Portugal

Portugal is located at the very edge of Europe and due to its location not so often visited by tourists. For example, here comes less tourists than to Hungary, Czech Republic or Sweden. Although such location did a beneficial impact on the tourism opportunities of the country.

Why Portugal?

By the mid 18th century Portugal has become a superpowerful country and Lisbon was one of the biggest cities in Europe. Then, in 1755, happened one of the most devastating earthquakes in history, which is not only completely destroyed the capital, but also marked the beginning of the decline of the empire.

The city has been completely rebuilt and remains in that conditions nowadays, while almost all the major European cities have been rebuilt starting from mid-19th century. In addition, Portugal has been avoiding wars in the last centuries.

But the country was poor. At a time when other European countries were rebuilt and developed, Portugal remained a reserve of a luxury life of the 18th century.

When to go to Portugal

Best months - May, June, July. But the temperature does not fall below 7-8 degrees during the day, even in winter.

Transport

Due to the small size, Portugal is ideal for car rental. Also all kinds of public transport are well developed. We used trains and buses.

Mobile Internet

Upon arrival buy a sim card MEO with a prepaid internet. In 2015 they had following prices: 2 Gb for 13 euros or 6 Gb for 30 euros.

Prices

The overall impression - Portugal is slightly cheaper than Italy, Spain or France, although the prices in the tourist areas are almost the same. But hotels are much cheaper. For example, a good apartment in the center of Lisbon or Porto cost about 80 euros. And the best hotels only 180-250 euros.

Our route

We decided not to visit islands during our first trip. Also we saved a lot of time due to good location of the hotels.

Day 1 - Nations park in Lisbon
Day 2 - Queluz Palace, Lisbon
Day 3 - Nations park in Lisbon, Lisbon, Cape Roca
Day 4 - Sintra, Convent of the capuchos in Sintra, Monserrate Park, Seteais Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Lisbon
Day 5 - Sintra, Pena Palace, Lisbon
Day 6 - Lisbon
Day 7 - Belem, Obidos
Day 8 - Obidos, Coimbra
Day 9 - Porto
Day 10 - Guimaraes, Porto
Day 11 - Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga, Porto, Porto Bike Path
Day 12 - Porto
Day 13 - Algarve Coast
Day 14 - Algarve Coast and beach Benagil Cave
Day 15 - Algarve Coast

Day 1 - Nations park in Lisbon

The first two nights we stayed in the Nations park. Although it is only a few metro stops from the airport, but it is better to take a taxi.


In the evening were strolling on the promenade


Day 2 - Queluz Palace, Lisbon

In the morning we went to the Queluz palace from the Oriente station.


Returned by train to Sete Rios and then reached São Sebastião by metro. From there went to the center.

Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade ©Yuriy Buriak

Day 3 - Nations park in Lisbon, Lisbon, Cape Roca

In the morning went for a run on the promenade




At noon moved to the apartment at the Rossio Square by taxi and then went to Cape Roca.


Day 4 - Sintra, Convent of the capuchos in Sintra, Monserrate Park, Seteais Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Lisbon

Early in the morning tried to met the sunrise at the Commerce square. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy.


From Rossio Station went to Sintra. Then take a taxi to the monastery of the Capuchins.


From the monastery walked through the forest to the park of Montserrat.


Next took a tourist bus to the Seteais palace


Continued on foot to Quinta da Regaleira


After having a luch in Sintra went back to Lisbon.


In the evening climbed an observation deck at the Santa Justa elevator.


And met sunset at São Pedro de Alcântara.


Day 5 - Sintra, Pena Palace, Lisbon

In the morning we went to the Pena palace, as one day for Sintra was not enough.


Returned to Lisbon and went to the Caxias beach to have some rest.


Met sunset at Senhora do Monte


Day 6 - Lisbon

In the morning climbed to the Lisbon Castle on a tuk-tuk.




Went down to the tram 28E, got to Rua Vítor Cordon stop and on foot reached Cais do Sodre. From there by ferry crossed the river to Cacilhas and took a bus to the statue of Christ.




Returned to Lisbon and visited few viepoints.


In the evening strolled around the Commerce Square


Day 7 - Belem, Obidos

Early in the morning took the tram 15E from Commerce Square to Belém and met there a sunrise. This time we were lucky.




After few hours of strolling returned to the center, checked out from apartment and on the metro went to Campo Grande where took a bus to Obidos.


Day 8 - Obidos, Coimbra

In the morning walked a little


By taxi got to Caldas da Rainha and continued by train to Coimbra.


Day 9 - Porto

In the morning the weather was not very good, so we had a rest and took the train to Porto.


Day 10 - Guimaraes, Porto

In the first half of the day visited Guimaraes


And then strolled in Porto


In the evening visited viewpoint Miradouro da Serra do Pilar


Day 11 - Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga, Porto, Porto Bike Path

On this day we visited Bom Jesus do Monte and Braga.




Returned to Porto, rented biked and went to the ocean.


Day 12 - Porto

On this day, we strolled around Porto center.








Day 13 - Algarve Coast

In the morning we took the train to the south coast. You can fly to Faro with Ryan Air, but we chose the train. Got off at Tunes and went to our hotel by taxi.

Swim and went for a walk along the coast to Benagil.


Day 14 - Algarve Coast and beach Benagil Cave

In the morning took free bikes at the hotel and in 20 minutes were at Benagil where visited famous cave.


Day 15 - Algarve Coast

In the morning met sunrise, took a taxi to Tunes and went to Lisbon airport.


Useful Links

Tourism
https://www.visitportugal.com - Portugal tourism
http://www.visitporto.travel - Porto tourism
http://www.gooporto.com - Porto tourism
http://www.visitlisboa.com - Lisbon tourism
http://www.golisbon.com - Lisbon tourism
http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/ - Sintra National Park, all the sights

Transport
http://cp.pt - trains
http://www.rede-expressos.pt - buses
http://www.rodotejo.pt - buses
http://www.renex.pt - buses
http://www.scotturb.com/carreiras/horarios/inverno - buses in Sintra and Cascais

Some of the movies in which you can see Portugal

The Ninth Gate (1999) - a great movie with Johnny Depp. One of the scenes was filmed on the central area of Sintra and Chalet Biester (video).

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - the first scene of this movie with James Bond was filmed on the beach Praia do Guincho (video). By the way, Ian Fleming wrote his first story about the famous spy, when he lived at the Hotel Palacio in Estoril. A Casino of Estoril became the prototype of "Royale" Casino.

House of the Spirits (1994) - a movie with Meryl Streep and Antonio Banderas. Beautiful Mexican landscapes were shot in Alentejo region, in the south of Portugal (video)

Night Train to Lisbon (2014) - drama with Jeremy Irons (video)

The other half (2006) - unpretentious comedy, the action took place at the time of the football European Championship in 2004.