Spain - Portugal - Morocco

Replies: 10 - Last Post: Apr 20, 2013 9:27 AM Last Post By: gawkabout

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aqualibra2013

Mar 17, 2013 1:51 AM
Posts: 3

Spain - Portugal - Morocco

Hi there,
I know there's been a bit written about Spain and Portugal, but can I request a little more.. I'm flying into Barcelona at the start of May 2013, and have 2 full weeks to explore Spain/Portugal before I head to Morocco for a 5 day tour. I would like to know is it too ambitious to fit in Barcelona, Porto, Lisbon, and Grenada? And is this the best route to take? The flights seem to be the way to go between destinations, as far as I can tell. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers, A

anillos_de_saturno

Mar 17, 2013 7:57 AM
Posts: 5,654

Hi aqualibra2013!

Welcome to TT!

I would like to know is it too ambitious to fit in Barcelona, Porto, Lisbon, and Grenada?

No, it isn't (assuming by Grenada you meant Granada).

And is this the best route to take?

As you are heading to Morocco at the end of your route, yes that would probably be the best order to visit those destinations.

The flights seem to be the way to go between destinations, as far as I can tell.

It depends on your preferences and budget. Porto to Lisbon can easily be made by train (Portuguese Railways|www.cp.pt]) or bus (Rede Expressos) (depending once again on your preferences). Lisbon to Granada can be made by bus (bus company: Alsa).

Anto95

Mar 17, 2013 8:41 AM
Posts: 31

Good afternoon,

Firstly, 2 weeks are okay to do 4 towns, even if it will be more active than passive holidays.

Beetween Barcelona and Porto, Ryanair unsualy offers cheap ticket... I paid something like 25€ last year to do the link Btween these 2 towns (and 97€ for Paris - Rome - Barcelona - Porto - Paris..)

Between Porto and Lisboa, you can take the train départing from estação Campanha to Santa Aplolonia or Oriente. Use the Afla Pendular, a 3 hours trip from north to south, and usualy around 20-30€.

You can also find some buses, which takes around 5 hours and cost from 10€ to 20€. Train is much more comfortable with snack service at affordable prices (0.8€ for a 50cl bottle of water, less than 2€ for a sandwich..)

anillos_de_saturno

Mar 17, 2013 8:54 AM
Posts: 5,654

(Portuguese Railways|www.cp.pt])

Due to a typo, the link didn't show properly so I'll provide it again (this time properly, I hope):

Portuguese Railways

mredman

Mar 17, 2013 11:32 AM
Posts: 244

If you are short on time, I don't recommend visiting both Lisbon and Porto on the same trip. There really isn't much of a point. I'd recommend only Lisbon and filling your time with places around it (Sintra, Cascais, Obidos, Tomar, Alcobaca, Batalha, etc).

Or you could go straight to Andalusia from Barcelona, there's easily enough there to fill 10 days.

aqualibra2013

Mar 19, 2013 2:36 AM
Posts: 3

Thank you all for your comments and help - just shows these forums are definitely a good way to get current 'insider' information, especially regarding travel times, and companies to look into (and such quick responses)

I will look into all you have mentioned, and take trains where time allows it. I realise there's a lot to see, and while I would love to just explore Andalusia, as I know it's better to see more of one area, I feel better having taken in a few places. I will think cutting out Porto, though. Once again, thanks! A

gawkabout

Mar 22, 2013 4:43 AM
Posts: 4,373

I'd leave off Barcelona for another trip. It adds a long expensive arm on your trip.

Good thing you're going to Portugal. Its off the beaten path. Its not between other usual country tourist trails. Its the cheapest too.

It has its own style of medieval. Spend a few days in Sintra! Its an hour west of Lisbon. Palaces ad nauseum. The foot path to the high point, by the Royal Castle, is other worldly. Be careful.Wind scultured balanced rock up there. 8oQ

Sintra is a wedding cake story book place. Take the bus to Cascais from there. You'll be glad you ain't driving.

Then a train back to Lisbon for a fresh start on your sojourne.

davidmonteiro

Mar 27, 2013 8:31 AM
Posts: 9

depends quite a lot of what kind of holidays you prefer, naturally
however, as gawkabout said, going to BCN add a long way

Porto/Lisbon/Madrid or Lisboa/Madrid/Granada/BCN
this all depends on how will you be travelling

by car: either one or the other option will not be too bad (quite a few kilometers anyway)
by plain: Granada will be quite out of the picture because

on the other hand visiting the Alhambra (Granda) worht the kilometers that you will do

have a nice time and do not hesitate to sen e-mail if you need mor info

David
(david.monteiro@montesevales.com)

alan_s

Apr 5, 2013 1:56 AM
Posts: 30

Just for comparison here is my itinerary next June/July. I have already booked the trenhotels on the Renfe site. I am taking the TGV from Paris before this section.

Day1 Sud Express trenhotel overnight Irun to Lisbon
Day2 Lisbon
Day3 Lisbon
Day4 Lisbon
Day5 Lisbon
Day6 Lusitania trenhotel to Madrid
Day7 Madrid
Day8 AVE to Cordoba
Day9 Cordoba
Day10 Cordoba
Day11 ATR to Algeciras
Day12 Shuttle to Tarifa, Ferry to Tangier
Day13 Train to Fez
Day14 Fez
Day15 Fez
Day16 Fez
Day17 Train to Casablanca
Day 18 Air to Rhodes.

I chose Cordoba because I have already been to Granada, which would be my first choice: http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2006/10/alhambra.html

aqualibra2013

Apr 20, 2013 5:36 AM
Posts: 3

Once again, thanks a lot for all your tips and suggestions.
At this point I will be staying 4 days in Barcelona, then across to Portugal for at least 4 days. I have deliberately left the next week open, though I suspect I will bus over to Grenada, heading down to morocco after that for my booked 5 day bus tour. I will look into the ferry across like you are planning, Alan.

Cheers and happy travelling!

A

gawkabout

Apr 20, 2013 9:27 AM
Posts: 4,373