Where to go in Portugal? About 6 days of travel?

Question

I am heading over to Portugal for around 7 to 8 days to run a half marathon this March. I will be arriving in Lisbon on Friday, running the race on Sunday, and am looking to explore more of Portugal for 5 days following.

Any suggestions on what areas of Portugal to visit? I am 24 years old and enjoy a variety of things, running (obviously), biking, hiking, shopping, dining out, and exploring the night life. Any ideas would really help me out!

Answer 1

Hi. Many things to see in Portugal. Depends I guess on what you like. If you are around Lisbon, make sure to see Sintra, Cascais. If you go around Portugal, go to Coimbra, Porto, Guimarães, Aveiro. These are all cities worth visiting for culture and things to see and do. If you enjoy touristic stuff, then the south would be the best, in the Algarve region. Although there you feel as if you were in England with nice weather.

I have two blogs with pics of Portugal and Lisbon and I put pics of things I think people should see here. It is far from complete, but should give you some ideas. Check out the sources below:

Answer 2

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PORTUGAL

• LISBON AREA

       http://www.atl-turismolisboa.pt/home.asp...

Belem- Is a neighbourhood in Lisbon with a lot of history from the 1400’s and 1500’s, you can visit:

  Belem’s tower (fortification that controlled the entrance of ships in Lisbon)

The Torre de Belém is currently a national and universal cultural reference and in 1983 it was classified by UNESCO as "World Cultural Heritage".



Jeronimos monastery it is commonly considered to be the "jewel" of the Manueline style and a symbol of the golden age of Portuguese Maritime Discoveries.

MUSEU NACIONAL DOS COCHES Carriages from the Portuguese Royal House and Gala Coaches of the 16th to the 19th centuries. Horses and shooting harnesses. Uniforms belonging  to the staff of the Royal House.

FADO NIGHT- Every tourist should go to a fado night, I call it the Portuguese’ blues

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fado

http://www.golisbon.com/night-life/fado/

• NEAR LISBON

SINTRA is a beautiful city north of Lisbon. Kings spend their vacations there.

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/c...

FATIMA’S SANTUARY – Catholic sanctuary dedicated to our lady. Our lady appeared to three young Sheppards. This is a very quiet and calm place and is visited by a lot of tourists (Hillary Clinton made a visit when Bill was President).

http://www.sacredsites.com/europe/portug...

TOMAR- city founded in 1165 were the templar Knights made their headquarters in Portugal. Beautiful city with many monuments.

http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar

ALGARVE

• Driving to Algarve (south) you should stop and visit Evora. Half way from Lisbon to Algarve. You can visit Romans ruins and other monuments.



http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/p...

• The region of Algarve

This is the best beaches and weather in Portugal. Mediterranean ocean’s beaches with the same quality as France or Italy but cheaper.

   http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/a...

Other Comments:

Europeans drive a little different from us in North America. You should learn the Europeans signs and rules.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carr...

Portugal is a beautiful Country.

Have fun…