then we took a cab to the airport where we picked up a car to go to Porto and then the Algarve. You should get the Via Verda toll transponder activated too for highway use.

Glad that we didn't try to drive within Lisbon, not so straightforward. Even getting out of the airport with the rental car, we got stuck on a 6-8 lane roundabout with 2 traffic signals for different directions leaving the roundabout. Very confusing and I ran a red arrow accidentally and got honked at. Driving was fine and easy on the highways and smaller cities, but definitely need a navigation device either on your cell phone or in the car once you get into the urban areas.

We stayed in Sintra with the car. Was a bit tricky getting to the hotel in the heart of town with narrow roads and alleys, but the nav device got us there. If you take transit there from Lisbon, maybe want to start early. It's worth seeing multiple castles there, and once in town, there are good bus and other options for getting to them. A few of the castles have nice forest trails to walk in also, with ponds and various structures along the way. Adds time to the trip, and also you need reservations if you want to get into the Pena castle especially.

 

[Passepartout]

We went to The Algarve a few years ago. We rented a car in Lisbon and drove down via the toll road. We stayed in Albufeira, and drove the whole A22 route from Spain to Sagres where Prince Henry The Navigator's school taught sailors how to navigate the African coast out to the Canaries, and to instill the confidence to strike out to the west where they suspected another continent stood between them and the orient.

You will find no end of eateries (especially if you like seafood) that will cater to English speakers. This is a major place where Brit tourists catch cheap junkets to escape their dreary winters. Lots of Fish & Chips joints. Ask around locally where you can get a good 'Cataplana'. It's a paella-like dish of lots of seafood served in a copper, covered 'chafing-dish' looking serving dish. It's made for sharing. Beware, it takes some time, so either order ahead, or plan on downing some quantity of sangria or the excellent red wines.

If you are renting a car, get the smallest one that will hold your party and luggage. Traffic is fairly busy and parking spaces are smallish.

 

[Dori]

We went to Portugal in March. A great trip.

We flew into Lisbon and took a taxi to our hotel in the heart of Avenida de Liberdade, which was a really worthwhile location because we could walk to a lot of the downtown area highlights all the way down to the shore. Also took a tuk tuk tour around other parts of Lisbon - the old town and Belem, which was a lot of fun with a local guide. We reserved that through the hotel with a company they liked, rather than grab a random one along the curb, which sometimes aren't licensed and they told us could be subject to being stopped by the police and halted. Not sure how often that happens, but didn't want to chance it.

Then we took a cab to the airport where we picked up a car to go to Porto and then the Algarve. You should get the Via Verda toll transponder activated too for highway use.

Glad that we didn't try to drive within Lisbon, not so straightforward. Even getting out of the airport with the rental car, we got stuck on a 6-8 lane roundabout with 2 traffic signals for different directions leaving the roundabout. Very confusing and I ran a red arrow accidentally and got honked at. Driving was fine and easy on the highways and smaller cities, but definitely need a navigation device either on your cell phone or in the car once you get into the urban areas.

We stayed in Sintra with the car. Was a bit tricky getting to the hotel in the heart of town with narrow roads and alleys, but the nav device got us there. If you take transit there from Lisbon, maybe want to start early. It's worth seeing multiple castles there, and once in town, there are good bus and other options for getting to them. A few of the castles have nice forest trails to walk in also, with ponds and various structures along the way. Adds time to the trip, and also you need reservations if you want to get into the Pena castle especially.

Vikingsholme, thanks for all of your great insights and suggestions. Plans have changed a bit- our son is looking after those details. We are going directly to the Algarve after we land in Lisbon, and will stay there for 4 nights. We will stay in an Airbnb there, as it's cheaper than staying in a hotel with 6 of us. Then it's on to Sintra for 2 nights. Again, we'll use an Airbnb.

Thanks for the info regarding the castles, and the bus service in town. We will check out how to make reservations for Pina Castle.

Last stop will be Lisbon for the last 3 nights. We'll have to do the tuk-tuk tour. It sounds like fun!

Thanks again!

Dori

 

[Dori]

We went to The Algarve a few years ago. We rented a car in Lisbon and drove down via the toll road. We stayed in Albufeira, and drove the whole A22 route from Spain to Sagres where Prince Henry The Navigator's school taught sailors how to navigate the African coast out to the Canaries, and to instill the confidence to strike out to the west where they suspected another continent stood between them and the orient.

You will find no end of eateries (especially if you like seafood) that will cater to English speakers. This is a major place where Brit tourists catch cheap junkets to escape their dreary winters. Lots of Fish & Chips joints. Ask around locally where you can get a good 'Cataplana'. It's a paella-like dish of lots of seafood served in a copper, covered 'chafing-dish' looking serving dish. It's made for sharing. Beware, it takes some time, so either order ahead, or plan on downing some quantity of sangria or the excellent red wines.

If you are renting a car, get the smallest one that will hold your party and luggage. Traffic is fairly busy and parking spaces are smallish.

Passepartout, thanks for the great information! I was hoping that you would respond, as you have traveled to so many places and helped so many TUGgers!

I think we may decide to take trains, buses and maybe Ubers (or their equivalent). We would need a van for the 6 of us, and a carseat for the youngest grandchild.

I can't wait to try Cataplana, and of course, those heavenly egg custard tarts! Hopefully, our Airbnb hosts can make good recommendations for localeateries.

Thanks again!

Dori

 

[nerodog]

We have booked flights to Portugal in June for me, DH, our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. We’ll tour Lisbon for a few days, maybe Sintra and then spend 4-5 days in the Algarve. We’re looking to stay in Air BnB accommodations. I would appreciate any suggestions or tips. Would we need to rent a car (probably a van, since there are 6 of us) or can we use buses and maybe a train? Thanks!

Dori

Zuzabed has a bed and breakfast and also Suites right in the historic center. Luis the owner also dies air bnb but personally probably better to book directly on his web site.

A car is not needed in Lisbon. You can take the train from Lisbon to Sintra.

For the Algarve a car is needed. You could take a train to Faro but them it's more difficult to get around. Carvoeiro is a nice spot or Alvor area. There are several timeshares in Algarve. One if my faves is the Four Seasons Vilamoura . But yes a car would be best there.

 

[nerodog]

Best to book online in June for Pena palace as it's high season. As it is loads of tourists here now for April!!!

Vikingsholme, thanks for all of your great insights and suggestions. Plans have changed a bit- our son is looking after those details. We are going directly to the Algarve after we land in Lisbon, and will stay there for 4 nights. We will stay in an Airbnb there, as it's cheaper than staying in a hotel with 6 of us. Then it's on to Sintra for 2 nights. Again, we'll use an Airbnb.

Thanks for the info regarding the castles, and the bus service in town. We will check out how to make reservations for Pina Castle.

Last stop will be Lisbon for the last 3 nights. We'll have to do the tuk-tuk tour. It sounds like fun!

Thanks again!

Dori

 

[nerodog]

Best to book online in June for Pena palace as it's high season. As it us loads of tourists here now for April!!!

Tuk tuk is a fun way to see the city as ate the Trams which can get crowded. Suggest agreeing to a price for an hour or two to explore. I've done it a few times when I have visitors and they loved it.

 

[nerodog]

Passepartout, thanks for the great information! I was hoping that you would respond, as you have traveled to so many places and helped so many TUGgers!

I think we may decide to take trains, buses and maybe Ubers (or their equivalent). We would need a van for the 6 of us, and a carseat for the youngest grandchild.

I can't wait to try Cataplana, and of course, those heavenly egg custard tarts! Hopefully, our Airbnb hosts can make good recommendations for localeateries.

Thanks again!

Dori

Don't forget Dori... the trains and buses have been on strike off and on..hopefully off in June for you. The metro is easy to use in Lisbon. I woukd highly recommend a car in the Algarve as you will miss alot with infrequent trains and stops.

 

[vacationtime1]

You need a car (preferably with navigation) to see the Algarve.

You don't want a car within Lisbon.

 

[Dori]

Thank you Robert and Nerodog!! We have our Airbnbs booked now. We are staying in a windmill house near Faro for that part of the trip! DS is doing all the bookings. He is looking at transportation details now, so I will definitely pass on your valuable information to him!

Dori