Lisbon best beach day tips + Portugal plan

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stevesayskanpai
stevesayskanpai

We are planning a trip to Portugal in late September. After a bit of research I have worked out the following itinerary. Our aim is to spend time by the beach and coastal towns, plus the main sights and experiences of Lisbon and Porto.

Day 1 - Arrive Lisbon

Five full days in Lisbon, including Sintra and day trips to beach

Day 7 - Go to Tomar, go on to Coimbra to sleep (or go to Obidos?)

Day 8 - Coimbra, go on to Porto to sleep

Day 9 - Porto - Port wine tasting

Day 10 - Day trip to Braga

Day 11 - Porto day before evening flight home

My main questions are:

  1. Given the lack of trains between Obidos and Tomar, it seems like it is one of the other. Which would you choose?

  2. Of our five days in Lisbon, I was thinking 2 exploring the city, 1 in Sintra and 2 on other day trips to beaches. My question is, there seem to be lots of options for day trips from Lisbon. Names I have read include:

Cascais
Estoril
Costa da Caparica
Sesimbra
Ericeira
Nazare
Comporta

How do these places listed compare, and which would you choose for your favourite day trips from Lisbon? Are beaches closer to the city better options?

Many thanks for your help.

Travel photographer: www.jsmphotography.co.uk
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getyoung
getyoung

1) I visited Odibos as a day trip and wasn't impress with it. It is a very small town. Thus, between the two, I'd pick Tomar which I have never been but from pictures it looks more interesting.

2) It appears that you left out Praia da Adraga. From there you can hike along the coast to Cabo da Roca. My day trip did stopped at Nazare for lunch and I wasn't impressive with the fishing village.

A big benefit of being at the beaches near Lisbon is you save travel time.

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giantsteps
giantsteps

I just returned from two weeks in northern Spain and a week in the Lisbon area and will offer my perspective:

The Portuguese coast west of Sintra, as well as Sintra itself were easily the highlights of our trip. After spending two nights in Praia das Macas/Azenhas do Mar followed by a night in Sintra and a night in Palmela, Lisbon proper was not nearly as impressive. This is of course only my opinion, but words cannot describe the magic of Sintra. Lisbon was great for a night of going out in Bairro Alto and a day walking around the city, but I would have easily sacrificed one or two of our three nights in Lisbon for an extra night in the smaller towns.

Consider staying in Sintra at Casa do Pendoa (extremely nice, extremely affordable apartments). Or in Azenhas do Mar Casal Santa Virginia (romantic B&B setting right on the bluffs over the Atlantic) - also very affordable, overlooking the ocean and a super laid-back vibe. Walking distance to excellent and affordable seafood in Praia das Macas. The pousada in Palmela is also very much worth the money and the little vilage features some fantastic wine.

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hmg77
hmg77

The tips of GIANT Steps are very good.
Cascais and Estoril are good but urban beaches, but acessibly by train from Lisbon (20-30min).
Costa da Caparica have got better beaches, than in Lisbon and Cascais area, but Costa da Caparica is almost for a car onwer because the best beaches are acessible by car. And in weekends everybody got to Costa da Caparica, so it can get overcrowded..

As a Portuguese and Lisbon guy, and for your 2 day trips to the beach i suggest:

I would choose going to Comporta (1 day). Go to Setubal by train, and then by ferry to Comporta. The ferry itself is very good, you can see the Mountain, the Palmela Castle, and the river itself.. and you can really feel at holidays..The beaches in Comporta area are better than in Lisbon and Cascais area (white sand and dunes) but less scenic, with less clifes and no rocks.
P.S. Go to the ocean side of the beach. Despite it looks obvious sometimes people go to the river side of the beach, near to the ferry peer..

The tips of GIANT Steps are very good, you can go to Sintra, (by train) to your 1 day schedule day tour in Sintra and overnight in the Praia das Macas area (you have a 100 year old tram that take you there..), and in the next day heading to Praia do Guincho, near Cascais. Taxi from there to Cascais should be 10-15€. From Cascais you can go there by foot, taxi or rented bike (in Cascais there are free), a very enjoyable ocean walk.
To return to Lisbon you can go by train.

Enjoy Portugal!

H.

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hmg77
hmg77

Also in your train trip to Cascais there are Carcavelos, a very popular beach.

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stevesayskanpai
stevesayskanpai

These suggestions sound great, thanks for your help! I'll let you know how we get on.

Travel photographer: www.jsmphotography.co.uk
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stevesayskanpai
stevesayskanpai

Actually I have one more question.

You say go to Sintra / Praia das Macas area, and stay overnight - which is our plan. Then you said next day head to Praia do Guincho, near Cascais. How do we get there from Praia das Macas? We won't have a car ...

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lisbonbynight
lisbonbynight

Hi,

You can go by train its a very beautiful ride check the site of CP:

http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgnextoid=919ed90ed1e69010VgnVCM1000007b01a8c0RCRD&contentId=4ee3078fec063210VgnVCM100000be01a8c0RCRD&lang=en
Our campany makes journeys!
If you wont more tips send me email and I'll help with the trip!
Thank you.

Fernando Jorge
lisbonbynight@hotmail.com

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lisbonbynight
lisbonbynight

In day 7 you can go to Tomar and Fátima, ans sleep in Coimbra!
Fatima is near by and so you'll know one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the world!

In Lisbon you can go to several beaches like Ericeira, Sesimbra, Costa da Caparica, Fonte da Telha, check the site: http://www.lisbonbynight.com/products-2/

At night you must go to a fado house, if you need any help email me!

By

lisbonbynight@hotmail.com

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