Portugal for a long weekend - beach and town where's best?

hi there

My friend and i are looking to go to Portugal from July 1st to 5th and looking for some advice on where is best to go. We are looking for a bit of beach time but a town with some sights to see as well, or even stay a couple of nights in one place and a couple in another. We're not keen on for resorts and dont' have a car for getting around so public transport would have to do. Any suggestions and advice most welcome!

Cheers,
Aoife

I'd suggest the Algarve coast but you really need a car to get around, it is possible to get to some places by public transport but options are thin and are limited to mainly coach and then a very limited rail network.

I'd suggest Lisbon. The city has lots of good historical tourist attractions although no beach. However you can take the train from downtown Lisbon to the beach very easily and cheaply to Cascais, Estoril or even Sintra where there are a number a great beaches to hang out on. You could choose to stay out in Cascais, but you have to get from the airport to train station and then travel the half hour or so to your hotel, probably worth it if you want to hit the beach every day.

Agree with Lisbon.

If you go to Cascais you have a nice bed and breakfast called
Casa Pergola. Not as nice as pergola house you have Hotel Equador,
for better price.
Casa pergola is in the center
http://www.casadapergola-cascais-lisbon.com/
Hotel Equador is 10 minutes walking to the center (it is on the top of a hill
in Cascais.)
Address: Alto da pampilheira 396, N of cascais , Cascais , Portugal
Telephone +351 214 826 500
Email hotelequador@mail.telepac.pt
In the Algarve you have the water. Much warmer than in lisbon and Cascais.
If you choose the center ( the water front ) you can travel east and west.
The west is very pretty. I like Alvor. From Alvor you can visit Lagos and Sagres as well some nice inside towns like Silves and Monchique ( the mountain.
At least you have every hour one bus.
In Alvor you have the choice of hotel ( 3, 4, and 5 stars)
as well good self catering apartments as well rooms in private houses.